Damascus Road, Sea and Air Freight: Shipping Options via Turkey

Syria, Damascus, Road Freight, Sea Freight, Air Freight, Logistics2026-08-25By Dexpell Logistics

A current guide to shipping to Damascus by road, sea and air - via the Cilvegozu/Bab al-Hawa and Oncupinar/Bab al-Salameh border crossings, the Latakia-Tartus ports, and Damascus International Airport.

How to Ship to Damascus: Current Status (Last Updated: August 25, 2026)

Cargo can move from Turkey to Damascus via three main methods: road freight through the Cilvegozu/Bab al-Hawa or Oncupinar/Bab al-Salameh border crossings, sea freight to the ports of Latakia or Tartus followed by inland trucking to Damascus, or air freight direct to Damascus International Airport. The right method depends on cargo type, volume, urgency, and the current operating status of the relevant border crossing, port, or airport. Because logistics conditions in Syria can change quickly, the information in this guide reflects verified sources as of the publish date; we recommend confirming current routing and operational status with Dexpell before shipping.

Road Freight to Damascus: Cilvegozu/Bab al-Hawa and Oncupinar/Bab al-Salameh

Two main border crossings serve Turkey-to-Damascus road freight: Cilvegozu in Hatay province, opposite Bab al-Hawa on the Syrian side (Idlib), and Oncupinar in Kilis province, opposite Bab al-Salameh (north of Aleppo, Azaz). Both crossings are undergoing capacity expansion: on the Cilvegozu side, roughly a third of a yard-expansion project was completed in the first seven months of 2026 (expanding the yard from 17 to 23 dunams and lanes from two to four), with a parallel expansion project underway at Bab al-Hawa. At Oncupinar/Bab al-Salameh, commercial crossing capacity currently handles roughly 300 trucks per day, with service-building development ongoing.

Cargo entering through these crossings moves south to Damascus via the Aleppo-Damascus-Nasib corridor, which also connects Turkey onward to Gulf markets via the Nasib crossing on the Jordanian border. According to Turkey's Ministry of Trade, bilateral trade between the two countries grew 16% in the first seven months of 2026, following 45% growth across all of 2025, reflecting both expanding crossing capacity and rising trade volume. FTL (full truckload) and partial/groupage options can be arranged depending on cargo volume; because current wait times and procedures at the crossings can vary, exact transit time should be confirmed before shipping.

Sea Freight to Damascus: Latakia and Tartus Ports

Ocean freight is another option for reaching Damascus, particularly for containerized or higher-volume cargo. In the first half of 2026, the ports of Latakia and Tartus together received 945 vessels and handled nearly 8 million metric tons of cargo. Tartus Port handled 551 vessels, including 472 general cargo ships and 33 container vessels, and close to 5 million metric tons of cargo (3.9 million tons of imports, 1.1 million tons of exports). Latakia Port handled 394 vessels, including 182 general cargo and 186 container vessels, and around 2.86 million metric tons of cargo. Tartus Port's operations were handed to DP World (UAE) under a 30-year, $800 million concession, and infrastructure, crane capacity, and handling-system upgrades are ongoing.

Cargo arriving by sea at Latakia or Tartus is then moved inland to Damascus by road. Both FCL/LCL container shipments and general cargo can move on this route; because port handling times and inland connection schedules vary, we recommend requesting a current quote for exact delivery timing.

Air Freight to Damascus: Damascus International Airport

Damascus International Airport (DAM) is open for civilian passenger and cargo operations, with an average of roughly 25 scheduled departures per day, served by airlines including Turkish Airlines, AJet, and Royal Jordanian. Turkish Airlines/AJet's Istanbul-Damascus passenger services offer belly-cargo capacity through cargo agency channels, making them a practical option for urgent or medium-volume shipments. That said, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has an advisory in effect through October 31, 2026, recommending that operators avoid flying in the Damascus Flight Information Region (Damascus FIR) at any altitude, a factor that can affect routing decisions for some international operators. Availability and routing for charter or dedicated freighter flights should be confirmed on a shipment-by-shipment basis.

