Lebanon free zones

Register a free zone Lebanese company

  • The Lebanese government operates three Free Trade Zones: i) the Port of Beirut’s Free Trade Zone ii) the Port of Tripoli’s Free Trade Zone and iii) Selaataa’s Free Trade Zone;
  • Starting a free zone company in Lebanon provides businesses with advantages including: i) custom exemptions on imports and exports and ii) subsidized warehousing space;
  • In order to conduct operations in the FTZs, a company must i) apply to the relevant Port Authority and ii) provide a security deposit representing 1 year of warehousing rental.
Free zone comparison Port of Beirut FTZ Port of Tripoli FTZ Selaataa FTZ
FTZs used mostly by which industry? Shipping and packing Shipping and packing Shipping and packing
Average annual warehousing space rent per 1000 sq. m. US$20,000 US$10,000 US$8,000
How long to set the company up? 4 weeks 4 weeks 4 weeks
How long to open company bank account? 4 weeks 4 weeks 4 weeks
Quality of utilities Excellent Good Average
Average Yes Yes Yes
Allowed to invoice Lebanon Clients? Yes Yes Yes
Corporate tax payable in Lebanon 15% 15% 15%
Corporate bank account? Yes Yes Yes
Physical office space required No No No
Allowed to import raw materials? Yes Yes Yes
Allowed to export goods? Yes Yes Yes
Can be wholly foreign owned Yes Yes Yes
Can the entity hire expatriate staff in Lebanon? Yes Yes Yes
Minimum number of directors 1 1 1
Minimum number of shareholders 3 3 3
Tax registration certificate required Yes Yes Yes
Individual shareholders allowed Yes Yes Yes
Corporate shareholders allowed Yes Yes Yes
Corporate director(s) allowed Yes Yes Yes
LLC company allowed? Yes Yes Yes
Annual audited financial statements Yes Yes Yes

Frequently asked questions

Contact us

For additional information on our free zone company registration services in Lebanon, please contact our in-house country expert, Ms. Jaya Thevathasan, directly:
Consultant at HC - jaya
  • Ms. Jaya Thevathasan
  • Client Relationship Officer
  • Contact me!
Invest in Lebanon ministry of economy and trade - republic of lebanon banque du liban port de beyrouth Lebanon government - labor