Habur Border Crossing Delays Hit Trade, Exporters Face Double Tax

Turkish exporters are facing significant challenges at the Habur border crossing, with delays and double taxation impacting trade with Iraq. CHP Gaziantep Deputy Melih Meriç has raised these issues in parliament, seeking answers from Trade Minister Ömer Bolat.

The Ministry's response reveals substantial wait times at the Habur Customs Gate. In 2026, vehicles can expect an average of 5.6 hours for entry into Turkey and 1.5 hours for exit. Daily traffic is projected to reach around 4,000 vehicles, carrying over 8,000 passengers. The ministry attributes these delays to Iraq's Ibrahim Khalil Gate's processing and control procedures, documentation deficiencies, and other institutional checks.

Further complicating matters, Iraq's central government implemented the ASYCUDA system for customs revenue tracking on December 1, 2025. While other Iraqi border crossings have used this system since 2024, the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has not adopted it at the Ibrahim Khalil Gate. This has resulted in Turkish transporters facing taxes imposed by the KRG, in addition to those collected by the central Iraqi government at the Musul Dam checkpoint.

Despite continuous diplomatic engagement through various channels, including the Turkish Embassy and Trade Attaché in Baghdad, Iraq's central government has not altered its stance. Instead, it is pressuring the KRG to implement the ASYCUDA system. The central government has also requested that Turkish transport operations be rerouted, a proposal largely rejected by transporters due to security and other concerns. The Turkish Ministry of Trade has stated that its efforts to resolve the issue will continue.