"Does not meet the required quality standards".. Ministerial clarification on the reasons for banning the import of used cars

The Ministry of Economy and Industry explained the decision to ban the import of used cars issued yesterday, stating that many cars have entered the country in recent months that do not meet the required quality standards, becoming a burden on the infrastructure and the local economy.

The government communication director at the Ministry of Economy and Industry, Qasim Kamil, explained that following the liberation of Syria, the market in the northern regions was open to car imports, leading to a large influx of cars through those areas, taking advantage of the absence of complex customs restrictions, unlike those imposed in the former regime areas, which were characterized by high taxes and fees that burdened citizens.

Kamil added: "Because there was high demand from citizens to replace their old cars, most of which date back to before the year 2000, a decision was made to regulate imports across all Syrian territories."

From an economic perspective, Kamil specified that the age of cars allowed to be imported is only two years apart from the manufacturing year, to reduce waste and maintenance costs, while considering cars that were purchased before the issuance of the decision and were in transit, provided they are registered with the Land and Maritime Customs Authority.

Regarding allowing the import of tractor heads, public works machinery, and agricultural tractors up to 10 years old, Kamil justified this based on the nature of these productive machinery and their long operational efficiency, in addition to the high cost of new machinery. This exception aims to support the agricultural, service, and transportation sectors, while easing the pressure on the import bill and foreign exchange.

The government communication director at the ministry affirmed that this decision contributes to regulating the import bill and preserving foreign exchange reserves, as the current number of imported cars, or those expected to enter, is deemed sufficient considering the infrastructure and population.

The Ministry of Economy and Industry issued a decision yesterday to halt the import of used cars starting today.

The decision exempted tractor heads, trucks, public works machinery, and agricultural tractors whose manufacturing year does not exceed ten years apart from the manufacturing year. It also exempted passenger transport buses with 32 seats or more, whose manufacturing year does not exceed four years apart from the manufacturing year.

The decision also exempts importers who purchased cars before the specified date, provided they prove the chassis numbers to the General Authority of Land and Maritime Customs by Sunday, 6-7-2025, at their location in Kafr Sousa, Damascus.

The decision allows the import of new and unused cars, provided that the manufacturing year does not exceed two years apart from the manufacturing year.