Lebanon Customs Regulations

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Import Regulations

*Sums of cigarettes and alcohol only applicable for travellers aged 18 or over. Travellers under 18 years of age are permitted half the sums of duty free stated above and no alcohol or tobacco products.

800 cigarettes or
50 cigars or
100 cigarillos or
1000 grammes of tobacco
2 litres of whisky, champagne, cognac or any other similar products or
4 litres of other alcoholic beverages
1 litre of cologne or
100 grammes of other perfumes
Medicine sufficient for personal requirements
Sums of cigarettes and alcohol only applicable for travellers aged 18 or over. Travellers under 18 years of age are permitted half the sums of duty free stated above and no alcohol or tobacco products.
Lebanese, Syrian and Jordanian passengers and foreigners living in Lebanon and Syria and Jordan and passengers coming from Syria and Jordan can import up to LBP 500.000 whilst travellers from other countries can bring in up to LBP 2.000.000 in local or foreign currency. Any Gold coins being imported will need to be declared upon arrival and the same amount can be exported later on.
Fur and valuable coats
Jewellery - Watches, cameras and similar items which value is over LPB Two Million Four Hundred Thousand (LBP 2.400.000)
Any other similar items which number is over the number set for personal use are subject to the regular procedures of temporary export.

Illegal drugs
Weapons, Explosives and ammunition
Knives and deadly weapons
Archaeological pieces – unless granted permission
Counterfeit money and goods
Pornographic material

All animals being imported into the country will require a government authorized health certificate and an additional certificate proving the animal’s vaccination against Rabies.
Travellers holding an Israeli passport or passports containing a visa for Israel are banned from entering the country.

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Export Regulations

No information available

Illegal drugs
Weapons, Explosives and ammunition
Knives and deadly weapons
Archeological pieces – unless granted permission
Counterfeit money and goods
Pornographic material

A special Air Tax is levied on all passengers leaving the country. First Class travellers will need to pay LBP 100,000 whilst business class must pay LBP 75,000 and economy classes come to LBP 50,000. An additional LBP 5,000 Departure Tax must be paid by all passengers leaving the country by air or sea.
All natives of Lebanon or foreigners formally residing in Lebanon must declare in writing any personal items that they are taking with them so as to be able to bring them back into the country without being subject to customs duties.

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Health & Security

Basic health information for travelers to Lebanon

Basic security information for travelers to Lebanon

🩺 Basic Health Information for Travelers to Lebanon

A yellow fever vaccination is required from all travellers coming from infected regions. Visitors coming from non infected regions are advised to consider obtaining vaccination against the disease prior to entering the country.
Although water should be considered safe in Beirut and other major cities, travellers are still advised to stick to bottled water where possible for safety reasons and should ensure that all water drunk in more rural areas is thoroughly boiled first. Native fish, meat and vegetables should be served boiling hot and fruit should always be peeled. Food and drink served by vendors should be treated with considerable caution and is consumed at travellers own risk.
Cases of various food and water based diseases have been reported throughout the country and all travellers to the region should exercise extreme caution if choosing to swim in any native pools, lakes or other water sources which could potentially be contaminated. Amongst the diseases present inside Lebanon include Hepatitis A, E, Brucellosis and Typhoid. Additional vaccinations against Polio, TB and Diphtheria should be obtained prior to entering the country.
Blood related diseases including HIV and Hepatitis B are present and all travellers to the country should exercise great care when dealing with bloody or dirty needles or when engaging in sexual activity during their visit.
Travellers to the country are advised against any contact with wild dogs or other animals whose bites might contain Rabies. If bitten, travellers should immediately clean the wound and seek out medical assistance to check for any signs of infection.
The overall standard of available healthcare is considered to be reasonable throughout Beirut and the surrounding area but will likely become more limited and basic in more rural areas. Most pharmacies inside the country are well stocked but all travellers to the region are still advised to bring along any specially required medicine in the event of an emergency.
Most staff in the major hospitals can speak French or English and should be capable of dealing with any minor injuries or health problems although transport to a nearby country may be required in the event of a serious accident or injury. Local medical assistance is likely to be expensive however and doctors are likely to demand instant payment for any services rendered. Many expatriates head to the Health and Travel Centre at the American University of Beirut Medical Centre for any required assistance. Full travel and health insurance should definitely be obtained prior to entering the country.

🛡 Basic Security Information for Travelers to Lebanon

Owing to the continued political instability throughout the entire region, all travel to Lebanon and the surrounding countries should be undertaken with extreme caution. Travellers are strongly advised to stay informed regarding the current political and military situation inside the country and should plan the rest of their trip accordingly.
There is an above average risk from international terrorism inside Lebanon with recent attacks utilizing bombs and violent abductions of foreign soldiers and civilians. All foreign visitors to the region should exercise considerable caution at all times throughout their visit and should report any suspicious behaviour or packages to the security services. Travel to the countries border with Israel and South of the Litani River is strongly advised against owing to the current tense political environment throughout the area and the large amount of unexploded ordinance from the 2006 conflict with Hezbollah.
Although low by international standards, incidents of crime committed against foreign visitors is noted to be on the increase and all visitors to the country are advised to keep their passport and other valuable items in a safe and secure location for the duration of their visit and should also avoid any obvious displays of wealth which could serve to attract unwanted attention. Travel after dark is not advised and all travellers should stick to public places whenever possible for safety reasons. The Palestinian refugee camps should be avoided due to the high levels or poverty and crime in the area. Various extremist groups maybe operating there and the potential for violence should be considered fairly high.
The Lebanese Unity government collapsed on 12 January and a new government has yet to be formed inside the country. Demonstrations inside the country can frequently result in violence and multiple fatalities and all visitors to the region should avoid any large protests or gatherings which could potentially turn dangerous. Any travel to the Lebanese/Israel border is not currently advised due to the continued state of tension throughout the area which could erupt into open warfare at any moment.
All visitors to Lebanon will require an international driving licence in order to drive throughout the country. Road conditions are poor throughout the country and many traffic related accidents are common. The overall standard of driving may be different from what most visitors to the country are used to and all drivers should keep a copy of their passport with them at all times in the event of an emergency. Many roads are poorly lit and travel after dark is not advised. Snow and ice can make the roads even more treacherous during the winter months and some roads can often close during periods of political instability. Foreign drivers are urged to check with the local authorities before beginning any long journeys and to keep a close eye on the weather during their visit.
Although Lebanon is in an Earthquake zone, there have been no reported quakes or serious tremors in recent years. Dust and sandstorms are a frequent danger throughout the country and travellers with serious respiratory problems are advised to keep a close eye on the weather and to take appropriate actions to stay safe and healthy.
Lebanon is a county enduring a protracted period of political uncertainty and violence and all travellers to the region should respect local believes at all times and avoid revealing any strongly held political views in public which could serve to attract attention. Much of Lebanon is split between Muslim and Christian faiths and travellers visiting during the holy month of Ramadan should respect the local customs and avoid eating, drinking or smoking in public. All travellers should dress and act in a conservative manner at all times with public displays of affection likely to be frowned upon in more traditional sections of the country.
Photos taken of important military, government or religious buildings may be removed without warning or destroyed by the security services and any pictures taken of Lebanese citizens should only be done so with their express permission in order to avoid any trouble.
Homosexuality is illegal in this country and any public displays of affection between same sex couples are likely to attract substantial unwanted attention and are not advised.

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Contact Information

For further assistance please contact the Lebanese Customs authorities directly. They will provide the latest information about customs regulations and export-import procedures.

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Telephone

+9611980065/6

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Official Website

www.customs.gov.lb/customs/index.htm