Lebanon - 1 Country Profile

Lebanon Country Profile

Lebanon Country Map

Generic Information

Lebanon is a country in West Asia. It is located between Syria to the north and east and Israel to the south, while Cyprus lies to its west across the Mediterranean Sea; its location at the crossroads of the Mediterranean Basin and the Arabian hinterland has contributed to its rich history and shaped a cultural identity of religious diversity. It is part of the Levant region of the Middle East. Lebanon is home to more than five million people and covers an area of 10,452 square kilometers (4,036 sq mi), making it the second-smallest country in continental Asia. The official language of the state is Arabic, while French is also formally recognized; Lebanese Arabic is the country's vernacular with French & English being significantly present with Modern Standard Arabic being limited to news and government matters.

Generic country information can be located from sources that are regularly maintained and reflect current facts and figures. For a generic country overview, please consult the following sources:

LEBANON Wikipedia Country Information (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lebanon)

LEBANON IMF Country Information (https://www.imf.org/en/Countries/LBN)

LEBANON Economist Intelligence Unit Information (https://country.eiu.com/lebanon)

(*note - this is a paid service)

Humanitarian Info

LEBANON World Food Programme Information https://www.wfp.org/countries/lebanon

LEBANON UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs Information https://www.unocha.org/lebanon

Facts and Figures

LEBANON Wolfram Alpha Information https://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=lebanon&x=0&y=0

LEBANON World Bank Information https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/lebanon

LEBANON Population Information https://worldpopulationreview.com/countries/lebanon-population

Lebanon - 1.1 Humanitarian Background

Disasters, Conflicts and Migration

Natural Disasters
Type	Occurs	Comments / Details
Drought	NO	N/A
Earthquakes	YES	Lebanon is located in a seismically active region known as the Eastern Mediterranean, where several tectonic plates converge. As a result, the country experiences earthquakes of varying magnitudes and frequencies.
Epidemics	NO	Other than COVID-19, and Cholera no epidemics were reported in LEBANON.[RC1] [MK2]
Extreme Temperatures	NO	N/A
Flooding	Yes	Mainly in the winter season due to the very bad road conditions and drainage system.
Insect Infestation	NO	N/A
Mudslides	NO	N/A
Volcanic Eruptions	NO	N/A
High Waves / Surges	NO	N/A
Wildfires	YES	Wildfires can occur in Lebanon, particularly during the dry and hot seasons. Wildfires in Lebanon can be caused by various factors, including human activities and natural occurrences. Common causes include discarded cigarettes, open fires, agricultural practices, arson, and lightning strikes. Wildfires in Lebanon are more prevalent during the dry and hot seasons, typically from May to October. These months experience high temperatures, low humidity, and dry vegetation, creating favorable conditions for wildfires to spread.
High Winds	NO	N/A
Other Comments
Man-Made Issues
Civil Strife	YES	Lebanon's history is characterized by religious and sectarian divisions, political conflicts, and external influences. The country endured a devastating civil war that lasted from 1975 to 1990, resulting in significant loss of life, displacement of populations, and extensive damage to infrastructure.
International Conflict	YES	Tensions between Israel and Lebanon recently increased after the discovery of tunnels, allegedly dug by Hezbollah, leading from Lebanon into Israel. Israel launched Operation Northern Shield in December 2018 in response to the discovery, and the UN Interim Forces in Lebanon confirmed that at least two of the tunnels violate a 2006 cease-fire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah. This is a list of wars involving the Republic of Lebanon: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_wars_involving_Lebanon
Internally Displaced Persons	YES	Internal displacements in Lebanon were not continuous but occurred in separate periods of the civil war (1975-1990) due to internal strife, Israeli military invasions, and fighting between Syrian forces and Lebanese militias. It is estimated that at its height up to one million people were displaced. (https://www.refworld.org/pdfid/3bd98d5e0.pdf)
Refugees Present	YES	Lebanon hosts the highest number of refugees per capita in the world.[RC3] [MK4] Around 20% of Syrian refugee families live in informal settlements and collective shelters, often in deplorable conditions. The crisis has also pushed many Lebanese into poverty. Due to the deprecation of the Lebanese pound and high inflation, people’s purchasing power has significantly decreased. 1.5 million Syrian refugees 211,000 Palestinian refugees 81,000 migrants (https://civil-protection-humanitarian-aid.ec.europa.eu/where/middle-eas….)
Landmines / UXO Present	YES	3,847 people killed or injured, since 1975, as a result of Explosive Remnants of War (ERW). The number of casualties peaked in 2006, with 209 people killed or injured between August and December. Through a comprehensive mine action programme, the number of deaths and injuries was reduced to 6 people in 2011. Children both boys and girls are still affected with 40 children under 12 years of age and 75 adolescents between the ages of 13 and 18 killed or injured since 2006. In 2015 twenty three persons including children were injured by a mine explosion. https://www.unicef.org/lebanon/stories/amongst-demining-teams-one-stand…
Other Comments

