Alif Drawings on Import Invoices Signify New Pricing Burden

The Lebanese government has imposed a fee of 4 per thousand (0.4%) on import invoices, which is to be applied upon the certification of invoices at Lebanese diplomatic and consular missions abroad. The aim is to combat customs evasion and generate revenue estimated at around $80 million annually. The mechanism relies on verifying the invoices to ensure the correctness of prices and the origin of goods, but these procedures may cause delays in the arrival of shipments due to the time required for certification, especially given the large volume of imports from countries like China and Europe. Importers oppose this fee, considering it will exacerbate logistical problems and increase costs for the end consumer, as price hikes of up to 3 or 4 percent could occur on goods when they reach the Lebanese market. The implementation of these fees also raises concerns about the ability to monitor and verify transactions, as well as conflicts with free trade agreements. Additionally, this measure was previously introduced in 2019 but was not enforced due to protests, reflecting ongoing issues with the effectiveness of such taxes and their potential harm to import activity and the overall economy.

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