Exporting guide to Lebanon
UK-Lebanon association agreement
UK-Lebanon Association Agreement entered into force on 1st January 2021. The agreement replicates the EU-Association Agreement and provide a framework for optimising the UK-Lebanon bilateral relationship.
UK trade links
Lebanon is an important trading partner for the UK and offers a stepping stone to trade with other countries in the Middle East. Lebanon was the UK’s 92nd largest trading partner in the four quarters to the end of Q4 2020 accounting for less than 0.1% of total UK trade.
Ease of doing business
143rd
out of 190 countries (World Bank, 2019)
Currency
Lebanese pound
Business languages
Arabic, French
You may need a translator
GDP per capita
$9,250
UK is $42,558 (IMF, 2018)
Economic growth
0.3%
(IMF, 2018)
Time zone
GMT +2
Doing business in Lebanon
Preparing to export
VAT
If you’re registered for VAT in the UK, it may be possible to zero-rate the goods you export to Lebanon, provided certain conditions are met.
The standard VAT rate in Lebanon increased from 10% to 11% effective 1 January 2018. Unless specifically exempt, VAT is levied on all commercial transactions undertaken by business entities.
Corporate tax
The corporate tax rate is 17%.
Customs
You’ll find information about customs law, procedures and regulations on the Lebanese Customs website.
Regulations and standards
LIBNOR , Lebanon’s standards institution, has responsibility for standards, regulations and granting use of the Lebanese Conformity Mark (NL Mark).
National standards cover all products in the following sectors:
- agro-food
- chemicals
- construction
- mechanical, electrotechnical and electromechanical
Trade barriers
Check for any reported barriers to trading with Lebanon.
Report any trade barriers that are affecting your business so we can help fix them.
Operating in Lebanon
Intellectual property
As a first step, we advise you to speak to an intellectual property lawyer if you think you need patent protection when exporting.
Lebanon has signed the Berne Convention, the main international copyright convention.
Though Lebanese copyright law provides protection for artistic, dramatic, musical, photographic and cinematographic works, infringements are common.
Payment terms
The main methods of payment in Lebanon are irrevocable ‘letters of credit’ and cash in advance.
Open account payment terms are increasingly popular in established business relationships.
However, you should be careful about extending credit terms until you’ve established the reliability of the organisation you’re doing business with.
Getting started in the market
UK companies are advised to appoint a local agent or distributor, rather than attempt to sell direct. One agent is usually able to cover the whole market.
Challenges
Although the business climate in Lebanon continues to improve, obstacles remain. UK businesses may face challenges around bureaucracy, corruption and poor infrastructure.
Next steps
DIT can advise you on doing business abroad, and help put you in touch with other people who can help such as lawyers and distributors.
