Import Regulations – Lebanon

According to Australian Government figures, total two-way merchandise trade amounted to A$ 31 million in 2006-2007 (A$ 18 million in Australian exports, A$ 13 million in imports from Lebanon). Now Australian exporters are primarily focused on the food and beverage sectors.

Such goods as some agricultural products, firearms and munitions need an import license from the appropriate government authority. All other permitted goods are free of licensing. The following items are prohibited to import all year round:
• citrus fruits;
• olive oil;
• olives;
• peanuts;
• apples.

Product certification, labelling
A health certificate has to be issued by the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service, Commonwealth Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry-Australia or relevant state department of agriculture. The document must be presented to the Lebanese Consulate for legalization.

Livestock, meats and ruminant animal products require the usual sanitary certificates, together with the official veterinary certificates stating that they are free from foot and mouth disease and that they came from an area free from that disease. Plants and seeds require phytosanitary certification issued by the approved authorities.

Outer containers should bear consignee's mark and port mark and should also be numbered (to accord with the packing list) unless their contents can be otherwise readily identified. The country of origin must be shown. Use of English is acceptable only for added safety, bilingual or even tri-lingual language (Arabic and French) labeling is advisable. The following must be provided on the labeling:
• product information;
• ingredients;
• date of manufacture;
• identification data;
• manufacturer's identification;
• standard quality disclosures;
• dating must be in clear figures, not in code;
• date of expiry.

Documentary requirements
Importer may request pro-forma invoice. Number of copies of commercial invoice will be specified by importer. Lebanese customs require 2 copies. It may be written in English or French. Commercial invoice must give a full description of the goods and all details to CIF value.

The certificate of origin is required for all goods. It must show:
• the country of origin;
• name of manufacturing firm;
• place where goods were manufactured.

Number of bill of lading copies is usually specified by the importer. The document must include a certification that the vessel is not blacklisted by the Arab-Israel Boycott Committee and that the vessel will not be calling at an Israeli port during the voyage.