Explore Iran and Beyond with the Carnet de Passage: Easier Land Travel for Tourists

Published on December 14, 2025

An innovative move is being brought about by the Carnet de Passages en Douane (CPD), which is issued by the Touring and Automobile Club of the Islamic Republic of Iran (TACI), allowing international travelers easier crossing of the land borders, ensuring that journeys with vehicles become easier, more feasible, and cheaper. The CPD serves as a “passport for your car,” ensuring that both private and business vehicles are allowed temporary entry into foreign nations without having to post significant cash deposits or undergo complicated customs formalities. This development creates new opportunities for more cross-border tourism activities, trade, and business travels for both Iranians and foreign nationals.

In an interview with the ILNA News Agency, Hourivash Askari, Director of the International Documents Office of TACI, elaborates on the ways that the CPD makes it easier to transport one’s vehicle from one country to the next, especially in places that had customs guarantees that would make it difficult for tourists to make their trips on time. Now with agreements with neighboring countries in the works, the Carnet allows for a more streamlined experience for tourists.

The Key Benefits of the Carnet de Passage for Travelers

The Carnet de Passage offers several crucial advantages that facilitate easier travel between Iran and neighboring countries:

1. Eliminating Costly Customs Guarantees: One of the most significant hurdles to international land travel has been the need for large cash deposits at border crossings, a requirement that varies by country. The CPD removes this barrier, allowing vehicles to pass through customs without the need for these costly guarantees.
2. No Need for Intermediaries: Travelers no longer need to rely on brokers or middlemen to navigate customs procedures at border points. The CPD directly facilitates vehicle entry, saving time and money.
3. Accelerating Border Clearance: With CPD in hand, the border clearance process becomes faster and more efficient, reducing the amount of time travelers spend waiting at checkpoints.
4. Legal Security Under the FIA’s Supervision: The CPD provides international legal security for vehicle owners, ensuring their rights are protected when traveling across multiple borders. The Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) supervises the system, offering peace of mind to travelers.
5. Preventing Excessive Currency Outflow: By eliminating the need for large deposits at customs, the CPD helps prevent the excessive outflow of foreign currency, contributing to better financial transparency in cross-border transactions.

The CPD not only benefits travelers but also plays a role in boosting regional economic activity by encouraging tourism, trade, and local business growth in the regions connected by these agreements.

Expanding the CPD System to Neighboring Countries

Iran has been actively pursuing agreements with neighboring countries to expand the use of the CPD. According to Askari, TACI has already signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Iraqi Automobile and Touring Association, enabling vehicles carrying a CPD to travel freely between Iran and Iraq. Additionally, a separate agreement has been reached with the Armenian Automobile Federation and a private Iranian company to issue and accept CPDs for Armenian vehicles, further easing cross-border travel for both Iranian and Armenian tourists and business travelers.

These agreements represent a broader regional integration in travel, reducing barriers for those wishing to drive between countries. Askari also confirmed that discussions are underway with Georgia to implement a similar arrangement, which would further enhance regional travel connectivity in the Caucasus region.

The CPD is gradually becoming an essential tool for travelers looking to explore Iran’s neighboring countries, facilitating smoother transit across multiple borders, and expanding the regional tourism market.

The CPD’s Impact on Regional Land Tourism

Beyond facilitating business travel and trade, the Carnet de Passage system is having a significant impact on regional tourism. The Shia Muslim pilgrimage is particularly affected, as many religious travelers use their personal vehicles to visit Iraq, Syria, and other key sites in the Middle East. The ease of access provided by the CPD makes the journey less burdensome and more convenient, encouraging more people to make the pilgrimage in their own vehicles.

For tourists visiting Iran from Pakistan, Turkey, Kuwait, and other GCC countries, the CPD opens up the possibility of extended road trips, allowing them to explore multiple destinations within Iran or venture into neighboring countries with minimal delays. This cross-border connectivity is vital for tourism diversification, attracting travelers who are eager to experience not just Iran, but its regional neighbors as well.

In addition, the CPD allows Iranian tourists to explore the wider Middle East, providing greater flexibility and freedom when planning road trips. As the Iranian government continues to promote tourism as part of its broader economic strategy, the CPD is a critical component of a plan to make Iran a more accessible and attractive destination for international visitors.

Simple Process for Obtaining a CPD

Obtaining a Carnet de Passage in Iran is relatively straightforward. Applicants need to provide several documents, including proof of vehicle ownership, a valid exit permit, transit plates, a passport, and an international driving license. The document is available through TACI’s central office in Tehran as well as at border crossings and designated service points in the country.

For travelers, the ease of obtaining the CPD is an added incentive to choose land travel as a preferred mode of transportation. Once acquired, the CPD allows vehicles to remain in the destination country temporarily, with maximum durations of stay typically ranging from three months for foreign vehicles entering Iran from Turkey, Pakistan, Kuwait, Oman, the UAE, and Iraq.

While the CPD simplifies border-crossing procedures for foreign vehicles, it’s important for travelers to ensure that their vehicles are registered with customs upon entry and exit. Failure to properly document this process can lead to complications and legal issues, which makes it important for travelers to stay informed about entry and exit regulations.

The Future of the Carnet de Passage System in Iran

The CPD system represents a significant leap forward in facilitating international land travel. As TACI continues to negotiate with neighboring countries, it’s expected that the CPD will be used more widely across Central Asia, Caucasus, and the Middle East. This expansion promises to simplify travel for both tourists and business travelers, fostering stronger regional ties and enabling easier movement of people and goods.

For Iran, the CPD serves as a vital tool in promoting tourism and enhancing the visitor experience, particularly for cross-border travelers. As the country continues to modernize its tourism infrastructure, initiatives like the Carnet de Passage are integral to making Iran more accessible and appealing to international tourists.

A Modern Solution for Land Travel in Iran

The Carnet de Passage system revolutionary land travels to Iran by making it easier for tourists and travelers to explore the country and its neighbors without the bureaucratic difficulties that have traditionally accompanied the cross-border movement of vehicles. As more countries continue to adopt this scheme and expand their usage, in turn, travelers can expect smoother, quicker, and cheaper journeys across the Middle East. The CPD thus represents an opportunity for Iran to foster stronger ties with its regional neighbors while touting the country as one of the best destinations for religious tourism, cultural exploration, and adventure travel.