Exporting from Syria to Jordan
The agreement that applies, the expected duty, and what each side asks for — for factories in Syria selling to buyers in Jordan.
Send a certificate of origin with the shipment to claim the preference.
VAT — Jordan: 16% general sales tax
Greater Arab Free Trade Area (GAFTA / PAFTA)
- 0% customs duty
Arab-origin goods traded between members are fully exempt from customs duties and charges with equivalent effect, for both industrial and agricultural products.
Source ↗ - No non-tariff barriers, with set exceptions
Members may not apply non-tariff barriers to each other's goods, except for religious, health, security and environmental reasons. A few farm products can also be excluded temporarily during local harvest seasons (the agricultural calendar).
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Exceptions
- Syria: suspended 2011–2023
Syria's Arab League membership was suspended in 2011 and restored in May 2023, and trade with Syria was badly disrupted in between. Check Syria's current tariffs, payment channels and any sanctions before relying on GAFTA treatment.
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⚠ Before you trade
- Sanctions mostly lifted – some limits remain
The UK (April 2025) and EU (May 2025) lifted most economic sanctions; the US ended its Syria sanctions programme from 1 July 2025, repealed the Caesar Act in December 2025 and removed the terrorism-sponsor listing on 24 August 2026. Sanctions on listed persons remain, and some US-origin items still need export licences.
Source ↗ - Banking and payments are still difficult
Syrian banks are cautious: expect delays, extra due-diligence questions and transfer limits, and correspondent banking is limited. Screen your buyer against sanctions lists, use secure payment terms, and consider euro or regional-currency channels.
Source ↗ - Rules change often
Customs law, tariff, import lists and the authorities themselves changed in 2025–2026 and are still being updated. Always confirm current requirements with a licensed Syrian clearing agent before shipping.
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Importing into Jordan
- Importer registration
Importers must be registered traders or companies. Trading companies need an importer's card from the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Supply; otherwise customs can ask for a bond of 5% of the goods' value.
Source ↗ - JSMO conformity (mandatory technical regulations)
Goods covered by Jordanian mandatory technical regulations, such as food, chemicals, electrical equipment, textiles and safety gear, are checked by the Jordan Standards and Metrology Organization (JSMO), often with laboratory testing in Jordan, before release.
Source ↗ - JFDA approval for food and medicines
The Jordan Food and Drug Administration (JFDA) inspects imported food at the border and can sample it in the market. Medicines and similar products need JFDA registration and approval before sale.
Source ↗ - Documents and certificate of origin
Customs needs a commercial invoice, bill of lading or air waybill and packing list, with an Arabic translation of the invoice. A certificate of origin is customary and is required to claim free-trade-agreement duty rates.
Source ↗ - Import licences for some goods
Licences or prior approvals are needed for telecommunications and security equipment, some foods (Ministry of Health) and raw agricultural products (Ministry of Agriculture).
Source ↗ - Arabic labelling
Labels must be in Arabic or carry an Arabic sticker. Food labels need product name, manufacturer, net weight, lot number and expiry date; unclear labels can lead to rejection.
Source ↗ - Banned goods and vehicle rules
Banned imports include plastic waste, qat and diesel passenger cars. From 1 November 2025, salvage cars damaged by fire or flood are banned, electric cars older than three years cannot be imported, and imported cars must meet EU, US, GCC or Saudi technical rules.
Source ↗ - ASYCUDA World and pre-arrival processing
Customs declarations are filed through ASYCUDA World. In July 2025 Jordan Customs launched ASYHUB for sea and express cargo, allowing pre-arrival and paperless processing. Step-by-step procedures by product are on the Jordan Trade Portal.
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