Libya activates electronic service for vessel notifications and cargo manifests at Tripoli and Khoms ports

This initiative is part of the Tripoli government's efforts to control and monitor imports, aiming to prevent the entry of expired, banned, fake, or undervalued products, which could be linked to money laundering or currency smuggling. The Central Bank of Libya also seeks to preserve its hard currency reserves and ensure that letters of credit for imports benefit Libya and its citizens. This move follows concerns about uncontrolled goods entering Libyan ports, highlighted by Attorney General Siddig Al-Sour, who stated that drugs, perished food, and expired goods enter through all entry points.

The Attorney General's Office recently seized approximately 65,000 units of prohibited pesticides, leading to 236 cases and 202 arrests. Minister of Economy and Trade, Suhail Abu Shiha, noted that the issue of agricultural pesticides affects over 10 million Libyan consumers and mentioned that $900 million in documentary credits was allocated to the agricultural sector in 2025. He also revealed that some countries export agricultural products to Libya that they do not permit for sale in their own domestic markets, and he had previously requested an international goods tracking company for Libya's imports without success.