The Syrian economy was developing significantly and became very competitive after the year 2000 and Syria was taking steps to liberalize its economy and applied for membership to the World Trade Organization but no progress was made due to the conflict which started in the year 2011. In addition, the trade agreements with Arab countries, Turkey, and the EU were suspended after the conflict started in 2011. 

Syrian exports declined from 11.3 billion USD in 2010 to 1 billion USD in 2021, and the imports declined from 17.5 billion USD in 2010 to 5.2 billion USD in 2021.

• Syria has a road network of 8909 Kilometers.
• The Syrian railway network is over 2,500 kilometres long and is one of the best performing in the Middle East, but it has been seriously damaged in the last ten years.
• There are 2 airports in Syria with scheduled flights. The biggest airport in Syria is Damascus (DAM) / Damascus International Airport with flights to 8 destinations in 3 countries.
• There are 4 sea ports in Syria: Tartous, Latakia, Jableh, and Al Bassit.

Read more:

• www.mot.gov.sy
• https://www.railwaypro.com/wp/middle-east-ambitious-railway-plans-after-the-war/
• https://www.flightconnections.com/airports-in-syria-sy
• http://www.gdp.gov.sy/en/about/ports-affairs-department

The Competition Law No. 7 for the year 2008 and namely  Article 6 of the law enacted the establishment of free competition and monopoly prohibition authority that work on guaranteeing competition and free prices, also the law indicates the prohibited practices that disturb competition.

Syria registered more than 4 billion USD in trade deficit in 2021, and exports reached almost 1 billion USD compared with more than 5 billion USD of imports. Syrian exports mainly to Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, and Lebanon while imports come from Turkiye, Russia, China, United Arab Emirates and Egypt.

• The main export markets for Syrian products are: Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, Lebanon, Egypt, United Arab Emirates, and Kuwait.
• The main export products are: vegetables and fruits, animal and vegetable fats, seeds and spices, phosphates, apparel and clothing.
• The main countries where imports come from are: Turkiye, Russia, China, United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Iran, India, Lebanon, and Italy.
• The main imports are: tobacco, plastics, machinery and mechanical appliances, animal and vegetable fats, mineral fuels and oils, and electrical machinery and equipment.

Source of data: Trademap (International Trade Centre)

Syria has FTAs with the European Union, Turkey, and Arab Countries but all agreements are suspended due to the conflict which started in 2011.

List of regulations related to foreign Trade

Import Procedures:

Sanctions on Syria should be taken into account for trade and investment.[1]

the EU sanctions in place today include:

• Embargo on export and import of oil;
• Freezing the EU-held assets of the Syrian Central Bank;
• Restrictions on certain investments;
• Restrictions on export to Syria of equipment and technology which may be used for internal repression, and on equipment and technology involved in monitoring or intercepting internet or telephone communications.

However, the introduction into force as of 17 June 2020 of the so-called Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act has taken these unilateral sanctions to a totally new level by also targeting any “significant” transaction, except involving food and medicine, between the Syrian government and any foreign institution, company or individual. This means, in effect, that any foreign institution, company or individual that renders the Syrian government an assistance deemed “significant” by the US is likely to face US sanctions.

Import documents:

The documentation required for the import process includes:

• Import License: any Syrian importer should obtain an import license from the Ministry of Economy and Foreign Trade on a case-by-case basis and for a six-months validity;
• B/L (Bill of Lading) / AWB (Airway Bill of Lading) / CMR for land transport;
• Commercial invoice: (original and copies) must contain statements of legitimacy and authenticity of the products, complete description of the goods, quantities, unit price, HS codes, delivery procedures, country of origin, payment terms, etc., in addition to clarifying that no component of the product is of Israeli origin, besides the data (including the registration) of the agent;
• Pro Forma Invoice: specifying the cost of freight and insurance separately, name of the importer, unit price, quantity, delivery/payment method, etc.;
• Certificate of Origin: issued by the relevant chamber of commerce in country of export and certified by the Syrian Embassy in country of export;
• Health/phytosanitary certificate: when imported goods include food stuff, plants, seeds, live animals and products of animal origin that may affect public health.

From November 1st 2016, all shipping instruction submissions for your shipments must be submitted online platforms.

In case that you still wish to submit the shipping instructions manually, a Manual Documentation Fee (MDF) is applied.

Special Customs Requirements

Import declaration must be filed with customs and this is usually done by the importers themselves (consignee or a forwarder acting on his behalf)

Customs clearance details

Cargo should be cleared/collected within a max. period of 6 months otherwise receiver lose the right to claim for the cargo as per Syrian Customs’ Regulation.

(Source)

Export procedures:

From November 1st 2016, all shipping instruction submissions for your shipments must be submitted through online platforms. In case that you still wish to submit the shipping instructions manually, a Manual Documentation Fee (MDF) is applied.

Special Customs Requirements

An export declaration must be filed with customs and this is usually done by the shipper/exporter themselves.

Customs:

Tariff data can be found through this link.