What Determines Shipping Cost to Damascus

Freight cost to Damascus depends on cargo type, chargeable weight versus volume, transport mode (road, sea, or air), the Incoterm used (EXW, FOB, FCA, DDP, etc.), customs duties, and additional charges such as fuel surcharges, security surcharges, handling, and last-mile delivery. Because border, port, and airport operating conditions for Syria can vary period to period, current freight rates fluctuate accordingly; rather than quoting a fixed price, we recommend requesting a current quote based on your cargo's specifications.

Transit Time: Comparing Road, Sea, and Air

Road freight transit time depends on current wait times and customs procedures at the border crossing. Sea freight involves total transit time based on port schedules, vessel rotation, and inland trucking time from Latakia or Tartus to Damascus. Air freight is typically the fastest option via scheduled service, though it requires planning around capacity and flight frequency. We cannot commit to an exact day-based transit time without confirming current conditions; please request a quote for up-to-date timing.

Required Documents and Customs Clearance

Shipments to Damascus generally require a commercial invoice, packing list, certificate of origin, transport document (CMR/bill of lading/air waybill), and additional documentation depending on product type. For more detail on the current regulatory framework and customs process for road freight to Syria, see Dexpell's article on Syria road transportation regulations: https://www.dexpell.com/tr/media/blog/suriye-karayolu-tasimaciligi-2026

Dexpell's Operational Role in Damascus Shipments

Dexpell plans multimodal routing for cargo moving from Turkey to Damascus and other parts of Syria, weighing road, sea, and air options together. Operational scope includes organizing pickup in Turkey, coordinating export customs procedures, tracking border-crossing/port/airport processes, confirming current routing and capacity before shipment, and providing customs clearance support on the Syrian side. Dexpell's IATA cargo agent status in Turkey provides an operational advantage in accessing air cargo capacity.

Get a Quote for Your Damascus Shipment

To get current freight rates and routing information for your road, sea, or air shipment to Damascus, request a quote here: https://www.dexpell.com/en/quote

For Syria shipment requests, you can also email us directly at info@dexpell.com.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the fastest way to ship from Turkey to Damascus?

Air freight via scheduled Turkish Airlines/AJet service is generally the fastest option, though exact timing depends on current flight frequency and capacity. For non-urgent or higher-volume cargo, road or sea freight can be more cost-effective.

Which border crossing is better for Damascus, Cilvegozu or Oncupinar?

Both crossings connect to Damascus via the Aleppo-Damascus corridor. The choice typically depends on your pickup location, current wait times, and vehicle planning; Dexpell recommends the best routing based on current conditions.

Can I ship a container to Damascus via Latakia or Tartus?

Yes, container (FCL/LCL) and general cargo shipments arriving by sea at either port can be moved onward to Damascus by road. Tartus Port's handling capacity is being expanded under DP World's operation.

Is Damascus International Airport open for cargo?

Yes, the airport is open for civilian passenger and cargo operations with daily scheduled flights. Some international operators are subject to airspace advisories, so shippers planning charter or dedicated freighter flights should confirm current status before shipment.

Do sanctions on Syria affect shipping?

Between 2025 and 2026, significant steps were taken to lift most US sanctions on Syria, and the Central Bank of Syria was removed from US, EU, and UK sanctions lists; however, some processes, such as removal from the state sponsor of terrorism list, were still pending final approval as of this article's publish date. Because the situation can change quickly, we recommend checking with Dexpell for current guidance on payment and customs procedures.

Does Dexpell offer DDP shipping to Damascus?

Yes, Dexpell provides DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) transport for Syria shipments, managing customs clearance and import duties on the shipper's behalf. Contact us at info@dexpell.com for details.

What documents are required for shipping to Damascus?

Generally a commercial invoice, packing list, certificate of origin, and transport document are required; additional documents may apply depending on the product. See our Syria road transportation article or contact Dexpell for details.

Is door-to-door delivery available to Damascus?

Yes, Dexpell offers multimodal door-to-door solutions from pickup in Turkey to a delivery address in Damascus, with routing planned according to shipment type and current operating conditions.

How much does freight to Damascus cost?

Cost depends on transport mode, cargo type, volume/weight, and Incoterm. Request a current quote at https://www.dexpell.com/en/quote or email info@dexpell.com.