Alcohol regulations in Syrian Arab Republic

Licences needed

Industrial operating licence, environmental/sanitary approvals, SASMO conformity certification, and municipal commercial registration

Authority

Ministry of Industry, SASMO, Ministry of Internal Trade and Consumer Protection

Documents

Commercial register, facility blueprint, technical production process files, sanitary and laboratory compliance certificates

Fees

not confirmed

Time to obtain

not confirmed

Who can import

Commercial importation of alcoholic beverages is barred under the customs prohibited list

Licences or registrations

Commercial import permits are currently blocked / not issued for alcohol

Authority

General Authority for Land and Sea Ports and Customs, Ministry of Economy and Foreign Trade

Documents

not confirmed

Fees

not confirmed

Time to obtain

not confirmed

Required

yes

Process

Conformity verification with SASMO standards and registration with the Ministry of Internal Trade and Consumer Protection prior to distribution

Authority

Syrian Arab Organization for Standardization and Metrology (SASMO), Ministry of Internal Trade and Consumer Protection

Documents and samples

Product specification sheet, chemical and purity laboratory test reports, sample labels

Fees

not confirmed

Renewal

not confirmed

Time to obtain

not confirmed

Under Decree No. 109 of May 2026 (New Customs Law) and the subsequent tariff classifications issued by customs authorities, alcoholic beverages are classified on the 'negative list' (prohibited imports). Additionally, customs and border security strictly confiscate personal alcohol brought in or taken out by travellers at land borders and international airports.

Import prohibited (categorised under the customs negative list for HS 2208); commercial tariffs are not applicable due to the import ban.

Domestically manufactured beverages are subject to consumption tax (رسم إنفاق), advance tax (سلفة), and municipal surcharges; commercial imported spirits are prohibited.

Severely restricted. In Damascus, a March 2026 decree banned on-premise service of alcohol in bars, restaurants, and nightclubs (exempting select international hotels under Ministry of Tourism oversight). Off-premise retail is restricted to sealed bottles for takeaway exclusively in designated Christian-majority neighbourhoods (Bab Touma, Bab Sharqi, Al-Qassaa), with mandatory buffer distances of at least 75 metres from schools and places of worship and 20 metres from security facilities.

banned

Must comply with SASMO mandatory beverage standards: Arabic language, product identity, alcoholic strength (% ABV), manufacturer details, lot/batch number, net volume, and country of origin; non-compliant products are subject to confiscation.

Banned across broadcast, print, and public outdoor media under public morality and media advertising regulations.

SASMO maintains national standards for alcoholic beverages and spirits (notably traditional grape-and-aniseed Arak, traditionally distilled to 40%–53% ABV); specific statutory minimum ABV schedules for all imported categories are not confirmed.

Muslim-majority neighbourhoods and various conservative provinces enforce informal or de facto dry conditions. In Damascus, on-premise alcohol consumption is prohibited across all standard restaurants and bars, and retail sales are confined to specific Christian quarters.

• December 2024: Following the fall of the Assad regime, the transitional government under Ahmad al-Sharaa took control, leading to tighter social restrictions and the suspension of liquor license renewals.
• Late 2025: Customs officials began systematically confiscating personal alcohol from incoming and outgoing travellers at land crossings and Damascus International Airport.
• March 2026: The Damascus Governorate issued an administrative decree banning the serving of alcohol in bars, restaurants, and nightclubs citywide (converting licences to cafes), and restricting alcohol retail to sealed takeaway bottles in three Christian neighbourhoods (Bab Touma, Bab Sharqi, Qassaa) situated at least 75 metres from places of worship and schools.
• May–June 2026: Presidential Decree No. 109 introduced a new Customs Law, followed by tariff schedules from the General Authority for Land and Sea Ports and Customs officially placing alcoholic beverages on the 'negative list' of prohibited imports.

There are virtually no legal commercial opportunities for foreign spirits exporters at present, as alcoholic beverages have been placed on Syria's customs prohibited import list. The domestic market is severely contracting and restricted to existing local producers facing heavy administrative challenges.

• Syrian Arab Organization for Standardization and Metrology (SASMO)
• General Authority for Land and Sea Ports and Customs
• Ministry of Internal Trade and Consumer Protection
• Ministry of Industry

1. Syria's Winemakers Press on Under New Alcohol Rules - New Lines Magazine
2. Prohibition by regulation: Syria's new customs rules - Al Majalla
3. Syria's Damascus bans alcohol sales - The Drinks Business
4. Syrian authorities' new limits on alcohol sales in Damascus spark backlash - Associated Press / Courthouse News
5. Alcohol Unofficially Forbidden to Bring In or Out of Syria - Syrian Guides
6. European Union Agency for Asylum - Country Guidance: Syria (2026)