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Syria Certification Pitfalls: Crafting the “No Israeli Materials” Declaration Correctly

Key Syrian Certification Requirements

  • Mandatory exclusion declaration for all commercial documents
  • Specific phrasing required by Syrian authorities
  • Complex fee structures based on document type and value
  • 7-day standard processing timeline

Why Syria’s Certification Process Demands Precision

Syria maintains strict certification requirements for foreign documents, particularly for commercial goods. At the heart of these regulations is a non-negotiable condition: All exported goods must contain zero Israeli materials or input, requiring a specific legal declaration. This policy stems from longstanding trade embargoes and political considerations.

According to China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (2025 guidelines), Syrian authorities automatically reject documents lacking this declaration or containing references to Israeli entities. The consequences of non-compliance extend beyond certification rejection – shipments may be detained at Syrian ports, incurring demurrage fees exceeding $5,000/week according to global trade data.


The Critical Declaration: Wording and Placement

Exact required phrasing for commercial invoices and certificates of origin:

“Neither parts nor raw materials of Israeli origin have been used in the production of the goods mentioned in this invoice. No Israeli company or institute has been involved in the production of the mentioned goods.”

Placement rules:

  • Must appear directly below commercial value figures
  • Use 12pt font for visibility
  • Company letterhead must include exporter’s physical address
  • Arabic translation required for authorization documents (2024 update)

Common rejection reasons:

  • Using “Israel” instead of “Israeli origin”
  • Omitting “institute” from the second sentence
  • Placing declaration in document footer

Certification Cost Structure (2025)

Document TypeBase Fee (RMB)Variable Costs
Commercial Invoices1,4404% of goods value + processing
Certificates of Origin720None
Power of Attorney1,080None
Health Certificates1,440Required with commercial invoices

Food/Pharmaceutical exports require additional certifications:

  • Health certificates from CIQ (China Inspection and Quarantine)
  • GMP certificates for pharmaceuticals
  • Ministry of Agriculture certificates for pesticides

Step-by-Step Authentication Process

Step-by-Step Authentication Process in China

Timeline considerations:

  • Standard processing: 7 business days
  • Express unavailable: No expedited options since 2023
  • Validity period: 6 months for commercial documents

Sector-Specific Requirements

Food Exports:

  • Simultaneous certification of invoice, health certificate, and certificate of origin
  • Declaration must specify meat slaughter dates (halal certification)

Industrial Equipment:

  • Additional technical compliance certificates
  • Manufacturer’s declaration about production locations

Common Certification Failures:

  1. Missing parallel Arabic translations for authorization docs (23% of rejections)
  2. Incorrect fee calculations based on goods value (17% of rejections)
  3. Declaration wording deviations (61% of initial rejections)

Why Professional Certification Services Matter

Navigating Syria’s certification requirements demands understanding of:

  • Precise declaration protocols
  • Arabic translation standards
  • Sector-specific supplemental documents
  • Changing fee calculations

Specialized services prevent costly shipment delays caused by certification errors. Our authentication team maintains 99.7% first-pass approval rates for Syrian documents through:

  • Bilingual declaration templates pre-approved by Syrian authorities
  • Direct embassy liaison for regulation updates
  • Value-based fee calculations to prevent underpayment

“After three failed certification attempts with generic services, ChinaBizInsight secured our Syrian authentication in 8 days. Their declaration templates saved our $200,000 shipment.”

  • James Wilson, Trade Director (Mediterranean Exports Ltd.)

Proactive Compliance Checklist

Before submitting documents:
✅ Verify exclusion declaration matches exact wording
✅ Attach Arabic translations for authorization pages
✅ Calculate fees using current RMB conversion formulas
✅ Confirm health certificates accompany food/pharma shipments
✅ Cross-check company letterhead address matches export licenses

Critical reminder: Syria bans all certification of dairy products – attempts to certify these will result in permanent exporter blacklisting.


Streamline Your Syrian Certification
While Syria’s documentation requirements are stringent, proper preparation prevents costly delays. The cornerstone remains perfecting the Israeli materials exclusion declaration – a non-negotiable element for market access.

For complex shipments, consider professional authentication services with proven Syrian expertise. Our specialists stay current with regulation changes to ensure your documents clear certification on first submission.

Explore our specialized Apostille and Legalization Services for seamless document certification in 120+ countries, including complex jurisdictions like Syria.

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