The Duhok trade route faces a major crisis. New customs rules in Iraq are now causing severe Duhok trade route disruption in commercial movement through the Kurdistan Region. The issue centers around new customs procedures that block most goods from passing smoothly into federal Iraq. As a result, businesses are suffering, and thousands of workers have lost jobs.
The Duhok trade route, a key distribution hub, connects Kurdistan to the rest of Iraq and to Turkey. Now, due to these rules, the once-busy route has almost come to a halt. Officials from Duhok’s Workers’ Syndicate report that nearly 20,000 people have already lost their jobs. They also estimate that commercial activity has dropped by 90 percent.
According to new regulations, only trucks with QR-coded customs seals may enter federal Iraqi territory. Furthermore, shipments must stay sealed and reach their destination within 72 hours. Cargo coming through the Ibrahim Khalil crossing must remain sealed until it reaches the dam checkpoint between Duhok and Mosul.
These customs rules apply to imports from both Turkey and Iran that pass through the Kurdistan Region. The Central Bank of Iraq issued this directive, which now affects all major trade points in the area. Officials say the QR code system will be available online soon, but no clear timeline exists.
The Erbil Chamber of Commerce has openly criticized the new regulations. One advisor argued that these rules go against Iraq’s constitution, particularly Article 24. This article protects the free movement of goods and capital between the Kurdistan Region and federal Iraq. The advisor stated that these rules do not apply to trade between other Iraqi provinces, making them unfair and selective.
This growing crisis has forced many merchants to find new ways to work around the restrictions. Some have started renting space in central Iraq and are sending goods there directly. This shift has emptied warehouses in the Kurdistan Region and weakened local trade networks.
Duhok trade route disruption has become a repeated concern in meetings among Iraqi business leaders. Many fear long-term damage to Kurdistan’s economy. Some officials worry that this decision will permanently shift business activities away from the region. They urge the government to reconsider these customs rules immediately.
In addition to affecting imported items, these policies now also impact locally produced goods. Businesses must comply with the same restrictions, making the process more difficult. Merchants now face higher costs, more delays, and increased uncertainty.
Many local business leaders have expressed frustration. They believe the changes will not only reduce profits but also break the trust between the Kurdistan Region and Baghdad. The Duhok trade route disruption could cause deeper political and economic tensions if no solution is found.