LIBYA COUNTRY PROFILE – CONNECTIVITY CONSULTING

ANALYSIS OF LIBYA’S TRADE: DATA, PRODUCTS & PROCEDURES, FOR MORE DETAILED INFORMATION OR A SPECIFIC MARKET INTELLIGENCE MATTER OR ANY OTHER MATTER PLEASE CONTACT US

1. MACROECONOMIC TRADE CONTEXT

Annual Trade Volume 2024-2025:

Total Exports: US$30.6 billion (↓ 14.3% from 2023)
Total Imports: US$20.9 billion
Trade Balance Surplus: US$+9.7 billion (merchandise)
Exports Per Capita: US$4,140 (71st globally)
Imports Per Capita: US$2,830 (111th globally)
Global Export Rank: 69th out of 226
Global Import Rank: 84th out of 226
GDP: US$48.5 billion (97th globally)
GDP Per Capita: US$6,570 (112th globally)
Currency: Libyan Dinar (LYD)
Economic Complexity Index (Trade): 94th out of 130 (ECI: -0.67, 2024)
Economic Complexity Index (Technology): 77th out of 96 (ECI: -1.07, 2021)
Economic Complexity Index (Research): 131st out of 137 (ECI: -1.26, 2023)

Key Trade Trends (2024-2025):

Indicator	2024 Value	Change from 2023
Total Exports	US$30.6 billion	↓ 14.3%
Total Imports	US$20.9 billion	N/A
Trade Surplus	US$9.7 billion	↓ from previous years
Export Value Change	-US$5.11 billion	↓ 14.3%
Oil & Gas Share of GDP	65%	Stable
Oil & Gas Share of Exports	94%	Extreme dependence

Sectoral Contribution to Economy (2024) :

Sector	Share of GDP	Share of Exports	Share of Government Revenue
Oil & Gas	65%	94%	72%
Non-Oil Private Sector	Limited	6%	N/A
Public Sector	Dominant	N/A	N/A

Economic Growth Performance (2024) :

Indicator	2024 Performance
Overall GDP Growth	+1.9%
Oil GDP Growth	-5.5%
Non-Oil GDP Growth	+14.0%

Geographic Distribution 2024:

EXPORT MARKETS (US$30.6B) :

Rank	Country	Export Value	Share of Total
1	Italy	US$7.51 billion	24.5%
2	Germany	US$4.61 billion	15.1%
3	United Kingdom	US$2.79 billion	9.1%
4	Greece	US$2.62 billion	8.6%
5	Spain	US$2.55 billion	8.3%

By Geographic Region:

Europe: ~84% of crude exports (Italy, Germany, Spain, Greece, France, UK)
Asia: Minor share (primarily through intermediaries)

IMPORT ORIGINS (US$20.9B) :

Rank	Country	Import Value	Share of Total
1	China	US$3.58 billion	17.1%
2	Turkey	US$2.80 billion	13.4%
3	Italy	US$2.43 billion	11.6%
4	Egypt	US$1.95 billion	9.3%
5	Greece	US$1.19 billion	5.7%

Trade Balance by Major Partner (2024) :

Partner	Trade Balance (US$)
Italy	+US$5.08 billion surplus
Germany	+US$3.97 billion surplus
United Kingdom	+US$2.59 billion surplus
Spain	+US$2.20 billion surplus
France	+US$1.96 billion surplus
China	-US$2.42 billion deficit
Turkey	-US$2.24 billion deficit
Egypt	-US$1.89 billion deficit
Cyprus	-US$751 million deficit
Tunisia	-US$740 million deficit

2. DETAILED EXPORT PRODUCT ANALYSIS

A. PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS (94% of Total Exports)

1. Crude Petroleum: US$27.7 billion

Share of total exports: ~90.5%
Export volume: 973,000 barrels per day (2024 average)
Production capacity: ~1.1–1.2 million b/d (estimated average)
Crude quality: Light–sweet grades (API ~35–44; sulfur ~0.1–0.5%) prized by Mediterranean refineries for high middle-distillate yields
Key grades: Esharara (from El Sharara field), Es Sider, Ras Lanuf, Zueitina, Brega, Marsa el Hariga (Tobruk), Zawiya
Monthly variation: Exports averaged >1 million b/d in six months of 2024; hit 1.15 million b/d in December 2024
Production rebound: Oil production reached 1.4 million b/d in late 2024 (highest in over a decade)
Primary Destinations: Europe (84% of crude exports)

