Syria: sanctions and trade risk

Sanctions programmeMost economic sanctions lifted in 2025; arms embargo and listings of former regime figures remain.

As of 7 November 2026, the screened UN, EU, UK, Swiss and US sanctions lists contain 260 companies, organisations, vessels and aircraft linked to Syria.Lists last checked 2026-11-07 21:01 UTC.

Logistics profile: ports, airports, customs, documents, holidays, news ↓

A sanctions programme concerning Syria is in force — typically an arms embargo or targeted measures against listed persons and entities. Ordinary civilian goods are usually not restricted; arms, related material and listed parties are.

Sources: Council of the EU — Syria: Council renews restrictive measures targeting the former al-Assad regime (18 May 2026) · SECO — Massnahmen gegenüber Syrien (16 Jun 2026) · OFAC/State — Sanctions and Export Controls Relief for Syria (Updated August 2026) (Aug 2026) · reviewed 24 Oct 2026

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By sanctions regime

The indicator above is the strictest of these. Which regimes are relevant to a shipment depends on many connections — dispatch country, company location, incorporation, nationality, ownership, banks, goods origin. The check selects them from your inputs in a simplified way; UN measures take effect through each country's implementing law.

Regime	Indicator	What applies
UN	—	No UN sanctions regime.
EU	Sanctions programme	Economic sanctions lifted May 2025; arms embargo, dual-use and repression-goods bans and listings remain (renewed to Jun 2027).
Switzerland	Sanctions programme	Most measures lifted Jun 2025; targeted measures remain.
UK	Sanctions programme	Regime narrowed 2025–26; bans on chemical weapons and repression goods remain.
US	Sanctions programme	Sanctions programme ended Jun 2025; still arms-embargoed under US export controls (EAR D:5).

On the sanctions lists

260 entries on the official lists name Syria — as nationality, address, registration or flag. That links them to the country; it says nothing about other companies there. The same company can appear on several lists and is then counted once per list. Individuals are not included — Sanctioni does not process them.

List	Entries	Companies & organisations	Vessels	Aircraft
US OFAC — Specially Designated Nationals (SDN)	113	113	—	—
Switzerland SECO Consolidated Sanctions List	71	71	—	—
EU Consolidated Financial Sanctions List (FSF)	40	40	—	—
UK Sanctions List (FCDO)	31	31	—	—
UN Security Council Consolidated List	5	5	—	—

Latest changes

No new listings or removals naming Syria recorded yet.

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Logistics profile

Syria: logistics and trade

Levant coastal state on the Mediterranean; reconstruction and transit market between Turkey, Iraq, Jordan and Lebanon.

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.

Capital: Damascus
Population: 24,672,760
Area: 185,180 km²
Currency: Syrian Pound (SYP)
Continent: Asia
Region: Middle East / Levant
Economic area: Arab League / GAFTA (Greater Arab Free Trade Area)
Religions: Islam, Christianity
Access to the sea: Yes

Transport modes Sea · Road · Air · Rail

Current situation: 2025 turning point: CMA CGM is modernising the Latakia container terminal (about 230 million euros, 30 years), DP World operates the Tartus multipurpose terminal (800 million USD). Damascus and Aleppo are back in international liner services.
Seasonal conditions: Mediterranean coastal climate with hot dry summers and cool, rainy winters on the coast; arid interior. Weather risks for logistics are low compared with security and infrastructure risks.

Main seaports

Tartus
Tartus (SY TTS): Syria's second Mediterranean port — DP World 30-year concession, operations since Nov. 2025, US$800 m upgrade planned. Containers via Latakia.
Baniyas
Baniyas (SY BAN): Syria's specialised oil port and largest refinery, petroleum not containers. New crude sources after Assad's fall. Latakia and Tartus alternatives.
Al Ladhiqiyah
Latakia (SY ALD) is Syria's main container port: CMA CGM's LICT terminal, ~250,000 TEU, expanding to 625,000 by 2026. Alternative: Tartus.

Main cargo airports

Damascus International AirportDAM
Damascus International (DAM): Syria's main air gateway in 2026, disrupted again after June strikes, EASA warns against flying the DAM FIR. Humanitarian cargo via Beirut.
Aleppo International AirportALP
Aleppo International (ALP/OSAP): 412 flights and over 40,000 passengers in May 2026; Istanbul, Kuwait, Sharjah. Cargo is belly only — plan via Damascus (DAM).
Hmeimim Air BaseLTK
Hmeimim (LTK/OSLK) near Latakia: military base with no public cargo handling; a 2026 deal folds it back into the civil airport. Air freight via Damascus (DAM).

Road corridors

M5 Damascus-Homs-Hama-Aleppo
M4 Latakia-Aleppo
Bab al-Hawa border crossing (Turkey)
Nassib/Jaber (Jordan)

Rail corridors

Syrian Railways (Chemins de Fer Syriens, CFS), heavily damaged by war
Damascus-Homs-Aleppo-Latakia axis (under reconstruction)

Main trade lanes

Turkey-Syria
China-Latakia
UAE-Syria
Lebanon-Syria
Iraq-Syria

Customs and import

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)Official website ↗

Import 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.
Export customs system: Electronic export declaration via ASYCUDA World with the General Authority for Borders and Customs; exports are exempt from the new sales tax (zero rate).
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; basic goods exempt, exports zero rate (status 2026: introduction).
Proofs of origin and trade agreements: Proofs of origin under the Greater Arab Free Trade Area (GAFTA / Arab League). There is no free trade agreement with Switzerland or EFTA; no preferential agreement with the EU.
Restricted and prohibited goods: Numerous goods require import licences; restrictions apply to weapons, dual-use goods and certain luxury goods, among others. Import regulations are currently changing during the reconstruction phase.

Typical import documents

Commercial invoice
Packing list
Certificate of origin
Bill of lading / waybill
Import licence

Typical export documents

Commercial invoice
Packing list
Certificate of origin
Export declaration

Logistics conditions

Customs complexity: High
Customs delays: High
Port congestion: Medium
Dangerous goods relevance: Medium
Pharma and cold chain relevance: Medium
E-commerce relevance: Low

Trade

Top import partners

China Russia Iran Lebanon Türkiye

Top export partners

Iraq Lebanon Jordan Türkiye Egypt

Top import goods

Food
Fuels
Machinery
Electronics
Medicines

Top export goods

Petroleum products
Agricultural products
Textiles
Minerals
Basic materials

Typical cargo

Reconstruction and building materials
Food
Fuels
Machinery
Humanitarian aid goods

Logistics questions

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.

Full logistics profile on Freight Academy ↗