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. Its strategic geographical location makes it an excellent gateway to the Middle East for exporters new to the region.
Top five UK goods exported to Lebanon, in the four quarters to the end of Q2 2022
| Goods | Value (£million) |
|---|---|
| Mechanical power generators (capital) | |
| Beverages | |
| Mechanical power generators (intermediate) | |
| Cars | |
| Electric motors (capital) |
Source:
ONS Trade in goods: country-by-commodity exports
Last updated: November 2022
Download the latest trade and investment factsheet for Lebanon.
Total import value (into the UK from Lebanon) and export value (from the UK into Lebanon) over time
| Year | Imports (£million) | Exports (£million) | Total trade (£million) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 227.0 | 550.0 | 777.0 |
| 2017 | 185.0 | 656.0 | 841.0 |
| 2018 | 204.0 | 700.0 | 904.0 |
| 2019 | 182.0 | 659.0 | 841.0 |
| 2020 | 161.0 | 430.0 | 591.0 |
| 2021 | 133.0 | 357.0 | 490.0 |
Source:
ONS UK total trade: all countries, seasonally adjusted
Last updated: October 2022
Total trade is the sum of all exports and imports over the same time period.
Download the latest trade and investment factsheet for Lebanon.
Lebanon: at a glance
Economic growth
-25.9%
Actual figure (IMF, 2020)
The UK is -9.3% (IMF, 2020, actual figure)
GDP per capita
$7,421
Actual figure (IMF, 2019)
The UK is $43,121 (IMF, 2019, actual figure)
Currency
Lebanese pound
Business languages
Arabic, French
You may need a translator
Time zone
GMT +2
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Check for trade barriers
Trade barriers, such as tariffs or taxes, can raise costs, cause delays, or even stop you from exporting. Check for any issues that may impact your business when exporting.
Check duties and customs
Find information on how to export goods from the UK. View the duties, rules, restrictions, and the documents you need for your products.
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
Intellectual property (IP) rights are territorial. Rights granted in the UK do not provide protection elsewhere. You should consider getting IP protection abroad if you want to trade overseas or sell to overseas customers via the internet.
The Intellectual Property Office’s International IP Service provides practical information to help you protect, manage and enforce your IP abroad. Further support can be accessed through the service’s network of IP attachés. Based in key UK export markets, they provide guidance to British businesses on local IP matters.
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.