For a more detailed database on disasters by country, please see the Centre for Research on Epidemiology of Disasters Country Profile.

Seasonal Effects on Logistics Capacities

Seasonal Effects on Transport
Transport Type	Time Frame	Comments / Details
Primary Road Transport	From December to February	*During winter, it is snowing on the mountainous roads of Lebanon, especially in Dhaher Al Beidar,Cedars, and bcharre which could affect the flow of goods between Lebanon and Syria for hours.*
Secondary Road Transport	N/A	N/A
Rail Transport	N/A	N/A
Air Transport	From December to February	The heavy storm could disrupt the airports for hours.
Waterway Transport	N/A	N/A

Lebanon experiences four distinct seasons throughout the year: spring, summer, autumn, and winter. Each season brings its own characteristics and can have varying effects on transportation in the country.

Spring (March to May) is a pleasant season in Lebanon, with mild temperatures and blooming landscapes. However, occasional rainfall can occur during this period, potentially affecting road conditions and causing delays or hazards, especially in hilly or mountainous areas.

Summer (June to August) is characterized by hot and dry weather in Lebanon. This season sees an increase in tourism and outdoor activities. While the weather is generally favorable for transportation, traffic congestion can be more common, particularly along coastal routes and popular tourist destinations.

Autumn (September to November) in Lebanon brings moderate temperatures and a gradual transition from summer to winter. This season is known for its beautiful fall foliage in the mountainous regions, attracting visitors. Road conditions are usually good, but occasional rainfall can impact driving conditions and visibility.

Winter (December to February) is the rainy season in Lebanon, and it is also characterized by cold temperatures and snowfall in mountainous areas. Snowstorms and icy conditions can affect transportation, especially in higher elevations, leading to road closures or the need for snow chains. It is important to exercise caution and stay updated on weather conditions when traveling during winter.

Overall, while the seasons of the year in Lebanon can bring their own challenges and effects on transportation, the country's road infrastructure is generally well-maintained, and efforts are made to address weather-related issues promptly.

Seasonal Effects on Storage and Handling
Activity Type	Time Frame	Comments / Details
Storage		Seasonal storage practices are common in Lebanon, especially in rural areas. During the harvest season, agricultural products like grains, fruits, and vegetables are often stored in traditional storage areas known as "Mouneh." These structures help preserve the product for longer durations.[RC5] [MK6] In the past, especially in remote villages throughout Lebanon, mouneh was prepared during the harvest, the season of abundance. Fruit, vegetables, herbs, plants and all types of animal products were transformed into foods that could be safely kept for a certain period of time, usually a calendar year. Today, the world has changed considerably. This, of course, does not mean that it is a positive change when it comes to food products. Through varying growing techniques, which in some cases causes major harm to our planet, products are now available all year long. In Lebanon, some continue to preserve, even without the urgent necessity of yesteryears. Farmers can avoid waste by selling off some of their bountiful harvest products. Some people stock up on mouneh to ensure food abundance in times of instability, while others maintain it as an important traditional aspect of our culinary heritage and feel the need to safeguard this family ritual. Wheat: Lebanon used to be able to store four months' worth of wheat reserves, but the August 2020 Beirut Port explosion destroyed the country's primary grain storage silos, removing 120,000 tonnes of storage capacity that has yet to be restored to this day. Lebanon's other major port in Tripoli has no grain storage capacity, leaving the country to fend with only a one month's storage by using warehouses owned by 12 mills. *https://www.lebanontraveler.com/en/magazine/lebanon-traveler-marvelous-mouneh/* *https://www.mei.edu/blog/lebanon-running-out-time-avert-starvation*
Handling		The specific time frame for handling activities in Lebanon can vary depending on the nature of the activity and various factors such as the sector, scale, and complexity of the task at hand. The time frame for commodity handling, such as repackaging, sorting, and storage, can range from minutes to hours or even days. It depends on factors such as the volume of goods, the complexity of the handling processes, and available resources.
Other

