Lebanon Customs Import and Export Policy
Summary:The article provides an overview of Lebanon's import and export policies, detailing the free trade system with minimal trade restrictions on a small percentage of goods.
Trade Management Regulations
Lebanon operates a free trade system, with only a small percentage (less than 1%) of imported and exported goods subject to trade measures imposed by relevant Lebanese government agencies. These measures include prohibitions, permits, technical certificates, animal quarantine certificates, and plant quarantine certificates. Importers and handlers of products controlled for safety reasons must register with the Chamber of Commerce. Registration with the Chamber is intended to ensure that established facilities meet safety, handling, and storage requirements. All goods prohibited from import and export into Lebanon are also prohibited from transit through Lebanese territory. A limited number of goods (e.g., weapons) are subject to two or more trade measures. To determine if a particular product is subject to non-tariff measures, consult the Lebanese Customs website: https://www.customs.gov.lb/.
Products Prohibited from Import into Lebanon
The main categories of products prohibited from import into Lebanon include:
Cedar seeds and seedlings
Chemical improvers for bread production
Non-iodized table salt
Waste/slag/ash/scrap of mineral and metal products
Black cement and clinker
Vehicles manufactured more than 8 years ago and cargo transport vehicles used for more than
5 years
Used medical devices and radiation instruments
Gas fuel lighters
Radio telephones with a frequency of 900 MHz
Adherence to Arab League Boycott of Israel
Lebanon adheres to the Arab League boycott of Israel, prohibiting the import of products manufactured in or originating from Israel. Any items with markings related to Israel or using Hebrew labels are prohibited from entry and sale.
Product Labeling Requirements
Lebanon requires product labels to include the following information:
Net weight of the product
Ingredients
Country of origin
Production date and expiration or termination date
Label language can be Arabic, English, or French