5,000-ton paper case at its final station; 163 containers seized in favor of the government.

Tehran – Iran Book News Agency (IBNA), The case concerning the illegal import of 5,000 tons of paper, which led to the seizure of 163 containers, has finally reached its conclusion, with the court ruling to confiscate this shipment in favor of the government.

This quantity of paper, essential for printing and publishing books in the market, had been held at customs for some time due to non-compliance with customs regulations and invalid order registration.

The head of Tehran’s Publishers and Booksellers Union, reacting to this news, stated that while the decision is legally understandable, it could have serious negative impacts on the country’s publishing industry, especially in supplying the necessary paper for printing textbooks and general books.

He added that publishers are suffering from a shortage of affordable paper, and this seizure could worsen the situation.

Economic experts also predict that this ruling will lead to an increase in paper prices in the free market, consequently raising book production costs. This issue could affect the print runs and public access to books, raising concerns about the future of the publishing industry and literacy in the country.