Kurdistan Region car imports reach record pace in 2025

ERBIL — Nearly 500 cars a day have been imported into the Kurdistan Region over the past eight months, putting the region on track to record its highest number of imports in recent years, according to official data.

Nawzad Sheikh Kamil, head of the Kurdistan Regional Government’s General Directorate of Trade, told 964media that more than 114,000 cars entered through international border crossings since the beginning of the year. He predicted the figure will rise further before year’s end.

“In the first eight months of this year, more than 500 commercial licenses were issued to companies importing cars into the Kurdistan Region,” Sheikh Kamil said.

Imports have come from at least seven countries, including the United States, France, the United Kingdom, Germany, China, Japan, and South Korea, he added.

Data show 122,000 cars were imported in 2023, rising to 172,000 in 2024. With 114,000 already brought in within eight months, this year is set to surpass both. “This year will record the highest number of cars imported into the Kurdistan Region compared to the last two years,” Sheikh Kamil said.

Under Ministry of Trade guidelines, only three model years are permitted for import annually. Starting in November, 2023 models will be barred as outdated, while 2024, 2025, and 2026 models will be allowed. Traders have already begun securing deals for 2026 shipments.

Imports arrive through the Parwezkhan, Bashmakh, Haji Omaran, and Ibrahim Khalil border crossings.