Syria

Selling and buying in Syria

Reaching the consumers | Distributing a product | Market access procedures | Organizing goods transport | Identifying a supplier

Reaching the consumers

Marketing opportunities

Consumer behavior: Because of most consumers' low purchasing power, the price factor is primordial when choosing a product. But the move towards a market economy is profoundly changing the way of life and consumer habits of the Syrian population. New products are appearing on the Syrian market: luxury cars, computers, satellite television... The liberalization of the economy has generated a real revolution in clothing and new information and communication technologies.

Consumer profile and purchasing power: The liberalization of the Syrian economy is accentuating the inequalities in the country. A new class of consumers is surfacing. At the same time, there is an impoverishment of the lowest social classes.

Consumers associations

Main advertising agencies: Arab Advertising Organization

Distributing a product

Market shares: The companies that have their own distribution network are rare. Most products are sold in bazaars, groceries and specialized shops. But shopping centers are starting to appear in Damascus and multi-brand stores which could make good distribution relays, especially for top of the range products.

Market access procedures

International Conventions: Party to the Kyoto protocol
Party to the Washington convention on International trade in endangered species of wild fauna and flora
Party to the Basel convention on the Control of Transboudary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their disposal
Party to the Montreal protocol on Substances that deplete the Ozone Layer
Main International economic cooperation: Free-trade agreements have been signed with Lebanon, Jordan, Morocco and Iraq, with Arab countries (GAFTA free trade agreement) and with Turkey (bilateral free trade agreement). Syria also started negotiations for an Association Agreement with the EU in October 2004, but final signatures are still pending.
Non tariff barriers: Imports are subject to a licensing system, but this system is being replaced by establishing products which it is forbidden to import.
Customs duties and taxes on imports: The Syrian government is working to harmonize its import tariffs and custom duties, and bring them into compliance with WTO standards. But, it remains that most goods from countries which Syria does not have a free trade agreement are subject to progressive tariff rates. Customs duties vary between 1 and 200%. The average is 25%. Raw materials are taxed at 5-10%, equipment for industry 10-20%, foodstuffs 1-15%, and machinery 30-60%. Private vehicles weighing under one tonne are taxed at 150% and heavier ones at 200%. A surtax is levied on products to be sold to military barracks, schools and local councils. This surtax is between 6 and 35%. Customs duties, which were prohibitive up to now, are being reduced in a context marked by Syria's association agreement with the EU and its possible membership of the WTO. In this context, customs formalities are simplified and the list of the prohibited products regarding imports has been reduced thanks to the cancellation of exclusive customs of commission agents and thanks to the regrouping of import monopolies.
Customs classification: The Convention on the Harmonized System came into force in the Syrian Arab Republic on 1 January 2009.
Import procedures: Any goods imported from abroad are subject to the payment of duties and taxes. Customs duties vary according to the necessity of a product estimated by the Syrian Government. The new system is based on the customs value determination which is the compromise value. Simplified, it allows a faster treatment of dispatched goods and a certain transparency regarding the assesment and the right to recourse to the decisions taken by the customs institutions. Applications for licenses are carried out at the Syrian Federation of Chambers of Commerce, through the services of the Embassies in the country of origin. For further information, consult the website for Customs legislation.
The issue of samples: The Syrian Customs authorities allow commercial samples to enter the country. These samples must be re-exported within six months.
For further information: Syrian Investment Agency

Organizing goods transport

Main useful means: Roads: 36 377 km of roads. The network is of uneven quality and traffic is disorganized.
Train: 2 750 km of railway. The network is old and slow.
Air: 5 airports.
870 km of waterways.
4 main ports.
Ports: Port of Baniyas
Port of Jablah
Port of Latakia
Port of Tartus
Airports: Aleppo International Airport
Bassel Al Assad International Airport Latakia
Damascus International Airport
Deir-Ez-Zor Airport
Kamishly Airport
Sea transport organizations: Syrian Ministry of Transport
Air transport organizations: Syrian Ministry of Transport
Road transport organizations: Syrian Ministry of Transport
Rail transport organizations: General Establishment of Syrian Railways

Identifying a supplier

Type of production: Industry represents more than 20% of the active population and 10% of GDP. Industry is mostly controlled by the State (60% of GDP and 80% of heavy investment). The main industrial sectors are:
- Textiles: the manufacturing industry is concentrated in textiles (30% of manufacturing GDP, 15% of exports);
- Agri-food;
- Construction and Building and Public Works;
- Oil refining;
- Metallurgy;
- The crafts sector is also important, and especially leather crafts and carpets.
Business directories: Syria Business (in Arabic)
Manufacturers associations of the main industries: The Arab Union for Leather Industries
Syrian Textile Manufacturers Association
Trade Agencies and their representations abroad: Damascus Chamber of Industry
Federation of Chambers of Commerce in Syria