2. Refined Petroleum: US$776 million

Share of total exports: ~2.5%
Refining capacity nameplate: ~350–400 thousand b/d (actual utilization variable)
Key refineries: Ras Lanuf, Zawiya
Export products: Diesel, gasoline, fuel oil, naphtha

3. Petroleum Gas: US$718 million

Share of total exports: ~2.3%
Gas export route: Offshore pipeline to Italy (Greenstream pipeline)
Pipeline capacity: Nameplate ~8–11 bcm/year; actual exports ~2–8 bcm/year (variable)
Strategic importance: Diversifies EU energy supplies, particularly during shoulder seasons and LNG tightness

B. OTHER EXPORTS (Limited Diversification)

1. Iron Reductions: US$263 million

2. Acyclic Hydrocarbons: US$184 million

3. Exports to Austria (2024) :

Crude Petroleum: US$690 million
Orthopedic Appliances: US$10.6 thousand
Medical Instruments: US$8.54 thousand

4. Exports to United States (2024-2025) :

Crude Petroleum: US$1.49 billion (2024 annual); US$75.9 million (November 2025)
Collector’s Items: US$71,200 (November 2025)
Tropical Fruits: US$29,300 (November 2025)

C. CRUDE OIL EXPORT PERFORMANCE (2024)

Month	Export Volume (b/d)	Notable Events
January	41,000 (Esharara)	El Sharara field shut (2-21 Jan)
August	20,000 (Esharara)	El Sharara shut again (3 Aug)
September	507,000 (total)	Central bank crisis blockade (26 Aug-3 Oct)
October	843,000 (total)	Post-blockade recovery
November	1.09 million (total)	Rapid rebound
December	1.15 million (total)	Highest since February 2021

3. DETAILED IMPORT PRODUCT ANALYSIS

A. TOP IMPORT CATEGORIES (2024)

Rank	Product Category	Import Value	Share
1	Refined Petroleum	US$3.98 billion	19.0%
2	Cars	US$770 million	3.7%
3	Raw Sugar	US$513 million	2.5%
4	Jewelry	US$368 million	1.8%
5	Iron Ore	US$330 million	1.6%

B. IMPORTS BY SECTOR

1. Machinery and Electrical Equipment

Telephones, integrated circuits, office machine parts
Primary Sources: China, Turkey, Italy

2. Food and Agricultural Products

Cereals: Wheat, barley, rice
Meat and dairy
Vegetable oils
Primary Sources: Turkey, Egypt, Ukraine (pre-conflict), Russia

3. Pharmaceutical and Medical Products

Packaged medicaments: US$9.06 million (from US, Nov 2025)
Medical instruments, vaccines, pharmaceutical ingredients
Primary Sources: Italy, Switzerland, Germany, France, India

4. Vehicles and Parts

Cars: US$770 million total ; US$17.3 million (from US, Nov 2025)
Trucks, buses, auto parts
Primary Sources: Turkey, China, Italy, Germany

5. Construction Materials

Iron and steel products: US$330 million (iron ore)
Cement, ceramics, glass
Primary Sources: Turkey, China, Egypt

6. Chemical Products

Fertilizers, plastics, organic chemicals
Primary Sources: Turkey, Italy, Egypt

C. IMPORTS FROM UNITED STATES (November 2025)

Product Category	Import Value
Cars	US$17.3 million
Packaged Medicaments	US$9.06 million
Electric Motors	US$6.93 million

D. IMPORTS FROM AUSTRIA (2024)

Product Category	Import Value
Cheese	US$18 million
Flavored Water	US$14 million
Other Printed Material	US$10.3 million

