Country Guide: Libya

Updated: November 23, 2015

Household Goods and Personal Effects

Documents Required

  • Copy of Passport (identification pages and passport translation page in Arabic)
  • Packing list
  • Entrance Visa / Work Permit (foreigners, Diplomats)
  • Original Bill of Lading (OBL) / Telex Release / Air Waybill (AWB)
  • Letter of Employment (foreigners)
  • Statistics Code (provided by Libyan employer) (foreigners)
  • Letter from the Libyan Consulate / Letter of Employment (returning citizens)
  • Diplomatic Franchise from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Diplomats)

 

Specific Regulations

  • The Customs clearance procedures can last from 7-10 days (foreigners) / 10-14 days (Diplomats).
  • The shipper does not need to be present for Customs clearance.
  • A letter from the Libyan Consulate is required for returning citizens, detailing the shipper’s mission abroad; however, if the entity employing the shipper has a branch in Libya, a letter from the employing branch is acceptable for re-entry.
  • The shipper’s import documents should be ready prior to shipment arrival at the port / airport of entry to minimize port charges.
  • Duties of approximately 10% may apply on shipments above the Customs estimate; however, Diplomats are exempt.

Motor Vehicles

Documents Required

  • OBL
  • Purchase Invoice

 

Specific Regulations

  • Returning citizens cannot import vehicles older than 5 years of manufacture.
  • For returning citizens 10% duty is applicable after the Customs estimation process.
  • For foreigners, 25% of the value of the vehicle is paid as a deposit and a Temporary Regime is applied.  The deposit is refunded after the foreigner’s final departure.

Pets

Documents Required

  • Vaccination Record
  • Veterinary Health Certificate (2 copies)

 

Specific Regulations

  • The documents must accompany pets entering Libya.

Restricted/Dutiable Items

  • Plants and plant products (a Plant Quarantine Certificate is required)
  • Insecticides (a permit obtained from the Secretariat of Agriculture and Agrarian Reform’s Plant Protection Department is required)

Prohibited Items

  • Narcotics
  • Pornographic materials
  • Counterfeit items
  • Explosive materials
  • Alcohol and spirits
  • Guns

Consignment Instructions

Recommended:  Contact the destination agent to ensure all requirements have been met prior to import, especially for differences regarding air / sea shipments.

 

 

 

Helpful Website(s):

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_951.html

http://www.libyausaembassy.com