Japan-Iran Relations

1. On August 22, 2021, in the presence of H.E. Mr. MOTEGI Toshimitsu, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan and H.E. Dr. Mohammad Javad Zarif, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Agreement between the Government of Japan and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran regarding Mutual Administrative Assistance and Cooperation in Custom Matters (Customs Mutual Assistance Agreement) was signed by H.E. Mr. AIKAWA Kazutoshi, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the Islamic Republic of Iran and H.E. Dr. Mahdi MIRASHRAFI, President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Customs Administration (IRICA) and Deputy Minister of Economic Affairs and Finance in Tehran, Iran.
2. This Agreement provides a legal framework for mutual assistance between the customs authorities of the two countries, including exchanging information on the smuggling of illegal drugs, aiming at ensuring the proper enforcement of their respective customs laws, implementing measures to facilitate trade including the simplification and harmonisation of customs procedures, and realising effective border control.

The Agreement between the Government of Japan and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran regarding Mutual Administrative Assistance and Cooperation in Customs Matters (English (PDF)／ Japanese (PDF)／Persian (PDF))

Reference:
(1)Content of assistance and cooperation

• The Customs Administrations shall provide each other, on their own initiative or upon request, with assistance through the exchange of information that helps to ensure proper application of Customs laws and to prevent, investigate and repress any Customs offence.
• The Contracting Parties shall, through their Customs Administrations, make cooperative efforts for simplification and harmonisation of customs procedures.

(2)Conditions for assistance and cooperation

• This agreement shall be implemented in accordance with the laws and regulations of each country and within the available resources of the respective Customs Administrations.
• Each Contracting Party shall maintain the confidentiality of any information received pursuant to this Agreement. The information provided pursuant to this Agreement shall not be used in criminal proceedings carried out by a court or a judge without the prior written consent of the Customs Administration which provided the information.
• In cases where a Contracting Party is of the opinion that an assistance under this Agreement would infringe upon the sovereignty, security, public policy or other substantial interest of its country, that assistance may be refused or withheld by the Contracting Party.