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.

Helpful Website(s):

https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/country/syria.html