Syria logistics brief

Syria logistics brief: slow truck entry at Nasib, Latakia port upgrades and an ITAR change

Trucks are entering Syria slowly through Jaber-Nasib during gate works, Latakia port received new handling equipment, and the United States removed Syria from an arms-export denial list. What was reported, as of 2 October 2026.

Nasib works began 23 Sep (SANA)16 forklifts at Latakia (SANA)ITAR rule effective 1 Oct 2026

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Published 2026-10-02 · Midtrans Shipping And Services

Reviewed by Khaldoun Al-Khouli, General Manager

Jaber-Nasib: slow, not halted

Trucks enter one by one through a temporary diversion during gate works.

Latakia port equipment

A delegation inspected works; 16 new 3-ton forklifts arrived on 28 September.

ITAR policy on Syria

Syria was removed from the US list of countries under a policy of denial.

What it means for shippers

Possible delay on the road route through Nasib; no waiting time was reported.

Land border

Truck entry through Jaber-Nasib has slowed

Abu Aqoula, head of Jordan's syndicate of clearance and goods-transport companies, told Akhbar Hayat on 29 September 2026 that trucks are crowding the yards of the Jaber customs centre because the Syrian side is receiving them slowly. He attributed this to maintenance and expansion of the yards at the gates of the Nasib customs centre.

He said trucks are entering through a diversion, one vehicle at a time, while freight volumes are high. He estimated that about 200 to 300 trucks were waiting their turn and entering in sequence, and said he had received promises that intake would be sped up. He described the situation as slow entry into Syria, not a stop in crossings. Earlier the same day, drivers had told the outlet that hundreds of loaded trucks had been held at Jaber since the previous day.

The Syrian state news agency SANA reported on 29 September that the ports and customs authority began paving, expansion and rehabilitation works at Nasib on 23 September. The works cover internal roads, yards, gates and administrative buildings. SANA gave no completion date.

Reported on 29 September 2026
Movement is slow, not stopped
No completion date was given

Sea port

Latakia port: inspection and new forklifts

SANA reported on 1 October 2026 that a delegation from the General Authority for Ports and Customs, led by the authority's deputy head for ports affairs, inspected infrastructure development at Latakia port, the flow of cargo and the processing of transactions.

The tour covered the single-window service, which the authority says shortens the time needed to complete transactions, and the organisation of work in the port's yards. According to the same report, a batch of 16 forklifts with a lifting capacity of up to 3 tons each reached the port on 28 September.

Regulation

United States removes Syria from an ITAR denial list

A final rule of the US Department of State, published in the Federal Register on 1 October 2026 and effective the same day, amends the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) to remove Syria from the list of countries subject to a policy of denial for licences and other approvals.

ITAR governs defence articles and defence services. The rule is not about ordinary commercial goods.

For shippers

What this means for cargo moving to Syria

Shipments moving by road from the UAE through Saudi Arabia and Jordan to Nasib may be delayed while the works continue. Neither source gives a waiting time, so we do not estimate one.

The Latakia report describes equipment and procedures at the port. It gives no figures on handling times.

The ITAR change concerns defence trade. MIDTRANS sees no direct effect on ordinary commercial cargo; it is one more sign of restrictions being eased.

Road route via Nasib: possible delay
No official waiting time published
Our team confirms the route status on request

Sources

Akhbar Hayat: Abu Aqoula on the slowdown of truck movement at Jaber · 2026-09-29
SANA: Head of the ports authority reviews expansion works at the Nasib crossing with Jordan · 2026-09-29
SANA: Ports and customs authority follows infrastructure works at Latakia port · 2026-10-01
Federal Register: International Traffic in Arms Regulations: Syria Country Policy Revision · 2026-10-01

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is the Jaber-Nasib crossing closed?

No. According to the head of Jordan's clearance and goods-transport syndicate, speaking on 29 September 2026, crossings continue but trucks enter Syria slowly through a diversion during works at the Nasib gates.

How long are trucks waiting at Nasib?

The sources give no waiting time. The syndicate head estimated that about 200 to 300 trucks were waiting their turn on 29 September 2026.

When will the works at Nasib finish?

SANA reported that the works began on 23 September 2026 and gave no completion date.

Does the ITAR change affect commercial shipments to Syria?

The rule concerns licences for defence articles and defence services. MIDTRANS sees no direct effect on ordinary commercial cargo.

Shipping to Syria by road or sea?

Send us your cargo details and our team will confirm the current route status with your quote.

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