Practical Guide  | Export Procedure   See also      Saudi Arabia      Bahrain      Egypt      United Arab Emirates      Kuwait      Oman      Qatar      Jordan      Lebanon      Syria      Yemen           Egypt Import Regulation 1. Local representation / agents and distributors agency legislation 2. Labelling and packaging regulations 3. Exchange controls 4. Import controls 5. Export controls and licensing 6. Documentation 7. Commercial samples and Temporary Imports 8. Customs duties   1. Local representation / agents and distributors agency legislation   A foreign company may appoint a commercial agent from the private or public sector to represent its interest in Egypt. The appointment of a commercial agent is obligatory for making tenders or for purchase offers to committees of public sector organisations and government agencies in Egypt.   Commercial agents are not permitted to make offers to the Ministry of Defence.   An agent is not required when dealing with the private sector.   It's easier for most foreign companies to appoint a local agent who can deal with problems related to communication, bureaucratic procedures, local business practices and marketing.   2. Labelling and packaging regulations   Labelling must the following: Name and address of manufacturer. Brand or trade mark, if appropriate. Country of origin. Type of product and grade. Name and address of importer. Production and expiration dates. Product use instructions (optional). Product ingredients. Storage instructions/storage temperature. Net weight. Gross weight and total number of the packages per case or carton. Products containing preservatives, must the percentage of each preservative. Meat or poultry products must have the following statement: "slaughtered according to the Islamic ritual" or "Halal slaughtered".   Special regulations exist for some items, including foodstuffs, pharmaceuticals and textiles.   Labelled information should not be erased, scratched or altered in any way. The information should be printed in Arabic on the package using indelible type, but stuck on labels will normally be accepted as well.   Arabic language is mandatory. Information that is provided in English only is generally not allowed.   Appropriate packaging must be provided for food products. These should be clean and odourless, so as preserve the product and prevent damage occurring. Production and expiry dates must be clearly displayed on the product's packaging.   There are certain food import requirements that must be observed including the following: Labelling requirements. Multiple product samples. Restrictions on the use of artificial colours. Shelf-life standards and product specifications. Shipping documents.   Rules regarding how markings should be placed on the outer packaging will usually be stated in the contracts, and it is important that each individual package is clearly marked and numbered in accordance with the bill of lading.   Strong, watertight packaging, which can also withstand rough handling, high temperatures and atmospheric humidity should be used at all times.   Packaging materials used internationally for packaging goods for Egypt will usually suffice, although the use of cotton wool for second hand materials and plant residues, which may contain pests, is prohibited.   The product should fill the package completely, so that the packed items are protected. If the package is wooden, it should be accompanied by an official certificate which states that it is free of wood pests and insects and be sealed with metal hoops. The following information should be written on each package in clear Arabic letters in a non-erasable manner: The name of the product, its trade mark (if any), type of product and its brand. The product's technical data and mode of operation. Data and international marks that should be observed during transportation and handling. Country of origin.   Data which appears on equipment, tools and machinery should be identical to those appearing on the package. The country of origin should be indicated on each item and be non-erasable. They should be accompanied with an Arabic-language catalogue indicating the following: An illustrative design of the parts. Mode of assembly and operation. Maintenance procedures. Electrical circuits for equipment that is operated electrically. Safety measures.   Products prone to rust and corrosion should be painted with a special protective paint. Check that the labelling on the goods conforms to the current Egyptian labelling regulations for the product in question.   Be aware that packaging and import description discrepancies can lead to payment default.   It is recommended that all documentation is in Arabic, or bi-lingual (English and Arabic).   3. Exchange controls   There are no restrictions on foreign exchange currency transfers outside the country.   Although the government promotes the creation of closer economic ties with its neighbours and trading partners, it does not encourage increased Egyptian investment abroad.   The only foreign exchange restriction is a five-year period for transfer of sale proceeds of real estate in Egypt owned by foreigners residing outside Egypt.   