Shipping Persian Carpets: 6-Step Packing and Export Guide
Shipping Persian carpets safely means rolling, protective wrapping, moisture control and the right transport mode. Here are six steps and the papers needed.
Shipping Persian carpets safely starts with rolling them rather than folding, wrapping them in a protective but breathable layer and keeping them dry. A few high-value pieces suit air freight. Larger volumes go by container or truck. An invoice, packing list and certificate of origin form the core paperwork.
For anyone buying or selling Iranian rugs, the real risks are moisture, moths and crushing. This guide covers six steps, from packing to papers, in plain language.
1. Why carpets need special care
Wool and silk absorb moisture and odours easily. Damp causes mildew and may make dyes run. Moths can do lasting damage to wool. A heavy load stacked on top can crush the pile. Fringes tear or get dirty.
A carpet is a valuable item. Even a small stain or smell lowers its price. That is why shipping Persian carpets is planned differently from moving ordinary cartons.
Silk is more sensitive than wool. It is easier to damage with acidic packaging, wetness or hard folds. Old carpets can also be fragile. Tell your forwarder the type, age and condition of each piece from the start, so packing and insurance are set up correctly.
2. Packing: roll, wrap, label
A hand-knotted carpet is rolled, not folded. Folding can leave permanent marks in the warp and knots. Roll the carpet evenly and snugly, but not so tightly that the pile is crushed. For long storage, ask the seller or a carpet specialist which rolling direction suits the piece. This matters most for silk.
- For large or heavy carpets, roll around a rigid core such as a PVC tube. The diameter stays even.
- Lay fringes flat, tuck them inward and wrap them in acid-free tissue.
- Keep silk away from acidic materials such as cardboard and kraft paper.
- Use a heavy-gauge plastic or a tough cover as the outer layer. Add light padding at the ends.
- Avoid materials that may transfer dye.
For wool carpets you can place a moth deterrent inside the roll. First confirm that it is compatible with the carpet. Attach a label with sender, receiver, size and number. Record each carpet's length, width, roll diameter and weight separately. Combining several carpets in one package eases handling. Still, wrap and label each one.
3. Moisture and container rain when shipping Persian carpets
The sneakiest risk is moisture. Temperature swings inside a container cause condensation. Wet pallets and timber make it worse. Droplets can leave stains and mildew on a carpet.
- Make sure the carpet is fully dry before loading.
- Use dry or plastic pallets.
- Desiccant bags and good ventilation reduce condensation.
- Do not keep a carpet waiting for long in fully airtight packaging. A breathable wrap is safer.
- Never drag the carpet across the floor during loading and unloading.
If you use wooden crates or pallets, choose timber treated to the international standard (ISPM 15). Export support bodies such as TPO may also publish useful material.
4. Transport mode: air, sea or road?
For shipping Persian carpets, the mode depends on the number of carpets, their value and the delivery time. The table gives a general frame.
| Mode | Best for | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Air freight | Few, high-value carpets | Volumetric weight affects price |
| Container (sea) | Many carpets, distant markets | Moisture and moth risk |
| Road (truck) | Neighbouring, nearby markets | Door to door, flexible |
In air freight, the price is based on the greater of actual weight and volumetric weight. Rolled carpets can be bulky. See our air freight page. For road and sea, the international freight page and our container shipping from Iran guide help.
In a container, stow the rolls horizontally, side by side, without gaps. Do not place heavy cargo on top. Add padding between rolls and secure them with straps so nothing slides.
By road, carpets usually travel in closed-body vehicles, protected from rain and dust. Rolls sit side by side and horizontal. Direct delivery to nearby markets reduces packaging wear. During border waits, make sure the vehicle body is watertight.
5. Papers and customs classification
At customs, carpets fall under Chapter 57 of the Harmonized System. Heading 5701 covers knotted carpets. Heading 5702 covers woven, non-tufted floor coverings such as kilims. Heading 5703 covers tufted carpets. The right code decides duty and documents. For shipping Persian carpets, it is the basis of the customs declaration.
- Commercial invoice and packing list.
- Certificate of origin, if the buyer's country asks for it.
- Transport document: air waybill, bill of lading or CMR.
- Carpet-specific extra documents, if any. These vary by country and product.
- Insurance policy and declared value.
Kilims and other non-pile weaves are classified under a different heading. If one consignment mixes knotted carpets and kilims, declare each on its own line.
Exporting old or antique carpets may need extra permission. Confirm the current rules of the exporting and importing country with the relevant authority. For a wider overview, see international freight from Iran. Traditional carpet-weaving skills of Kashan and Fars were inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2010; see the UNESCO listing.
6. Insurance, delivery terms and cost
A carpet is valuable and easy to damage. Read the declared value, cover and exclusions in a cargo policy carefully. Delivery terms, or Incoterms, decide who carries transport risk and cost. See Incoterms 2020 explained.
The price of shipping Persian carpets depends on the number and volume of carpets, transport mode, level of packing, insured value, destination country and customs needs. Confirm current trade, banking and insurance restrictions with your bank and legal adviser.
On delivery, photograph the package at the receiver's end. If there is wetness, odour or a tear, tell the carrier at once and note it on the delivery record. These records help with any claim. When you ask for a quote, also give the total number of rolls and the total area of the carpets.
Frequently asked questions
Should carpets be folded or rolled for shipping?
A hand-knotted carpet is rolled, not folded. For very stiff or large carpets, use a rigid core.
What is the biggest risk when shipping Persian carpets?
Moisture and moths. Dry packing, desiccant bags and a breathable wrap reduce the risk.
What affects transit time?
Mode, route, customs congestion and complete papers. Ask for a realistic plan based on your cargo details instead of a fixed promise.
Air freight or container?
Air is fast for a few valuable carpets. Containers or trucks are more economical for larger volumes. Value and time decide.
Get a quote for your carpets
Royan Logistic is an international transport and logistics company based in Tehran. It offers road, sea, rail and air freight, groupage and full loads, project cargo, customs coordination and ADR services. For shipping Persian carpets, share the number of carpets, sizes, weight and destination in our quote form, and we will plan packing and transport together.
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