Import rules · Middle East & North Africa

Wood packaging import rules: Lebanon

Lebanon: ISPM 15 status for pallets and crates, approved treatments, the plant protection authority, common pallet sizes and main ports.

Last checked: 2026-10
ISPM 15 on imports
Required
Enforced since
—
Treatments
HT, MB (ISPM 15)
Plant protection authority
Ministry of Agriculture, Department of Plant Health
Common pallet sizes
1200 × 1000 mm
1200 × 800 mm (EUR)
Main ports
Beirut, Tripoli, Sidon, Tyre

Overview

Lebanon is listed by the New Zealand MPI and the USDA APHIS among countries requiring ISPM 15 compliant wood packaging. Plant health measures at the border are the responsibility of the Ministry of Agriculture, which maintains inspectors at the port of Beirut, at Tripoli and at land crossings. The first year of enforcement could not be confirmed and no legal text was retrieved, so the year is left blank. Beirut is by far the principal gateway; its container terminal was heavily damaged by the August 2020 explosion, after which operations resumed through partial repairs and reconstruction, and some cargo shifted to Tripoli. Beirut is also a transit hub for goods moving on to Syria and Iraq, so packaging passes through the inspection system on the way. Unmarked or infested wood can lead to detention, treatment or return, and economic disruption has at times reduced the effectiveness of controls. Pallet usage reflects Mediterranean trade with Europe and Turkey. The 1200 × 800 mm EUR and 1200 × 1000 mm pallets are the common formats for supermarkets, beverage and pharmaceutical distribution, and many imports come in on one-way pallets, often heat-treated in the exporting country. A small local sector repairs and recycles pallets, and no international pooling scheme is verified. Shippers should use stamped pallets and confirm any recent customs changes with their agent.

Key points

  • Listed as requiring ISPM 15 on both NZ MPI and USDA APHIS tables
  • Beirut handles the great majority of container traffic
  • Port of Beirut was severely damaged by the 2020 explosion and has since been rebuilt in stages
  • Transit cargo to Syria and Iraq passes through

Frequently asked questions

Does Lebanon require ISPM 15 for wooden pallets?

Yes, Lebanon is listed as requiring ISPM 15 compliant packaging.

Which port handles most of Lebanon's cargo?

Beirut, with Tripoli as the second main container gateway.

Does transit cargo to Syria matter for packaging?

Yes, goods in transit via Beirut are still subject to inspection and the packaging should be marked.

Sources

  1. New Zealand MPI – ISPM 15 requirements by country
  2. USDA APHIS – Countries requiring ISPM 15 wood packaging
  3. IPPC country page – Lebanon

Import rules change. Confirm current requirements with the national plant protection organization or your importer before shipping. This page is general information, not legal advice.