Land freight guide
Land Freight Guide: Crossings, Trucks, Documents & Cost
Land Freight Guide
Land freight is a practical option for commercial shipments that need flexible pickup and delivery — including regional routes through neighboring corridors and door-to-door moves after sea or air arrival.
This guide outlines key border crossings used on Eastern Mediterranean trade lanes (including routes serving Syria), suitable truck types, required documents, and the factors that influence shipping costs.
What Is Land Freight to Syria?
Land freight to Syria is the transportation of commercial goods by truck from the country of origin to a destination point inside Syria, passing through the relevant border crossings and customs procedures.
The success of a land freight operation depends on several operational factors, including:
- Selecting the appropriate border crossing
- Determining the suitable truck type for the cargo
- Preparing commercial documents correctly
- Matching weight and dimensions to the truck's capacity
- Confirming customs clearance requirements
- Assessing road conditions and waiting times at border crossings
The shipping route is therefore not chosen based on distance alone, but on operational efficiency, transit feasibility, cargo type, and final delivery requirements.
When Is Land Freight to Syria a Suitable Option?
Land freight is suitable in the following situations:
- When the shipment originates from Turkey, Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq, or the Gulf states via a land route
- When the goods require direct delivery to locations inside Syrian cities
- When the shipment is not suitable for air freight due to weight, volume, or cost
When the goods are ready for truck transport — such as food products, industrial goods, machinery, spare parts, or palletized cargo.
- When the importer needs greater flexibility in loading and delivery compared to sea freight
Key Border Crossings for Land Freight to Syria
The appropriate crossing varies depending on the country of origin, cargo type, target Syrian city, and customs requirements. Below are the main crossings used in land freight routes to Syria:
- 1. Nassib / Jaber Crossing (Jordan–Syria)
- Connects Syria with Jordan and is one of the most important land crossings for shipments arriving from Jordan and the Gulf states.
This route is typically suitable for shipments destined for:
- Damascus
- Daraa
- As-Suwayda
- Homs
- Other Syrian cities according to the inland transport plan
- 2. Al-Masnaa / Jdeidat Yabous Crossing (Lebanon–Syria)
- Connects Lebanon with Syria and is one of the main land crossings for shipments arriving from Lebanon or linked to the Port of Beirut.
This route is typically suitable for shipments destined for:
- Damascus
- Rural Damascus
- Homs
- The Syrian coast according to the operational route
- 3. Bab al-Hawa Crossing (Turkey–Syria)
- Connects Turkey with northern Syria and is used for shipments arriving from Turkey or transiting through Turkish territory.
This route is typically suitable for shipments destined for:
- Idlib
- Aleppo
- Northern Syria
- Some routes toward the interior depending on road conditions and permits
- 4. Bab al-Salameh Crossing (Turkey–Syria)
- An important crossing on the Syrian-Turkish border, serving particularly northern Syria and the Aleppo region.
This route is suitable for shipments destined for:
- Aleppo
- Azaz
- Areas north and northeast of Aleppo
- Inland cities depending on transit and transport feasibility
- 5. Al-Rai Crossing (Turkey–Syria)
- Used for some freight routes through Turkey into northern Syria; evaluated based on cargo type and final destination.
- 6. Al-Bukamal / Al-Qa'im Crossing (Iraq–Syria)
- Connects Syria with Iraq and is used for shipments arriving from Iraq or transiting through Iraqi territory.
This route is typically suitable for shipments destined for:
- Deir ez-Zor
- Al-Bukamal
- Eastern regions
- Some shipments transiting into the Syrian interior depending on the operational situation
- Important Operational Note on Border Crossings
- The status of border crossings is subject to change based on customs instructions, road conditions, operating hours, congestion, cargo type, and required permits.
- It is therefore always advisable to verify transit feasibility before confirming the booking, especially for shipments requiring refrigeration, special permits, or additional documents.
Approximate Distances to Key Syrian Cities
- The following distances are approximate and intended for preliminary planning purposes only.
- Actual distances may vary based on loading point, delivery point, truck route, and crossing conditions.
- City
- Most Suitable Crossing
- Approximate Distance from Crossing
- Damascus
- Nassib / Jaber
- 105–115 km
- Damascus
- Al-Masnaa / Jdeidat Yabous
- 40–45 km
- Daraa
- Nassib / Jaber
- 13–15 km
- Homs
- Al-Masnaa / Jdeidat Yabous
- 200–220 km
- Homs
- Nassib / Jaber
- 260–280 km
- Aleppo
- Bab al-Hawa
- 50–70 km
- Aleppo
- Bab al-Salameh
- 50–60 km
- Latakia
- Bab al-Hawa
- 170–210 km
- Latakia
- Al-Masnaa / Jdeidat Yabous
- 380–410 km
- Deir ez-Zor
- Al-Bukamal / Al-Qa'im
- 124–131 km
- Tartus
- Al-Masnaa / Jdeidat Yabous
- 330–380 km approx.
