Used Household Goods and Personal Effects
Documents Required
- Passport / Syrian identity card
- Original bill of lading (OBL) / air waybill (AWB)
- Detailed 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
- Diplomatic exemption from the Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (diplomats)
- Work permit (foreigners)
- Residence card (foreigners)
- Permit from the General Directorate of Customs for clearance under temporary admission regime (foreign)
- Letter of guarantee from employer (foreigners)
- License of importation (foreigners)
- Letter of employment including start and end date (returning citizens)
- Certificate of residence from Syrian embassy (returning citizens)
- List of Household goods in Arabic certified by Syrian Embassy (returning citizens)
- Emigrant book from the Syrian embassy (returning citizens)
- Lease agreement and proof thereof (utility bills, etc.)
Specific Information
- The owner of the goods must be present for Customs clearance.
- All shipments are subject to a detailed inspection.
- Items cannot be moved to a bonded warehouse for storage before Customs clearance is completed.
- Items must arrive in Syria within 4 months of owner of the goods’ arrival with the exception of diplomats.
- Used household goods and personal effects are duty-free provided items are for personal use, not sold in Syria, and must be re-exported from Syria by the expiration of the work permit or active service (foreigners, diplomats).
- Only one shipment allowed during the first four months of arrival (returning citizens).
- Used household goods and personal effects are duty-free provided the owner of the goods is transferring his primary residence to Syria to take up permanent residence (returning citizens).
- The goods must have been used for at least 2 years and will be retained for personal use by the owner for at least 3 years in Syria (returning citizens).
Motor Vehicles
Documents Required
- Title / ownership card
- Green card
- OBL
- Work permit in Syria
- Permit from the Syrian General Directorate of Customs for clearance under temporary admission regime
- Letter of guarantee from Syrian employer
- Residence card in Syria
- License of importation
- Diplomatic exemption from the Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs is required for diplomats
Note: The documents required for the import of motor vehicles apply to foreigners only, as diplomats are exempt.
Specific Information
- Only foreigners and diplomats may import motor vehicles.
- The owner of the goods must be present for Customs clearance.
- Automobiles must be less than 2 years old.
- Diesel engine vehicles cannot be imported.
- Automobiles are duty-free under a temporary admission regime for foreigners, but road taxes must be paid and the vehicle must be retained for personal use only.
- Automobiles must clear Customs within 4 months of the owner of the goods’ arrival in Syria.
- Automobiles must be re-exported from Syria by the expiration of the work permit or active service.
Pets
Documents Required
- Vaccination record
- Veterinary health certificate
Specific Information
- Cats and dogs must be accompanied by a government veterinary health certificate issued in the country of origin.
- The only birds permitted for import into Syria are falcons.
- Permission to import falcons must be obtained from the appropriate Syrian authorities prior to import.
Wedding Trousseau / Gifts
- The following items are dutiable:
- Gifts and souvenirs
- Inheritances
- Wedding trousseau
Restricted/Dutiable Items
- The following items are permitted for import by diplomats only:
- Pets
- Plants
- New furniture and household goods
- Alcohol and tobacco products
- Printed matter, books, pictures, records, films, tapes, slides, movies, videos, compact discs, computer software, etc. (subject to censorship and confiscation; pack these items separately for easy access by Customs officials)
Prohibited Items
- Narcotic drugs
- Tobacco, wines and spirits
- Dangerous goods including firearms and ammunition
- Pornographic materials
- Motorcycles
- Works of art and antiques
- Walkie-talkie radios and radio-controlled cars, boats and planes
Consignment Instructions
Recommended: Contact the destination agent to ensure all requirements have been met prior to import, especially for differences regarding air / sea shipments.