In Lebanon, miscellaneous commodity handling and storage activities can be affected by seasonal variations. Certain commodities, such as agricultural produce and seasonal goods, experience fluctuations in demand throughout the year. For example, during festive seasons like Christmas and New Year, there is often an increased need for repackaging and parcel production of gifts and holiday-related items. Similarly, specific products like fresh fruits and vegetables may have peak seasons when handling and storage requirements are higher due to increased production and demand. Businesses involved in these activities need to adapt their operations to meet these seasonal demands effectively.

To address the potential challenges posed by seasonal bottlenecks, businesses may opt for pre-stocking strategies. Pre-stocking involves building up inventory in advance to meet anticipated demand during peak seasons. By accumulating and storing supplies ahead of time, businesses can ensure a smooth supply chain, uninterrupted handling, and timely fulfillment of customer requirements. Pre-stocking enables efficient repackaging, parcel production, and storage capacity management to keep up with the surge in demand during busy periods. It helps businesses avoid shortages, delays, and disruptions caused by increased customer demand and limited availability during peak seasons.

Managing seasonal demand also requires proactive measures such as demand forecasting, supplier coordination, and streamlined operations. Businesses can adjust their production schedules and procurement strategies by accurately predicting demand patterns. Coordinating with suppliers and maintaining good relationships with them helps ensure a steady supply of commodities and materials required for handling and storage activities. Streamlining operations, including efficient inventory management and optimized packaging processes, allows businesses to meet customer expectations and avoid bottlenecks during peak seasons.

Capacity and Contacts for In-Country Emergency Response

GOVERNMENT

Through agencies and ministries like the Lebanese Civil Defense (LCD), Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Public Health, and Ministry of Social Affairs, the Lebanese government plays a role in responding to emergencies and coordinating with the humanitarian community. The LCD is primarily responsible for disaster management, providing search and rescue services and emergency assistance. The Ministry of Interior ensures public safety and coordinates with various agencies during emergencies. The Ministry of Public Health focuses on health-related interventions, collaborating with international organizations, and ensuring medical services and resources availability. The Ministry of Social Affairs coordinates assistance to affected populations, especially vulnerable groups, working with the humanitarian community.

The effectiveness of the government's response and its level of involvement can vary depending on the specific emergency and various factors. The government may actively engage with humanitarian actors, international organizations, and NGOs to coordinate response efforts, share information, and mobilize resources. However, challenges, such as coordination issues, limited capacity, and resource constraints, can impact the government's ability to fully engage and cooperate effectively with the humanitarian community. It's important to consult reputable sources and official government publications for the most accurate and up-to-date information on the Lebanese government's capacity and cooperation in responding to emergencies.

For more information on government contact details, please see the following link: 4.1 Government Contact List.

HUMANITARIAN COMMUNITY

The humanitarian community in Lebanon consists of various international organizations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and humanitarian actors that provide assistance and support to those affected by crises and emergencies. Here is some information about the humanitarian community in Lebanon:

International Organizations: Several international organizations, such as the United Nations agencies (UNHCR, UNICEF, WHO, etc.), the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), and the International Organization for Migration (IOM), are active in Lebanon. These organizations work in partnership with the Lebanese government and local NGOs to provide humanitarian aid, emergency response, and development programs.
Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs): Numerous local and international NGOs operate in Lebanon, focusing on various sectors such as healthcare, education, shelter, food security, and livelihoods. These organizations play a crucial role in delivering humanitarian assistance, implementing projects, and supporting vulnerable communities.
Coordination Mechanisms: The humanitarian community in Lebanon operates within coordination mechanisms to enhance collaboration and ensure an effective response. The Humanitarian Country Team (HCT), led by the UN Resident Coordinator, brings together key stakeholders to coordinate strategies, resources, and response efforts. The Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) and other coordination forums facilitate cooperation between organizations and promote a coherent humanitarian response.

