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