Gov’t should cancel Jordan-Syria good transport fees — transport companies association

AMMAN — The Association of Owners of Clearance and Transport Companies has demanded the cancellation of fees on trucks transporting goods between Syria and Jordan at the Jaber border crossing.

The association’s president, Daifallah Abu Aqouleh, said that the truck fees have prevented a number of trucks, loaded with goods, from reaching Syria. Other trucks have faced delays in procedures, which have caused “confusion” at the Jaber border crossing and increases in transport costs.

“The memorandum of understanding between Jordan and Syria sets certain fees for truck drivers in both countries, where the equivalent of $150 is paid in each country,” Abu Aqouleh told The Jordan Times on Wednesday over the phone.

He added that when the Jaber border crossing reopened, fees were imposed based on the size and weight of the truck, which posed very high costs for the drivers.

Trucks heading from Syria to Jordan to load goods have to follow certain procedures. For instance, they must not be empty when they leave their country. They must also obtain a permit and pay fees, instead of an entry permit.

Abu Aqouleh said that these procedures are “very complicated”. They require waiting at the Jaber border crossing for several days to obtain the permit from the Transport Ministry.

He called on the Jordanian and Syrian authorities to implement “clear mechanisms“, ease procedures, cancel fees imposed on trucks, and reimplement the memorandum of understanding (MoU) and previous agreements between the countries. He noted that only a part of the MoU is now actually implemented.

He stressed that the continuation of fees and procedures would reduce the trade volume between the countries.

“The application of the previous agreements would facilitate and enhance the trade volume between the countries. This was applied for a long time and there were no objections or complaints from both sides in the past,” he added.