US EditionBaghdad traders protest new customs tariffs as Iraq wrestles with shrinking oil revenues
Traders say tariffs up to 30% and new fees have increased costs and caused port backlogs, with a court ruling expected on a related lawsuit Wednesday.
- Hundreds of traders and customs-clearance company owners protested outside the General Customs Directorate in central Baghdad, coinciding with a nationwide strike by shop owners who closed markets.
- Facing large debt and oil reliance, Iraq's government imposed the tariffs on Jan. 1 to reduce debt and dependence on oil revenues.
- Traders say the new duties—including a 15% fee on electric vehicles—have raised costs sharply, while port authorities report backlogs at Umm Qasr port in southern Iraq.
- Opponents filed a lawsuit and the Federal Supreme Court is due to rule on Wednesday; many traders consider rerouting imports through the Kurdistan region to avoid higher fees and port backlogs.
- Even basic goods saw steep price jumps, notably infant milk fees rose from about 495,000 dinars to nearly 3 million and container fees from about 3 million to 14 million dinars.
34 Articles
34 Articles
Iraqi traders take to streets over customs tariff hike, warn of rising costs and trade disruption
Hundreds of traders and customs clearance company owners protested in central Baghdad on Sunday, demanding that Iraq's government reverse recently imposed customs tariffs that they say have sharply increased their costs and disrupted trade.
Baghdad Traders Protest New Customs Tariffs as Iraq Wrestles with ...
Traders Rally Against Rising Customs Tariffs in Baghdad
Traders Rally Against Rising Customs Tariffs in Baghdad On Sunday, the heart of Baghdad witnessed a sizable protest as hundreds of traders and customs clearance company owners vocalized their dissent against recently implemented customs tariffs. This demonstration signals growing unrest over measures introduced to mitigate Iraq's debt crisis by reducing dependency on dwindling oil revenues.The tariffs, effective from January 1st, have imposed si…
Associated Press News
Baghdad traders protest new customs tariffs as Iraq wrestles with shrinking oil revenues
Hundreds of traders and customs clearance company owners have protested in central Baghdad to demand that Iraq's government reverse new customs tariffs.
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