# Syria (SY)

**Capital:** Damascus  
**Currency:** Syrian Pound (SYP) (SYP)  
**Population:** 24,672,760 — Older stored figure; source year not documented.  
**Area:** 185,180 km²

> Following the fall of the Assad regime (December 2024), Syria is a recovering Levant market with a Mediterranean coastline. The main seaport is Latakia, whose container terminal is being modernised by CMA CGM; Tartus is operated by DP World. Damascus and Aleppo airports have resumed international scheduled traffic. Comprehensive US, EU and Swiss sanctions were lifted in 2025, while targeted sanctions remain. Customs run on ASYCUDA World; a new sales-tax system takes effect in 2026.

Syria lies in Western Asia, bordering Turkey, Iraq, Jordan, Israel and Lebanon, with a Mediterranean coastline. After the fall of the Assad regime in December 2024, the country entered a reconstruction phase under a transitional government led by President Ahmed al-Sharaa. The economy rests on agriculture, oil and gas, industry and services, with infrastructure heavily damaged by years of conflict. Logistically, Syria relies on the seaports of Latakia and Tartus, the airports of Damascus and Aleppo, and road and rail links that are only partly operational. The currency is the Syrian pound (SYP). During 2025 the United States, the EU and Switzerland lifted their comprehensive economic sanctions, opening the way for foreign investment in ports, energy and reconstruction, while targeted sanctions on former regime figures remain in force.

**Top Import Partners:** CN, RU, IR, LB, TR

**Top Export Partners:** IQ, LB, JO, TR, EG

**Top Import Goods:** Food, Fuels, Machinery, Electronics, Medicines

**Top Export Goods:** Petroleum products, Agricultural products, Textiles, Minerals, Basic materials

**Key Airports:**
- [Damascus International Airport (DAM)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/damascus-international-airport-dam)
- [Abu ad Duhur Air Base](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/abu-ad-duhur-air-base-airport-143)
- [Al Qusayr Air Base](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/al-qusayr-air-base-airport-582)
- [Aleppo International Airport (ALP)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/aleppo-international-airport-alp)
- [Deir ez-Zor Airport (DEZ)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/deir-ez-zor-airport-dez)
- [Hmeimim Air Base (LTK)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/hmeimim-air-base-airport-ltk)
- [Khalkhalah Air Base](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/khalkhalah-air-base-airport-4814)
- [Palmyra Airport (PMS)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/palmyra-airport-pms)
- [Qamishli Airport (KAC)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/qamishli-airport-kac)
- [Al Futasiyah](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/al-futasiyah-airport-512)

## Customs & Import

**Import VAT:** No classic VAT. New sales tax law with tiered rates of 5, 10, 15 to 45 percent (luxury) replaces the consumption tax in 2026  
**Customs complexity:** High  
**Customs system:** Electronic customs declaration via ASYCUDA World (asycuda.customs.gov.sy), processed by licensed customs agents. Customs tariff 2025/2026 reformed; according to the customs authority, rates reduced by 50 to 60 percent.  
**Customs authority:** [General Authority for Borders and Customs (General Authority for Borders and Customs; Decree 244 of 23.11.2025, formerly General Directorate of Customs)](http://www.customs.gov.sy)

## Logistics & Risk

**Logistics role:** Levant coastal state on the Mediterranean; reconstruction and transit market between Turkey, Iraq, Jordan and Lebanon.  
**Economic area:** Arab League / GAFTA (Greater Arab Free Trade Area)  
**Logistics risk:** High  
**Dangerous goods relevance:** medium  
**Pharma/cold chain:** medium

## FAQ

### Are sanctions still in place against Syria?

The comprehensive economic sanctions were lifted in 2025 (USA under EO 14312 as of 1.7.2025, Caesar Act on 18.12.2025; EU on 28.5.2025; Switzerland/SECO on 20.6.2025). Targeted sanctions against figures of the former Assad regime, human rights violators, Captagon networks and certain US export controls remain in place. A case-by-case review remains necessary.

### Which port is most important for imports to Syria?

Latakia is the most important container port; CMA CGM is modernising the terminal (about 230 million euros, 30-year contract, target of over 1 million TEU). Tartus is operated by DP World (800 million USD) and serves as a multipurpose terminal. Baniyas is the oil port.

### Is there VAT in Syria?

So far there is no classic VAT, but a consumption/expenditure tax. A new sales tax law with tiered rates (5, 10, 15 to 45 percent for luxury goods) is due to enter into force in 2026; basic goods are exempt, and exports are taxed at a zero rate.

### How does customs clearance work?

Clearance is carried out electronically via ASYCUDA World; declarations are filed by a licensed customs agent with the General Authority for Borders and Customs (established by Decree 244 of 23.11.2025). The customs tariff was reformed in 2025/2026 and, according to the authority, significantly reduced.

### Are Syria's airports back in operation?

Yes. Damascus International resumed operations in early January 2025, followed by Aleppo; more than a dozen Arab and international airlines again serve the country on scheduled routes.

### Is there a free trade agreement with Switzerland or the EU?

No. There is no free trade or preferential agreement with Switzerland, EFTA or the EU. However, Syria is a member of the Greater Arab Free Trade Area (GAFTA) of the Arab League.

### What is the current logistics and security situation?

Syria is in the reconstruction phase. Parts of the infrastructure are destroyed, the security situation is uneven across regions, and banking connectivity is still being rebuilt. However, major investments by CMA CGM, DP World and AD Ports signal the beginning of a recovery.

## Sources & Last Verified

- [http://www.customs.gov.sy](http://www.customs.gov.sy)
- [http://www.customs.gov.sy/](http://www.customs.gov.sy/)
- [http://asycuda.customs.gov.sy/](http://asycuda.customs.gov.sy/)
- [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Authority_for_Borders_and_Customs_(Syria)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Authority_for_Borders_and_Customs_(Syria))
- [https://ofac.treasury.gov/sanctions-programs-and-country-information/syria-sanctions-inactive-and-archived](https://ofac.treasury.gov/sanctions-programs-and-country-information/syria-sanctions-inactive-and-archived)
- [https://www.justsecurity.org/125619/removing-syria-state-sponsor-terrorism-designation/](https://www.justsecurity.org/125619/removing-syria-state-sponsor-terrorism-designation/)
- [https://www.state.gov/syria-sanctions](https://www.state.gov/syria-sanctions)
- [https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2025/05/28/syria-eu-adopts-legal-acts-to-lift-economic-sanctions-on-syria-enacting-recent-political-agreement/](https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2025/05/28/syria-eu-adopts-legal-acts-to-lift-economic-sanctions-on-syria-enacting-recent-political-agreement/)

*Last verified: 2026-06-30*

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