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Importing a US car to Iraq in 2026: 15% duty, damage ban, Kurdistan

Since 1 Jan 2026, federal Iraq bans imports of cars after serious accidents, flood-damaged and burned cars, and charges 15% duty on passenger cars. The Kurdistan Region (KRG) is stricter: in 2026 private cars must be model year 2025 or at most 2 years older, and heavy damage is banned. A car with serious damage (crash, water, fire) won't get in.

Updated: 2026-11

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Key facts

Age and eligibility

• Federal Iraq: a general age limit isn't reliably confirmed. From 1 Jan 2026, Iraqi Technical Requirement No. 167 (based on GSO standards) is mandatory for model year 2025 and newer; used cars go through a special COSQC inspection.
• Kurdistan (KRG Interior Ministry instruction for 2026, from 1 Jan 2026): private cars must be model year 2025 or at most 2 years older; 2024 models only until 1 Sep 2026.
• Kurdistan also requires a COC certificate, ABS, at least 2 airbags (small cars), a catalytic converter and an untampered odometer.
• The government is discussing further import limits — age caps and preference for hybrids and EVs.

Duties and taxes

• Federal, from 1 Jan 2026: 15% duty on all passenger cars (Council of Ministers Resolution No. 957/2025). Shafaq News reports 8–15% depending on engine size and year. Parliament is challenging the resolution's legality, but as of Feb 2026 it is in force.
• Kurdistan has its own system: in April 2026 a switch to ASYCUDA with 15% duty was announced; as of 23 Aug 2026 unified Erbil–Baghdad rules were still awaiting cabinet approval. Actual rates as of November 2026 are unconfirmed.
• A car cleared in Kurdistan (1,500,000 IQD) must pay an extra 3,500,000 IQD if driven in Kirkuk, Nineveh or Diyala (Rudaw, Feb 2026).
• Prepayment of duties before currency transfers was suspended by Cabinet Decision No. 544 of 6 Oct 2026; the official rate is 1,500 IQD/$.
• No official figures for VAT/sales tax, excise, recycling or registration fees.

Damaged cars and salvage titles

• Federal, from 1 Jan 2026 (Requirement No. 167): four categories are banned — cars after serious accidents, flood-damaged, burned and damaged. Formally it's mandatory for 2025+ models; older used cars are covered through the COSQC inspection.
• Kurdistan: a flat ban on flood-damaged and burned cars, cars with frame/body or engine damage, and cars marked "For Junk". Only minor damage is allowed.
• There's no requirement to repair a car before import — it must meet the standard and pass inspection.
• In 2019, about 80% of the 313,105 cars imported into Kurdistan over 2.5 years were salvage (Rudaw). The bans have been tightened since.

EVs and hybrids

• No federal breaks: since 1 Jan 2026 hybrids and EVs pay the same 15% duty.
• Kurdistan: from 1 Sep 2026 hybrids are taxed, fully electric cars remain exempt. Since 16 Feb 2025 no environmental fee is charged when registering an EV.

Documents

• Kurdistan: COC certificate. Federal: compliance with Requirement No. 167 / GSO standards, clearance via ASYCUDA.
• The full document list for individuals isn't confirmed.

Shipping from the US

• Federal Iraq: by sea to Umm Qasr (Basra).
• Kurdistan: via KRG land crossings — Ibrahim Khalil, Haji Omaran, Bashmakh, Parwezkhan.
• Shipping times and costs aren't confirmed.

Example: 2021 Toyota Camry 2.5, $10,000

• Federal: 15% duty ≈ $1,500 (if customs accepts a $10,000 value) plus a tax advance of about 3% ≈ $300 (per the Baghdad Chamber of Commerce, unofficial). Total ≈ $1,500–1,800 plus shipping, port and broker.
• Whether a 2021 model is admitted federally isn't confirmed; a car with heavy damage (crash, water, fire) won't pass.
• Kurdistan: a 2021 model can't be imported in 2026.
• Estimate: customs may use its own valuation. Rate: 1,500 IQD/$.

Still being checked

• General age limit in federal Iraq (websites mention "2020 and newer" or "up to 5 years").
• Current duty rates in Kurdistan as of November 2026.
• Whether the damaged-car ban applies to used models older than 2025.
• The 3% tax advance and registration fees.

Cars to look at

Sources

1. Alsumaria: ban on damaged car imports, new import rules (Ministry of Trade) 2025-12-12
2. Kurdistan24: KRG Interior Ministry car import instructions for 2026 2025-12-19
3. INA: Customs — new tariff from 1 January 2026, including hybrids 2025-12-30
4. Baghdad Today: Customs applies 15% to hybrids and EVs 2025-12-30
5. Shafaq News: Explainer — Iraq's updated customs tariffs, legal dispute 2026-02-07
6. Kurdistan24: Iraq reimposes vehicle tariffs 2026-02-21
7. Shafaq News: Ministry of Planning / COSQC on Requirement No. 167 and used-car inspection 2025-07-15
8. Channel8: Kurdistan Region to implement ASYCUDA with 15% vehicle customs duty 2026-04-09
9. Kurdistan24: Erbil, Baghdad agree on key points to unify customs rules 2026-08-23
10. Erbil Business News: car traders seek extension for importing 2024 models 2026-08-11
11. Shafaq News: KRI introduces taxes on hybrid vehicles 2026-09-01
12. Rudaw: Electric vehicles no longer charged environment fees (KRG) 2025-02-16
13. Shafaq News: Iraq's dollar rate increase draws lawmaker backlash 2026-10-07
14. 964media: Iraq plan to regulate car imports 2025-12-16
15. Carzone: car customs in Iraq 2026 (secondary source) 2026-10-12

This is a reference, not legal advice. Rules change often: confirm the numbers with customs or a licensed broker before you buy.

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