Countries · LB
Lebanon: sanctions and trade risk
As of 7 November 2026, the screened UN, EU, UK, Swiss and US sanctions lists contain 196 companies, organisations, vessels and aircraft linked to Lebanon.Lists last checked .
Logistics profile: ports, airports, customs, documents, holidays, news ↓
A sanctions programme concerning Lebanon is in force — typically an arms embargo or targeted measures against listed persons and entities. Ordinary civilian goods are usually not restricted; arms, related material and listed parties are.
Sources: EU Sanctions Map — Lebanon (UNSCR 1701) (12 Sept 2024) · SECO — Massnahmen betreffend Libanon · OFAC — Sanctions Programs and Country Information (active programs) (24 Oct 2026) · reviewed 24 Oct 2026
By sanctions regime
The indicator above is the strictest of these. Which regimes are relevant to a shipment depends on many connections — dispatch country, company location, incorporation, nationality, ownership, banks, goods origin. The check selects them from your inputs in a simplified way; UN measures take effect through each country's implementing law.
| Regime | Indicator | What applies |
|---|---|---|
| UN | Sanctions programme | Arms restrictions on non-state actors and listings — implemented by UN member states in their own law. |
| EU | Sanctions programme | Implements the UN measures. |
| Switzerland | Sanctions programme | Implements the UN measures. |
| UK | Sanctions programme | Implements the UN measures. |
| US | Sanctions programme | Implements the UN measures. |
On the sanctions lists
196 entries on the official lists name Lebanon — as nationality, address, registration or flag. That links them to the country; it says nothing about other companies there. The same company can appear on several lists and is then counted once per list. Individuals are not included — Sanctioni does not process them.
| List | Entries | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US OFAC — Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) | 182 | 182 | — | — |
| Switzerland SECO Consolidated Sanctions List | 6 | 6 | — | — |
| UK Sanctions List (FCDO) | 4 | 4 | — | — |
| EU Consolidated Financial Sanctions List (FSF) | 3 | 3 | — | — |
| UN Security Council Consolidated List | 1 | 1 | — | — |
Latest changes
- United Kingdom · Counter-Terrorism: 1 new designation
· New listings
Related
Logistics profile
Lebanon: logistics and trade
Levant port location / crisis-shaped import market
Lebanon (ISO code: LB) lies in the Middle East on the eastern Mediterranean coast, bordering Syria and Israel. It is a parliamentary democracy with a confession-based power-sharing system and has faced severe crises for years. The climate is Mediterranean with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters, while the inland mountains are colder. Economically, Lebanon has suffered hyperinflation and a banking-sector collapse since 2019; the Port of Beirut was largely destroyed by an explosion in 2020 and is being rebuilt. Foreign trade has shrunk sharply and dependence on imported essentials is high. Customs are processed via ASYCUDA World; import VAT is 11 percent. Goods of Israeli origin are banned under the 1955 boycott law. The currency is the Lebanese Pound (LBP), heavily devalued, with the US dollar dominant in parallel. Key logistics nodes are the Port of Beirut, the Port of Tripoli and Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport (BEY).
- Capital
- Beirut
- Population
- 5,805,962
- Area
- 10,452 km²
- Currency
- Lebanese Pound (LBP)
- Continent
- Asia
- Region
- Middle East / Levant
- Economic area
- GAFTA / EU Association Agreement / EFTA FTA
- Religions
- Islam, Christianity, Druze
- Access to the sea
- Yes
Transport modes Road
- Current situation
- Port of Beirut rebuilding after the 2020 explosion; container terminal since 2022 under the CMA Terminals concession. Official rate around 89'500 LBP/USD; USD dominates in parallel.
- Seasonal conditions
- Mediterranean climate; wet, stormy winters can affect sea traffic, hot dry summers. Snow in mountain regions in winter.
Main seaports
- Bayrut
Beirut (LB BEY), Lebanon's main import gateway: ~583,000 TEU Jan–Aug 2025, record July month, container terminal run by CMA Terminals, road hinterland, customs.
- Tarabulus
Tripoli (LBKYE): Lebanon's second port and a Beirut alternative. Containers (Gulftainer, ~66,000 TEU), general cargo and bulk, new 600 m berth under construction.
