Syria banned Used Car Imports Starting July 2025 – What Exporters Need to Know
Syria banned Used Car Imports Starting July 7, 2025!
On June 29, 2025, According to enabbaladi.net, Syria’s Ministry of Economy and Industry officially announced a full ban on used car imports, effective immediately from July 7. No grace period was granted, triggering a major disruption among exporters and buyers.
Only vehicles that had already received Import permission and submitted the VIN and sales contract by July 6 were allowed for final clearance.
The news spread rapidly among Middle Eastern buyers, including those already in Korea, and created panic across the Korean used car export industry.
In the final week before the ban, auction sites were flooded with Syrian buyers making last-minute purchases. Vehicle prices, especially for diesel RVs and European imports, surged by up to ₩5 million in some auctions.
With Syria accounting for over 20,000 units of monthly exports, the ban marks a significant blow to the Korean used car export market. Exporters are now urgently seeking alternative markets and shipping routes to maintain their business.
Sudden Syria Banned Used Car Imports – Explained
1. What Happened?
On June 29, 2025, Syria’s Ministry of Economy issued an emergency order to ban all used car imports, effective July 7. No grace period was provided.
Exceptions include:
- Trucks, construction vehicles (less than 10 years old)
- Agricultural machinery (less than 10 years old)
- 32+ seat buses (less than 4 years old)
- Vehicles with pre-approved import permission submitted by July 6
2. Immediate Market Reaction
Buyers in Jordan, Syria, and within Korea were quick to respond.
- Korean exporters rushed to ship as many vehicles as possible by July 6.
- Auctions (KCar, Glovis, AutoHub) saw prices surge by ₩2M–₩5M.
- Diesel RVs and European models were in high demand.
3. Syria-Korea Export History at a Glance
2009–2016
- Average: ~250 units/month
- Export unit price: $10,000–$14,000
- Direct export with strict 2-year-old car limit
2017–2023
- More rerouted exports via Turkey & Jordan
- Low-cost cars ($2,000 range) were common
- North Syria (Idlib) became informal entry point
2024.12–2025.05
- Over 128,000 Korean used cars exported to Syria (20,000unit per month)
- Direct shipping via Syria resumed after war ended
- Turkey, Jordan, UAE also used as re-export hubs
- Average export price: $4,200
4. Syria banned used car imports Reasons
1) Foreign Currency Leakage
Syria spent over $2 billion in 6 months on used car imports.
2) Market Disorder
- Massive inflow of low-quality cars via northern border
- Roads and infrastructure overwhelmed
3) Stabilizing Domestic Economy
- Government aims to boost new car imports
- Protect local assemblers and reduce traffic chaos
5. Public & Industry Reactions
Citizens
“We’ve lost our freedom to move. Cars are now for the rich only.”
Dealers
“Short-term profit from stock surge, but long-term collapse is coming.”
Common Criticisms
- No notice or grace period
- Policy favors wealthy car importers
- Prices skyrocketed overnight ($3,000+ hikes)
💬 Key Video Summary (via Syrian TV)
Key points:
- Prices up 30–60% in a week
- Dealers benefited, citizens suffered
- Citizens demand public transport and financing support
- Over 60–70% of comments oppose the policy
6. What’s Next for Exporters?
Korean used car exporters must now after Syria banned used car imports :
- Shift focus to alternative markets (Africa, Central Asia, Latin America)
- Explore engine, parts, or bus exports still allowed in Syria
- Monitor Jordan/UAE for re-export opportunities
Multilingual Summary
- Arabic: سوريا تحظر استيراد السيارات المستعملة بدءاً من 7 يوليو 2025
- Spanish: Siria prohíbe la importación de coches usados a partir del 7 de julio de 2025
- Russian: Сирия запретила импорт подержанных автомобилей с 7 июля 2025 года
