Certificate of Free Sale (CFS)
Dietary supplements, medical foods and foods for special dietary use.
Libya has not joined the Hague Apostille Convention, so FDA certificates for Libyan importers and authorities need embassy legalization. We have your certificate authenticated by the U.S. Department of State and legalized by the Embassy of Libya in Washington, then send it by FedEx to you or your importer in about 14 business days.
Simply upload your FDA digital file, and you will receive your legalized document via FedEx.
FedEx return shipping is available for completed documents after processing.
See expedited options →Imports of food and health products into Libya involve several bodies. The Ministry of Economy issues import permits and handles product registration, the Food and Drug Control Center (FDCC) inspects products and enforces food safety rules, and the National Center for Standardization and Metrology publishes the national standards that products must meet. Medical devices are registered with the health authorities through a local representative, often in connection with public purchasing programs.
Registration files typically include a certificate of free sale showing that the product is legally marketed in the exporting country, along with laboratory analysis from official authorities. For U.S. products, the FDA certificate is that proof, and Libyan importers generally expect it to carry the Embassy of Libya's legalization stamp. Ministry of Economy Decision No. 398 of 2023 also requires clear Arabic labeling on every imported product, enforced at inspection.
Match your product to the Libyan authority that reviews it and the FDA certificate that authority normally expects.
| Product type | Libyan authority | FDA certificate |
|---|---|---|
| Medicines | Libyan health authorities, with Food and Drug Control Center (FDCC) quality control | Certificate of a Pharmaceutical Product (CPP), Certificate of Exportability |
| Medical devices | Ministry of Health, through a local representative | Certificate to a Foreign Government (CFG), Certificate of Exportability |
| Food & ingredients | Ministry of Economy (permits and registration) and FDCC (inspection) | Certificate to a Foreign Government (CFG), Health Certificate |
| Dietary supplements | Health authorities or FDCC, depending on classification | Certificate of Free Sale (CFS) |
| Cosmetics | FDCC and the Ministry of Economy | Certificate for Cosmetics |
Libyan import rules involve the Ministry of Economy, the FDCC and the health authorities, and practice can vary by region. Your Libyan importer will confirm which authority reviews your product and which FDA certificate it needs.
Libya is not a party to the Hague Apostille Convention, so it does not accept apostilles. Your FDA certificate is first authenticated by the U.S. Department of State and then legalized by the Embassy of Libya.
Send the digital certificate exactly as the FDA issued it and choose Libya as the destination.
We submit it to the Office of Authentications, which issues the federal authentication certificate in about 9 business days.
We take the authenticated certificate to the Embassy of Libya for legalization, which takes about 5 business days.
The legalized certificate ships to you, your importer or your agent in Tripoli or Benghazi or anywhere else.
Since 1 October 2023, Decision No. 398 has required imported products to carry clear Arabic labeling, including the product name, manufacturer, origin, ingredients, dates and the importer's details. Non-compliant goods can be refused entry.
Most food imports need an import permit and prior approval from the Ministry of Economy. Registration typically includes a free sale certificate and official laboratory analysis, and food products need halal certification.
Medical device registration in Libya has been tied to public purchasing programs, with technical files, quality certificates and samples submitted through a local representative. Labels and instructions may be in Arabic or English.
There is no U.S. diplomatic presence in Libya, and requirements can change quickly. Confirm the current document list with your Libyan importer before ordering, and keep spare legalized certificates on hand.
| Item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Our service fee | $120 / doc. | Review, submission, tracking and FedEx dispatch |
| U.S. Department of State fee | $20 / doc. | State Department authentication, about 9 business days |
| Embassy of Libya fee | $100 / doc. | Embassy legalization, about 5 business days. Paid by us on your behalf |
| Total | $240/ doc. | Standard processing: 14 business days. Expedited options available. |
No. Libya is not a party to the Hague Apostille Convention, so FDA certificates need U.S. Department of State authentication followed by legalization at the Embassy of Libya.
About 14 business days: roughly 9 at the State Department and 5 at the Embassy of Libya, followed by FedEx delivery.
The total is $240per document, covering our $120 service fee, the $20 State Department fee and the $100 Embassy of Libya fee.
The Ministry of Economy issues import permits and registrations, the Food and Drug Control Center inspects products, and the health authorities register medicines and devices.
Yes. Decision No. 398 of 2023 requires clear Arabic labeling on imported products, with key details such as ingredients, dates and the importer's information.
Libyan files typically use a CPP for medicines, a CFG for devices and foods, a Certificate of Free Sale for supplements and a Certificate for Cosmetics for cosmetic products. Products not sold in the U.S. need a Certificate of Exportability.
Dietary supplements, medical foods and foods for special dietary use.
Medical devices, conventional foods, food additives and infant formula sold in the U.S.
The WHO-format certificate used to register human drugs.
Products made in the U.S. for export only.
Collagen and gelatin exports (EU health certificate or SRM certificate).
Skincare, makeup, haircare and fragrance products.
Upload your FDA certificate today and receive it legalized by FedEx in 14 business days, for $240per document with State Department and embassy fees included.
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Simply upload your FDA digital file, and you will receive your apostilled document via FedEx.