Syria’s General Authority for Land and Sea Ports has decided not to allow non-Syrian trucks to enter Syrian territory through land border crossings. Instead, goods will be transferred between Syrian and non-Syrian trucks inside the customs yard at each crossing, known as “al-Tabbun,” in accordance with approved procedures.
In a decision issued on 6 February, the authority exempted trucks transiting through Syria, provided that the customs police escort them between entry and exit points under applicable procedures. The move aims to regulate freight and transport through land border crossings and seaports, according to the text of the decision.
The decision also stipulates that commercial trucks from within Syria will not be allowed to enter land border crossings or seaports for loading or unloading unless they have an official receipt issued by the cargo transport office.
It further requires that issuing these receipts for commercial trucks fall under the responsibility of the Ministry of Transport, as part of organizing freight and transport through these crossings.
Reciprocity: Ban on Egyptian and Saudi trucks
In July 2025, the director of relations at the General Authority for Land and Sea Ports, Mazen Alloush, announced that “the authority has barred trucks arriving from the Arab Republic of Egypt and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from entering Syrian territory, and that transshipment operations (transferring the load) will be completed at the border crossing through which the goods enter.”
Alloush said the decision comes as Egypt and Saudi Arabia continue to prevent Syrian trucks from entering their territory, in violation of the principle of parity in trade exchange and overland transport.
He added that the decision was based on directives from the head of the authority and in response to what he described as fair demands submitted by a number of Syrian truck and refrigerated truck drivers, as well as an effort to strengthen reciprocity, improve conditions in the overland transport sector, and serve the national interest.
Alloush also said the authority remains committed to protecting the rights of workers in the transport sector and is taking necessary steps to ensure fairness and equal treatment for Syrian trucks, in coordination with all relevant bodies.
Facilitating truck crossings with Turkey
In June 2025, Syria’s General Authority for Land and Sea Ports published details of a memorandum of understanding it signed with Turkey’s Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure to reactivate cooperation in international road transport for passengers and goods, and to facilitate truck crossings and transit movement between the two countries through each other’s territory.
The memorandum stipulates resuming overland transport operations under the international road transport agreement signed by both sides on 10 May 2004. It says the two parties will impose reasonable and reciprocal road fees, with the possibility of adjusting them later, and will allow mutual use of Ro Ro facilities.
The memorandum also stresses the importance of facilitating visa procedures for professional drivers and cooperating across areas related to regulating road transport, including legislation, technical standards, and international agreements. It also includes organizing joint training programs, according to the statement.
It further includes an agreement to reactivate the “joint road transport committee” to follow up on implementation of the understanding and discuss emerging technical issues, in a way that contributes to developing and smoothing commercial and passenger movement between the two countries.
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