[Guide] How can I buy stuff online in Lebanon?

 

Can I use the old USD in the bank (lollars) to buy online?

Most banks have very low internet limits. We're talking about $15-$20 per month limit. It is expected that all banks decrease this limit to 0 soon.

That being said, banks are not treating customers equally. You might have a better internet limit than other people. Call your bank's call center and ask about your internet limit.

Can I use my LBP card to pay online?

Banks stopped all fx transactions (changing from LBP to USD). So the answer to this question is 99% of the time no.

That being said, banks are not treating customers equally. You might have a better internet limit than other people. Call your bank's call center and ask about your internet limit.

Amazon/Expedia/Steam/Other website is showing the items in LBP and the invoice and total are in LBP, can I use my LBP to pay it?

No. Amazon and other websites show their invoices in all currencies around the world depending on where you're opening the website from. They only accept USD. When you click to purchase, Amazon will attempt to bill your card in USD. Your bank will refuse to exchange from LBP to USD and the payment will be declined.

How can I purchase stuff online?

Fresh USD Account

Blom Bank: https://www.blomretail.com/retail/bank-accounts-lebanon/fresh-money-accounts

Bank Audi: https://www.bankaudi.com.lb/externalaccount

Byblos Bank: https://www.byblosbank.com/personal/accounts/current/

Fresh Money Account or External Account is a bank account that has real USD, unlike old/regular bank accounts which have lollars in them. (Lollars are Lebanese Dollars aka Dollars stuck in Lebanese banks, aka Dollars in bank accounts before October 2019)

Open a fresh USD account in your bank and request a debit card for internet usage from this account. You can use this new debit card to pay online. Basically you go to the bank and give them cash USD and they allow you to use the same amount online.

Internet Cards

Blom has Visa Mini prepaid card.

Anyone can request this internet card, you don't need to have an account with the bank to take it. The card costs $10 annually. Basically you go to the bank or ATM and give them cash USD and they allow you to use the same amount online.

Open a bank account abroad

You can open a bank account in another country and request a debit card and use it without limitations.

You can use online banking services such as Transferwise

You can use Bitcoins

You can purchase bitcoins locally using LBP or USD and use them to buy stuff online.

How to pay for Air Tickets, Netflix, Steam, VPN, and other services using Bitcoin in Lebanon

Gift Cards

Contact gaming stores such as

OLX and similar apps:

Lebanese Businesses that accept cash here and buy from online websites:

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