Customs Regulations in Syria

*NOTE: CUSTOMERS ARE HAVING PROBLEMS CLEARING THE RESTRICTED ITEMS SHOWN BELOW THROUGH CUSTOMS AND SIGNIFICANT LOSS AND DAMAGE HAVE BEEN REPORTED TO US.

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED

• Inventory - typewritten in ENGLISH or FRENCH
• List of electrical appliances and electronics (detailing make, year and serial number) and valuable articles (silver, carpets, furs, etc.)
• Manuals for computers, TVs and radios
• Letter authorizing Destination Agent to clear shipment
• Additional documents required:
• Foreign Diplomats:
  • Diplomatic exemption from the Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
• Foreign Experts:
  • Work Permit in Syria
  • Residence Card
  • Permit from the General Directorate of Customs for clearance under temporary admission regime
  • Letter of Guarantee from the work place
  • License of Importation
• Syrian Returning Nationals:
  • Certificate with start and end date of work
  • Certificate of residence from Syrian Embassy
  • List of Household goods in Arabic certified by Syrian Embassy
  • Emigrant book from the Syrian Embassy
  • Receipts of lease of house and electricity and water bills
  • Passport and Syrian Identity Card

CUSTOMS REGULATIONS

• CUSTOMER MUST BE PRESENT AT CUSTOMS CLEARANCE
• All shipments subject to strict inspection
• Items cannot be moved to bonded warehouse for storage before Customs clearance is completed
• Items must arrive in Syria within four months of owners arrival with the exception of Foreign Diplomats
• Foreign Experts and Foreign Diplomats:
  • Used household goods and personal effects are duty-free provided:
  • Items are for personal use, are not to be sold in Syria and must be re-exported from Syria at the end of the Work Permit or Active Service
• Syrian Nationals:
  • Only one shipment allowed during the first four months of arrival
  • Used household goods and personal effects are duty-free provided:
  • Owner is transferring his normal home to Syria to take up permanent residence
  • The goods have been used for at least two years and will be retained for personal use by the owner for at least three years in Syria.

DUTIABLE/RESTRICTED ITEMS

• Presents and souvenirs
• Inheritance
• Wedding trousseau

PROHIBITED ITEMS

• Narcotic drugs
• Tobacco, wines and spirits
• Dangerous goods including firearms and ammunition
• Pornographic material
• Motorcycles
• Works of art and antiques
• "Walkie-Talkie" radios and radio controlled cars, boats and planes
• *ALL PRINTED MATTER, BOOKS, PICTURES, RECORDS, FILMS, TAPES, SLIDES, MOVIES, VIDEOS, COMPACT DISCS, COMPUTER SOFTWARE, ETC. ARE SUBJECT TO CENSORSHIP AND CONFISCATION (MUST BE PACKED SEPARATELY FOR EASY ACCESS)
• Below are items permitted for Foreign Diplomats only:
  • Pets
  • Plants
  • New furniture and household goods
  • Alcohol and tobacco products

MOTOR VEHICLES

• CUSTOMER MUST BE PRESENT FOR CUSTOMS CLEARANCE
• Permitted for Foreign Experts and Foreign Diplomats only
• Car must be less than two years old
• Diesel engines are not permitted
• Autos are duty-free under temporary admission regime for Foreign Experts, but they must pay road taxes and auto must be retained for personal use only
• Auto must clear customs within four months of owner's arrival in Syria
• Auto must be re-exported from Syria at the end of the Work permit or active Service
• Documents required for Foreign Experts:
  • Ownership Card
  • Green Card
  • Work Permit in Syria
  • Residence Card in Syria
  • Permit from the Syrian General Directorate of Customs for clearance under temporary admission regime
  • Letter of Guarantee from the work place in Syria
  • License of Importation
  • Diplomatic exemption from the Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs is required for Foreign Diplomats