Real 2026 market rate ranges by mode — sea, rail, air and land — plus the full landed-cost breakdown so nothing surprises you at the border.
Indicative ranges published by freight forwarders in the first half of 2026. Not a quote — this corridor’s pricing is highly volatile.
| Mode | Rate Range | Transit Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sea FCL 20ft | USD 1,000–2,200 | 18–28 days | Typical H1 2026 range; surges to several times higher in volatile periods |
| Sea FCL 40HQ | USD 1,400–2,700 | 18–28 days | Typical H1 2026 range |
| Sea LCL | USD 55–130 per CBM | 25–40 days | Per cubic metre |
| Rail 40ft | USD 5,000–7,800 | 14–24 days | Station-to-station; domestic haulage billed separately |
| Rail 20ft | USD 4,000–7,500 | 14–24 days | Highly volatile |
| Air | USD 4.5–7.5 per kg | 4–7 days | Volume weight applies |
| Truck (land) | Per shipment quote | 18–25 days | Priced per truck or per kg for consolidated cargo |
Sea and rail price per container — volume wins. Air prices per kg (volume weight) — light but bulky cargo is expensive.
The China–Tehran rate you see online is usually station- or port-to-station. Inland haulage in China and delivery in Iran add cost.
Fragile, dangerous (batteries, liquids), oversized — special packing and permits all add cost.
Pre-Nowruz rush, Golden Week, backlogs at Sarakhs — expect volatility during peak windows.
Road pricing tracks diesel and RMB exchange rates directly.
Banking and insurance frictions inject a real premium into Iran corridors; during flare-ups, sea rates have spiked several-fold within weeks.
The price you see is only part of the story — here is the complete picture:
The main line — sea, rail, air or land — usually quoted station-to-station.
From the factory to the station or port; roughly USD 300–350 for a container (market 2026).
Typically 0.3–0.5% of cargo value (market 2026).
By HS code — usually 4–26% depending on the category; the customs-tariff guide explains.
Iranian VAT plus THC and customs service charges, payable to the state.
From the terminal to your warehouse door in Tehran or other cities.
Customs duty depends on your HS code — read the customs tariff guide. For a transparent, itemized proforma, use the quote form below.
