MIDTRANS was established in Damascus in 1998, and its Damascus office prepares the Syrian import file and arranges delivery to the consignee. The city is about 117 km by road from the Nassib crossing with Jordan and about 254 km from Tartous port.
Damascus lies on a plateau about 680 m above sea level at the eastern foot of the Anti-Lebanon mountains, about 80 km inland from the Mediterranean, and is watered by the Barada River. The modern city covers about 105 km². It had 1,414,913 residents in the 2004 census, and Damascus Governorate 1,552,161.
Around the city lies the Ghouta, irrigated farmland where vegetables, cereals and fruits have been grown since ancient times. Damascus is also an industrial and trading centre, and most of the goods made here are distributed to countries of the Arabian Peninsula.
Damascus on the M5 motorway, between the Nassib crossing and Homs. Tap to enlarge the map×
Damascus on the M5 motorway, between the Nassib crossing and Homs.
Economy
Industry, trade and finance
Industrial activity in Damascus includes textiles, food processing, cement and various chemical industries.
Most goods produced in Damascus are distributed to countries of the Arabian Peninsula.
The Damascus International Fair, first held in September 1954, has a fairground of about 1.2 million m² on the Damascus–airport highway.
The 62nd fair, opened on 27 August 2025, gathered about 850 companies from 22 countries; the 63rd opened on 26 August 2026.
The Damascus Securities Exchange, Syria's only stock exchange, formally opened for trade in March 2009.
The M5 motorway links Damascus with Homs, Hama, Aleppo and Turkey to the north and with Jordan to the south; Damascus International Airport is about 20 km from the city.
Known for
What Damascus is known for
Damask, the reversible patterned fabric named after the city
Damascus steel, the historic patterned sword steel
The Damask rose (Rosa × damascena)
Copper engraving and handicrafts in the old city
The Damascus International Fair, held since 1954
Freight access
How cargo reaches Damascus
Road freight from the Gulf and Jordan enters Syria at Nassib, about 117 km south of the city. Sea freight is discharged at Tartous port, about 254 km away, or Latakia port, about 334 km, and continues by road, while air cargo lands at Damascus International Airport, about 20 km from the city. The nearest crossing with Turkey by road is Bab al-Hawa, about 347 km; crossing status and permitted cargo are checked for each shipment. Road figures are approximate distances from OpenStreetMap.
Nassib crossing (Jordan): about 117 km
Nearest crossing with Türkiye (Bab al-Hawa): about 347 km
Port of Latakia: about 334 km
Port of Tartous: about 254 km
Distances are approximate road distances calculated from OpenStreetMap road data. They are a planning guide; the route for each shipment is confirmed before booking.
Shipping to Damascus?
Send the cargo details, origin and delivery address, and the route and documents are reviewed before booking.
About 254 km by road, based on approximate OpenStreetMap distances. Latakia port is about 334 km away.
How far is the Nassib border crossing from Damascus?
About 117 km by road. Nassib is the main crossing for Syrian exports to Jordan and the GCC; crossing status and permitted cargo are checked for each shipment.
When was MIDTRANS established in Damascus?
MIDTRANS was established in Damascus in 1998. The Damascus office prepares the Syrian import file and arranges delivery to the consignee.
What industries are based in Damascus?
Textiles, food processing, cement and various chemical industries. Most goods produced in the city are distributed to countries of the Arabian Peninsula.
When is the Damascus International Fair held?
The 63rd edition opened on 26 August 2026; the 62nd opened on 27 August 2025 and gathered about 850 companies from 22 countries. The fair was first held in September 1954.
What documents are needed to import goods to Damascus?
Requirements depend on the goods and the route, and they are confirmed for each shipment as the Damascus office prepares the Syrian import file. Send the commercial invoice, packing list and HS codes with your quote request so the review can start.