4. TRADE PROCEDURES & REGULATIONS – DEEP DIVE

A. CUSTOMS LEGAL FRAMEWORK

1. Primary Authority:

Libyan Customs Authority (under Ministry of Finance)
Major General Musa Ali Mohammed: Acting Director of the Authority

2. 2025 Regulatory Developments:

August 2025 – Transit Goods Controls :

Requirement	Description
Prior Approval	All transit operations to/from Tunisia and Egypt require prior approval via Customs Authority’s International Cooperation Office
Financial Guarantee	Exporting company must provide financial guarantee for goods value (refundable upon successful transit)
Return Authorization	Approval required when returning goods from Tunisian side to origin country, or from Egyptian side via designated entry window
Quality Controls	Negative projection analysis results → goods must be destroyed in destination country
Technical Committee	Commitment to Libyan-Tunisian Technical Customs Committee recommendations

B. IMPORT PROCEDURES

1. Import Documentation Requirements

Mandatory Documents:

Commercial Invoice – detailed description, HS code, value, origin
Bill of Lading / Air Waybill – original negotiable document
Packing List – detailed contents, weights, packages
Certificate of Origin – for tariff purposes
Import License – for restricted goods
Customs Declaration – through Libyan Customs system
Financial Guarantee – for transit goods

2. Import Licensing Categories

Restricted Goods (Require Prior Approval):

Product Category	Regulating Authority
Pharmaceuticals	Ministry of Health
Food products	National Center for Food and Drug Control
Chemicals	Ministry of Environment
Weapons/explosives	Ministry of Interior
Telecommunications equipment	General Telecommunications Authority

3. Prohibited Goods

Absolutely prohibited: Narcotics, weapons of mass destruction, hazardous waste
Dual-use goods: Subject to UN sanctions and export controls
HS Chapters subject to sanctions:
- HS 27-28: Chemicals, petroleum (UN sanctions)
- HS 84-85: Machinery, electronics (dual-use risks)
- HS 93: Arms, ammunition (embargo)

C. EXPORT PROCEDURES

1. Export Documentation

Export Declaration through Libyan Customs
Commercial Invoice
Certificate of Origin
Bill of Lading
NOC (National Oil Corporation) authorization for petroleum exports

2. Oil Export Marketing

NOC (National Oil Corporation): Sets official selling prices against Dated Brent or Mediterranean benchmarks
OSP differentials: Reflect quality and freight advantages
Terminal loading: Es Sider, Ras Lanuf, Zueitina, Brega, Marsa el Hariga (Tobruk), Zawiya

D. TAXATION & DUTIES

1. Customs Duties

General structure: Ad valorem rates based on HS classification
Preferential rates: Under Arab League agreements (GAFTA)
EU goods: Various rates

2. Foreign Currency Tax (March 2024)

Tax introduced: March 2024 on foreign currency purchases
Impact: Tightened FX access, reduced merchandise imports
Revenue contribution: 9.6% of GDP from foreign currency taxes

E. COMPLIANCE & ENFORCEMENT

1. 2025 Sanctions-Related Restrictions

HS Chapter	Restricted Goods	Reason	Penalty
27-28	Chemicals, petroleum	UN sanctions	Confiscation
84-85	Machinery, electronics	Dual-use risks	Fines up to 100%
93	Arms, ammunition	Embargo	Legal action

2. Penalties for Violations

Violation	Penalty
Importing sanctioned goods	Confiscation + fines
Dual-use goods without approval	Fines up to 100% of value
Failed quality tests (transit)	Goods destroyed in destination country
Missing guarantee (transit)	Operation blocked

5. TRADE AGREEMENTS NETWORK

A. MULTILATERAL AGREEMENTS:

Agreement	Status	Coverage
WTO	Observer (accession process)	N/A
GAFTA (Greater Arab Free Trade Area)	Member	Duty-free trade with Arab League members
Arab Maghreb Union (UMA)	Founding member	Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, Mauritania (limited implementation)

