Importing a car from China into Lebanon

Parallel imports are legal

Lebanon's Competition Law, Law No. 281 of 15 March 2022, was published in the Official Gazette on 17 March 2022. Its Article 5 says an exclusive representation clause does not bind third parties, even when the agent has entered it in the commercial register. Any Lebanese person or company may therefore import a product that has an exclusive representative in Lebanon, whether for personal use or to sell.

The same article keeps one narrow way to hold goods at customs. A former agent that holds a final compensation judgment against the maker it represented can ask customs to stop clearance of that maker's goods, for three years at most from the judgment.

The warranty duty that comes with trading

Article 5 attaches a duty to imports made for trade. A Lebanese importer who brings in such a product to sell must give the consumer all the services and warranties that the maker set out in the agency contract, as registered in the commercial register and with the Ministry of Economy and Trade.

The clause names the importer that trades in the product, so the duty sits with the seller rather than with the official agent. A private buyer importing a car for personal use is not trading in it, and the clause is written for imports made to sell.

The duty arises only where the product has an exclusive representative in Lebanon, which is the case when a maker has a registered exclusive agent there. Before buying a parallel-import car, ask the seller in writing how that duty is met for your model.

New electric cars under the 2026 budget

Article 53 of the Budget Law for 2026, Law No. 40 of 10 February 2026, deals with clean vehicles. New fully electric cars, vehicles and machines imported within five years of the law taking effect are 100% exempt from customs duty and internal consumption tax, the Lebanese excise. They also get 70% off the registration fee and the traffic (mechanique) fee, at the first registration only.

VAT and the import fee still apply. These points are as checked in October 2026, and since rules change, the current ones are confirmed with the clearing agent for each car.

Hybrids have their own clause in the same article, with a smaller exemption. Whether a range-extender car counts as a hybrid for Lebanese customs has not been confirmed, so it is checked with the clearing agent before a quote relies on it.

The zero-km question

The budget exemption is written for new cars. In China, a car that has been registered and then sold on can only leave under the used-car export rules, even if it has barely moved.

Whether such a car counts as new in Lebanon is a customs ruling. As of October 2026, a zero-km car first registered in China is likely to be treated as used, so the clearing agent's ruling is obtained before you commit. If customs classes it as used, it falls outside the new electric car exemption and has to meet the used-car rules below.

Used cars: age and steering side

Maersk's import notes for Lebanon say a used passenger car must be less than eight years old, with limited editions checked case by case. A US forwarder that ships to Beirut puts it as eight years old or newer, and told customers that from 1 January 2027 cars from 2018 or earlier will not be let in, so containers carrying 2018 models should arrive by mid-December 2026. The sources word the limit differently, so the clearing agent confirms it for each car.

The car must also be left-hand drive. As of October 2026, right-hand-drive cars are not accepted for import.

No diesel light vehicles

Law No. 341 of 6 August 2001, passed to cut air pollution from transport and amended by Law No. 380 of 2001, bans imports of small diesel cargo vehicles up to 3,500 kg gross weight. Its Article 1 also bars small diesel buses of up to 15 passengers plus the driver, and diesel engines for passenger cars.

The legal database showed no repeal when checked on 2 November 2026. A pickup or van of 3,500 kg gross or less bound for Lebanon therefore has to be petrol, plug-in hybrid or electric. Law 380/2001 added one standing exception: diesel ambulances specially equipped for the job.

Clearing customs and first registration

Clearing a car through customs in Beirut requires a licensed clearing agent; an importer cannot skip this step. Cloud Auto confirms the current rules with the agent for each car before the buyer commits.

Once cleared, the car is registered in Lebanon for the first time. That registration is the one moment when a new electric car's 70% cut on the registration and traffic fees applies.

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