Growth in Customs and Freight Activities in Jordan
Jordan has witnessed a significant increase in customs and freight activities during the first four months of 2026, according to data released by the Customs Clearance and Freight Forwarding Companies Association. The sector has processed a total of 310,567 customs declarations across various border and customs centers in the country.
Key Customs Centers and Their Contributions
The Omari Customs Center, which connects Jordan to Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, handled 65,999 declarations during this period. Meanwhile, the Aqaba Customs Center processed 62,393 declarations, highlighting its role as a major gateway for trade.
At the Jaber Customs Center, which links Jordan with Syria, customs clearance companies processed 20,551 declarations between January and April. In comparison, the Karama Customs Center, connecting Jordan with Iraq, handled 5,132 declarations during the same timeframe.
The Zizia Airport Customs Clearance Office recorded 52,303 declarations, while Amman Customs processed 29,347 and the e-commerce center handled 13,743.
Cargo Handling and Container Traffic at Aqaba Port
Aqaba’s main port saw a notable increase in cargo handling volumes, reaching nearly 4 million tons during the first quarter of 2026. This is an improvement from the 3.189 million tons handled during the same period in 2025, with 566 vessels involved in the process.
Incoming container traffic at the Aqaba Container Terminal also increased significantly, with 159,852 containers processed during the reporting period—up from 149,161 containers in the same period last year. The number of vessels arriving at the terminal rose to 205, compared to 198 vessels in 2025.
The total cargo throughput for imports and exports at the container terminal reached 316,010 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), up from 259,543 TEUs in the previous year.
Freight Transport Assets and Border Crossings
The freight transport sector in Jordan includes a large number of vehicles, with 19,432 tractor units, 25,657 semi-trailers, and 12,448 freight vehicles operating within the country.
The movement of Jordanian and foreign trucks through key border crossings showed a marked increase. At the Jaber border crossing, the number of trucks entering and exiting the Kingdom reached 157,729 during the first four months of 2026, compared to 139,299 during the same period in 2025. Truck movement through this crossing reached 139,016, up from 85,751 in 2025.
Traffic through the Karama border crossing also increased, with 72,411 trucks recorded during the reporting period, compared to 58,059 in the same timeframe last year.
Strategic Importance of Jordan's Logistics Sector
Deifallah Abu Aqoula, head of the association, emphasized the significance of the increased truck movements, given Jordan’s strategic geographic location. He noted that the figures reflect a growing shift in regional transport routes from maritime shipping to land transport, reinforcing Jordan’s role in regional supply chains and logistics connectivity.
Abu Aqoula praised the efforts of the Jordan Customs Department and security agencies in accelerating procedures at customs and border crossings. He highlighted the coordination between these entities as a genuine partnership aimed at facilitating trade flows and streamlining operations.
He also commended government measures related to truck replacement, which target 21,194 tractor units older than 20 years. This initiative is expected to modernize the fleet, reduce operational costs, and avoid additional fees.
Role of the Association and Employment Impact
Established in 1982 and registered with the Ministry of Labor, the association plays a crucial role in supporting the customs clearance and freight forwarding sector. It works to address challenges faced by workers, enhance professional standards, and improve workforce efficiency.
Currently, there are 467 licensed customs clearance companies operating through nearly 2,000 branches across customs and border centers. These companies provide around 10,000 jobs for Jordanians, contributing significantly to the local economy.
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