Rugs bought in Eastern countries, like Turkey, Iran, and Morocco, are quite valuable. These rugs are made from high-quality materials, and authentic ones are always handmade.
Rugs cost a lot in Turkey, Iran, and Morocco. Depending on the design, they can cost anywhere between $4o and $150 per square foot.
Here’s What Makes Iranian, Turkish & Moroccan Rugs Expensive:
Rugs from Turkey, Iran, and Morocco only use high-quality natural materials like wool, cotton, and silk. They come in intricate designs and detailed patterns and colors. These rugs are woven by hand and can take months or years to complete, making them very valuable.
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Do People Bring Rugs Home From Their Travels?
It is not uncommon for people to bring rugs home from their travels, especially when they go to Turkey, Iran, and Morocco. Rugs from these countries are even more expensive when imported as there are taxes and other fees added to them.
Plus, it is completely fine to bring them on the plane as long as they fit the maximum luggage size and weight allowed on their flight.
How Much do Rugs Cost in TURKEY?
If you are lucky enough to travel to Turkey at one point, it is completely normal to be tempted to buy a Turkish rug even though it can be quite pricey.
A small Turkish rug can anywhere from $500 to $1,000, while larger ones cost between $2,000 to $4,000. Their price depends on the size, the materials used, and the knots per inch.
Turkish rugs can be made from either wool or silk and blended with cotton. The ones made from silk are far more expensive, as they can hold 400 knots per inch. Silk ones also have more intricate designs compared to other rugs.
These rugs may also be dyed, using only natural dyes with subtle colors.
As they are expensive and of high quality, Turkish rugs are considered one of the rugs that have been the gold standard in floor covering for thousands of years. Turkish rugs are far from traditional ones being sold in your local store.
Also, Turkish rugs are double-knotted. Each piece of yarn is looped twice, which makes them so durable. A regular machine-made rug would last for years, but a Turkish rug lasts for hundreds of years, and that makes them worth the price.
How much Do Rugs Cost in MOROCCO?
Moroccan rugs are hand-woven carpets from Morocco, in a large variety. The Moroccan culture is a blend of influences from other cultures such as Arabic, Indigenous Berber, Sub–Saharan and European influences.
Moroccan rugs are primarily made of sheep wool, in different piles and thicknesses depending on the region. There are rugs made from thicker piles of wool good for cold climates, and some are flat-weave more suitable to hot climates.
Prices of rugs in Morocco depend on their size and style. A small flat-weave rug can cost $200 to $400. Bigger and thicker ones can cost anywhere between $2,500 to $6,500.
The style of Moroccan rugs varies depending on which tribe the rugs originate. The most famous styles of Moroccan rugs are Beni Ourain, Azilal, Boucherouite, Boujad, and Beni Mguild. Each style has a different theme and pattern unique to the tribe that crafted them.
One characteristic of Moroccan rugs is that they are very soft and comfortable. When buying a Moroccan rug, always check for softness as they are soft to touch.
How Much Do Rugs Cost in IRAN?
Rugs from Iran are commonly known as Persian flags. Persian rugs have thick piles, with up to 160 knots per square inch, and a very distinct knot.
These rugs are also known for having very rich color combinations and unique designs. Rugs from Iran are also hand-knotted, and each one has a unique design.
These rugs can be made of wool or silk, or either of the two blended with cotton. Prices of Persian rugs vary depending on the material and the number of knots per inch.
A small wool Persian rug can cost $200 to $500, while a big one can cost $1,000 to $3,000. Those that are a mine of pure silk can cost more than $5,000.
Can you Ship a Rug from the Middle East to the US?
Depending on the country, you may or may not ship a rug from the Middle East to the US.
To put it simply, there is a law that says you cannot ship a Persian rug from Iran to the US. Persian rugs bought in Iran will be seized upon arrival in the US.
Persian rugs are only allowed to be shipped to the US if there is documentation that buyers purchased them in the US.
However, you can ship a rug to the US when coming from Morocco and Turkey. There may be applicable fees when going through customs depending on the rug’s value, so it is always best to call the Customs Office before shipping a rug to the US.
Do People Get Scammed When Buying Rugs Abroad?
Since Turkish, Persian, and Moroccan rugs are valuable, it is common for some rug makers to mimic them and pass them off as authentic, which is why people should be careful when buying rugs abroad.
Here is what you can do to avoid getting scammed when buying rugs during your travels:
Check the Fringe:
Rugs from Turkey, Iran, and Morocco are always hand-woven.
For these rugs, the fringe is the foundation of the rug. You will notice that the fringe is attached to the rug for fake rugs, which indicates that they are machine-made.
Check for Softness and Sheen:
Because these rugs are made from wool, they are soft to touch. Also, authentic wool and silk have a certain sheen to them, so look at the threads carefully.
Check the Backing of the Rug:
Authentic rugs are hand-woven, which means that if you check the back, they have a pattern that mirrors the top part.
If the back of the rug is hard plastic or if it has a backing with a different material, this means that your rug is made from synthetic material.
Check if the Rug Smells like Ink:
Rugs from Turkey, Iran, and Morocco use only natural dyes.
If you see ink or smell ink that appears to be chemically made, it means that they are not authentic.
Check the Price:
Authentic rugs are very expensive, but you can haggle for a bit when buying abroad.
However, if the rug appears to be ridiculously cheap, there is a good reason to believe it is fake. If you feel like it is “too good to be true,” it usually is.
Rugs from Turkey, Iran, and Morocco can be quite expensive, but they are definitely worth the price. They are very durable and add luxury and elegance to any space.
If you are traveling to these countries and may be tempted to buy a rug and have the budget for it, then go and buy it. They are guaranteed to last long, and you can even hand them down to the next generation.
Sources:
The Ultimate Guide to Moroccan Style Rugs
Characteristics of Oriental Rugs