NTI 2951: Syria import sanctions
Updated 6 May 2025
This notice provides an overview of the import prohibitions in force on certain goods imported into the UK, including Northern Ireland, that have originated or are consigned from Syria. It also sets out the licensing process for traders looking to import goods subject to prohibitions.
This notice should be read alongside the聽statutory guidance聽published by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). This notice has no legal effect, and in case of conflict with the statutory guidance published by the聽FCDO, the statutory guidance will prevail.
Background
罢丑别听聽 (鈥榯he Syria Regulations鈥�) came into full force on 1 January 2021, replacing, with substantially the same effect, relevant EU legislation and corresponding prohibitions in the Open General Import Licence, and related UK regulations.
On 25 April 2025, the amended the Syria Regulations following the fall of the former regime led by Bashar Al-Assad. 皇冠体育app amendment regulations revise the purposes of the sanctions regime and remove certain sectoral sanctions to support the recovery of the Syrian economy. This includes removing sanctions relating to the import of crude oil and petroleum products.
皇冠体育app Syria Regulations (as amended) impose sanctions for the purposes of:
- promoting the peace, stability and security of Syria
- promoting respect for democracy, the rule of law and good governance in Syria, including in particular promoting the successful completion of Syria鈥檚 transition to a democratic country
- discouraging actions, policies or activities which repress the civilian population in Syria
- promoting compliance with international human rights law and respect for human rights in Syria
- providing accountability for gross violations of human rights carried out by or on behalf of the Assad regime
Import prohibitions
皇冠体育appre are two import prohibitions specified in the Syria Sanctions Regulations.
Regulation 36
皇冠体育app import of arms and related materiel is prohibited. This includes all military goods, and anything which falls within chapter 93 of the Goods Classification table, other than military goods.
Imports of these goods are prohibited where they are consigned from or originate in Syria. This means that even if the immediate place the goods were shipped from was not Syria, the prohibition may still apply.
Regulation 42
Prohibits the import of gold, precious metals or diamonds consigned from the Governing Authority of Syria. This means that even if the immediate place the goods were shipped from was not Syria, the prohibition may still apply.
Gold, precious metals or diamonds are defined in regulation 25 as anything which falls within the following commodity codes:
- 7102
- 7106
- 7018
- 7109
- 7110
- 7111
- 7112
鈥樆使谔逵齛pp Governing Authority of Syria鈥� is defined in regulation 27(6) as:
a) the transitional Syrian authorities formed on 8 December 2024 and any successor authorities appointed thereto
b) the Central Bank of Syria
c) a person acting on behalf, or at the direction, of a person mentioned in a) or b)
d) a person who is not an individual and who is, or was, owned or controlled directly or indirectly (within the meaning of regulation 7) by a person mentioned in sub-paragraph a) or b)
Exceptions
聽also set out exceptions to some of the import prohibitions which apply within certain defined circumstances. An exception applies automatically and does not require you to obtain a licence issued in accordance with the regulations.
皇冠体育appre are two exceptions relevant to imports specified in the Syria Regulations.
Regulation 58
皇冠体育app prohibitions in Regulation 36 are not contravened by anything done in accordance with paragraph 10 of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2118 to ensure the elimination of chemical weapons in Syria.
Regulation 60
皇冠体育app prohibitions mentioned above do not apply if the act is one which a 鈥榬esponsible officer鈥� (for example, a government or agency official) has determined would be in the interests of:
- national security, or
- the prevention or detection of serious crime in the United Kingdom or elsewhere
Trade sanction licences
A licence is a written authorisation that permits an otherwise prohibited activity. See guidance on how to apply for a trade sanctions licence聽for information on the types of trade sanctions licences available.
It is for the trader to carry out their own due diligence, determining any relevant controls or actions they may need to take, including obtaining the correct licence.聽If you are unclear about your obligations or responsibilities, you are advised to seek independent legal advice.
Import licences
DBT鈥檚 Import Controls and Sanctions Team is responsible for administering the licensing provisions on behalf of the Secretary of State for all trade sanctions licence applications from importers.
Where traders are looking to import prohibited goods, and where an exception does not apply, you will need to . If you do not already have an account, you will need to create a GOV.UK One Login account. Once logged in, submit an importer access request and, under 鈥榃hat are you importing and where are you importing it from鈥�, also state that you wish to apply for a Sanctions and Adhoc Licence, include your 12-digit聽EORI number聽and the relevant commodity codes associated with your import.
Once the importer access request has been approved, you will be able to submit your licence application. We will then consider each application on a case-by-case basis to determine whether granting a licence would be consistent with the stated purposes of the sanctions regime and any聽UN聽or other relevant international law obligations. Your licence application should make clear why you view the proposed activity to be consistent with the aims of the sanctions regime.
皇冠体育app Secretary of State for Business and Trade is ultimately responsible for decisions to grant or refuse a trade sanctions licence in any individual case.
For further instructions, contact [email protected]聽in the first instance, with details of your proposed import.
You should not assume that a licence will be granted or engage in any activities prohibited by trade sanctions until your licence has been granted. If you are unclear on any aspect of the regulations and in what cases a trade sanctions licence is required, we recommend that you seek independent legal advice in the first instance.
Licences granted will not permit activity in respect of Northern Ireland that is not consistent with EU sanctions regulations as they apply via the Windsor Framework.[footnote 1] You will also have to comply with any other licensing requirements under UK import control legislation as applicable.
Enforcement of trade sanctions
罢丑别听聽makes it a criminal offence to contravene trade sanctions. Some breaches of the import sanctions prohibitions are triable either way and carry a maximum sentence on indictment of 7 years鈥� imprisonment or a fine (or both). Under regulation 85 of the聽, the maximum sentence has been modified to 10 years鈥� imprisonment. Any breach of the trade licensing provisions or information requirements in connection with general trade licences is also triable either way and carries a maximum sentence on indictment of 2 years鈥� imprisonment or a fine (or both).
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is responsible for enforcing the licensing restrictions and investigating suspected offences.
If you discover that you have breached any of the trade prohibitions or licensing provisions, you should report the irregularity to聽HMRC聽(sometimes known as 鈥榲oluntary disclosure鈥�) as soon as possible.
Enquiries
For further information on import sanctions, contact [email protected].
For information on export controls:
- call the Export Control Joint Unit (ECJU) on 020 7215 4594
- email [email protected]
- subscribe to the
For specific queries on export-related trade sanctions, contact [email protected].
If your query is related to trade services sanctions, contact [email protected].
This document is for information purposes only and has no force in law. Please note that where legal advice is required, importers should make their own arrangements.
-
鈥榃indsor Framework鈥� has the same meaning as in 聽聽of the EU and the United Kingdom in the Withdrawal Agreement Joint Committee of 24 March 2023.聽鈫