Iran Approves Customs Exemption for AI Hardware Imports
Iran exempts AI hardware imports from customs duties in new legislation.
The Iranian Parliament has passed a law exempting the import of specialized artificial intelligence hardware from customs duties. This decision was made during today's public session, where representatives approved Article 14 of the National Artificial Intelligence Bill.
The exemption applies to AI equipment, processors, and specialized hardware that cannot be manufactured domestically. According to the House of Nation, these items will be exempt from entry fees under the new clause added to Article 119 of the Customs Affairs Law, originally enacted in 2011.
Approval Mechanism and Oversight
The process for customs exemption requires a proposal from the National Artificial Intelligence Organization. Final approval is granted by the Ministry of Industry, Mining, and Trade.
This legislation was reviewed as part of the second report from the Industries and Mines Committee on the National Artificial Intelligence Bill. It received overwhelming support, with 222 votes in favor, 12 against, and 4 abstentions out of 250 representatives present.
Other Provisions in the Bill
Other provisions include subjecting the National Artificial Intelligence Development Fund to Clause A of Article 18 of the Knowledge-Based Production Leap Law. Executive bodies involved in military, defense, and security missions are excluded from this law's provisions.
Additionally, the National Artificial Intelligence Organization must provide performance reports every six months. These reports will be submitted to the National Artificial Intelligence Steering Council, along with the Industries and Mines and Education, Research, and Technology Committees within Parliament.