Iraq customs revenue doubles in 2024, surpasses 2 trillion dinars

BAGHDAD — Iraq’s Customs Authority says its revenue reached 2.131 trillion dinars (about $1.41 billion) in 2024, reflecting a 106% surge compared with 1.03 trillion dinars ($684.6 million) in 2023. The steep rise highlights the success of modernization initiatives, including a planned electronic system rollout at all customs centers by early 2025, officials say.

Customs Authority Chief Hassan Al-Aqili told the state-run Al-Iraqiya TV, “The Authority presented its 2024 achievements and 2025 plans to the Parliamentary Finance Committee,” stressing “the need for legislative and procedural support to realize these goals.” He added, “The General Customs Authority is working to complete and expand the electronic system to include all customs centers within the first third of this year.”

On Jan. 1, 2025, the Iraqi General Authority of Customs suspended manual customs declarations and paper-based processes, fully transitioning to electronic declarations through the ASYCUDA system. Officials say the platform streamlines every stage of customs clearance, from cargo manifests to final goods release.

ASYCUDA, short for Automated System for Customs Data, is a computerized customs management system widely used worldwide to streamline and simplify customs clearance procedures.

The 2024 revenue jump follows a 28% increase recorded in 2023 compared with 2022, largely driven by introducing electronic systems at selected customs locations. Al-Aqili noted the 2024 figure underscores the continuing success of these reforms and voiced optimism for additional gains in 2025 as nationwide electronic systems become fully operational.

He clarified that “the 2024 revenue does not include data from the Kurdistan Region due to a lack of precise information.”

Officials cite unresolved coordination issues between the federal government and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) as the reason for excluding 2024 revenue data from the region. Speaking after a recent session of the Iraqi Parliament, Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani acknowledged ongoing disagreements over non-oil revenues, border crossings and customs between Baghdad and Erbil.

In September 2024, both governments agreed to form a committee aimed at removing customs checkpoints between Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, signaling progress toward economic integration and data sharing. The checkpoint removal was scheduled to begin soon after the agreement.