Libya: sanctions and trade risk

Sanctions programmeUN arms embargo and targeted listings; ordinary civilian goods are usually not restricted.

As of 7 November 2026, the screened UN, EU, UK, Swiss and US sanctions lists contain 35 companies, organisations, vessels and aircraft linked to Libya.Lists last checked 2026-11-07 21:01 UTC.

Logistics profile: ports, airports, customs, documents, holidays, news ↓

A sanctions programme concerning Libya 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 — Libya (30 Jul 2025) · UN Security Council — Sanctions (15 active regimes) (24 Oct 2026) · SECO — Sanktionsverordnungen (index of 28 Swiss regimes) (24 Oct 2026) · reviewed 24 Oct 2026

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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 embargo, measures on illicit petroleum exports and listings — implemented by UN member states in their own law.
EU	Sanctions programme	Implements the UN measures and adds its own.
Switzerland	Sanctions programme	Swiss ordinance on Libya.
UK	Sanctions programme	UK Libya regime.
US	Sanctions programme	US Libya programme.

On the sanctions lists

35 entries on the official lists name Libya — 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	Companies & organisations	Vessels	Aircraft
UK Sanctions List (FCDO)	9	9	—	—
EU Consolidated Financial Sanctions List (FSF)	9	9	—	—
Switzerland SECO Consolidated Sanctions List	7	7	—	—
US OFAC — Specially Designated Nationals (SDN)	7	7	—	—
UN Security Council Consolidated List	3	3	—	—

Latest changes

No new listings or removals naming Libya recorded yet.

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Logistics profile

Libya: logistics and trade

Energy exporter (oil/gas) with Mediterranean ports

Libya (LY) lies in North Africa along the Mediterranean, bordering Tunisia, Algeria, Niger, Chad, Sudan and Egypt. Since the fall of the Gaddafi regime the country has been politically divided between competing administrations in the west and east, which complicates trade and regulation. The economy depends heavily on oil and gas, which dominate exports and state revenue, while machinery, vehicles, food and consumer goods are imported. There is no VAT; customs duties were largely abolished in 2005 (except tobacco) and replaced by a 5 percent service fee on import value plus about 0.5 percent other charges. An ECTN/BSC cargo tracking note has been mandatory since 2015, and in 2026 the Ministry of Economy introduced a Unified Digital Trade System. Logistics run through the Mediterranean ports of Tripoli, Misrata (with a free zone), Benghazi and Khoms plus dedicated oil terminals such as Es Sider, Ras Lanuf, Marsa el Brega and Zueitina. The national currency is the Libyan Dinar (LYD).

Capital: Tripoli
Population: 7,381,023
Area: 1,759,540 km²
Currency: Libyan Dinar
Continent: Africa
Region: North Africa / Maghreb
Economic area: GAFTA / COMESA / Arab League
Religions: Islam
Access to the sea: Yes

Transport modes Sea · Road · Air · Pipeline

Current situation: In 2025, liner shipping companies such as ONE resumed services to Misrata; a new line connects Damietta (Egypt) with Misrata. Port expansion in Benghazi and Tripoli is ongoing.
Seasonal conditions: Desert climate with extreme heat; sandstorms (Ghibli) with reduced visibility in spring. The Mediterranean coast has mild, partly rainy winters.

Main seaports

Mina Tarabulus (Tripoli)
Mina Tarabulus / Tripoli (LY TIP): Libya's busiest port, 27 berths for containers, bulk, RoRo, chemicals and livestock, run by the Libyan Ports Company.
Misratah
Misrata/Qasr Ahmed (LY MIS) is Libya's leading non-oil port, handling 60-65% of container traffic and about 685,000 TEU in 2025, with expansion planned toward 4M TEU.
Khoms
Al Khums/Khoms (LY KHM): Libyan commercial port east of Tripoli with a container terminal (250,000 TEU), general cargo, reefer, oil and chemicals.
Az Zawiya
Az Zawiya (LY ZAW): Libya's second-largest oil refinery (around 120,000 b/d) with crude export terminal west of Tripoli. Not a container port — use Tripoli or Misrata.
Banghazi
Benghazi (LY BEN), eastern Libya's main seaport: 20 berths, general cargo, containers and oil. Limited box volumes — alternatives Misrata or Tripoli.
Al Burayqah
Marsa el Brega (LY MBR): Libyan oil, ammonia and methanol terminal on the Gulf of Sidra; LNG plant idle since 2011, no containers. Alternatives: Misrata, Benghazi.

