Syria Moving Guide: Documents, Duties & Shipping Notes

Source: IAM Country Guide · Updated 2026-09-05 · Download the Syria Country Guide (PDF)

Documents

Documents required for importing used household goods, personal effects, and related shipments.

• Passport or Syrian identity card
• Original Bill of Lading (OBL) or Airway Bill (AWB)
• Detailed inventory, typewritten in English or French
• List of electrical appliances and electronics (make, year, serial number) and valuable articles (silver, carpets, furs, etc.)
• Letter of employment including start and end date
• Certificate of residence from Syrian embassy
• List of household goods in Arabic, certified by the Syrian Embassy
• Emigrant book from the Syrian embassy
• Lease agreement and proof thereof (utility bills, etc.)

• Passport
• Work permit
• Residence card
• Permit from the General Directorate of Customs for clearance under temporary admission regime
• Letter of guarantee from employer
• License of importation
• OBL or AWB
• Detailed inventory
• Manuals for computers, TVs, and radios
• Lease agreement

• Passport
• Diplomatic exemption from the Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
• Inventory list

Specific Information

Post-transition note: Syria's new customs tariff (effective January 2025) introduced new duty rates across approximately 6,000 goods categories. The duty-free conditions described above may have been modified under the new tariff. Confirm current procedures with the destination agent before booking.

The owner of the goods must be present for Customs clearance. All shipments are subject to detailed inspection. Items cannot be moved to a bonded warehouse before Customs clearance is completed.

Items must arrive in Syria within 4 months of the owner's arrival (exception for diplomats). Only one shipment is allowed during the first 4 months for returning citizens.

For returning citizens: used household goods and personal effects are duty-free provided the owner is transferring primary residence to Syria permanently; the goods must have been used for at least 2 years and will be retained for personal use for at least 3 years in Syria.

For foreigners: used household goods are duty-free under temporary admission, provided they are for personal use, not sold in Syria, and re-exported before the work permit or active service expires.

ISPM 15 compliance is recommended for all wood packaging materials.

Prohibited & Restricted Items

The following items were prohibited under prior Syrian customs law. Some of these categories (particularly alcohol and sanctions-related items) may be under review following the post-Assad transition and international sanctions relief.

• Narcotic drugs
• Tobacco, wines, and spirits (prohibited for general import; confirm current status)
• Firearms, ammunition, and dangerous goods (without specific authorization)
• Pornographic materials
• Motorcycles
• Works of art and antiques
• Walkie-talkie radios and radio-controlled vehicles (cars, boats, planes)
• Counterfeit goods
• Items subject to current UN or international sanctions

Wildlife and wildlife products covered by CITES remain prohibited. CITES

Under prior regulations, the following items were permitted only for diplomats: pets, plants, new furniture and household goods, and alcohol and tobacco products.

Printed matter, books, pictures, records, films, tapes, slides, videos, compact discs, and computer software were subject to censorship and possible confiscation. These items should be packed separately and placed near the container door for easy access by Customs.

Gifts and souvenirs, inheritances, and wedding trousseaux are dutiable.

Post-transition note: The January 2025 customs tariff restructuring may have modified which items are restricted or dutiable. Contact the destination agent for current rates and restricted categories.

Consignment Instructions

Contact the destination agent to ensure all requirements have been met prior to import, especially for differences between air and sea shipments.

The owner must be present for Customs clearance. Shipments cannot be moved to bonded storage before clearance is completed. Cargo must arrive within 4 months of the owner's arrival. Printed materials, electronics, and media items should be packed near the container door for Customs access.

Operational context: Syria's infrastructure — including ports, customs offices, and banking systems — is in a process of reconstruction following the December 2024 transition. The Port of Latakia resumed operations shortly after the fall of the Assad government. International banking and payment channels have been progressively reopened following US, EU, and UK sanctions relief in 2025, but conditions remain fluid. IAM members should confirm with the destination agent that the consignee's preferred port and inland routing are currently operational and that local banking and clearance services are available before booking any shipment.