- Hama
- Nassib / Jaber or Al-Masnaa / Jdeidat Yabous
- Depends on route and entry point
Truck Types Used in Land Freight Operations
- The choice of truck type directly affects cargo safety, cost, loading/unloading speed, and transport procedures.
- Truck type must therefore be determined based on cargo weight, dimensions, packaging type, and any refrigeration or special protection requirements.
- Tipper / Dump Truck
Used for transporting bulk materials that do not require conventional packaging, such as sand, gravel, and some construction materials. Suitable for shipments that rely on direct loading and unloading.
- Curtainsider Truck
Suitable for general cargo, cartons, pallets, and packaged commercial goods. Allows easy loading and unloading from the sides while providing good cargo protection during transit.
- Flatbed Truck
Used for transporting equipment, machinery, steel, construction materials, or oversized goods that require open loading from the top or sides and are not suited for enclosed trucks.
- Enclosed Container Truck
Suitable for goods requiring higher protection from external elements, such as cartons, commercial products, packaged materials, and supplies that require enclosed and organized transport.
- Refrigerated Truck
- Used for food products, temperature-sensitive goods, pharmaceuticals, and cargo requiring a specific temperature during transit.
- Jumbo Truck
Suitable for high-volume shipments or those requiring a larger loading capacity than standard trucks, especially for bulky packaged or commercial goods.
How Is the Right Truck Selected?
Before selecting a truck, the following data must be reviewed:
- Cargo type
- Total weight
- Number of packages or pallets
- Dimensions: length, width, height
- Packaging method
- Stackability
- Need for refrigeration or ventilation
- Presence of hazardous or sensitive goods
- Loading point and delivery point
- Most suitable border crossing
- The clearer the shipment data, the more accurate the truck selection — and the lower the likelihood of delays or price revisions after reviewing the details.
Factors Affecting the Cost of Land Freight to Syria
The price of land freight does not depend solely on distance — it is influenced by a range of operational and commercial factors, including:
- Country of origin and target city within Syria
- Type of truck required
- Actual weight and volume of the cargo
- Nature of the cargo and any special handling requirements
- Border crossing used
- Transit and waiting fees where applicable
- Customs clearance procedures
- Need for truck transfer or unloading and reloading on certain routes
- Border crossing congestion or changes in operating hours
- Truck availability at the time of booking
- It is therefore preferable to provide the shipping team with accurate data before requesting a quote, so that an appropriate offer can be prepared based on the route and cargo.
Documents Required for Land Freight to Syria
Required documents vary based on cargo type, country of origin, country of dispatch, and the border crossing. However, they typically include:
- 1. Commercial Invoice
Sets out the key commercial details, such as:
- Seller's name
- Buyer's name
- Description of goods
- Quantity
- Value
- Currency
- Terms of sale (if applicable)
- 2. Packing List
Details the packaging information, such as:
- Number of packages
- Packaging type
- Net weight
- Gross weight
- Dimensions
- Distribution of goods within packages
- 3. Certificate of Origin
- States the country of origin of the goods; may be required for customs or trade purposes depending on the product type and applicable agreements.
- 4. Road Waybill or CMR
- Used as an international land transport document, stating the shipper, carrier, consignee, description of goods, and loading and delivery points.
- 5. Import Permits or Licenses
May be required for certain goods depending on their nature, such as:
- Food products
- Chemical substances
- Electrical equipment
- Medical products
- Agricultural materials
- Products subject to special restrictions
- 7. Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)
Required for chemical substances or operationally sensitive materials. It helps determine whether the cargo is standard, hazardous, or subject to special transport requirements.
Steps for Land Freight to Syria with Across MENA
Across MENA helps traders and importers organize the land freight file from the initial assessment stage through to shipment tracking, following clear operational steps:
Land Freight Steps with Across MENA
Step One: Shipment Data Assessment
- Cargo data is collected: weight, volume, loading point, delivery destination, and available documents.
- Step Two: Selecting the Optimal Route
- The appropriate border crossing is evaluated based on the country of origin, road conditions, cargo type, and target Syrian city.
- Step Three: Selecting the Truck Type
- The truck type is selected based on the nature of the cargo, its size, weight, and any protection or refrigeration requirements.
- Step Four: Document Review
- The commercial invoice, packing list, certificate of origin, transport document, and any additional required approvals are reviewed.
- Step Five: Submitting a Price Quotation
- A price quotation is prepared based on the route, truck type, cargo nature, and operational requirements.
- Step Six: Executing the Transport and Follow-Up
- After booking confirmation, loading is coordinated, truck movement is monitored, and delivery is tracked through to final handover.