The humanitarian community in Lebanon works closely with the Lebanese government, local authorities, and affected communities to address humanitarian needs, provide essential services, and promote long-term development. Their efforts aim to alleviate suffering, protect vulnerable populations, and support recovery and resilience in the face of crises.

For more information on humanitarian agency contact details, please see the following link: 4.2 Humanitarian Agency Contact List.

Lebanon - 1.2 Regulatory Departments and Quality Control

Regulatory Departments & Quality Control

Lebanon has several regulatory departments and agencies responsible for overseeing different sectors and enforcing regulations. These entities play a crucial role in maintaining quality control and ensuring compliance with standards across various industries. Here is a summary of the regulatory departments and their involvement in quality control in Lebanon:

Lebanese Standards Institution (LIBNOR):[RC1] LIBNOR is the national standards body that develops and promotes standards across different sectors. It plays a vital role in quality control by setting standards and providing certification and testing services to ensure compliance. LIBNOR is a public institution attached to the Ministry of Industry. It was established by the law dated 23/7/1962 as the sole authority to issue, publish and amend Lebanese standards and to give the right to use the Lebanese Conformity Mark (NL Mark).
Ministry of Economy and Trade: The Ministry of Economy and Trade enforces regulations related to product safety, fair trade practices, and consumer protection. It monitors the market and investigates complaints regarding product quality and deceptive practices.
Directorate General of Customs: The Directorate General of Customs controls imports and exports in Lebanon, ensuring compliance with customs regulations and quality standards for imported goods. It may inspect and test products at ports of entry to verify their compliance.
Food Safety Department: Under the Ministry of Public Health, the Food Safety Department focuses on ensuring the safety and quality of food products. It monitors food production, processing, and distribution facilities to enforce food safety regulations and standards.
Pharmaceutical Regulatory Authority (PRA): The PRA oversees pharmaceuticals and medical products regulation and quality control. It approves product registration, monitors manufacturing and distribution, and enforces compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and quality standards.

These regulatory departments work together to enforce quality control regulations and conduct inspections, testing, and certification processes. Their aim is to protect consumer interests, promote fair trade, and ensure public health and safety in Lebanon.

For more information on regulatory departments and quality control laboratories’ contact details, please see the following links: 4.1 Government Contact List and 4.3 Laboratory and Quality Testing Company Contact List

Lebanon - 1.3 Customs Information

Duties and Tax Exemption

For contact information regarding government custom authorities, please follow the link below:

Please refer to section 4.1 Government Contact List

Emergency Response:

[Note: This section contains information which is related and applicable to ‘crisis’ times. These instruments can be applied when an emergency is officially declared by the Government. When this occurs, there is usually a streamlined process to import goods duty and tax free.]

In the following table, state which of the following agreements and conventions apply to the country and if there are any other existing ones.

