LEBANON (LBN)

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At MSC we offer reliable and efficient shipping services to and from Lebanon, for a host of markets and suppliers seeking to do business in and out of Western Asia. If this is the first time you’ve shipped to the Lebanese Republic be sure to take a look at our in-depth country guide, covering everything from general trade information to import and export procedures, designed to ensure the smooth transport of your goods to or from Lebanon.

Fact file

• ISO Code: LBN
• Language: Arabic
• Currency: Lebanese pound (ل.ل)
• Time zone: GMT+2
• Dialling code: +961
• Capital City: Beirut
• Area: 10,400 sq km (6,462 sq mi)
• Population: 5,882,562
• Weights and measures: Metric system
• Electricity supply: 220v. 50Hz

Key commodities and trading partners

Exports

Jewellery, base metals, chemicals, miscellaneous consumer goods, fruit and vegetables, tobacco, construction minerals, electric power machinery and switchgear, textile fibers and paper.

Imports

Petroleum products, cars, medicinal products, clothing, meat and live animals, consumer goods, paper, textile fabrics, tobacco, electrical machinery and equipment and chemicals.

Principal trading partners - exports

• South Africa: 19.3%
• Switzerland: 12.2%
• Saudi Arabia: 8%
• UAE: 7.9%
• Syria: 6.6%
• Iraq: 4.7%

Principal trading partners - imports

• USA: 11.2%
• Italy: 8.6%
• China: 8.3%
• France: 7.2%
• Germany: 5.6%
• Turkey: 4.5%
• Greece: 4.2%

Ports and terminals

• Beirut (LBBEY) - Beirut Port

Prohibited cargo

Imports

Prohibited Cargo

• Used Tyres
• Agricultural products on yearly time table
• Cars operating on gasoline older than 8 years old
• Cars operating on diesel older than 5 years old
• Trucks operating on diesel older than 5 years old with payload less than 3.5 tons, and steering wheel on the right side.
• Trucks operating on gasoline with payload less than 3.5 tons.
• Vehicles unsuitable/not fitted for safe driving : like damage on the vehicles' chassis , or welded vehicles after damage, or flooding/fire damage , or rusting-corrosion that would affect its solidity or balance.
• Half of a vehicle rear/front parts for avoiding any welding to be made for local assembling after entering the Lebanese territory.
• all kinds of electronic cigarettes and Nargileh (Hookah)
• Used motorcycle where its power engine is less than 125cc.
• Used motorcycle where its power engine is  more than 125cc and used ATV more than 3 years old.
• It is allowed to import Antique used motorcycle which is more than 30 years old.

Monopolized Cargo - Cigarettes & Tobacco

Cigarette shipments should be addressed to “Regie Co.” only. However, the government has permitted importing cigarettes to “Beirut Free Zone” on condition that the client has a private warehouse in the “Beirut Free Zone” area. Depot number in the Free Zone should be clearly indicated along with the Consignee’s
name in both B/L and manifest.

Export

Monopolized Cargo - Cigarettes & Tobacco

Shipper for cigarettes & tobacco shipments loaded from Beirut Port should be “Regie Co.” only. However, the government has permitted exporting cigarettes from “Beirut Free Zone” on condition that the client has a private warehouse in the “Beirut Free Zone” area. Depot number in the Free Zone area should be clearly indicated along with the Shipper’s name in both the B/L and the manifest.

This list is subject to change without prior notice.