Syria – easing of sanctions
Following the fall of the Assad regime in December 2024, many of the extensive and longstanding sanctions previously imposed by the UK, EU and US on Syria have been eased.
The aim of the easing is to promote the recovery and reconstruction of Syria including the delivery of humanitarian assistance. Although the three sanctions regimes differ in their detail, in broad terms the following activities of potential interest to the maritime industry are now permitted:
- Undertaking transactions with Syrian banks
- Carriage of jet fuel and additives to Syria
- Carriage of crude oil and petroleum products to and from Syria
- Carriage of equipment related to crude oil/natural gas production and to electricity production in Syria
- Delivery of humanitarian aid
However, it is important to bear in mind that not all sanctions have been lifted and there remain a number of people and entities designated or subject to an asset freeze, especially those previously linked to the Assad regime. It continues to be prohibited to undertake transactions with or to provide an economic benefit to those entities, including where it involves the activities set out above
Certain of these activities, for example the delivery of humanitarian aid, may also be subject to complying with specific General Licences and reporting requirements.
In addition, sanctions concerning some transactions and goods remain in place and those activities are therefore still prohibited. These include:
- Carriage of goods to be used for:
- Internal repression
- Monitoring or interception of the internet or telecommunications
- Chemical or biological weapons
- Export to Syria of luxury goods
- Carriage of military goods or technology from Syria
Again, we caution that not all three sanctions regimes are completely aligned in what is now permitted and what remains restricted. Members are therefore strongly advised to undertake careful due diligence when considering any trade with Syria and the following links may aid in doing so:
Executive Order 14312 of 30 June 2025
Syria (Sanctions) (EU Exit) (Amendment) Regulations 2025
Syria Sanctions Guidance
Council Implementing Regulation 2025/1094
Council Regulation 2025/1098
Council Regulation 2025/407
Members with any questions regarding these or any other sanctions matters are asked to contact the Managers. Extensive guidance can also be found on our sanctions webpages.