Libya
B/L Print Requirements
Mandatory text on Ocean B/L
- • ACI number and approval date (format DD/MM/YYYY) must be cited in the cargo description on B/L and manifest.
- • Full consignee phone, commercial registration, and tax ID required.
- • Ocean freight must be prepaid.
The ACI number, plus its approval date (format DD/MM/YYYY), must appear in the cargo description field on Master B/L and House B/L. For motor vehicles: VIN/chassis number, engine number, make, model, year of manufacture, and color must be explicitly stated on the B/L.
Inspection & Certificates
Pre-loading inspection & filing
- • ACI must be validated at least 48 hours before loading at origin port via aci.customs.gov.ly.
- • Mandatory pre-shipment Certificate of Inspection issued by accredited inspection agency required for Central Bank L/C settlement.
Cargo & Standards
Labeling, vehicles & packaging
- • Passenger vehicles: maximum 10 years from manufacture
- • Commercial vehicles (trucks, buses): maximum 10 years from manufacture
- • Right-hand-drive vehicles are strictly prohibited.
- • Arabic product labeling mandatory for all consumer, food, and pharmaceutical commodities.
- • Halal certificate and official veterinary health certificate mandatory for meat and poultry products.
- • Pork and alcohol strictly prohibited.
- • Light passenger and commercial vehicles cannot exceed 10 years of age.
- • ISPM 15 heat-treated stamp required on all wooden packaging.
Shipper & Consignee
Where this destination differs from standard practice
- • Foreign consignees are not accepted — a locally-registered entity must be named.
- • Generic "to order" is not accepted — only "to order of [named bank]" is permitted.
Consignee must be a registered Libyan commercial entity with a valid Commercial Registration number and Tax ID, or a designated Libyan commercial bank. PO Box addresses are strictly prohibited; full physical address and telephone numbers are mandatory.
Non-Compliance Risk at Destination
Cargo arriving without a validated ACI number faces discharge refusal and mandatory re-export. Note: ACI system replaced ECTN/BSC and is fully enforced by the Libyan Customs Authority.
Compliance Timeline for Libya
Follow this 3-step sequence from container stuffing through to port clearance.
Before Container Loading
- ✓ Complete pre-shipment inspection (PVoC / CoC) via Bureau Veritas, SGS, Cotecna, Intertek, TÜV, Baltic Control before cargo is stuffed.
- ✓ Verify vehicle age against the applicable statutory limit (10 yrs passenger / 10 yrs commercial).
- ✓ Confirm vehicle is NOT right-hand drive before booking.
- ✓ Confirm consignee is a locally-registered entity — foreign consignees are not accepted at this destination.
- ✓ Verify ISPM 15 heat-treated stamp on all wooden crates, dunnage, and pallets.
Prior to Sailing
- ✓ Inscribe validated ACI certificate number onto the Ocean B/L text and carrier manifest. (Libyan Customs Authority (aci.customs.gov.ly) / Antaser)
- ✓ Generic "to order" is not accepted — only "to order of [named bank]" is permitted.
- ✓ Ensure exact consignee Tax ID / Registration Code and 6-digit HS Code are printed on B/L.
- ✓ Submit SOLAS Verified Gross Mass (VGM) to loading terminal before yard cutoff.
Port Clearance at Destination
- ✓ Submit validated ACI electronic tracking note to destination customs authority.
- ✓ Present original Certificate of Conformity (CoC) to destination standards inspectors.
- ✓ Collect Delivery Order (DO) upon completing Release verification.
Download Compliance Guide for Libya (PDF)
Generate a practical, print-ready compliance document complete with statutory B/L clauses, ECTN certificate agencies, vehicle age ceilings, and station phone contacts.