Natural Stone Export from Iran: 6-Point Packing Guide
Natural stone export from Iran explained: weight limits, A-frame loading for slabs, blocks, ceramic tile packing, routes and documents.
Natural stone export from Iran is a weight problem before it is a volume problem. A 20 ft container usually reaches its payload limit long before it is full. Slabs travel on A-frames or in crates, blocks on flat racks or trucks, and ceramic tiles on strapped pallets.
This guide is for importers, agents and Iranian producers who ship travertine, marble, granite, onyx and ceramic tile. It covers packing, loading, routes and documents. Royan Logistic is a Tehran-based company that arranges sea and road freight, full and part loads, project cargo and customs coordination.
Natural stone export from Iran: slabs, blocks and tiles
Each product behaves differently in transit. The table gives a quick comparison.
| Product | Typical packing | Main risk |
|---|---|---|
| Slabs | A-frames or wooden crates | Breakage, tipping |
| Blocks | Flat rack, open top or flatbed truck | Weight, load shift |
| Cut-to-size and tiles | Boxes on pallets, strapped | Chipped edges, crushed corners |
| Ceramic tiles | Cartons on pallets, stretch-wrapped | Overloaded pallets, vibration |
Natural stone export from Iran also depends on where the buyer is. One industry report on Iran's 2020 stone trade listed China, Iraq and India among the main destinations. Flows change from year to year, so check your own market.
Weight, not volume, sets the limit
Stone is dense. Typical payloads are roughly 28 t for a 20 ft container and about 26 to 29 t for a 40 ft container, depending on the box and the line. The longer box adds little payload, so a 20 ft container is often the better fit for heavy stone.
Packing material also uses payload, and A-frames and crates take the most. The legal limit on your route can be lower than the container rating. The lowest limit on the whole journey governs, including roads, ports and transit countries.
Ask your forwarder for a weight plan before you book. Our container shipping from Iran guide explains container sizes and limits.
Loading slabs, blocks and heavy pieces
Slabs on A-frames and in crates
The Container Handbook, published by the German insurers, describes how slabs on A-frames are secured in a box container. Its main points are:
- Straps hold the slabs to the frame before loading.
- Squared timber blocks stop the frames moving sideways and lengthways.
- Shoring prevents vertical movement and tipping.
- Lashings run over the slab tops, but only slightly pretensioned, because slabs are fragile.
- One or two frames per container, depending on the mass.
Read the original text in the Container Handbook section on slabs on A-frames. Crates add protection but also weight and cost. Use them for high-value or polished slabs.
Blocks and heavy pieces
Blocks are often too heavy or too large for a standard box container. Operators use open-top containers, flat racks or flatbed trucks. A lowbed may help for very heavy single pieces.
These moves need a proper lifting plan, rated slings and strong blocking. Oversize loads can also need route permits. See our project cargo page for heavy-lift planning.
Ceramic tiles: pallets, corners and straps
Ceramic tiles are less fragile as a pallet than as loose pieces. Still, vibration and sudden braking cause chipped edges. A sound pallet, corner boards, stretch film and strapping reduce losses.
- Do not overload pallets. Check that handling equipment can lift the weight.
- Keep one shade and size per pallet and mark the batch number.
- Fill gaps in the container so pallets cannot slide.
- Use anti-slip mats and bracing at the door end.
Good packing also supports an insurance claim if damage occurs. Keep photos of the loading and the packing list with the file.
Six checks before you book natural stone export from Iran
A short checklist prevents most claims on natural stone export from Iran.
- Confirm the real weight of each slab, bundle or pallet, including packing.
- Choose the container or truck by weight first, then by volume.
- Agree the packing method with the buyer, especially for polished stone.
- Check the route limits for axle weight and height in every country.
- Decide who arranges loading equipment at origin and at destination.
- Insure the cargo for the full journey, including handling at ports.
Record the loading with photos, the seal number and the packing list. If damage occurs, this record shows when and how the cargo was loaded. It also helps the surveyor and the insurer.
Stone and tile claims often arise at unloading. Ask the consignee to inspect the cargo before the container is fully emptied and to note any damage on the delivery document. Early notice protects your position and speeds up the claim.
Routes and documents for stone and tile cargo
For natural stone export from Iran, sea freight suits large volumes to distant markets. Cargo normally leaves from Persian Gulf ports. Road suits neighbouring markets and flexible loads. See our sea freight and road freight pages.
Typical documents include:
- Commercial invoice and packing list with slab or pallet counts and weights.
- Certificate of origin, if the buyer or customs requires it.
- Transport document: bill of lading or CMR.
- Customs declaration and, where needed, an inspection report.
HS headings often used are 2515 for marble and travertine, 6802 for worked stone and 6907 for ceramic tiles. Confirm the exact code with your customs broker. Our HS code and customs duties guide explains how codes affect duties.
Rules, tariffs and quotas change. Confirm current requirements with Iran Customs (IRICA). Also confirm current trade, banking and insurance restrictions with your bank or legal adviser.
Frequently asked questions
How many slabs fit in a container?
It depends on thickness, size and the stone's density. Weight usually limits the load, not space. Ask for a weight plan from your forwarder.
Is a 40 ft container better for stone?
Usually not. Its payload is similar to a 20 ft box or only slightly higher. A 20 ft container often fits heavy stone better.
How should ceramic tiles be packed for export?
Cartons on sound pallets, with corner boards, stretch film and strapping. Keep each pallet to one batch and shade.
Which transport mode is best for natural stone export from Iran?
Sea for distant, large volumes. Road for neighbouring markets and flexible loads. Compare transit, handling and cost for your destination.
Ship stone and tile with Royan Logistic
Send the product, dimensions, weights, packing and destination through our quote form. We will plan the container or truck and check the weight. For port choice, read international freight from Iran.
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