Syria

Syria Customs Contacts

Website: http://www.customs.gov.sy/index.php 

Email: gm@customs.gov.sy 

Tel: + 963-96-9999546 / + 963-93-2111246

Syria is a country situated in Western Asia, bordered by Lebanon, the Mediterranean Sea, Turkey, Iraq, Jordan and Israel. Syria is a member of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), International Organization for Standardization (ISO), United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), World Customs Organization (WCO) and other international organizations. 

Membership in free trade arrangements, tariffs, and non-tariff barriers 

Syria currently has free trade arrangements with Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Sudan, Oman, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Egypt, and Libya. Under those agreements, Syria will reduce customs duties on locally produced goods until January 1, 2005, at which point customs duties will be eliminated. As of January 1, 2002, Syria and Lebanon eliminated all customs duties by bilateral agreement. Customs duties on goods imported from Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and the UAE were also lifted in accordance with bilateral agreements. Although some exemptions for locally manufactured products remain, imports of electrical appliances, chocolates, fruit juices, mineral water, cosmetics, and ceramics, which were formerly prohibited from all foreign countries, are now permitted from Arab countries. 

Tariff rates

All goods imported into Syria from countries with which it does not have a free trade agreement are subject to customs duties and a "unified" tax. Goods imported from countries where customs have been lifted are still subject to unified tax.

Duty rates are progressive and range from 1%-200%, depending on the government's view of the necessity of a product. Food and industrial raw materials carry relatively low rates, while rates between 150%-200% are imposed on "luxury" items such as automobiles.

The unified tax is a surcharge on all imported goods, and its proceeds are allocated to the military, schools, and municipalities. Unified tax rates range from 6%-35% and are collected by the Customs Department. Customs procedures are cumbersome, tedious, and time-consuming because of complex regulations. Importers often complain that it may take up to six months to import spare parts. Both international financial institutions and the European Union, which is working with the Syrian government on economic and financial sector reforms, have recommended simplification of the customs tariffs and unification of customs exchange rates.

Special import/export requirements and certifications

Imports

To import goods into Syria, Syrian traders must present the following documents:

- Bill of lading

- Valid Import License

- Commercial invoice in triplicate describing the type of goods imported, price, basic specifications, and method of payment used. Payment by means of documentary letter of credit is to be gradually implemented in future commercial transactions. The exporter should also include two statements on the invoice: 

• whether the exporter has an agent in Syria
• whether the company is in compliance with the Arab League boycott of Israel
• U.S. exporters are advised to obtain competent advice regarding U.S. anti-boycott regulations before proceeding

- Packing list in triplicate

- Certificate of Origin in triplicate

- Letter from the corresponding bank

All documents must be certified by the local Chamber of Commerce (or any Arab/Foreign Chamber of Commerce) and the Syrian Embassy in the country of origin, or by the nearest Arab Embassy in that country, in the absence of a Syrian Embassy. 

Boycott provisions: Syria enforces the Arab League Boycott of Israel. Goods of Israeli origin may not be imported into Syria. In addition, all imported goods must come directly from the country of origin, with some exceptions.

Exempted items include: sedan cars, harvesters, automobile spare parts, commodities exchanged on the open markets (rice, sugar, coffee), refrigerated containers, and large construction equipment. 

Exports

The general model for export of most items from Syria is to apply to the Syrian Ministry of Economy and Foreign Trade for permission. The Ministry will then determine if the goods you wish to export are subject to a tax or fee. Some Syrian goods may only be exported by the public sector only (oil, cotton, etc.), some are subject to export tax, and some are exempt from fees and taxes.

To export, a Syrian company must be registered with any Syrian Chamber of Commerce, Industry, or Agriculture and prepare the following documentation:

- Invoice certified by the local chamber to which the firm belongs

- Certificate of Origin

- Customs Document of Description

- Bank guarantee stating that hard currency earnings will be returned to Syria within six months

Foreign importers of Syrian goods need not worry about Syrian export controls, as there are experienced local shipping agents who can take charge of all export responsibilities. Inquiries should be addressed to the Foreign Trade Center, or to the Inspection and Control Company (CONEX) of the Federation of Syrian Chambers of Commerce. 

Labeling

Medicines, food, dairy, garments, and other consumer products must be labeled. The labeling should include: name of producer/exporter, ingredients, date of manufacturing, date of expiration, as well as the country of origin. 

Medications also require a batch number. Labeling is now enforced for products designed for local consumption, according to the international standards, as issued by the Ministry of Supply and the Ministry of Industry. 

Sources:

http://damascus.usembassy.gov/ccg6.html 

http://web.ita.doc.gov/tacgi/overseasnew.nsf/alldata/Syria