The Autonomous Administration, the governing arm of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), has issued a decision limiting the import of cars into areas under its control in north-eastern Syria.

According to the decision issued on Thursday, 27 November, importing cars manufactured before 2021 will be halted as of the beginning of next year.

The Autonomous Administration allowed the import of passenger cars manufactured in 2021 and later, starting from 1 January next year and continuing until the end of 2026.

The Administration excluded the following categories from the decision:

• Hyundai H100 vehicles and similar models manufactured in 2012 and later, starting from the beginning of next year until its end.
• Machinery used in construction, limited to heavy and medium machinery only, excluding passenger vehicles.
• Machinery used in the agricultural sector, such as combine harvesters, tractors and other vehicles or machines used in agriculture.
• Factory-built ambulances (non-modified).
• Vehicles used for cargo and transport, such as tractor-trailers and small box trucks known locally as “anter”.

The Autonomous Administration granted a four-month grace period from the date the decision was issued for importers to bring in vehicles they have already purchased that were manufactured before 2021.

It stipulated that importers must register the chassis numbers of the vehicles purchased before the decision’s issuance date with its General Customs Administration within 15 days.

The Administration stressed that no vehicles may enter areas under its control in north-eastern Syria illegally, through smuggling, or in violation of the provisions of this decision.

Government extends used car imports

For its part, the Ministry of Economy and Industry in the Syrian government granted used-car importers, who are registered on the used-car registration platform at the General Authority for Land and Maritime Transport, an additional period to regularize their status.

In a decision issued on 19 November, the Ministry said that the grace period will end on 31 December, and that registered importers must bring in the imported vehicles before that deadline.

Those who violate the decision are subject to the applicable laws and regulations.

At the end of June, the Ministry of Economy issued a decision to halt the import of used cars, with specific exceptions.

The decision exempted trucks, tractor heads, public works machinery and agricultural tractors whose year of manufacture does not exceed ten years, excluding the year of manufacture, as well as passenger buses with more than 32 seats whose year of manufacture does not exceed four years, excluding the year of manufacture.

It also allowed the import of new, unused cars, provided their year of manufacture does not exceed two years, excluding the year of manufacture.

The decision further exempted importers who had purchased cars before the decision’s issuance date, on condition that they register the chassis numbers with the General Authority for Land and Sea Border Crossings, by a deadline no later than 6 July.

Reactions and clarifications

The June decision to halt car imports to Syria sparked wide reactions over its impact on the country’s car market.

At the time, Qasem Kamel, Director of Government Communications at the Ministry of Economy and Industry, said in a press statement that during the first six months of the year, the car market in northern Syria was open to imports, which led to large quantities entering through those areas.

This, he said, was due to the absence of complex customs restrictions such as those that had been in place in areas controlled by the former regime, which were characterized by high taxes and fees that weighed heavily on residents.

Because demand was high among citizens to replace their old vehicles, most of which dated back to before 2000, a decision was taken to regulate imports across all Syrian territories, according to the official.