Main cargo airports

Mitiga International AirportMJI
Mitiga (MJI/HLLM), Tripoli: Libya's main airport, no dedicated freight terminal — belly cargo and charters, security-dependent, alternatives Misrata and Benghazi.
Benina International AirportBEN
Benina (BEN), Benghazi, is eastern Libya's main airport: ~2M pax, 15,000 t cargo/year, freighters up to An-124/747F. Carriers, customs and cargo for Cyrenaica.
Misrata International AirportMRA
Misrata International Airport (MRA) is a vital logistics hub offering air freight solutions for both national and international transport needs.

Road corridors

Coastal road Tripoli - Misrata - Sirte - Benghazi
Tripoli - Ras Ajdir (Tunisian border)
Benghazi - Tobruk - Egyptian border

Main trade lanes

Libya - Italy (oil/gas, Greenstream pipeline)
Libya - Germany
Libya - Turkey (consumer goods/machinery)
Libya - China
Libya - Egypt

Customs and import

Customs authority Libyan Customs Authority (Maslahat al-Jamarik)Official website ↗

Import customs system: Electronic Cargo Tracking Note (ECTN/BSC) mandatory since 2015; in 2026 the Ministry of Economy introduced a Unified Digital Trade System for import tracking.
Export customs system: Export clearance through the Libyan Customs Authority at seaports and airports; oil and gas exports run through the National Oil Corporation and dedicated oil terminals.
Import VAT: No VAT. Customs duties abolished in 2005 (except on tobacco). Service fee of 5 percent on the import value plus around 0,5 percent other charges (as of 2026).
Proofs of origin and trade agreements: GAFTA certificate of origin for Arab partners, COMESA certificate of origin for East African partners; otherwise chamber of commerce certificate of origin.
Restricted and prohibited goods: Alcohol and pork are prohibited for religious reasons. Import licenses and currency controls are common.

Typical import documents

Commercial invoice
Packing list
Bill of lading / air waybill
ECTN/BSC certificate
Certificate of origin
Import license
Proof of conformity

Typical export documents

Commercial invoice
Packing list
Bill of lading
Certificate of origin (GAFTA/COMESA)
Export customs declaration

Logistics conditions

Customs complexity: High
Customs delays: High
Port congestion: Medium to high
Dangerous goods relevance: High
Pharma and cold chain relevance: Medium
E-commerce relevance: Low to medium

Trade

Top import partners

Türkiye China Italy Germany Egypt

Top export partners

Italy Germany France Spain China

Top import goods

Machinery
Vehicles
Food
Consumer goods
Chemicals

Top export goods

Crude oil
Refined petroleum products
Natural gas
Petrochemicals

Typical cargo

Crude oil and natural gas (export)
Petrochemicals
Machinery and vehicles
Food
Consumer goods
Construction materials

Logistics questions

Is there a value added tax (VAT) on imports in Libya?

No. Libya does not levy value added tax (VAT). Customs duties were largely abolished in 2005 (except on tobacco). Instead, a service fee of 5 percent applies to the import value, plus around 0,5 percent in other charges. There are also no excise duties (as of 2026, PwC).

Which authority is responsible for customs in Libya?

The responsible body is the Libyan Customs Authority (Maslahat al-Jamarik), which reports to the Office of the Prime Minister and monitors imports and exports at all land, sea and air ports. Official website: customs.gov.ly.

What is the ECTN/BSC and is it mandatory for Libya?

The Electronic Cargo Tracking Note (ECTN), also called BSC, has been mandatory for all sea freight shipments to Libya since 2015. It must be validated before the ship arrives; the reference number must appear on the bill of lading and manifest. If it is missing or incorrect, penalty fees may apply.

What are the main ports of Libya?

The main ports are Tripoli (largest port), Misrata (busiest container port, with free trade zone), Benghazi in the east, and Khoms. In addition, specialized oil terminals include Es Sider, Ras Lanuf, Marsa el Brega and Zueitina.

Which trade agreements does Libya use?

Libya is a founding member of the Greater Arab Free Trade Area (GAFTA, since 1997) and has been a member of the COMESA free trade area since 2006. Preferences require GAFTA or COMESA certificates of origin, respectively.

What special risks apply to deliveries to Libya?

The political division into western and eastern administrations, security risks, changing regulations, as well as currency shortages and difficult payment processing are the greatest challenges. In spring, sandstorms (Ghibli) can further disrupt supply chains.

Full logistics profile on Freight Academy ↗