Bitumen Logistics at Lattakia Port
ISSA handles the customs clearance, port operations and inland transport of bitumen cargo arriving at and departing from Syria’s Mediterranean ports. Drums, bitutainers or bulk — we manage the documentation, the classification and the movement.
We are a logistics and customs provider, not a bitumen trader. We do not buy or sell the product. Where clients need supply, we can introduce established suppliers — the commercial agreement remains between you and them.
Bitumen Cargo, Handled End to End
Bitumen is not ordinary freight. It is temperature-sensitive, classified under a petroleum-products heading that customs authorities examine closely, and depending on packaging it can require specialised handling and heating equipment at both ends of the journey. A delay at the port is not just a storage cost — with bulk and bitutainer cargo, it is a technical problem.
ISSA has cleared and moved cargo through Lattakia since 1940. For bitumen specifically, that means we know which documentation the Syrian authorities expect, how the classification is applied, which berths and equipment suit which packaging, and how to sequence a discharge so the cargo does not sit waiting. We act for importers, exporters, traders and contractors who need the shipment handled properly rather than merely booked.
Formats We Handle
Bitumen moves in several formats, and the format drives the customs treatment, the equipment needed at the port, and the cost. The figures below are the industry-standard ranges — your actual quantities depend on the grade, the supplier’s filling practice and the vessel or container used.
| Format | Typical capacity | Handling notes |
|---|---|---|
| Steel drums | Roughly 150–220 kg per drum; about 18–20 MT in a 20ft container | The most common format for smaller consignments. No heating equipment needed at discharge, and drums can be stored and moved individually — which makes it the simplest option where facilities are limited. |
| Jumbo bags | Around 1 MT per bag | Bitumen in pre-formed blocks inside a lined bag. Lower packaging cost per tonne than drums, but requires care in handling and suitable storage to avoid deformation in heat. |
| Bitutainers | Approximately 20–25 MT per unit | Purpose-built ISO-frame tank containers with integrated heating. Efficient for repeat volume, but both ends of the route need the equipment and the know-how to discharge them. |
| Bulk vessel | Vessel-dependent | For large volumes. Requires heated storage and pumping capability at the port, and the discharge window has to be planned carefully — bulk bitumen must be kept hot throughout transit and transfer. |
Capacities are industry-standard ranges for planning purposes, not a quotation. Confirm exact figures against your supplier’s specification and the Certificate of Analysis for the consignment.
How a Bitumen Shipment Moves
Pre-arrival review
We review the commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, certificate of origin and certificate of analysis before the vessel arrives, so classification questions are settled early rather than at the quayside.
Customs classification
Petroleum bitumen falls under HS heading 2713.20. We prepare the declaration, handle the tariff classification and manage the compliance requirements with Syrian customs.
Port handling
We coordinate berth, equipment and labour appropriate to the packaging — drum discharge, bitutainer handling or bulk pumping — and supervise the operation at the port.
Inland transport
Onward movement to your site or storage facility, whether by flatbed for drums or tanker for bulk, with the routing planned around road conditions and the cargo’s temperature requirements.
Documentation handover
You receive the complete cleared-file documentation for your records, your accounts and any onward sale.
Supplier Introductions
Clients sometimes come to us needing the product as well as the logistics. We do not trade bitumen and we do not take a position on the cargo — but through eight decades of work across Mediterranean and regional trade routes, we know who the established suppliers are. Where it is useful, we will make an introduction and then handle the logistics once you have agreed terms directly with them. The commercial relationship, the price and the contract remain entirely yours.
Bitumen Shipping — Frequently Asked
Does ISSA sell bitumen?
No. We are a customs clearance, freight forwarding and transport company. We handle bitumen as cargo on behalf of the party that owns it. Where clients need supply, we can introduce established suppliers, but we do not buy or sell the product ourselves.
Which HS code applies to bitumen in Syria?
Petroleum bitumen is classified under HS heading 2713.20. The precise national sub-heading and the duty treatment depend on the grade and the declaration, which we prepare and manage as part of the clearance.
Can you handle bulk bitumen at Lattakia?
Yes — we coordinate bulk discharge, including the heated storage and pumping arrangements it requires. Bulk needs more planning than drums because the cargo has to stay hot through transit and transfer, so we ask for as much notice as possible before the vessel arrives.
What documents do I need to send in advance?
Typically the commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, certificate of origin and certificate of analysis. An SGS or equivalent inspection report may also be required depending on the arrangement. Send them early — most clearance delays come from documents arriving after the cargo.
Do you work with Iraqi and Turkish bitumen movements?
Yes. We regularly handle cargo moving between Iraq, Syria and Türkiye, and our team works in Arabic, English and Turkish, which removes a good deal of friction on cross-border consignments.
Can you tell me where my shipment is right now?
We provide status updates from our team as the shipment progresses through clearance and transport. We do not operate a real-time tracking portal — what we offer is a direct line to the people handling your cargo.
Moving bitumen through Lattakia?
Send us the shipment details — packaging, grade, volume and expected arrival — and we will come back with what the clearance and transport will involve.