B. BILATERAL AGREEMENTS:

Partner	Type	Status
Italy	Strategic energy partnership	Active (key oil buyer, gas pipeline)
Turkey	Comprehensive economic cooperation	Growing trade, investment
Egypt	Border trade protocols	Active (August 2025 transit controls)
Tunisia	Technical customs committee	Active (August 2025 meeting)
China	Belt and Road participation	Infrastructure, trade

C. ENERGY SECTOR AGREEMENTS:

Production Sharing Agreements (EPSA): Framework for IOCs
Gas export agreement with Italy: Greenstream pipeline operation

6. MAJOR TRADE INFRASTRUCTURE

A. OIL EXPORT TERMINALS

Terminal	Location	Specialization
Es Sider	Sirte Basin	Crude oil export
Ras Lanuf	Sirte Basin	Crude oil export, refinery
Zueitina	Sirte Basin	Crude oil export
Brega	Sirte Basin	Crude oil export, LNG (legacy)
Marsa el Hariga	Tobruk	Crude oil export
Zawiya	Western Libya	Crude oil export, refinery

B. PORTS

Commercial Ports:

Port	Location	Specialization
Port of Tripoli	Tripoli	Main commercial port, containers, general cargo
Port of Benghazi	Benghazi	Eastern commercial hub
Port of Misrata	Misrata	Industrial, commercial, rapidly growing
Port of Khoms	Khoms	Bulk, general cargo
Port of Derna	Derna	Regional port
Port of Tobruk	Tobruk	Eastern regional port

C. AIRPORTS:

Airport	Location	Notes
Tripoli International Airport (TIP)	Tripoli	Damaged, limited operations
Mitiga International Airport (MJI)	Tripoli	Main airport for Tripoli
Benina International Airport (BEN)	Benghazi	Eastern hub

D. LAND BORDER CROSSINGS

With Tunisia:

Crossing	Location	2025 Status
Ras Jedir	Northwest	Active transit route

With Egypt:

Crossing	Location	2025 Status
Musaid	Northeast	Active transit route

With Algeria:

Crossing	Location	Status
Debdeb	Southwest	Regional crossing

With Niger:

Crossing	Location	Status
Tumu	South	Regional trade

With Sudan:

Crossing	Location	Status
Al Awaynat	Southeast	Limited operations

E. ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE

Pipeline Infrastructure:

Greenstream Pipeline: Offshore gas pipeline to Italy (nameplate ~8–11 bcm/year)
Eastern crude corridors: Feeding Es Sider, Ras Lanuf, Zueitina, Brega, Marsa el Hariga
Western crude corridors: Feeding Zawiya terminal

Downstream:

Refining capacity: ~350-400 thousand b/d nameplate (actual utilization variable)
Key refineries: Ras Lanuf, Zawiya

7. EMERGING TRENDS & FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS

A. 2024-2025 Trade Dynamics

Export Performance :

2024 crude exports: 973,000 b/d (down just 2% despite blockades)
December 2024 peak: 1.15 million b/d (highest since February 2021)
European market share: 84% of crude exports (up from 80% in 2023)

Production Rebound :

Late 2024 production: 1.4 million b/d (highest in over a decade)
Capacity trajectory: Could edge toward ~1.3–1.4 million b/d with relative stability

B. Central Bank Crisis Impact (August-October 2024)

Event	Duration	Impact
CBL leadership crisis	26 August – 3 October 2024	Ports and fields blocked by eastern administration
Export low	September 2024	507,000 b/d (near 4-year low)
Recovery	October-December 2024	Rapid rebound to 1.15 million b/d

C. 2024 Economic Performance

Indicator	Performance	Drivers
GDP Growth	+1.9%	Non-oil growth offset oil contraction
Oil GDP	-5.5%	CBL governance crisis disrupted output
Non-Oil GDP	+14.0%	Rising public wages and consumption
Fiscal Revenue	52.7% of GDP	Foreign currency taxes (9.6% of GDP), CBL dividends (3%)
Capital Expenditure	↓ 78%	Collapse in investment spending

D. 2025 Transit Trade Modernization

August 2025 Reforms:

Prior approval requirement for all Tunisia/Egypt transit
Financial guarantee system for goods value
Quality control enforcement (destruction of non-compliant goods)
Strengthened Libyan-Tunisian customs coordination

