Libya Customs Regulations

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Import Regulations

200 cigarettes or
250 cigars or
250 grammes of tobacco
250 ml of perfume
Non residents are free to import or export an unlimited amount of foreign currency providing it is declared at the customs department. All residents and foreign visitors are banned from importing or exporting any local currency. An additional 6 Libyan Dinar Airport. Tax will need to be paid at the airport of departure by all foreign travellers.

Illegal drugs
Weapons, explosives and ammunition – including toy guns
Knives and deadly weapons
Pork and pork products
Plant and plant products – unless permission has been obtained
Pets and animals – unless permission has been obtained
Mineral water
Tea and Coffee
Oriental rugs
Luxury cars
Furs
Counterfeit money and goods
Pornographic material

All alcohol and alcoholic beverages are banned from entry.
Plant and plant products entering the country will need to be accompanied by a plant quarantine certificate. Insecticides may be imported only with a permit obtained from the Secretariat of Agriculture and Agrarian Reform’s plant Protection Department.
Any display signs, tickets or cards being imported and displayed inside the country will have to be written in Arabic in order to be admitted.
Fresh egg imports must be stamped with the name of the exporting company and with the name of the country of origin and the date of production whilst all pork and pork products are prohibited from entering the country.
Cats and dogs being imported into Libya will need to be accompanied by two veterinary health certificates from the country of origin and a rabies vaccination certificate.
All goods of Israeli origin are completely banned from entering the country.

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Export Regulations

No information available

Illegal drugs
Weapons, explosives and ammunition – including toy guns
Knives and deadly weapons
Pork and pork products
Plant and plant products – unless permission has been obtained
Pets and animals – unless permission has been obtained
Mineral water
Tea and Coffee
Oriental rugs
Luxury cars
Furs
Counterfeit money and goods
Pornographic material

No information available

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Health & Security

Basic health information for travelers to Libya

Basic security information for travelers to Libya

🩺 Basic Health Information for Travelers to Libya

A yellow fever vaccination is required from all travellers entering Libya from an infected country. Visitors originating from a non infected region are advised to strongly consider obtaining the vaccination prior to entering the country.
Although native tap water is considered safe to drink, all travellers to the region are strongly advised to stick to bottled water where possible. Water found in more rural areas should be thoroughly boiled before being drunk. Milk is likely to be unpasteurised and should not be consumed whilst all dairy products are best avoided. Meat, fish and vegetables should be thoroughly cooked and served boiling hot to prevent any risk of contamination whilst fruit should always be peeled. Food and drink served from vendors is not currently recommended.
Infections contracted from contaminated food and drink make up the single biggest natural health risk to any foreign visitors to the region. Amongst the diseases present in Libya include Hepatitis A, E and Typhoid. Schistosomiasis has been reported throughout the Nile Delta region and all visitors to the country are strongly advised against swimming in any pools, lakes or other natural water sources which might contain the disease.
Long term travellers to Libya are also urged to obtain vaccinations against Polio and TB for protection. A hot and arid environment, any travellers suffering from respiratory problems should bring along any additional required medicine which could be hard to obtain inside the country and should stay in cool sheltered environments wherever possible. Plenty of bottled water and sunscreen are also recommended if travelling during the hot summer months for protection.
Recent cases of Malaria were confirmed in the south-eastern city of al-Kufra late last year. Although there have currently been no additional outbreaks of the disease, all potential visitors to the region are strongly advised to obtain plenty of insect repellent and close clothing for protection and should immediately seek out medical assistance if symptoms start to develop.
Hepatitis B and HIV are present throughout Libya and all travellers should take great care when dealing with bloody needles of if engaging in sexual activity throughout their stay.
Travellers staying in the country for a long time or who are planning on journeying to remote regions should avoid any close contact with any wild dogs or other animals whose bites might contain Rabies. If bitten, all travellers should clean the wound with clean water and should seek out immediate medical assistance to check for any signs of infection.
Healthcare is generally of a low standard throughout the entire country and is likely to have further deteriorated since the recent rebellion and attacks by allied forces. Medical facilities are practically non -existent outside of the capital Tripoli and any visitors to other sections of the country are strongly advised to take along an extra health kit in the event of an emergency. Medication for specific medical conditions may prove expensive or difficult to obtain in this country. Doctors are likely to demand immediate payment for any services rendered.
Up to date travel and health insurance is recommended to all travellers to Libya and an emergency evacuation to a nearby country may be required in the event of a serious accident or illness.

🛡 Basic Security Information for Travelers to Libya

Owing to the current military situation throughout the country, all travel to Libya is currently not advised. Since 17th March 2011, a UN sanctioned no fly zone has been put in effect over Libya which has shut down all flights into and out of the country. A large coalition of countries including the United Kingdom have since begun bombing missions against military targets loyal to Colonel Gaddafi and the situation remains unresolved. ALL travel to the country should not be attempted until the political situation has improved.
Any foreign travellers entering the country are strongly advised to keep their passport and other valuables in a safe and secure location at all times and should avoid any obvious displays of wealth which could serve to attract attention. All travel throughout the country after dark is not advised and visitors should remain cautious of their environment at all times. At least one copy of your passport should be kept on hand in case of an emergency although foreign assistance in Libya is currently unlikely.
Travel to the border with Tunisia is not advised owing to the large numbers of refugees which are currently stuck in a transit camp close to the border and are still awaiting repatriation to other countries throughout the region. The borders with Nigeria, Chad, Sudan and Algeria should not be approached unless absolutely necessary thanks to the high risk of kidnappings and violence throughout the area. These borders can close at any time and travellers planning on going from Libya to these countries should check that they are able to do so before beginning their journey.
Foreign visitors to Libya who are planning to drive throughout the country are advised to stay informed of the current conflict which may make any long journey impossible. Although the roads throughout many of the major cities are in reasonable condition, the overall standard of driving is reputed to be quite poor and all travellers driving throughout the region should exercise considerable caution at all times. The overall road conditions are likely to deteriorate in more remote areas and travellers should make sure that they have enough fuel for their intended journey.
Libya is a Muslim centric country and most local customs are based on strict Islamic law. All foreign visitors to the country are advised to dress and act in a respectful and dignified manner throughout the entire duration of their visit. Travellers should dress in a dignified manner and women in particular should avoid dresses which expose large amounts of skin. Alcohol and meat products may not be legally imported or consumed in the country and all travellers choosing to visit during the holy month of Ramadan should avoid eating or drinking in public.
Unmarried couples may be treated with suspicion and any public displays of affection could lead to serious fines or imprisonment. Severe penalties are imposed for criticising the country, its leadership or religion and any opposite political views should not be stated in public for safety reasons.
Photos taken of any important military, government or religious sites are banned and may be removed without warning by the security services. Photos of everyday Libyan citizens should only be taken with their express permission in order to avoid any scenes of confusion.
Homosexuality is illegal throughout Libya and can be punished with a three year prison sentence. All same sex couples throughout Libya should avoid any public displays of affection which could lead to being imprisoned and should avoid any other activities which could potentially bring them to the attention of the police or the state security services

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Contact Information

For additional information about travel restrictions, security warnings, political updates, and basic travel guidelines, please contact the nearest Libyan Embassy.