4. Import controls   The import regulations provide that goods may be freely imported and exported, provided they are not on the prohibited list and the relevant duty is paid.   The import-banned list applies mainly to textiles and apparel. This ban may be lifted within the next two years and replaced with protective tariffs.   Law 121 of 1982 requires that an importer who wishes to import goods for the purpose of trade must be registered in the Register of Importers and be an Egyptian national.   5. Export controls and licensing   The Europeans Governments maintains export controls to prevent the export of goods, including technology, for a variety of reasons including: the collective security of your European state and its allies in NATO national security and foreign policy requirements international legal obligations and commitments non-proliferation policy If goods or technologies are subject to your state export controls, a licence is required to gain the legal authority to export them.   6. Documentation   Certificate of origin The Ministry of Trade issued a Decree (619/1998) on 21 November 1998 stating that all products imported into Egypt should be accompanied by a Certificate of Origin legalised by the Egyptian Mission in the country of origin. Some goods, mainly consumables, must be shipped direct. This measure has placed additional burden on many European exporters and manufacturers. The only concession regarding this rule so far is to allow for goods manufactured in one EU Member State to be exported from another Member State as long as the EU certificate of origin is used and the goods stated as manufactured in the EU. If the country of origin were stated, egUE, then the certificate of origin would need to be legalised in that country. Otherwise the certificate can be legalised in the country from where the goods are shipped.   Letter of Credit The Central Bank of Egypt has recently advised all banks operating in Egypt that L/Cs must be covered 100% in cash by the importer. This practice was brought in at the beginning of March 1999 and overtook the previous procedure whereby banks and their clients reached their own agreements and covered, usually, only 10-20% of the L/C?s value. Banks are strictly adhering to this ?advice?. As a result to this new role, a shortage in US Dollars in the market was recognised by foreign companies operating in Egypt   7. Commercial samples and Temporary Imports   All commercial samples and temporary imports which are intended for an Egyptian importer are duty free.   With the exception of : goods which are cited on the list of prohibited imports. The goods must not exceed a certain value or be suitable for resale.   If the party concerned does not meet these conditions, a deposit may have to be paid along with a signed declaration that the goods will be re-exported.   Parties wishing to import samples which are included in the list of prohibited imports, may be required to pay customs duties and other taxes, along with a declaration that the samples will only be used or tested in a production process. The forwarding documents must clearly show that the goods in question are commercial samples.   Medical samples must comply with the rules for the importation of pharmaceuticals, and samples of foodstuffs must comply with the relevant health regulations.   It is generally more straightforward importing samples as baggage, as consignments of samples by air mail of airfreight are subject to the same import formalities and customs treatment as general imports. Exporters may find that the samples are detained in Customs for up to several weeks. It is recommended that consultations be carried out with the Egyptian importer in order to ascertain the best method of importing samples without difficulty.   Temporary Imports A letter of guarantee is needed and this can be obtained from any Bank or the National Bank of Egypt (who also hold the format for the letter).   8. Customs duties   Since 1991, under its economic reform programme developed in conjunction with the IMF and World Bank, the Government has reduced its tariff rates to a maximum rate of 40%, with a few exceptions such as cars with engines larger than 1300cc, alcoholic beverages and certain luxury items.   In February 1994, Egypt implemented the Harmonised System (HS) which replaced the previously used CCCN. The Egyptian Government does not abide by tariff rates outlined in the GATT, having received a waiver of its obligation to provide these lower rates.   The waiver was approved with the government pledging to negotiate new rates with its GATT members. The target year for reaching minimum tariff rates is year 2005. To counterbalance the reduction in tariffs, the government levies service charges on the value of imported shipments in return for inspection, listing, classification and examination of shipments.   This surcharge is 2% for commodities subject to customs duties between 5 and 30% and 3% for those subject to custom duties over 30%.   When importing into Egypt, the custom duties are often high due to hidden costs, which increase the effective rates. Sales tax will also apply see with your commercial attache or agent representative