Decision to allow the introduction of used cars into the free zones exclusively
On Tuesday, May 12, the General Authority for Ports and Customs issued a decision allowing the entry of used cars into car showrooms within the free zones, provided that investors commit to a written undertaking preventing these cars from being put in local consumption or selling them inside Syrian territory, while fully complying with the laws and regulations in force.
The decision comes at a time when the Syrian government continues to ban the import of used cars into the local market since June 29, 2025, as part of a policy aimed at controlling imports, rationalizing the use of foreign exchange, and limiting the entry of old or non-conforming vehicles to technical and environmental specifications.
The decision allowed the implementation of the activity of cutting and cutting cars within the free zones under the supervision of the Customs Department and the General Organization for Free Zones, while emphasizing the prohibition of the entry of collectible structures or parts into the local market, and limiting the activity to the free zones exclusively.
The Authority confirmed that the competent authorities will follow up on the implementation of the decision and take legal action against any violation, provided that it will come into effect as of the date of its issuance.
Used car imports worth $5.6 billion in 2025
On June 29, 2025, the Ministry of Economy and Industry issued a decision to stop and prevent the import of used cars to Syria to put an end to the influx of low-quality cars that entered without adequate technical inspection, and burdened consumers with heavy maintenance burdens and the import of frequent spare parts.
The decision aimed to stop the cash bleeding resulting from the heavy demand for these vehicles, by rationalizing resources and directing them towards productive sectors such as agriculture and industry, instead of consuming them in non-essential goods, as semi-official statistics indicate that used cars will be introduced with a value of $5.6 billion during 2025.
The Ministry allowed only the import of new cars whose manufacturing age does not exceed two years, except for the year of manufacture, and the decision excludes production vehicles such as locomotive heads, trucks, tractors, and public works machinery (up to 10 years), in addition to large passenger buses (up to 4 years), to support the movement of transportation and production.
Strengthening Syria's role as a regional trade corridor
The decision of the General Authority for Ports and Customs (Resolution No. 44 of 2026) to allow the introduction of used cars into the Free Zones exhibitions represents a direct economic transformation that reflects positively on the revenues of the Free Zones Corporation, through a set of financial and regulatory channels and mechanisms:
The decision raises the occupancy rates of the open and covered yards and warehouses allocated for car showrooms, allowing the department to collect annual investment and rental allowances denominated in foreign exchange or its equivalent from new and old investors.
The movement of trucks and used car carriers coming from neighboring countries creates fees at the gates and frequent inspections, in addition to activating the activity of cutting and dismantling cars under customs supervision, which creates a new source of fees and services that was not previously efficiently activated.
The trade of used cars in transit and re-export increases the total value of goods entering and exiting free zones, which directly increases the proportions of regulatory returns charged by the corporation with the volume and value of trade exchange.
The decision restores confidence to car dealers and importers after the previous recessions and bans, and leads to an increase in the number of investment licenses, which raises the annual incorporation fees and enhances the financial solvency of the corporation, in a direct reflection on the general budget of the free zones.