Key Operational Risks in Land Freight to Syria
Land freight to Syria requires close monitoring due to several factors that may affect timing or cost, including:
- Congestion at border crossings
- Changes in operating hours
- Requests for additional documents
- Discrepancies in cargo description interpretation
- Weight mismatches between documents and actual cargo
- Need for additional inspections
- Route changes due to road conditions
- Delays in loading or unloading
- Truck shortages on certain routes
- Advance review therefore helps minimize operational surprises and improves cost and timeline clarity.
Which Syrian Cities Can Be Reached by Land Freight?
Land freight can be arranged to multiple Syrian cities based on the crossing used, road conditions, and cargo type. Key destinations include:
- Damascus
- Rural Damascus
- Aleppo
- Homs
- Hama
- Latakia
- Tartus
- Daraa
- As-Suwayda
- Deir ez-Zor
- Qamishli and Al-Hasakah depending on available route
Land Freight from Jordan to Syria
The Jordan–Syria route is one of the key routes for shipments arriving from Jordan or transiting from Gulf states. The Nassib / Jaber crossing is typically used to enter Syrian territory.
This route is suitable for shipments destined for Damascus, Daraa, Homs, and other Syrian cities. Transit and clearance requirements must be reviewed before confirming the shipment.
Land Freight from Lebanon to Syria
The Al-Masnaa / Jdeidat Yabous crossing is one of the most important land crossings between Lebanon and Syria, particularly for shipments arriving from Lebanon or from the Port of Beirut toward Damascus and inland areas.
This route is important for shipments arriving by sea to Lebanon and then transported by road into Syria. It is also used in some cases as an alternative logistics option depending on route availability and requirements.
Land Freight from Turkey to Syria
Several crossings between Turkey and Syria are used for shipments heading to northern Syria or transiting through Turkey, including Bab al-Hawa, Bab al-Salameh, and Al-Rai. The suitability of each crossing varies based on the final destination and cargo type.
This route is suitable for shipments originating from Turkish cities or Turkish ports heading to northern and northwestern Syria. Crossing conditions must be verified before execution.
Land Freight from Iraq to Syria
Certain land routes between Iraq and Syria can be used for shipments arriving from Iraq or transiting through it, particularly toward eastern Syria and Deir ez-Zor. These routes require prior operational assessment in terms of readiness, safety, and border procedures.
Tips Before Requesting a Land Freight Quote to Syria
Before requesting a quote, ensure the following information is prepared:
- Clear description of the goods
- Gross weight and net weight
- Number of packages
- Package dimensions
- Packaging type
- Loading country and city
- Target Syrian city for delivery
- Cargo readiness date
- Copy of the commercial invoice (if available)
- Copy of the packing list (if available)
- Any special cargo requirements
- The clearer the data, the more accurate the quote — and the more efficient the shipping process.
Why Across MENA?
Across MENA organizes land freight solutions to Syria through a network of transport partners and multiple operational options, helping traders and importers select the most suitable route based on shipment type and final destination.
We focus on:
- Clear shipment data
- Selecting the right route
- Precise truck type determination
- Document review before shipment
- Monitoring all transport stages
- Commercial and operational decision support
- Reducing the likelihood of delays or cost discrepancies
Frequently Asked Questions About Land Freight to Syria
What is the best land crossing for freight to Syria?
There is no single crossing suitable for all shipments. The crossing is selected based on the country of origin, target Syrian city, cargo type, road conditions, and customs procedures. For example, Nassib / Jaber may be suitable for shipments from Jordan and the Gulf, while Al-Masnaa / Jdeidat Yabous may be more appropriate for shipments from Lebanon.
How long does land freight to Syria take?
Transit time varies depending on the country of origin, border crossing, congestion, customs clearance, and the distance to the final city. Some regional routes may take a few days, while longer routes crossing multiple countries require more time.
Can refrigerated goods be shipped to Syria by land?
Yes, refrigerated goods can be transported using refrigerated trucks, provided that the required temperature, cargo type, transit duration, and safety requirements are specified before loading.
Can machinery and equipment be transported by land to Syria?
Yes, machinery and equipment can be transported using flatbed trucks or vehicles designed for heavy loads. However, weight, dimensions, loading method, and road permits must be reviewed if the shipment is non-standard.
Is the price fixed for all shipments?
No. Land freight pricing varies based on truck type, distance, weight, destination, crossing, cargo nature, and any waiting or transit fees. Each shipment is therefore priced based on its actual data.
Request Land Freight Service to Syria
If you have a land shipment to Syria, the Across MENA team can help you assess the route, select the appropriate truck type, review documents, and provide a suitable quote based on your shipment details.
- Send your shipment details now