The Ministry of Telecommunications has issued the following statement:
"Several citizens have submitted complaints to the Ministry of Telecommunications expressing their dissatisfaction with the overcrowding at some 'LibanPost' centers while settling due fees on cellphones that entered Lebanon without customs payment.
The ministry regrets any inconvenience caused and clarifies the following to the public:
First: In the ministry's audit of the cellphone registration system, it was found that about 215,000 devices (IMEI) are operating on Lebanese networks without having their customs fees determined or settled since January 2019.
As a result, the owners of these devices were notified via SMS to visit one of the LibanPost centers or the parcels and postal packages department at the Rafic Hariri International Airport within 30 days to regularize their devices and reactivate them properly.
Second: The ministry confirms that the fee required represents the original customs duty due on the device without any penalty or increase, based on the exchange rate that was in effect at the time, to prevent citizens from incurring additional burdens.
If the device owner had previously settled the due customs fees, they may submit an objection to the Ministry of Telecommunications along with documents proving the settlement. Upon verifying the authenticity of these documents, the device will be reactivated immediately according to regulations.
Third: In response to complaints about overcrowding, the ministry has implemented several practical measures to facilitate citizen transactions, including:
- Distributing notification messages (SMS) in successive batches to avoid congestion;
- Extending the deadlines given to subscribers and not cutting off service during this period;
- Increasing the number of centers and working hours;
- Working on enabling online payments without the need for personal attendance.
Fourth: The Ministry of Telecommunications indicates that a review of records dating back to 2019 was conducted, updated tariff schedules were issued, and in collaboration with the ministry, efforts commenced to collect unpaid fees for the national treasury.
Fifth: Investigations into this file, which predates 2019 and was raised by the current Minister of Telecommunications, are ongoing with the Public Prosecutor's Office, the Public Finance Prosecutor's Office, and the Central Inspection, alongside a joint committee of the Ministry of Telecommunications, the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority, the Ministry of Finance, and the Customs Administration, to determine discrepancies and responsibilities.
The entire file, along with supporting documents, has been referred to the relevant judicial and supervisory authorities according to procedures.
Sixth: To protect public funds and ensure equality among subscribers, the Ministry of Telecommunications, in collaboration with the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority and Ogero, has adopted a new dual verification mechanism for device activation.
This mechanism has contributed to raising the average fee collected from each device by approximately 93%.
The ministry emphasizes that this increase does not represent a new fee or an increase in fees imposed on citizens, but rather reflects more accurate collection of legally due fees for the national treasury, reducing the possibility of fee evasion.
Seventh: As part of a sustainable solution to this file, reducing human intervention, preventing the recurrence of loopholes, enhancing control, traceability, and auditing capabilities, and under joint ministerial decision with the Ministry of Finance No. 507/1 dated 19/5/2026, preparation for launching a public tender for a new and advanced cellphone registration system is underway, according to the provisions of Public Procurement Law No. 244/2021 and the principles of transparency, competition, and equal opportunities, aiming to automate registration, verification, and collection operations and strengthen oversight.
In this context, the ministry urges citizens to inquire about their devices through the hotline number 1577 or via WhatsApp at 76/629629 and to obtain information exclusively from official sources.
Eighth: The Ministry of Telecommunications affirms that it places the citizens' interests and protection of the national treasury as its core priorities. For this purpose, it continues its efforts tirelessly to put an end to practices and loopholes that have harmed public funds in the telecommunications sector, while working on updating the sector, developing its systems, and activating services across various levels."