New Service for Expatriates
Vehicle owners visiting Syria can now extend the temporary stay of their cars at inland customs offices rather than returning to a border crossing, under an expanded service announced on 4 June 2026 by the body that oversees the country's ports and customs.
The director of relations at the authority, Mazen Alloush, said owners "no longer need to visit border crossings" to keep their vehicles legally in the country, a step intended to cut travel and paperwork for visiting nationals.
Where It Applies
The service is available at four regional customs directorates: the southern zone in Damascus, the central and coastal zone in Homs, the northern zone in Aleppo, and the eastern zone in Raqqa.
The authority said it plans to widen coverage to Tadmur and Deir ez-Zor, extending the facility to more governorates as demand grows.
Building on Earlier Easing
The measure follows an initiative in March 2026 that lengthened the permitted stay for Lebanese-plated vehicles to three months instead of two weeks. That extension was offered once per vehicle and without fees.
Together, the changes point to a steady loosening of the rules that govern how long expatriates can keep foreign-registered cars inside the country.
Economic Significance
Customs facilitation for returning nationals carries weight for an economy that leans heavily on its diaspora. Easier vehicle rules lower the cost and friction of extended visits, which can support spending, family remittances and small cross-border trade.
The change adds to a series of customs measures aimed at easing procedures for nationals returning from abroad.