Container shipping from Turkey to Lebanon
We buy your goods from Turkish factories and Istanbul's markets, check them and ship them to Lebanon by sea to Beirut or Tripoli, or by road via Syria, crossing at Cilvegözü and Masnaa. Here are the route, the time it takes, the papers Lebanon asks for, and its duties.
- By sea from Turkey1–2 days
- By road, by truckTime confirmed with your quote
- Shared containerFrom one pallet
The route from Turkey to Lebanon
Goods reach Lebanon mainly by sea, on container lines from Mersin, İskenderun and Istanbul to Beirut, with fewer sailings to Tripoli. Trucks can also cross Syria in transit.
War broke out in Lebanon on 2 March 2026. A temporary ceasefire began on 16 April 2026, but Israeli strikes have continued. Beirut's container terminal was reported working at full capacity in August 2026, while the Masnaa land crossing closed for several days in April. We confirm the best route when you order.
From Mersin, İskenderun and Ambarlı in Istanbul to Beirut or Tripoli. A full container just for you, or space in a shared one.
About 1 day from İskenderun and 2 from Mersin on Medkon's weekly service, by its August 2026 schedule. Lines from Istanbul and some from Mersin stop in Egypt first and take longer, so we confirm that time with your quote.
1–2 daysTurkish trucks cross Syria in transit and reach Lebanon at Masnaa. In May 2026 the UN Logistics Cluster said loads change trucks at this border and put the trip at about 2 to 2.5 days, not yet confirmed. Only a reduced number of land crossings were open in July 2026, and the sea is still the main route.
Time confirmed with your quoteFor samples and urgent, light orders.
3–7 daysTimes are approximate, port to port or border to border, and don't include customs clearance.
Which container fits your goods?
Enter one carton's size and weight and how many cartons you have. We show the volume, the weight and how many cartons each way of shipping takes. The price comes in your quote.
One carton
120 cartons · 11.5 m³ · 2,160 kg
By air you'd be charged for 2,160 kg: the larger of the real weight and the volume weight (volume ÷ 6000).
Usually the best fit: a shared container. You pay only for 11.5 m³.
| Way to ship | Inside size | Max load | Your cartons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared container | You pay for the space you use | — | You pay for 11.5 m³ |
| 20 ft container | 5.90 × 2.35 × 2.39 m · 33.2 m³ | 25 t | All 120 fit35% full |
| 40 ft container | 12.03 × 2.35 × 2.39 m · 67.7 m³ | 27.6 t | All 120 fit17% full |
| 40 ft high cube | 12.03 × 2.35 × 2.70 m · 76.4 m³ | 28.5 t | All 120 fit15% full |
| 13.6 m truck | 13.6 × 2.45 × 2.70 m · about 90 m³ | about 24 t | All 120 fit13% full |
Sizes are typical and vary a little from one container or trailer to another, and some countries allow less weight on their roads. We work out the exact loading with your quote.
Papers: what we prepare and what Lebanon asks for
We prepare in Turkey
- Commercial invoiceEvery model, its quantity and price.
- Packing listWhat is in each carton, its weight and size, from the inspection.
- Certificate of originLebanon lists it among its import papers; it shows the goods are Turkish but doesn't lower the duty, because no trade agreement is in force.
What Lebanon asks of you
- Licences and permitsLebanese ministries apply about 30 kinds of ban, limit, licence and permit, depending on the goods, and plant products need a phytosanitary certificate. Have your broker check your HS codes before you order.Official site
- Certificate of conformityLebanese standards from LIBNOR are voluntary unless a decree makes them binding, as it has for goods such as tyres, batteries, fire extinguishers, lubricants and toys. The Industrial Research Institute or firms such as SGS and Veritas issue the certificate; meeting the standard is your duty as importer.Official site
- Proof of payment and sale contractImport processing also asks for proof of payment showing the exact value, a sale contract with the seller and a delivery order. Make sure the amounts match your invoice.Official site
Trade agreement and duties
The free trade agreement Türkiye and Lebanon signed in 2010 isn't in force, because Lebanon's parliament hasn't ratified it, so normal duties apply. About 58% of tariff lines pay 0% to 5%, and goods that compete with Lebanese products can pay far more. Most goods subject to VAT also pay a 3% extra duty until the end of 2030; VAT is 11%, and a rise to 12% was proposed in February 2026, so ask your broker for the current rate.
Before you order goods for Lebanon
- Labels can be in Arabic, English or French, with net weight, maker, production and expiry dates, ingredients and origin. Any Hebrew on the goods or packaging means they are seized at the border.
- Turkey's Ministry of Trade said in 2026 that Lebanese banks don't offer letters of credit or other deferred payment, and that only fresh foreign currency brought to the bank can be sent abroad. Agree the payment before you order.
- Lebanon doesn't require pre-shipment inspection. Testing happens on arrival, when customs samples goods for state labs, and EU norms such as CE generally apply.
How we ship your order to Lebanon
Send your request
The goods and the quantity, through the form below or on WhatsApp.
We send offers and samples
Supplier prices and photos of the goods, and samples if you ask.
We check and combine
We count the pieces, look for faults, measure and weigh the cartons, and send you a report with photos and video.
See an example reportWe ship it to Lebanon
And we send you the papers before the goods arrive, so your customs broker can start.
Questions about shipping goods to Lebanon
How long does shipping from Turkey to Lebanon take?
By sea: 1–2 days. By road: a time we confirm with your quote. By air: 3–7 days, for samples and urgent orders. Customs clearance in Lebanon comes on top.
Can I ship in a shared container?
Yes. A shared container starts from one pallet, and you pay for the space your goods take. Try the container tool on this page to see your goods' volume.
What papers does Lebanon ask for?
A licence or permit for controlled goods, a certificate of conformity where a Lebanese standard is binding, and proof of payment with a sale contract. We prepare the invoice, packing list and certificate of origin.
Who clears the goods in Lebanon?
You or your customs broker in Lebanon. We prepare the invoice, packing list and certificate of origin and send them before the goods arrive; the duties are paid in Lebanon.
Can you combine goods from several suppliers into one shipment?
Yes. We receive the goods from every supplier at our Istanbul warehouse, check them and put them together in one shipment to Lebanon.
Get a quote for your shipment to Lebanon
The quote is free, with no obligation. It comes itemised: the price of the goods, our service fee and the shipping, each on its own line.