Agreements / Conventions Description	Ratified by Country? (Yes / No)
WCO (World Customs Organization) member	Yes – 20 May 1960
Annex J-5 Revised Kyoto Convention	Yes - 13 Nov 2006
OCHA Model Agreement	Yes - 17 Nov 1998
Tampere Convention (on the Provision of Telecommunication Resources for Disaster Mitigation and Relief Operations)	Yes - 27 Jan 2006
Regional Agreements (on emergency/disaster response, but also customs unions, regional integration)	Lebanon maintains a generally open trade regime, with its efforts towards trade liberalization focused on the European Union (EU), World Trade Organization (WTO), and the Arab world. Although Lebanon does not have a free trade arrangement or bilateral investment treaty with the United States, it has engaged in various trade agreements. In 2002, Lebanon signed the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership agreement, which became effective through an interim agreement in March 2003, followed by the final agreement in April 2006. Lebanon and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) signed a free trade agreement in 2004. Lebanon has also established bilateral cooperation agreements with Syria in the areas of economics, transport, agriculture, and health. Moreover Lebanon has signed the Arab Free Trade Zone Agreement and bilateral Free Trade Agreements with Egypt, Iraq, Kuwait, Syria, and the United Arab Emirates. The interim agreement between Lebanon and the EU took effect in March 2003, allowing for reciprocal free trade on most industrial goods. It also facilitates trade liberalization for a wide range of agricultural and processed agricultural goods. The Euro-Med Partnership aims to create a free trade area between the EU and countries in the southern Mediterranean region. On December 1, 2006, Lebanon signed a Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) with the United States. The TIFA serves to promote an attractive investment climate, expand trade relations, and eliminate trade and investment barriers between both countries. Lebanon is actively pursuing accession to the World Trade Organization, having obtained observer status in 1999 and holding its sixth working party meeting in February 2009. Lebanon has also entered into several free trade agreements with Arab countries. It is a signatory to the Greater Arab Free Trade Area (GAFTA) agreement, which encompasses 17 Arab countries. Import duties among GAFTA countries were completely eliminated on January 1, 2005. Furthermore, Lebanon has established bilateral free trade agreements with several Arab countries to enhance trade integration, including Syria (effective since 1999), Egypt (effective since 1999), Kuwait (effective since 2000), the UAE (effective since 2001), Iraq (effective since 2002), and Jordan (signed in 2002 but pending ratification).

Exemption Regular Regime (Non-Emergency Response):

[Note: This section should contain information on the usual duties & taxes exemption regime during non-emergency times, when there is no declared state of emergency and no streamlines process (e.g. regular importations/development/etc.).]

Exemptions and Privileges Granted to the United Nations Organization

Article 297:

1. Goods imported for the official use of the United Nations shall be exempt from

import and export duties, however these duty-exempt goods cannot be sold in

Lebanon except after due duties are properly settled and following approval of the

relevant authority.

2. Privileges and immunities granted to accredited diplomats as for their sole personal

belongings shall be granted to the representatives of member states in the Main and

Secondary Bodies of the United Nations and during conferences held by the United

Nations throughout the duration of their official business and during travel to and

from meeting location.

Said representatives within the United Nations Organization consist of delegates,

assistant delegates, consultants, technical experts and secretaries of delegations.

3. United Nations employees shall have the right to import their household

furnishings free of duty, provided that the import occurs immediately at the

beginning of their terms of office and that they abide by the system in force if they

desire to abandon these household goods in part or in full.

Customs Law English Complete:

Organizational Requirements to obtain Duty Free Status
United Nations Agencies
All United Nations relief items (humanitarian food and NFIs, assists, vehicles, etc.) imported to the country are exempted from customs duties. For food commodities, the UN agencies are exempted from the sampling process as well.
Non Governmental Organizations

Exemption Certificate Application Procedure:

