DOCUMENTS REQUIRED

•  *NOTE:   THAT CUSTOMERS ARE HAVING PROBLEMS CLEARING THE RESTRICTED ITEMS SHOWN BELOW THROUGH CUSTOMS AND SIGNIFICANT LOSS AND DAMAGE HAVE BEEN REPORTED TO US.

  DOCUMENTS REQUIRED

  • Original Bill of Lading or Air Way Bill
  • Passport (original) with entry stamp and residence/working visa valid for a minimum of 3 months
  • Typed Inventory (Egyptian Customs do not accept hand written inventories)
  • Keys for any automobile or any locked baggage/items
  • Authorization letter to handle the shipment - this is issued locally in Egypt

  CUSTOMS REGULATIONS

  • All shipments of used household goods and personal effects are subject to duties and taxes
  • Used household goods and personal effects can be imported duty free for Diplomats
  • Used household goods and personal effects can be imported duty free for expatriates working for governmental or the private sector under the terms of temporary admission and subject to full exportation by providing a letter of guarantee.  This is only granted if the consignee provides a working visa valid for a minimum of 3 months 
  • Consignee must be present in the country upon customs clearance but personal attendance during customs inspection is not required
  • All household goods and personal effects are subject to full physical inspection by customs authorities except for full diplomatic shipments
  • Any Egyptian citizens or expatriates without a working visa must pay full taxes and duties to import used household goods and personal effects

  DUTIABLE

  Any consumables including food items, toiletries, detergents, and cosmetics are subject to duty regardless of the status of the consignee

  RESTRICTED ITEMS

  • Video tapes, computer disks, cassette tapes, CD's, DVD's, Records, and slides are subject to censorship authority approval and are subject to confiscation in the event that they fall into the category of prohibited items listed below
  • Printers, scanners, fax machines, copiers, and satellite receivers require additional approval by the Ministry of Interior.  The brand and model number of any such items must be included on the packing inventory.  Inclusion of the owner manual for any such item will assist in clearance from the Ministry
  • High value works of art including statues and paintings will be examined by a special committee for evaluation purposes.  This evaluation is time consuming and costly and will delay the customs clearance process

  PROHIBITED ITEMS

  • Alcohol
  • All telephones (mobile, wireless, normal home phones)
  • Pornographic Materials
  • Drugs and medicine
  • Firearms and weapons, ammunition, daggers and swords (even as decorative items)
  • Anti-Islamic religious materials
  • Gold and silver (tableware permitted)
  • Seeds

  MOTOR VEHICLES

  • All motor vehicles are subject to duties and taxes.  The motor vehicle must be brand new, a product of the same year as import and the consignee must be the first owner
  • Motor vehicles can be imported duty free for Diplomats and Expatriates working under the Egyptian Government Sector who must guarantee re-exportation of the vehicle.  In these circumstances the vehicle is not required to be new
  • Egyptian citizens may import a used motor vehicle by proving ownership for a minimum of two years using the original purchase contract and a statement from local authorities in the origin country.  However the motor vehicle will be subject to duties and taxes

  ANIMALS & PETS

  • Animals and pets can be imported into Egypt by providing a health condition certificate and a vaccination certificate from a registered veterinarian together with the original passport of the owner

NOTE - Customs regulations are subject to change at any time. The proceeding information is a brief summary of customs regulations applicable to household goods shipments to this destination and is being provided for general guidance to assist our Agents and Customers. Since such regulations are subject to change without notice, cannot be held liable for any costs, damage, delays, or other detrimental events resulting from non-compliance. Always double check with your local embassy or consulate.