Country file

Lebanon

The country's exports are dominated by manufactured consumer goods. The population is largely connected and hosting there is shared between local and foreign providers. Regional benchmarks: Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Relationship with the European Union

Association Agreement with the European Union — in force since 2006

A trade agreement settles customs duties and the origin of goods. It does not settle security: the audit rights and evidence expected by the European client remain the same.

Sources reviewed on 17 September 2026

55.6%

of exported goods: manufactured goods

2024, latest available figureComposition of merchandise exports — World Bank

19.1%

of exported goods: food products

2024, latest available figureComposition of merchandise exports — World Bank

2.9%

of manufactured exports are high-technology products

2024, latest available figureHigh-technology exports — World Bank

Economy and sectors

In force

Association Agreement with the European Union

in force since 2006A trade agreement settles customs duties and the origin of goods. It does not settle security: the audit rights and evidence expected by the European client remain the same.

Map of trade agreements — European Commission

Third country

regime applicable to European data and access

European framework trackedNo general adequacy decision. The transfer mechanism and its accompanying measures must be chosen according to the actual data flows.

Adequacy decisions — European Commission

80.6%

of the population uses the Internet

2024, latest available figure

Internet use — World Bank / ITU

Prohibited sensitive goods

European Union restrictive measures targeting the country

EU Sanctions Map, as at 26 September 2026Ordinary trade remains permitted, but the EU prohibits the supply of certain sensitive goods. Check that nothing you deliver or purchase falls into these categories. Screen the supplier, its directors and its shareholders against the consolidated list of designated persons and entities. Measures in force: asset freezes on designated persons and entities; arms embargo.

Council Regulation (EC) No 1412/2006

Incidents, fraud and impersonation

267

secure servers per million inhabitants

2024, latest available figureHosting there may be local or foreign. Ask where your data actually resides, and who holds the keys to it.

Secure Internet servers — World Bank

Diverted order

verification of instruction changes

Cross-cutting controlOn recurring flows, impersonation works through a change of bank details announced partway through the relationship. Confirm it through a channel already known to you.

Points to check within your organisation

To be screened

The goods, the service and the payment, before any contract

EU restrictive measures apply to this country or part of its territory. Assess each delivery and each payment against the applicable regulation, and keep a record of party screening: this is what your client or your bank will ask for.

To be scoped

The sites and headcount involved

This type of production involves several sites and a large workforce, rarely named in the contract. Establish which ones work for you and who supervises them.

To be governed

What accompanies orders

Without an adequacy decision, order files, your teams' contact details and your own customers' data may only circulate under proper safeguards. Ask which transfer tool has been adopted and who has access to it on site.

To be located

The country behind each environment

Hosting may be local or overseas, and often both depending on the environment. Ask for the real picture: production, staging, backups, logs.

Developments to be aware of

The topics that may change your answers

EU restrictive measures

Ordinary trade remains permitted, but the EU prohibits the supply of certain sensitive goods. Check that nothing you deliver or purchase falls into these categories. Screen the supplier, its directors and its shareholders against the consolidated list of designated persons and entities. Measures in force: asset freezes on designated persons and entities; arms embargo.

EU Sanctions Map — European Commission

EU–Lebanon relationship

A trade agreement settles customs duties and the origin of goods. It does not settle security: the audit rights and evidence expected by the European client remain the same.

Trade relations by country — European Commission

Data transfers

No general adequacy decision. The transfer mechanism and its accompanying measures must be chosen according to the actual data flows.

Adequacy decisions — European Commission

Export fabric

Export shares retain their year and definition. A missing series remains visible rather than being filled in.

Composition of merchandise exports — World Bank

What this means for your situation

Manufactured goods: 55.6% of goods exported. Sites, headcount and subcontracting form the first scope to establish with the European client.

Official sources

Confidential exchange

Describe your European relationship and the request received.

The Lebanon file establishes a country and its relationship with the Union. What remains is to establish which sites work for you, with what headcount and what subcontracting.

Contact iKNSA