Duties and Taxes Exemption Application Procedure
Generalities (include a list of necessary documentation)
Required Documents: Bill of lading/airway bill Commercial invoice Packing listSpecial permit – letter addressed from WFP to the Ministry Radiation certificate (if any importation from Russia or Ukraine) Other documents vary from time to time and with circumstances.
Process to be followed (step-by-step or flowchart)
For the import of food commodities procedure, below is the standard process applied at Beirut port: Upon the arrival of the containers and unloading from the ship at the BCTC “Beirut Container Terminal Consortium”, Beirut Port Management grants us 9 Free days of Port Storage, after which port storage fees are charged. About 25% of the containers are requested for inspection; the designated containers are automatically moved to the inspection yard where the sampling will take place as follows: 4 to 5 Kg are extracted from each container and sent to the designated laboratory. Samples are usually sent for testing at the “LARI” laboratory or at the “IRI” laboratory for certain products (especially pasta and wheat flour). The time frame to obtain the results from the laboratory varies from 48 hours to 5 days (Oil for example). The Customs clearance: The Process starts with a temporary declaration, enabling the withdrawal of samples to obtain the approval of the Ministry of Trade, or the Ministry of Agriculture. In this respect, the approval of the Ministry of Agriculture is required for unprocessed food products (chickpeas, lentils, beans…), tuna, meat, chicken, and cheese. While processed food products require the approval of the Ministry of Trade (canned food, oil, pasta…) For The Commodities requiring the Ministry of Trade approval, a previous laboratory test result (issued within the last 3 months) can be used to clear any new shipment if the supplier, country of origin, and specifications are the same. Once the Laboratory result is ready, the Import formality will be submitted and to be finalized, it is necessary to be verified, approved, and stamped by the Ministry of Agriculture or Ministry of Trade offices at Beirut port. After finalizing the Customs clearance, the containers can be shipped within 24 hours from BCTC and the inspection yard to WFP warehouses. It is advisable to de-stuff the containers at the warehouse level to minimize the risk of double handling, losses, port congestion, port storage additional fees, overtime port fees… In this case, the deadline for returning the empty containers to the port must be negotiated with the shipping carriers. If we opt to de-stuff the cargo onto trucks inside the port, we will need to ask the port management to shunt the containers to another available yard, where we can proceed with the truck’s loading operation. Documentation: In addition to the commonly required documents such as Invoice, Production date and BUBD, Weight certificate, Origin certificate, and Health certificate; the following commodities “Rice, Chickpeas, Burghul, Lentils, and White Beans” need a Phytosanitary certificate. The Tuna shelf life should not exceed three years and it should not be less than its half shelf life at the time of arrival. It is worth it to mention that the supplier must issue an invoice for each commodity separately, to facilitate the Customs clearance process. A single invoice for the entire parcel cannot be accepted.

Exemption Certificate Document Requirements

Duties and Taxes Exemption Certificate Document Requirements (by commodity)
	Food	NFI (Shelter, WASH, Education)	Medicines	Vehicle & Spare Parts	Staff & Office Supplies	Telecoms Equipment
Invoice	One original invoice required. This is applied to both UN and NGOs.	One original invoice required. This is applied to both UN and NGOs.	One original invoice required. This is applied to both UN and NGOs.	One original invoice required. This is applied to both UN and NGOs.	One original invoice required. This is applied to both UN and NGOs.	One original invoice required. This is applied to both UN and NGOs.
AWB/BL/Other Transport Documents	Three originals + 3 copies required. This is applied to both UN and NGOs.	Three originals + 3 copies required. This is applied to both UN and NGOs.	Three originals + 3 copies required. This is applied to both UN and NGOs.	Three originals + 3 copies required. This is applied to both UN and NGOs.	Three originals + 3 copies required. This is applied to both UN and NGOs.	Three originals + 3 copies required. This is applied to both UN and NGOs.
Donation/Non-Commercial Certificates	One original required. This is applied to both UN and NGOs.	One original required. This is applied to both UN and NGOs.	One original required. This is applied to both UN and NGOs.	One original required. This is applied to both UN and NGOs.	One original required. This is applied to both UN and NGOs.	One original required. This is applied to both UN and NGOs.
Packing Lists	One original required. This is applied to both UN and NGOs.	One original required. This is applied to both UN and NGOs.	One original required. This is applied to both UN and NGOs.	One original required. This is applied to both UN and NGOs.	One original required. This is applied to both UN and NGOs.	One original required. This is applied to both UN and NGOs.
Other Documents	Original certificate of origin Original fumigation certificate NON-GMO certificate Phytosanitary certificate Yes, 1 Original, applies to UN and NGOs	Original certificate of origin required. This is applied to both UN and NGOs.	Original certificate of origin required. This is applied to both UN and NGOs.	Original certificate of origin required. This is applied to both UN and NGOs.	Original certificate of origin required. This is applied to both UN and NGOs.	Original certificate of origin required. This is applied to both UN and NGOs.
Additional Notes

