Ordering samples from Iranian suppliers: costs, couriers, checks and matching bulk to sample

Types of sample and which one you need

For commodities such as saffron, pistachios, dried fruit or herbs, a lot sample is the most useful because quality changes between lots and harvests. For manufactured or private-label goods, approve a pre-production sample and then compare the shipment with it.

Who pays for samples

Practice varies by product and order size. Low-value food samples are often free, with the buyer paying courier costs. Higher-value goods, custom-made items and private-label samples are usually charged, and some suppliers credit the sample cost against the first order.

Agree the sample price, the courier cost and any refund or credit in chat before the supplier sends anything. If you pay for the sample through ASL Market, treat it as a small order: the supplier confirms price, quantity, freight and ship-by date, and you pay. Payment is in USDT today, and ASL Secure Pay holds the money until you confirm receipt.

Courier and customs limits

International courier options from Iran are more limited than from many other countries, and transit times vary. Ask the supplier which service they can use to your country, the expected transit time and whether tracking is available. Some buyers have samples sent to an agent or forwarder in a nearby hub, for example in the UAE or Turkey, and forward them from there.

Food and plant samples can be stopped at destination customs if they lack the documents your country requires, even when the quantity is small. Check with your customs broker whether a phytosanitary or health certificate, an import permit or a lab report is needed for samples. Liquids, powders, aerosols and items with batteries face extra courier restrictions. Import rules differ by country; check your own country's rules on trade with Iran before you order.

• Ask for a commercial or pro-forma invoice marked as a sample, with a realistic value and HS code.
• Keep sample weights reasonable: enough to test and keep a reference, not a trial shipment.
• Use sealed, labelled packs with the lot number, production date and supplier name.
• For heavy goods such as tiles, stone or cement, a few pieces or a small sealed bag is usually enough; ask for photos and test reports for the rest.

What to check when the sample arrives

Test against your written specification, not against your impression. Photograph the sample on arrival, record the weight and lot number, and send lab samples to an accredited laboratory. Share the results with the supplier in chat so both sides have the same record.

Making the bulk match the sample

The most common complaint in sample-based trade is that the bulk shipment is weaker than the sample. A sample alone does not prevent this; the contract and the checks do.

Keep the approved sample sealed and split it into parts if possible: one for you, one for the supplier, and one for an inspector or lab. Then write the link between sample and bulk into the order.

• State that the goods must match the approved sample (with its reference number) and the written specification, and that the specification prevails in case of conflict.
• Put measurable limits in the specification: grade, size range, moisture, lab values, defect tolerances.
• Ask for photos and video of the actual bulk lot before loading, compared side by side with the reference sample.
• For larger orders, book a pre-shipment inspection that compares the bulk with the sealed sample. See /guides/pre-shipment-inspection-iran.
• Do not confirm receipt until you have checked the goods on arrival.

How samples work on ASL Market

Ask for samples in the chat on the listing or in your buying request at /post-request. Messages go through ASL Market, so contact details stay private, and the chat keeps a record of what was agreed and the photos exchanged.

ASL Market does not physically inspect goods or samples. If a paid sample or a later order does not match what was agreed, open a dispute before you confirm receipt. ASL Market decides disputes, and a partial refund is possible. Receipt is confirmed automatically after a set period if you neither confirm nor dispute, so check goods promptly. See /trade-assurance.

FAQ

Are samples from Iranian suppliers free?

Sometimes. Low-value food samples are often free with the buyer paying courier costs, while high-value, custom or private-label samples are usually charged. Some suppliers credit the sample cost against the first order. Agree the terms in chat first.

How are samples sent from Iran?

Suppliers use the courier or postal services available to your country, and options are more limited than from many countries. Some buyers receive samples through an agent or forwarder in a nearby hub. Ask for the service, transit time and tracking before you pay.

Do food samples need certificates?

It depends on your country. Some customs offices require a phytosanitary or health certificate or an import permit even for small samples. Check with your customs broker before the sample is sent.

How do I make sure the bulk order matches the sample?

Keep a sealed reference sample, write measurable limits into the specification, and state in the order that the goods must match both. Compare photos of the bulk lot with the reference before loading, and use a pre-shipment inspection for larger orders.

How much sample should I ask for?

Enough to run your tests and keep a sealed reference, usually a small fraction of a carton or a few pieces. Large samples cost more to send and are more likely to be held at customs.

Can I pay for a sample with escrow on ASL Market?

A paid sample can be handled as a small order: the supplier confirms price, quantity, freight and ship-by date, and you pay in USDT. ASL Secure Pay holds the money until you confirm receipt.