Lebanon Country Commercial Guide
Learn about the market conditions, opportunities, regulations, and business conditions in lebanon, prepared by at U.S. Embassies worldwide by Commerce Department, State Department and other U.S. agencies’ professionals
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Temporary Entry
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There are two types of permits for the temporary entry of goods into Lebanon.  Customs grants a regular temporary entry permit to foreign products that will be manufactured or under processing in Lebanon and then re-exported from Lebanon or displayed in free zones.  As noted in Article 268 of the Lebanese Customs Law, this permit is valid for six months and is renewable, provided that the total period shall not be for more than two years.

The Director General of Customs may also grant a special temporary entry permit for a range of products intended for temporary use.  However, the period of the permit is limited to three months.  Goods subject to the special permit, as noted in Article 278 of the Lebanese Customs Law, may include the following:

  • Equipment and machinery used in public works, archeology, cinema, and journalism;
  • Items intended or used for maintenance and repair;
  • Items temporarily imported for display or use in public or private exhibitions, seasonal fairs, forums, theaters, artistic shows, and playgrounds;
  • Jewelry and ornaments intended for display in public exhibitions ;
  • Empty containers or packages to be filled in Lebanon and re-exported or full containers or packages to be emptied in Lebanon and then re-exported

The products mentioned above may be temporarily imported for a period of six months by using “Admission Temporaire/Temporary Admission” (ATA) procedure rather than regular entry declarations. 

In addition, foreigners and Lebanese citizens whose place of residence is outside Lebanon may benefit from temporary entry for their personal effects and cars in accordance with Articles 282 and 283 of the Lebanese Customs Law.

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Global Business Navigator Chatbot Beta

Welcome to the Global Business Navigator, an artificial intelligence (AI) Chatbot from the International Trade Administration (ITA). This tool, currently in beta version testing, is designed to provide general information on the exporting process and the resources available to assist new and experienced U.S. exporters. The Chatbot, developed using Microsoft’s Azure AI services, is trained on ITA’s export-related content and aims to quickly get users the information they need. The Chatbot is intended to make the benefits of exporting more accessible by understanding non-expert language, idiomatic expressions, and foreign languages.

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As a beta product, the Chatbot is currently being tested and its responses may occasionally produce inaccurate or incomplete information. The Chatbot is trained to decline out of scope or inappropriate requests. The Chatbot’s knowledge is limited to the public information on the Export Solutions web pages of Trade.gov, which covers a wide range of topics on exporting. While it cannot provide responses specific to a company’s product or a specific foreign market, its reference pages will guide you to other relevant government resources and market research. Always double-check the Chatbot’s responses using the provided references or by visiting the Export Solutions web pages on Trade.gov. Do not use its responses as legal or professional advice. Inaccurate advice from the Chatbot would not be a defense to violating any export rules or regulations.

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