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Yemen Government Doubles Customs Fees by 100%

An employee checks a bundle of Yemeni rials at the Central Bank of Yemen in Sanaa on January 7, 2020. (Reuters)
An employee checks a bundle of Yemeni rials at the Central Bank of Yemen in Sanaa on January 7, 2020. (Reuters)
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Yemen Government Doubles Customs Fees by 100%

An employee checks a bundle of Yemeni rials at the Central Bank of Yemen in Sanaa on January 7, 2020. (Reuters)
An employee checks a bundle of Yemeni rials at the Central Bank of Yemen in Sanaa on January 7, 2020. (Reuters)

The Yemeni internationally recognized government’s decision to double the US dollar exchange rate used to calculate customs duties on non-essential goods in areas under its control went into effect on Monday.

The 100% increase will not affect basic goods such as flour, sugar, cooking oil and baby formula.

Authorities noted that the hike would increase customs revenues and help meet growing financial needs. Cash liquidity brought in by the doubled exchange rate will aid the government in paying the salaries of public workers and covering services.

Moreover, the move aligns with a host of economic measures to boost state revenues and eliminate the burden of printing new currency.

Amended duties will see rates rising from 250 Yemeni rials to the dollar to 500, government sources told Asharq Al-Awsat.

They confirmed that Yemen enjoys one of the lowest rates of customs in the region and revealed that the decision to hike duties was taken early this year but was delayed until now.

Noting that customs duties account for 10% of the price of commodities, government sources reaffirmed that the increase would not substantially burden consumers, especially since it only applies to non-essential goods.

Raising the exchange rate to 500 rials is predicted to lift annual revenues collected from customs duties to 700 billion rials, up from 350 billion.

“The increase will apply to non-essential goods, the most important of which are cars and luxury items,” sources affirmed, adding that customs impose a small 5% duty fee on more than 80% of goods, the lowest percentage in the world.

Other countries in the region have raised customs fees on foodstuffs to 25%.

Moreover, merchants were selling their goods based on a higher exchange rate that stands at 1,000 rials to the dollar, while paying customs at the lower rate of 250 rials to the dollar.

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Lebanon Sends Message of Confidence with First Local Elections

A Lebanese man casts his ballot during the Municipal elections at a polling station in Deir El Qamar, in the Chouf District of the Mount Lebanon Governorate, southeast of Beirut, Lebanon, 04 May 2025. EPA/WAEL HAMZEH
A Lebanese man casts his ballot during the Municipal elections at a polling station in Deir El Qamar, in the Chouf District of the Mount Lebanon Governorate, southeast of Beirut, Lebanon, 04 May 2025. EPA/WAEL HAMZEH
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Lebanon Sends Message of Confidence with First Local Elections

A Lebanese man casts his ballot during the Municipal elections at a polling station in Deir El Qamar, in the Chouf District of the Mount Lebanon Governorate, southeast of Beirut, Lebanon, 04 May 2025. EPA/WAEL HAMZEH
A Lebanese man casts his ballot during the Municipal elections at a polling station in Deir El Qamar, in the Chouf District of the Mount Lebanon Governorate, southeast of Beirut, Lebanon, 04 May 2025. EPA/WAEL HAMZEH

Lebanon completed the first phase of its municipal and mayoral elections on Sunday, in a vote overseen by political and security authorities and hailed by officials as transparent.

The polls mark the country’s first electoral process under President Joseph Aoun, who sought to reassure voters that “the state is serious about safeguarding their right to express their views through the ballot box.”

Aoun described the vote’s integrity as a “message of trust to the world that Lebanon is beginning to recover, rebuild its institutions, and is now on the right track.”

Sunday’s vote covered Mount Lebanon province, the most populous region in the country.

The area includes a mix of religious and political affiliations, including Beirut’s southern suburbs, a Hezbollah stronghold heavily damaged during Israel’s bombardment in the latest war on Lebanon.

Aoun made a field visit on Sunday to oversee Lebanon’s first municipal and mayoral elections since 2016, following years of delays caused by the country’s prolonged political and economic crises.

The president began his tour at the Ministry of Interior, where he met with Interior Minister Ahmed Al-Hajjar and Justice Minister Adel Nassar. The discussions focused on measures in place to safeguard the electoral process from any security or legal disruptions.

Both ministers assured the president of their full preparedness to address any challenges that may arise during the first phase of the vote, held in Mount Lebanon province.

Speaking to staff in the central operations room, Aoun called for “active and serious efforts” to ensure a smooth electoral process and to reassure citizens that the state is committed to protecting their right to vote freely.

He also urged voters to participate in large numbers and resist pressures based on sectarian, political or financial influences. “Do not let sectarian, partisan, or monetary factors sway your choice,” Aoun said.

Local elections were held across the districts of Jbeil, Keserwan, Metn, Aley, Baabda, and Chouf - areas where family and clan loyalties often outweigh political or sectarian affiliations in Lebanon’s complex electoral landscape.

As of late afternoon, with three hours remaining before polls closed, the Interior Ministry reported varying voter turnout rates across Mount Lebanon province.

Keserwan led with more than 53% turnout, followed by Jbeil nearing 50%. Aley registered 36.66%, Chouf 38%, Baabda 33.11%, and Northern Metn around 33%.