1. Your category in Egypt
Pick your category and this section shows what we actually hold for Egypt: how many potential buyers we have verified, what roles they play in the supply chain, and how well they fit. Switch back to All industries at any time.
“Potential buyers” means the buyers we have verified and listed in our own directory — not every importer in the country. Buyer roles are our own grouping of the roles recorded in that directory. (16 of these records do not yet carry a recorded buyer role.)
2. Entry gate
Egypt layers three gates in sequence, and the order matters. First, the foreign factory must be registered with GOEIC if the product is on the registration list — without that entry the shipment simply cannot be cleared, no matter how good the paperwork. Second, the goods must meet the relevant Egyptian Standard, and some categories also need a pre-shipment Certificate of Conformity from an approved inspection body. Third, the import itself must respect Egypt's foreign-exchange and settlement rules. First-time exporters almost always meet these in the wrong order and lose a container to storage.
| Requirement | Status | What it involves | Lead time | Cost | Last verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GOEIC factory registration | Mandatory (listed goods) | Foreign factories exporting products on Egypt's registration list — which includes many electrical and electronic lines — must be registered with the General Organization for Export and Import Control (GOEIC) before import clearance. Registration is tied to the factory and the product, and is renewed periodically. | Pending | Pending | Pending |
| Egyptian Standard / CoC | Mandatory (listed goods) | Products must conform to the applicable Egyptian Standard (ES). For certain categories Egypt requires a pre-shipment Certificate of Conformity (CoC) issued by an inspection body recognised by the Egyptian authorities, evidencing conformity before the goods leave origin. | Pending | Pending | Pending |
| Local importer of record | Always applies | The customs declaration is made by an Egyptian importer registered with the customs authority. A Chinese seller cannot declare as importer of record; work through a local importer or an appointed customs broker with a valid importer registration. | Pending | Pending | Pending |
| Tariff (MFN) | Always applies | Average applied MFN tariff around 14.4%; the rate depends on the HS line and must be confirmed line by line at HS-code level. | — | On customs value | Pending |
| Tariff (preference) | Not available | There is no free trade agreement between China and Egypt, so Chinese-origin goods pay Egypt's MFN applied rate. Egypt is a member of regional schemes such as GAFTA and COMESA, but these give preference to member-country origin, not to third-country exports. | — | — | Pending |
| VAT | Always applies | The standard VAT rate of 14% applies at the point of import on the customs value (CIF) plus duty and any other chargeable elements. A VAT-registered Egyptian importer can generally recover input VAT, so for a compliant buyer it is a cash-flow item rather than a permanent cost. Rates and exemptions are set by Egyptian VAT law and should be confirmed for your product line. | — | 14% | Pending |
| Labelling | Mandatory | Labels are normally required in Arabic, with the product name, importer details, country of origin and, where applicable, safety and handling information. The specific content and language rules vary by product category under the relevant Egyptian Standard. | Pending | — | Pending |
Certification, tariff and clearance figures change. Every row above carries a verification date, and the current requirement is confirmed with your nominated local agent before each shipment.
3. Buyers and channel partners
Leading buyers and channel partners
How to use this list: do not mass-mail. Egyptian purchasing is relationship-led and process-bound — lead with your technical file and a clear statement of your GOEIC registration status, and prefer importers who have already cleared registered goods. An importer who understands the registration and CoC steps is worth more than a larger buyer who has never imported this category.
4. Demand and import profile
Select your HS code and this block shows the import performance of your own category in Egypt — not the country's macro numbers.
Import size & growth
Example: imports of this category run at a double-digit share of the market's total and are growing faster than overall imports.
Example values · to be replaced with OEC / WITS data for your HS line
Source-country mix
Example: China is the largest source, ahead of regional and EU suppliers.
Example values · to be replaced with OEC / WITS data for your HS line
Price band
Example: the mid price band is where Chinese supply competes; the low band is held by regional producers.
Example values · to be replaced with customs / trade data
What we can supply to this market
These are the lines we have found the strongest fit for Egypt. Specifications are on the product pages; tell us your application and we will confirm the model.
5. Landed-cost calculator
A static table cannot persuade anyone. Enter your own numbers and see the landed cost. Duty rate and freight are editable so you can test scenarios.
Your shipment
Estimated landed cost
Illustrative calculation only. It excludes anti-dumping duty, excise, port storage and any category-specific surcharge. Confirm the duty rate and local charges with your forwarder before making a commitment.
6. Logistics and customs
Clearance-day and transit figures change with congestion and policy; treat as indicative and confirm before quoting.
7. Payment, currency and tax
8. Localisation and communication
These are the details nobody tells you, and one mistake can cost you a customer.
9. Risks and timing
Frequently asked questions
Do I need GOEIC registration to export to Egypt?
If your product is on Egypt's registration list — which covers many electrical and electronic goods — the foreign factory must be registered with the General Organization for Export and Import Control before customs will clear the shipment. Registration is tied to the factory and the product and is renewed periodically. Confirm whether your HS line is listed before you quote.
What is a Certificate of Conformity (CoC)?
For certain product categories Egypt requires a pre-shipment Certificate of Conformity issued by an inspection body recognised by the Egyptian authorities. It evidences that the goods meet the applicable Egyptian Standard before they leave origin. Whether you need one depends on the product category, so check before shipping.
Can I be the importer of record myself?
No. The customs declaration must be made by an Egyptian importer registered with the customs authority. Most exporters work through a local importer or a customs broker holding a valid importer registration rather than attempting to declare directly.
What is the import duty on my product?
There is no free trade agreement between China and Egypt, so Chinese-origin goods pay Egypt's MFN applied rate. The weighted average applied tariff is around 14%, but the exact rate depends on your HS code. Confirm the line before pricing.
How much is VAT on imports?
The standard VAT rate is 14%, charged at import on the customs value plus duty. A VAT-registered Egyptian importer can generally recover input VAT, so for a compliant buyer it is mainly a cash-flow item. Confirm any category exemptions for your product.
Which port should I ship to?
Alexandria is the largest general gateway, with Port Said, Damietta and Sokhna as alternatives depending on destination and routing. Choose based on your importer's location and the inland transport cost rather than on the ocean leg alone.
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