International convention and customs procedures of Libya

International Conventions

Member of the World Trade Organization (WTO)

International Economic Cooperation

Libya is a member of the Arab Monetary Fund, the Council of Arab Economic Unity, the Islamic Development Bank, OPEC and the AMU. Since 2004, Libya has been an observer at the WTO prior to becoming a member. The country is also part of the Greater Arab Free Trade Area (GAFTA), a pact of the Arab League entered into force in January 2005 which aims to form an Arabic free trade area.

Non Tariff Barriers

Since 2003, importing goods into Libya is no longer subject to import license but all imports must be accompanied by a certificate of origin.

Since January 1998 the Libyan Customs tariff has used the simplified harmonized system. It is prohibited to import seventeen "luxury" or locally manufactured products, and they are set out in a list appended to the decree of the General Popular Committee for Economy and Trade number 475 of July 2005 amending the list published in the decree number 84 of 5 June 2003. For example:
- live pigs, their flesh, fat, and skin and their derivatives.
- wines and alcoholic drinks.
- fresh fruit (citrus fruit, grapes, figs, apricots, watermelons, dates, plums and peaches), olive oil, fresh, frozen, dried or ground vegetables for consumption, except dried pulses.
- natural and sparkling mineral waters.
- traditional clothes.

The General Authority for Control of Commodities and Products created in 2005 and which brings together the National Center for Control of Foodstuffs and Medecines, the Veterinary Quarantine Unit and the Agricultural Quarantine Unit has several offices in the main towns. Its role is to control all imported products, to register them and draw up certifications, etc.

Customs Duties and Taxes on Imports

Customs duties on imported goods were abolished on 1 August 2005 and replaced by a 4% tax called "port services tax" which concerns all except 85 products. The latter are also subject to a 2% production tax and a 25 or 50% consumption tax.

Customs Classification

 The latest modifications to Libyan duties date from summer 2005. The general customs duty of 35%  has been replaced by what is known as a “port tax” of 4%.
Moreover, decree number 139 of 25 August 2005 divided 84 products into two lists:
- those that, as well as the port tax of 4%, are subject to a production tax of 2% and a consumption tax of 25%.
- those that, as well as the port tax of 4%, are subject to a production tax of 2% and a consumption tax of 50%.

Decree number 475 of 6 July 2005 specifies the 17 products that it is forbidden to import.

In addition, some products are exonerated from Customs duties, for example, equipment necessary for the completion of a project in Libya (see the Libyan Investment Authority)

Import Procedures

New laws concerning the Libyan legal framework are regularly voted. The latest modifications date from summer 2005.
Thus, the general customs duty of 35% that applied to 3 500 products has been replaced by what is known as a “port tax” of 4%.
Moreover, decree number 139 of 25 August 2005 divided 84 products into two lists:
- those that, as well as the port tax of 4%, are subject to a production tax of 2% and a consumption tax of 25%.
- those that, as well as the port tax of 4%, are subject to a production tax of 2% and a consumption tax of 50%. This last category groups 13 luxury products, such as works of art, vehicles of more than 3 000 cc, etc.

Decree number 475 of 6th July 2005 specifies the 17 products that it is forbidden to import.

Thanks to assistance given to those setting up in Libya, some products are exonerated from customs duties, for example, equipment necessary for the completion of a project in Libya (see the Libyan Investment Authority)

To go further, check out our service Import controls and Export controls.

For Further Information

Libyan Customs (in Arab)
Ministry of Economy and Trade