Last updated: 21/06/2026
What documents do you need to ship to or from Lebanon?
Every international shipment requires a set of trade documents that serve three purposes: they instruct the carrier on what is being shipped and where, they tell customs authorities what duties and taxes apply, and they transfer title to the goods between buyer and seller. For shipments to or from Lebanon, the core set is the same whether you are exporting Lebanese goods to the Gulf or importing machinery into Beirut, but the supporting certificates vary by commodity, destination and applicable trade agreements.
GHO Express has handled export and import documentation through Beirut since 1971. Below is the complete checklist we work through for every shipment, with notes on what each document does and when it applies.
The core documents, every shipment
These four documents are required on virtually every international shipment. If any one is missing or inaccurate, the cargo will not move or will be held at customs.
1. Transport document: Bill of Lading (BoL) or Air Waybill (AWB)
The transport document is the contract between the shipper and the carrier. Its form depends on the mode:
- Bill of Lading (BoL), issued for sea freight. Available as a negotiable (original) BoL, used in letter-of-credit transactions to transfer title, or as a non-negotiable Sea Waybill for shipper-owned consignments. Beirut Port accepts both forms.
- Air Waybill (AWB), issued for air freight. Always non-negotiable; names a specific consignee. The Master AWB is issued by the airline; GHO Express issues a House AWB covering your specific shipment.
- Road/Truck Consignment Note (CMR), for land freight across borders, the CMR convention note serves the same function.
The BoL or AWB must accurately reflect the commodity description, weight, number of packages, Incoterm, and shipper/consignee details exactly as they appear on the commercial invoice.
2. Commercial invoice
The commercial invoice is the primary customs document. Lebanese Customs and destination-country customs use it to determine the dutiable value of the goods. It must include:
- Seller and buyer name, address, and contact details
- Invoice number and date
- Precise description of the goods (not generic, “electronic components” is not enough)
- HS (Harmonised System) tariff code
- Quantity, unit price, total value, and currency
- Country of origin
- Incoterm and delivery point
- Any applicable trade agreement reference
Invoices are typically required in Arabic or stamped copies for Lebanese Customs. Our customs clearance team advises on the exact format required for your destination.
3. Packing list
The packing list is the detailed inventory of the shipment, package by package. It shows:
- Number and type of packages (cartons, pallets, crates, drums)
- Dimensions and gross/net weight per package and in total
- Contents per package (quantity and description)
Customs inspectors and warehouses use the packing list to check that the physical cargo matches the paperwork. Discrepancies between the packing list and the invoice are one of the most common causes of clearance delays, keep them consistent to the last decimal point.
4. Certificate of origin
The certificate of origin (CoO) declares which country the goods were produced in. It is required by most of Lebanon’s trading partners and is often the key to applying a preferential duty rate under a trade agreement:
- Arab League trade agreements require an Arab League CoO form (Form A) for preferential treatment between Arab states.
- Euro-Mediterranean Partnership Agreement (EMPA) requires an EUR.1 movement certificate or an origin declaration for qualifying Lebanese exports to the EU.
- Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) markets typically require a standard CoO authenticated by the Chamber of Commerce and legalised through the relevant consulate.
In Lebanon, certificates of origin are issued by the Lebanese Customs or the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture of Beirut and Mount Lebanon (CCIA-BML). Allow one to two working days for issuance.
Supporting documents, commodity and route dependent
Beyond the four core documents, most shipments require one or more of the following. GHO Express confirms the exact list for your cargo and destination before booking.
Import / export licence
Certain goods entering or leaving Lebanon require a permit from the responsible ministry:
- Lebanese Ministry of Economy and Trade, import licences for restricted goods (some food products, medicines, certain industrial goods).
- Ministry of Agriculture, permits for agricultural inputs, live animals, and some processed foods.
- Ministry of Telecommunications, for communications equipment.
For exports, some commodities and some destination countries require an export licence. We advise on licensing requirements as part of our pre-shipment checks.
Phytosanitary and health certificates
Required for all food, agricultural, and animal-product shipments. In Lebanon these are issued by:
- The Lebanese Ministry of Agriculture, for plant products and agricultural goods.
- The Ministry of Public Health, for processed foods and pharmaceuticals.
Most destination countries also require the exporter’s country certificate to be endorsed or re-certified. Allow two to five working days for laboratory testing where required.
Dangerous goods declaration (DGR / IMDG)
For any cargo classified as dangerous under IATA (air) or IMDG (sea) regulations, a formal dangerous-goods declaration is mandatory. The declaration must identify the UN number, proper shipping name, packing group, and emergency contact. Packaging must comply with the applicable regulations.
MSDS / Safety Data Sheet
Required for chemicals, solvents, paints, adhesives, and similar materials, even those that are not formally classified as dangerous. Customs may request the MSDS to verify classification.
Packing declaration (for wooden packaging)
Wooden pallets, crates, and dunnage must comply with ISPM 15 (International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures No. 15), requiring heat treatment or methyl bromide fumigation and the appropriate IPPC mark. This is a non-negotiable requirement for most markets.
Insurance certificate
Not a customs document, but critical for cargo protection. Under some Incoterms (notably CIF and CIP) the seller is obliged to provide minimum insurance. We recommend cargo insurance on every shipment regardless of Incoterm, our team can arrange all-risk marine or air cargo cover.
