Financial Tribune - As per the new directive of the Islamic Republic of Iran Customs Administration, date exporters need to pay duty for their shipments.

The duties, depending on the type of dates, are either in the form of payments ranging from 50,000 to 80,000 rials (36-58 cents) per kilogram of their shipments, or 30% of the rial value of the product, IRNA reported.

The move to impose customs duty on dates is aimed at ensuring supply in the domestic market remains sufficient. However, this will adversely impact Iran�s export volume.

Per capita date consumption in Iran is 3 kilograms (per year).