- Sidon/zahrani Terminal
Zahrani (LB ZHR) near Sidon is a crude and petroleum products oil terminal feeding a power plant — no containers. Use Beirut or Tripoli for boxed cargo.
Main cargo airports
- Beirut Rafic Hariri International AirportBEY
Beirut Rafic Hariri (BEY): Lebanon's only international airport, ~150,000 t cargo, MEA hub, MEAG handling ~80%. Flights resumed April 2026 after war suspension.
Road corridors
- Beirut-Damascus (Masnaa border)
- Coastal motorway Beirut-Tripoli
- Beirut-Saida-Tyre
Main trade lanes
- China-Beirut
- Turkey-Beirut
- EU (Italy/Greece)-Beirut
- Gulf states-Beirut
Customs and import
Customs authority Lebanese Customs (Douanes Libanaises), under the Ministry of FinanceOfficial website ↗
- Import customs system
- ASYCUDA World (since 2008) via the NOOR/NAJM platform of the Lebanese customs administration.
- Export customs system
- Electronic export declaration via ASYCUDA World (NOOR/NAJM) of the Lebanese customs administration.
- Import VAT
- 11 percent standard rate (TVA); cabinet decision of February 2026 to raise it to 12 percent not yet in force. Additional fee of 3 percent on VAT-liable imports.
- Proofs of origin and trade agreements
- EUR.1 for EU Association Agreement and EFTA FTA; certificate of origin from the Chamber of Commerce for GAFTA.
- Restricted and prohibited goods
- Goods of Israeli origin prohibited (Boycott Law 1955); proof without Israeli components required. Weapons, drugs and certain chemicals regulated.
Typical import documents
- Commercial invoice
- Packing list
- Certificate of origin (without Israeli components)
- Bill of lading/air waybill
- ASYCUDA import declaration
Typical export documents
- Commercial invoice
- Packing list
- Certificate of origin from the Chamber of Commerce
- EUR.1 (EU/EFTA)
- ASYCUDA export declaration
Logistics conditions
- Customs complexity
- High
- Customs delays
- High
- Port congestion
- Medium
- Dangerous goods relevance
- Medium
- Pharma and cold chain relevance
- Medium to high
- E-commerce relevance
- Medium
Trade
Top import partners
Top export partners
Top import goods
- Petroleum products
- Machinery
- Vehicles
- Food
- Chemicals
Top export goods
- Gold
- Precious metals
- Foodstuffs
- Beverages
- Chemicals
Typical cargo
- Petroleum products
- Machinery
- Vehicles
- Food
- Pharmaceuticals
- Consumer goods
Logistics questions
What is the import VAT rate in Lebanon?
The standard TVA rate is 11 percent. A cabinet decision from February 2026 to raise it to 12 percent is not yet in force (parliamentary approval pending). An additional fee of 3 percent is also charged on VAT-liable imports.
Which customs system does Lebanon use?
The Lebanese customs administration (Lebanese Customs / Douanes Libanaises) has used ASYCUDA World since 2008. Declarations are submitted electronically via the NOOR/NAJM platform at customs.gov.lb.
Can goods from Israel be imported into Lebanon?
No. The 1955 Boycott Law prohibits the import and trade of goods of Israeli origin. Importers must provide a certificate of origin confirming that the goods contain no Israeli components.
Which free trade agreements does Lebanon have?
Lebanon has an EU Association Agreement (in force since 2006), an EFTA Free Trade Agreement (since 1 July 2007) and membership in the Greater Arab Free Trade Area (GAFTA). For the EU/EFTA, EUR.1 serves as proof of origin.
What is the condition of the Port of Beirut?
The port was severely damaged by an explosion in 2020 and is being rebuilt. The container terminal has been operated by CMA Terminals since 2022; in 2025, throughput again reached record levels. Parts of general cargo traffic were temporarily routed via the Port of Tripoli.
What is the currency in Lebanon and how stable is it?
The official currency is the Lebanese pound (LBP), which has been heavily devalued since 2019. The official rate is around 89'500 LBP per US dollar. In practice, the US dollar dominates trade.
Which documents are required for imports?
Typical documents are the commercial invoice, packing list, certificate of origin (confirming no Israeli components), bill of lading or air waybill, and the electronic ASYCUDA import declaration.
Full logistics profile on Freight Academy ↗
Powered by Freight Academy, verified 25 Jun 2026. Logistics information, not a sanctions source.