Money and duty free for Lebanon

Currency and Money

Currency information

Lebanese Pound (LBP; symbol L£) = 100 piastres. Notes are in denominations of L£100,000, 50,000, 20,000, 10,000, 5,000, 1,000, 500, 250, 100, 50, 25, 10, 5 and 1. Coins are in denominations of L£500, 250, 100 and 50. US dollars and the euro are also accepted.

Credit cards

All major credit cards are widely accepted. ATMs are widely available in Beirut and larger cities.

ATM

ATMs are widely available in Beirut and larger cities.

Travellers cheques

Limited acceptance, as major banks only accept certain types of travellers cheques. Traveller's cheques also require up to two weeks to clear and are therefore generally not recommended and exchange can often be problematic.

Banking hours

Mon-Fri 0830-1600, Sat 0800-1300.

Currency restrictions

There are no restrictions on the import or export of local or foreign currency.

Currency exchange

There are a large number of banks in Beirut where international currencies can be exchanged. Numerous licensed exchange shops also operate and some hotels offer exchange services. US Dollars are best and do not need to be exchanged as they are accepted even in small shops.

Lebanon duty free

Overview

The following goods may be imported into Lebanon by travellers over 18 years of age without incurring customs duty:

• 800 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 100 cigarillos or 1kg of tobacco.
• 2L of spirits or fortified wines or 4L of other alcoholic beverages.
• 1L of eau de cologne and 100ml of perfume.
• Personal belongings not exceeding L£2 million or L£500,000 for Lebanese, Syrian and Jordanian passengers or those arriving from Syria or Jordan.

Those aged under 18 years are permitted half the specified quantities for duty free except tobacco and alcoholic beverages, which are forbidden.

Banned Imports

Arms, ammunition, narcotics, and immoral publications and recordings.

Banned Exports

Arms, ammunition, narcotics, archaeological artefacts and currencies.

Antiques require an export licence.