Requirements for online business license in Iran

Documents and requirements for obtaining an online business license in Iran

One of the questions that arises for starting a business on the Internet in Iran is related to the necessary documents and requirements for obtaining an online business license. This process will be addressed form an Iranian lawyer’s point of view in this article.

 

How to get a license for online business in Iran

Online business is one of the most popular things that has taken people’s attention in recent years. Iranians who do online business have easy access to buy or receive services through the Internet and it is necessary for them to know how to get a license for online business in Iran. Due to the conditions caused by the outbreak of coronavirus these days, people, especially prefer to make most of their purchases virtually. Also, due to the ease of access to the Internet, many Iranian businesses prefer to introduce and offer their products and services through cyberspace and mobile applications. This is one of the main reasons why most online businesses are active today in Iran.

The Internet is a relatively new space in Iran and fraud and abuses can be done easily in it. That is why lawyers should take measures to organize these businesses to minimize fraud and abuse. For this purpose, we will explain all the necessary information for issuing an online business license in Iran in this article.

 

Types of licenses for online business in Iran

The first step for an online business is to know what licenses are required for what business. Depending on whether you are a seller, a manufacturer, or a person who wants to market a product in cyberspace, you must apply for the license you need. It is preferred to refer to a lawyer to do this job for you. In Iran, two types of licenses are required for an online business – general online business permits which are used as trust symbols and specific licenses for each business.

 

General Online Business Permits in Iran

General online business permits are licenses that are common to all online businesses and should be received depending on the type of site utilization. The E-Commerce trust symbol and the business license are among these licenses. Trust symbols are used to raise your site visitors’ confidence level.  Moreover, government agencies allow individuals or companies to do business in cyberspace by issuing Internet business licenses. In Iran, the e- commerce trust symbols are provided by Iran Center E-Commerce Development (ICeCD). According to the rules of this center, receiving this symbol is only for sites through which the processes of selling goods or services are done. In general, all online stores should receive an electronic trust mark. Some of these icons are presented as follow:

 

 

Specific Licenses for online businesses in Iran

Specific licenses for online businesses are issued by organizations related to trade union groups in Iran. For example, in order to sell audio-visual or cultural products such as books, you need the permission of the Ministry of Islamic Guidance, and for products related to health and treatment, you need the permission of the Ministry of Health and Medical Education. In general, each trade union requires a special license from the same union. The notable point here is that corporate and personal websites do not require a business license or an e- commerce trust symbol. A corporate website is a website that is used to introduce a brand officially online and is applied for business purposes or organizations but a personal website is used by individuals for personal motives.

 

Documents required to obtain the trade union license for computer engineers in Iran

The following documents are required to obtain the trade union license foe computer engineers in Iran:

• A copy of the official newspaper announcements for the establishment of the company
• An image of official newspaper announcements for all changes
• A copy of CEO’s national identity card and national identity booklet
• A copy of CEO’s education documents
• A copy of the national identity card of all members of board of directors
• A copy of articles of association
• A copy of the latest tax return
• A copy of proof of insurance (POI) list
• Presenting the image of the latest ranking in the High Council of Informatics
• A copy of logo and registration certificates

 

Iran Computer Guild Organization License for Online Store

This license, which is issued by Iran computer guild organization for online store, is another document required for an online store in Iran. Before starting the activities of designing, manufacturing, launching, developing, consulting, supporting and instruction of software systems or information networks and/ or other similar cases, all companies are required to refer to their provincial trade union organization to register the company according to Iran commercial laws and provide the required activity licenses.

 

The Necessary Documents to Obtain a Business License in Iran

Those businesses that have a symbol are required to follow the rules therein. They must have the necessary documents to obtain a business license in Iran, which are as follow:

• The address of the applicant’s office or his/her legal residence
• A certificate of personal jurisdiction from the Police Force
• Submitting a certificate from the relevant tax administration stating that the payment or the arrangement of payment of the final tax debt is done
• Submitting a certificate indicating participation in business and business law courses
• Receiving and submitting the certificate of virtual business in specialized fields from Iran center for e-commerce development (ICeCD)
• Providing a copy of the national ID card for individuals and a national ID number for legal entities and also submitting the passport and work permit for foreign nationals
• Providing a copy of the compulsory military service card or an exemption military service on education or a certificate of permanent exemption from military service or a medical exemption for men under the age of fifty years old
• Presenting a professional and technical license or a technical diploma or university degree related to the business or introducing a qualified person with the mentioned requirements to the guilds
• Submitting the formal decision form of the board of directors to issue a business license in the name of the managing director or one of the board signatories, which is in accordance with the articles of association and the latest paper notices of the registered companies for legal entities

 

Online Business License in Iran

An online business license is one of the most important requirements to set up an online store in Iran. A trade union license is a license that must be obtained from a trade union in the relevant field of activity. If there is no specific guild in your field of activity, you must obtain your license from the Virtual Business Association.

For example, an internet business selling food does not need a license if it produces food products; what is needed is only a license from the Ministry of Health and Medical Education to produce the product. This means that the website does not get a license, but the business in question should have the license. In general, any product that you intend to work on in cyberspace must obtain the necessary license from the competency centers in Iran.

 

Steps to Get an Online Business License in Iran

The following steps are necessary to get an online business license in Iran:

• Starting a Virtual Business (according to e-Commerce Development Center checklists)
• Registration of the application by the applicant in the E-Namad system. E-Namad is an e-Trust symbol given by the e-commerce development center to websites that have specific and predefined criteria.
• Referral of business application which should be subject to the rules of the guild system to the guild system after evaluation by the e-commerce development center
• Uploading the documents listed in Article 4 of the ordinance (the above mentioned documents) in the guild system within a maximum period of three months after the application was processed and accepted
• The completion of the file by the union (in accordance with Article 4 of the ordinance)
• Issuance of business license and its submission to the applicant after matching the uploaded documents with the original forms within fifteen days and uploading the license details in the E-Namad system

 

The Regulation Permit for Online Store in Iran

The regulation permit for online store is also a necessary license for an online business in Iran.  The regulation permit site does this task for you. This site is affiliated to the Center for the Development of Information Technology and Digital Media which is one of the branches of the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance in Iran.

For further information regarding the regulations and requirements for obtaining an online business license in Iran, please contact our online experts at Iran Best Lawyer.