Customs Clearance

General Information

Customs Information
Document Requirements	In addition to the commonly required documents such as Invoice, Production date BUBD, Weight certificate, Certificate of Origin certificate, and Health certificate; the following commodities “Rice, Chickpeas, Burghul, Lentils, and White Beans” need a Phytosanitary certificate. The Tuna shelf life should not exceed three years and it should not be less than its half shelf life at the time of arrival. It is worth it to mention that the supplier must issue an invoice for each commodity separately, to facilitate the Customs clearance process. A single invoice for the entire parcel cannot be accepted. For any importation from Russia or Ukraine, a Radioactivity certificate should be provided.
Embargoes	*UN arms embargo on Lebanon (Non-Governmental Forces)* In August 2006 UN Security Council Resolution 1701, adopted unanimously, established an open-ended embargo on all arms transfers to Lebanon not authorized by the Government of Lebanon or UNIFIL, the UN peacekeeping force. This was part of the attempt to solve the conflict between Israel and Lebanon. The prohibition covers the provision of any technical training or assistance related to the supply, manufacture, maintenance or use of arms and related equipment. The ban formed part of a broader set of measures designed to help the Lebanese Government exercise full sovereignty over all Lebanese territory and to facilitate the deployment of Lebanese troops to the South of the country following an Israeli military withdrawal.
Prohibited Items	Strictly prohibited imports include the following: Cedar seeds and seedlings (to protect Lebanese cedar species) Chemical additives used in bread making (health measure) Table salt not containing iodine (health measure) Waste/slag/ash/scrap of many chemical, mineral, and metal products (environmental measure) Clinker and black cement (protection of local industry) Passenger vehicles older than eight years and transport vehicles older than five years (environmental measure) Used medical and radiological apparatuses (health measures) Gas-fueled pocket lighters (safety measure) Wireless phone sets that function on the 900-Megahertz bandwidth (technical measure) Pornographic materials Drugs Used tires Firearms, ammunition Narcotics Goods bearing false marks and labels indicating their origin (intellectual property) Goods manufactured in or originating from Israel (Arab Boycott measure). Monopolized and restricted goods must be treated similarly to prohibited goods upon import and export. Such goods will be seized whenever a license, permit, or any other legal document is not attached or whenever irrelevant documents are attached.
General Restrictions

Customs Clearance Document Requirements

Customs Clearance Document Requirements (by commodity)
	Food	NFI (Shelter, WASH, Education)	Medicines	Vehicles & Spare Parts	Staff & Office Supplies	Telecoms Equipment
D&T Exemption Certificate	Original	Original	Original	Original	Original	Original
Invoice	One Original	One Original	One Original	One Original	One Original	One Original
AWB/BL/Other Transport Documents	Three originals + 3 copies	Three originals + 3 copies	Three originals + 3 copies	Three originals + 3 copies	Three originals + 3 copies	Three originals + 3 copies
Donation/Non-Commercial Certificates	One original required.	One original required.	One original required.	One original required.	One original required.	One original required.
Packing Lists	One original required.	One original required.	One original required.	One original required.	One original required.	One original required.
Phytosanitary Certificate	One original required.	One original required.	One original required.	One original required.	One original required.	One original required.
Other Documents
Additional Notes

Transit Regime

In Lebanon, the usual customs procedures for humanitarian aid commodities destined for another country involve the usual transit procedure. Here is a general explanation of the customs procedures and considerations for humanitarian aid shipments in Lebanon:

Transit Procedures: Humanitarian aid commodities intended for another country are typically treated as transit shipments through Lebanon. The goods need to be declared to the Lebanese customs authorities before being exported. The relevant documentation, including invoices, sea waybills, packing lists, certificates of origin, and other relevant certificates (based on the nature of the product) and any necessary permits or licenses, must be provided to the customs authorities.
Customs Duties and Taxes: Depending on the nature of the humanitarian aid and the specific agreements in place, customs duties and taxes may be exempted or reduced for these shipments. It is essential to consult with the Lebanese customs authorities or relevant government agencies to determine the specific requirements and procedures for obtaining duty and tax exemptions for humanitarian aid commodities.
Bonded Warehouses: For humanitarian aid commodities destined for another country, the use of bonded warehouses in Lebanon may not be a typical practice, as the focus is on exporting/transiting the goods promptly to the intended destination.

N.B: The specific customs procedures and requirements for humanitarian aid shipments in Lebanon may vary based on the nature of the aid, the destination country, and the prevailing regulations and agreements. It is advisable to consult with the Lebanese customs authorities or seek guidance from relevant government agencies or humanitarian organizations for accurate and up-to-date information on the procedures and considerations for humanitarian aid shipments in Lebanon.