Overview
Ras Ajdir is the main and most dynamic border between Tunisia and Libya. Most of the humanitarian aids and commercial shipments between Tunisia and Libya go through this border.
On Friday, September 17, 2021, the border crossing between Libya and Tunisia reopened after a closure that lasted for more than two months, because of an agreement between the Tunisian and Libyan authorities on health arrangements in relation to preventing infection from the Corona virus.
We also stress that the movement is very slow through the crossing, due to the COVID19 protocol that is imposed by the two countries in their recent agreement on reopening the borders, which require that travellers from both sides have completed vaccination with the obligation to present a negative PCR analysis, and in the absence of this condition. They are required to enter a compulsory quarantine in the hostel at their expense.
From Tunisian side, there are the customs office and Tunisian National Tourist Office there. The free zone and the port are 78 km far from the border, and different facilities such as weighbridge scale and fuel station are available around.
Border Crossing Location and Contact |
|
---|---|
Name of Border Crossing |
Ras Ajdir |
Province or District |
Ben Gardane-Medenine (Tunisia Side) Zultn (Libya side). |
Nearest Town or City with Distance from Border Crossing |
Zarzis: 78 km (Tunisia Side) Zwarah: 60 km (Libya side). |
Latitude |
33.148833° |
Longitude |
11.563167° |
Managing Authority / Agency |
-The Tunisian government (Tunisia side). - Government of national Accord (Libya Side). |
Contact Person |
1- Tunisia Side: Name: Omar Al Ouref Title: Custom Manager. Phone: 00216 98430856 Office: Tel: 00216 75726055 Fax: 00216 75726085 Email:bf.rasjdir@douane.gov.tn 2- Libya Side: Name: Abderzak Mahdhi Title: Custom Manager Phone: 00218913143316 |
Travel Times |
|
---|---|
Nearest International Airport |
Name: Djerba-Zarzis International Airport (Tunisia side) Distance in km: 140 km Truck Travel Time: 24 hrs Car Travel time:24 hrs Name: Tripoli International Airport (Libya side) Distance in km: 175 km Truck Travel Time: 24 hrs Car Travel time:24 hrs |
Nearest Port |
1- Zarzis port (Tunisia Side) Distance in km:78 km Truck Travel Time: 24 hrs Car Travel time: 24 hrs 2-Zwarah (Libya side) Distance in km: 60 km Truck Travel Time: 24hrs Car Travel time: 24hrs |
Nearest location with functioning wholesale markets, or with significant manufacturing or production capacity |
1- Zarzis (Tunisia Side) Distance in km:78 km Truck Travel Time: 24 hrs Car Travel time: 24 hrs 2- Zwarah (Libya Side) Distance in km: 60 km Truck Travel Time: 24hrs Car Travel time: 24hrs |
Other Information
|
None |
Hours of Operation |
|
---|---|
Mondays |
8:00-18:00 |
Tuesdays |
8:00-18:00 |
Wednesdays |
8:00-18:00 |
Thursdays |
8:00-18:00 |
Fridays |
Off (Libya side), unless it’s emergency cargo |
Saturdays |
8:00-18:00 |
Sundays |
Off (Tunisia side), unless it’s emergency cargo |
National Holidays |
Off, unless it’s emergency cargo |
Seasonal Constraints |
N/A |
Daily Capacity
As Ras Ajdir is the main border between Tunisia and Libya so it is congested with many commercial and humanitarian trucks, in addition to the movement of passengers travelling by private and taxi cars.
Although the border is organized by separating the lanes between trucks and cars, in normal situation the custom can release up to 300 trucks daily, and the priority is given to the humanitarian shipments, but still in case of extreme overcrowding, even the trucks loaded with humanitarian aids are subject to stuck at the border for few days.
Customs Clearance
Based on the Custom Department in Tunisia and Libya, the following documents are required to clear the goods at the borders:
- Exporting or re-exporting documents from Tunisia to Libya are required.
- Other related documents:
- Copy of the Waybill.
- Copy of certificate of origin.
- Copy of Packing list.
- Shipping Invoice.
- Copy of Certificate of analysis
However, and due to bureaucracy and number of checkpoints affiliated to different groups/authorities, we can sometimes expect delay at the borders. All goods will be inspected at the border and samples will be taken for analysis, but generally this process is done swiftly and don’t take time. Humanitarian aids are exempted from the custom fees; they just pay nominal amount as administrative expenses. While the commercial
For more information on customs in Libya, please see the following link: 1.3 Libya Customs Information
Other Relevant Information
In general, if the clearance documents were ready, the custom clearance process would be finalized in few hours (unless the border is overcrowded), In some cases, and especially for humanitarian aids the custom clearance process might be conducted out of working hours and on the weekend or holidays.
And there is restriction in importing IT and telecommunication equipment from abroad. There is no clear regulation, but the humanitarian organisations have experienced difficulties in importing such equipment.
This border was and still used for smuggling goods between the two countries (especially fuel from Libya to Tunisia), so if there is a suspicion of smuggling, then the trucks and cars are subject to a stricter inspection.
There are many checkpoints controlled by different groups, along the way to the final distention. These check points impede and delay the movement of the trucks
For more information on government contact details, please see the following link: 4.1 Libya Government Contact List