Libya: commercial imports outside the official banking system have been banned since 30 September 2026

The Libyan Ministry of Economy and Trade published decision 449/2026 on 6 September 2026, banning the import of goods and merchandise intended for trade outside the official banking channels. The measure came into force on 30 September 2026.

According to the ministry, instructions have been issued to all Libyan customs entry points to ensure uniform application of the ban, in coordination with the customs authority. The stated aim is to end more than twelve years of imports carried out outside the regulated banking system, which escaped control and quality verification of products.

Until now, a significant share of Libyan trade had been conducted through informal payment arrangements, outside standard letters of credit and bank transfers, which made customs control and the traceability of foreign exchange transactions more difficult.

This affects all Libyan operators who buy goods abroad, including in China, who will now have to route their payments through an approved Libyan bank, with the corresponding banking evidence, for their import to be authorised at the border.