Step-by-step: the document workflow for an export from Lebanon
- Pre-shipment planning. Share your commodity, destination, value, and Incoterm. We identify every document required and advise on lead times for licences and certificates.
- Prepare the commercial invoice and packing list. The exporter issues these, we provide a template if needed.
- Obtain the certificate of origin. We submit your invoice to the CCIA-BML or Lebanese Customs for CoO issuance.
- Apply for licences and certificates. Where a ministry permit or phytosanitary certificate is required, we coordinate the application and follow-up.
- Book the shipment and issue the transport document. We book the vessel or flight, issue the House BoL or House AWB, and consolidate all documents into the shipping file.
- Submit the export customs declaration. Our brokers lodge the declaration with Lebanese Customs. Pre-clearance is submitted before cargo arrives at the port or airport.
- Release and departure. Customs approves the declaration, cargo is released to the terminal, and the shipment departs.
- Transmit documents to consignee. We send the full document set, BoL/AWB, invoice, packing list, CoO, and supporting certificates, to the buyer or their customs broker at destination.
For imports into Lebanon the process reverses: we receive the document set from the shipper, lodge the import declaration, calculate duties, and arrange final delivery within Lebanon.
Common document mistakes that delay Lebanese customs clearance
- Invoice value does not match the BoL/AWB, customs flags the discrepancy immediately.
- Vague commodity descriptions, Lebanese Customs requires a specific description; generic terms trigger physical inspection.
- Missing certificate of origin, shipments to Arab League or EU destinations without a CoO cannot benefit from preferential rates and may be held pending one.
- Wooden packaging without ISPM 15 mark, the shipment is refused entry or fumigated at the importer’s cost.
- Incomplete or unsigned dangerous-goods declaration, the shipment will not be accepted by the carrier.
Pre-clearance and a document check before cargo arrives eliminates most of these.
How GHO Express manages your shipping documents
Since 1971, GHO Express has processed thousands of export and import files through Beirut’s Rafic Hariri International Airport and Beirut Port. Our customs clearance team knows Lebanese Customs procedures and the document requirements of every major trade lane we serve, the Middle East, Europe, Africa, and beyond through our global partner network.
As a FIDI member, our processes meet international standards for documentation, chain-of-custody and compliance, the same standards applied to the most complex international relocation moves we handle.
We provide:
- Pre-shipment document review and gap analysis
- Certificate of origin filing with CCIA-BML or Lebanese Customs
- Import and export customs declarations
- Dangerous-goods documentation for air and sea
- Coordination of ministry licences and health/phytosanitary certificates
- Full document transmittal to consignees and their brokers
Whether you are exporting Lebanese production to the Gulf or importing industrial equipment into Beirut, complete, accurate paperwork is the fastest route through customs. Contact our team with your shipment details and we will send you a tailored document checklist, and handle the filing from there.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a Bill of Lading and an Air Waybill?
A Bill of Lading (BoL) is the transport document for sea freight. It can be negotiable, meaning title to the goods can be transferred by endorsing the document, which makes it essential in letter-of-credit transactions. An Air Waybill (AWB) is the equivalent document for air freight, but it is always non-negotiable: it names a specific consignee and cannot be traded. Both are issued by the carrier (or the freight forwarder on the carrier's behalf) and serve as a receipt, a contract of carriage, and a document of title (BoL only).
Is a certificate of origin mandatory for all shipments from Lebanon?
Not for every shipment, but it is required more often than not. Lebanon's main trading partners, the Arab League countries, the EU (under the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement), and the Gulf states, either require a certificate of origin for customs purposes or demand it to apply a preferential tariff rate. Lebanese certificates of origin are issued by the Lebanese Customs or the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture. We advise on whether your shipment and destination require one.
Who prepares the commercial invoice for an export from Lebanon?
The exporter (seller) prepares the commercial invoice. It must show the seller's and buyer's full details, a precise description of the goods, HS tariff code, unit price, total value, currency, Incoterm, and country of origin. Lebanese customs and the destination country's customs both scrutinise this document, so accuracy matters. Discrepancies between the invoice and the packing list or the BoL/AWB are one of the most common causes of clearance delays.
What documents does Lebanon Customs require for imports?
For a standard import into Lebanon you typically need: the Bill of Lading or Air Waybill, the commercial invoice, the packing list, and the certificate of origin. Depending on the commodity you may also need an import licence from the relevant ministry, product conformity certificates, phytosanitary or health certificates for food and agricultural goods, and a dangerous-goods declaration for hazardous materials. Our customs clearance team files all declarations and coordinates any inspections.
How long does Lebanese customs clearance take?
For a well-documented standard shipment, clearance at Beirut Port or Rafic Hariri International Airport typically takes one to three working days. Complex shipments, goods subject to physical inspection, or files with documentation gaps can take longer. Pre-clearing, submitting documents before the cargo arrives, is the single most effective way to cut dwell time. GHO Express routinely pre-clears shipments to have trucks or delivery ready on arrival.
Can GHO Express prepare and manage all shipping documents on my behalf?
Yes. We handle the freight side, issuing the BoL or AWB, preparing the cargo manifest, and coordinating with carriers, and our customs clearance team manages the import/export declaration, duty calculation, and liaison with Lebanese Customs. You provide the commercial invoice and packing list; we coordinate everything else and flag any gaps before they cause delays.