Choose clearly modern souvenirs rather than antiques. New textiles, postcards or newly made crafts are sensible shopping options, not a guarantee of customs clearance. What you can take home depends on both Iraqi export rules and your destination's import rules.
Do not take antiquities, archaeological finds or antique carpets out of Iraq. Canada's official advice explicitly warns against this and says art exports are strictly controlled. Do not collect fragments at ruins. A market purchase is not proof that an object is legal to export.
For anything old-looking, including carpets or art, ask the relevant Iraqi customs and heritage authorities before buying. If you cannot establish that it may legally leave, choose something else. Keep an itemized receipt as a practical precaution, not a substitute for official authorization.
Do not assume that buying in Erbil or leaving through the Kurdistan Region creates an exemption. Check with the authorities at your actual departure point.
Check your home country's customs rules before buying food, plants or animal products, and check duty allowances. For example, UK rules apply allowances to overseas purchases regardless of where they were bought, and travellers who exceed an allowance must pay tax and duty on all goods in that category.
Sources: Canada's Iraq customs advice, UK personal-import rules.
Checked on 2026-10-26.