E. 2025 Sanctions and HS Code Restrictions

Category	Restriction
HS 27-28	Chemicals, petroleum (UN sanctions)
HS 84-85	Machinery, electronics (dual-use risks)
HS 93	Arms, ammunition (embargo)

F. Challenges and Opportunities

Challenges:

Extreme oil dependence: 94% of exports, 65% of GDP, 72% of revenue
Political instability: Field/port closures, institutional fragmentation
Aging infrastructure: Corrosion, water cut escalation, gas compression gaps
Power constraints: Frequent unplanned downtime
Private sector underdevelopment: Employs only 14% of workforce
Fiscal pressures: Capital expenditure collapsed 78%

Opportunities:

Production rehabilitation: Workovers, ESP replacements, water-handling upgrades
Gas capture: Associated gas gathering to reduce flaring, support exports
Terminal upgrades: SPM maintenance, dredging, metering improvements
Field electrification: Solar-gas hybrids to stabilize power, cut flaring
EU demand proximity: Short-haul advantage (2-5 day voyages)
Light-sweet premiums: High value in diesel-tight cycles

8. KEY CONTACTS & RESOURCES

A. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES:

Libyan Customs Authority
- Major General Musa Ali Mohammed: Acting Director
- Transit controls, import/export procedures
National Oil Corporation (NOC)
- Oil and gas production, marketing, exports
- Sets official selling prices
Ministry of Economy and Trade
- Trade policy, commercial registration
Ministry of Finance
- Customs policy, revenue collection
Central Bank of Libya (CBL)
- Foreign exchange, payment systems
Ministry of Health
- Pharmaceutical and medical device regulation
General Telecommunications Authority
- Telecom equipment approvals

B. BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS:

General Union of Chambers of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture
- Umbrella chamber organization
Libyan Businessmen Council
- Private sector advocacy
Libyan-Tunisian Business Council
- Bilateral trade promotion

C. TRADE PORTALS AND RESOURCES:

Resource	Purpose
Libyan Customs Portal	Customs procedures, forms
NOC Website	Oil export information, tenders
OEC Libya Profile	Trade statistics, complexity data

D. PRACTICAL GUIDANCE FOR TRADERS:

For Exporters to Libya:

Sanctions Compliance: Verify HS code against UN/EU sanctions lists (HS 27-28, 84-85, 93 restricted)
Transit Goods (2025): Prior approval required via Customs International Cooperation Office; financial guarantee mandatory
Quality Certification: Negative test results → goods destroyed at destination
Regulatory Approvals: Food/drug imports require National Center for Food and Drug Control authorization
Documentation: Complete commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, certificate of origin
Payment: Foreign currency tax (March 2024) impacts FX availability

For Importers from Libya:

Crude Oil: Direct contracts with NOC (National Oil Corporation)
Crude Quality: Light-sweet grades (API 35-44, sulfur 0.1-0.5%)
Terminal Loading: Es Sider, Ras Lanuf, Zueitina, Brega, Marsa el Hariga, Zawiya
European Advantage: Short-haul voyages (2-5 days) to Mediterranean refiners
Political Risk: Monitor field/port status (blockades can occur with little notice)

9. ECONOMIC IMPACT & STRATEGIC POSITION

A. Trade Balance Dynamics:

Year	Trade Balance (US$ billion)
2023	~15.0 (est.)
2024	+9.7

2024 Performance:

Trade surplus: US$9.7 billion
Export value: US$30.6 billion
Import value: US$20.9 billion
Export-Import Coverage Ratio: 146%

B. Global Strategic Position:

Oil Powerhouse: Africa’s largest proven oil reserves (~48 billion bbl)
Gas Reserves: ~50-55 Tcf, supporting multi-decade production
European Energy Security: 84% of crude exports to Europe; pipeline gas to Italy
Light-Sweet Advantage: High-quality crude prized by Mediterranean refineries
OPEC Member: Flexible swing supplier (can add 200-300,000 b/d quickly when stable)
Mediterranean Hub: Strategic location for energy and transit trade

