The Ministry of Economy and Trade issued Decree No. 3552 dated August 5, 2026 that renewed the imposition of customs tariffs on the imports of all types of pasta and of Moghrabieh, a type of Lebanese couscous. Article 1 renews the imposition of a customs duty of 28% on all types of pasta and Moghrabieh under Customs Tariff Heading 1902, with the exception of the Harmonized Code 1902.30 that consists of other pasta, for a period of six months that is renewable for up to 18 months from the date of issuance of the decree and its publication in the Official Gazette.  Article 2 states that the ministry should conduct a semi-annual evaluation of market conditions, with the aim of following up on the development of the local production of pasta and Moghrabieh to ensure the stability of their prices in the local market; and should conduct a periodic comparison between local prices and the prices of similar goods in international markets. Article 3 states that the decree applies to products imported from countries that do not have trade agreements with Lebanon. Article 4 stipulates that the decree goes into effect upon its publication in the Official Gazette.  In parallel, the Ministry of Finance issued Decision 146/2025 dated November 7, 2025 that amended the customs tariffs on the imports of all types of pasta and Moghrabieh, in accordance with the Harmonized System. Article 1 levied a new customs duty of 28%, in addition to a 5% customs duty on uncooked and not stuffed imported pasta that contains eggs; potato dough in molded forms; and other stuffed cooked or prepared pasta. Also, it imposed a new customs tariff of 28%, in addition to a 5% customs duty and an 11% value-added tax on Moghrabieh, as well as on stuffed pasta, whether or not it is cooked or prepared, such as spaghetti, macaroni, noodles, lasagna, gnocchi, ravioli, and cannelloni. The decision went into effect starting on November 6, 2025 for a period of six months that ended on May 5, 2026, and can be renewed for a period of two years.  Also, the Ministry of Economy and Trade issued Decree No. 1685 dated October 30, 2025 about the imposition of additional customs duties on the importation of all types of pasta and Moghrabieh. Article 1 stipulated that the imposition of an additional customs duty of 28% on imported pasta and Moghrabieh under Customs Tariff Heading 1902, with the exception of the Harmonized Code 1902.30 that consists of other pasta, for a period of six months that is renewable for a period of two years from the date of issuance and publication of the decree in the Official Gazette.  Figures released by the Lebanese Customs Administration show that the import of all types of pasta and Moghrabieh under Customs Tariff Heading 1902, with the exception of the Harmonized Code 1902.30 that consists of other pasta, reached $14.5m in the first half of 2026, constituting a decline of 31.2% from $21.1m in the same period of 2025. Also, the import of pasta and Moghrabieh amounted to $28.6m in 2025 and $32.9m in 2024. (ICE BEIRUT)

Fonte notizia: Byblos Bank, LTW, 17-22 August 2026