C. Competitiveness Indicators:

Indicator	Value	Global Rank
Economic Complexity (Trade)	-0.67	94th of 130
Economic Complexity (Technology)	-1.07	77th of 96
Economic Complexity (Research)	-1.26	131st of 137
Exports Per Capita	US$4,140	71st of 209
Imports Per Capita	US$2,830	111th of 209

D. Challenges:

Extreme Oil Dependence: 94% of exports, 65% of GDP
Political Fragmentation: Field/port closures disrupt exports
Infrastructure Decay: Aging facilities, corrosion, power constraints
Private Sector Weakness: Only 14% of workforce
Capital Investment Collapse: ↓ 78% in 2024
Economic Complexity: Ranked 94th globally

E. Opportunities:

Production Rehabilitation: Workovers, ESPs, water management could raise sustainable capacity
Gas Monetization: Associated gas capture, pipeline exports
Terminal Upgrades: SPM maintenance, dredging to improve load rates
Field Electrification: Solar-gas hybrids to stabilize power, reduce flaring
EU Proximity: Short-haul advantage over longer-haul suppliers
Quality Premiums: Light-sweet grades command higher prices in diesel-tight cycles
Non-Oil GDP Growth: +14% in 2024 shows potential

SUMMARY OF LIBYA’S TRADE CHARACTERISTICS:

Hydrocarbon Super-Dependence: 94% of exports from oil and gas; 65% of GDP; 72% of government revenue
Crude Petroleum Dominance: US$27.7 billion (90.5% of exports)
European Market Focus: 84% of crude exports to Europe; Italy (#1 partner at $7.51B), Germany (#2 at $4.61B)
Gas Pipeline to Italy: Greenstream pipeline (~2-8 bcm/year) diversifies EU supply
Import Dependence: US$20.9 billion imports; refined petroleum ($3.98B), cars ($770M), raw sugar ($513M)
Top Import Partners: China ($3.58B), Turkey ($2.80B), Italy ($2.43B), Egypt ($1.95B), Greece ($1.19B)
2024 Export Resilience: 973,000 b/d despite blockades; December 2024 peak 1.15M b/d (highest since 2021)
Trade Surplus: US$9.7 billion, but down from previous years
Low Economic Complexity: Ranked 94th (trade), 77th (technology), 131st (research)
2025 Regulatory Reforms: August 2025 transit controls (prior approval, financial guarantee, quality enforcement) ; UN sanctions restrict HS 27-28 (chemicals), 84-85 (electronics), 93 (arms)

Libya represents a classic hydrocarbon-dependent economy with Africa’s largest proven oil reserves (~48 billion bbl) and significant natural gas resources (~50-55 Tcf) . The country’s trade profile is overwhelmingly dominated by crude petroleum (94% of exports), with Europe absorbing 84% of shipments, particularly to Italy ($7.51B), Germany ($4.61B), Spain ($2.55B), and Greece ($2.62B) .

The 2024 trade performance demonstrated remarkable resilience despite political turbulence: crude exports averaged 973,000 b/d (down just 2% from 2023), recovering from a near-four-year low of 507,000 b/d in September to reach 1.15 million b/d in December . Production capacity reached 1.4 million b/d in late 2024—the highest in over a decade—supported by upstream rehabilitation and debottlenecking efforts .

The 2025 regulatory landscape introduced significant transit trade reforms in August: prior approval requirements for Tunisia/Egypt transit, financial guarantees for goods value, and strict quality enforcement (non-compliant goods destroyed at destination) . UN and EU sanctions continue to restrict imports of dual-use goods (HS 27-28 chemicals, HS 84-85 machinery, HS 93 arms) .

Libya’s strategic advantages—high-quality light-sweet crude, proximity to European markets (2-5 day voyages), and pipeline gas connection to Italy—position it as a critical energy supplier despite extreme economic vulnerability . The country’s trade future depends on sustaining production growth, stabilizing institutions, attracting investment for infrastructure rehabilitation, and diversifying beyond hydrocarbons while leveraging non-oil GDP growth (+14% in 2024)