Shipping to and from Egypt

Limark in Egypt

Connecting Egypt across Africa and beyond

Providing businesses with expert guidance for navigating the complexities of shipping to and from Egypt.

Limark has been the trusted partner for businesses shipping cargo to and from Egypt for years. Our deep understanding of the local customs procedures, port regulations, and transport networks has enabled us to navigate the complexities of Egyptian logistics easily.

Today, we stand as a market leader, moving cargo seamlessly across major hubs in Africa and beyond, backed by our extensive network and industry expertise. With an impressive 96% on-time delivery rate for shipments to and from Egypt, Limark sets the benchmark for reliability in the region.

Import regulations

Importing goods to Egypt requires navigating specific procedures and documentation. Here’s a breakdown of the essential requirements:

Regulations and restrictions

Products requiring import licenses from relevant agencies

Foodstuffs, Agri products – General Authority for Import & Export Control (GOEIC), Ministry of Agriculture
Pharmaceuticals, medical devices – Ministry of Health
Chemicals, hazardous materials – Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency, Ministry of Industry
Radio/telecom equipment – National Telecom Regulatory Authority
Textiles/apparel – Ministry of Trade and Industry
Passenger vehicles/auto parts – Ministry of Trade and Industry

Prohibited imports

Narcotic drugs, drug paraphernalia
Weapons, explosives, ammunition
Asbestos fibers
Unprocessed razor clam shells
Counterfeit/pirated goods
Gambling machines/equipment
Certain encryption/censorship circumvention tech

Restricted imports

Used machinery/equipment — Import approval required
Media/video products — Must meet censorship clearance standards
Some agriculture seeds & plant materials – Biosecurity regulations
Import container dwell times and costs

Free time

For Discharge: 7 days for dry, 3 days for reefer
For Stuffing: 5 days for dry, 2 days for reefer
Demurrage (per day after free time):
Dry 20′: $30 / 40′: $60
Reefer 20′: $125 / 40′: $250
Detention (per day if moved out):
Dry 20′: $40 / 40′: $80
Reefer 20′: $135 / 40′: $270

Required import documents

Commercial invoice with HS codes
Packing list
Bill of lading/airway bill
Import entry declaration
Import licenses/permits as required
Certificate of origin (preferential or non-preferential)
Other certificates – inspection, testing, free sale, etc.

Certificate of origin requirements

Non-preferential: Issued by chambers of commerce
Preferential: Issued by authorized agencies, rules of origin criteria
Commercial invoice essentials:
HS codes & detailed product descriptions
Quantities & unit pricing
Terms of sale (Incoterms)
Payment details
Freight and insurance amounts

Import licenses and permits

Application process

Submit application with pro forma invoice
Provide technical specs, and samples if required
Screening by relevant technical committees
Payment of registration fees & license charges
Issuance of license/permit with validity period

Import License validity

Most licenses valid for 6 months to 1 year
Can apply for renewals 1-2 months prior to expiry

License fees

Vary based on product, agency, and license type
For example, GOEIC license fees are around 1-3% of CIF value

Customs clearance process

Appoint a clearing agent and submit the documents
Clearing agent files customs declaration in the GOUIX system
Risk assessment for inspection requirements
Inspections – Scanning, physical examination, sampling
Assessment of duties, taxes, and fees payable
Payment to bank and obtaining release order
Removal of goods from the port within 60 days
Post-clearance audits conducted selectively

Import duties and taxes

Most non-agricultural goods: 0% – 30% duty
Agricultural products: 10% – 30% duty
14% Standard Services Tax
5% – 10% Temporary Additional Tax
Potential other taxes – stamp tax, fees, etc.

Inspections and verifications

Risk management determines the inspection level
Documentary checks for all shipments
Physical inspections, container scanning
Product sampling for testing by agencies
Validation of licenses, certificates, declarations

Ports and terminals

Major ports for imports

Port Said (largest port, also free zone)
Alexandria
Damietta
El Dekhiela
East & West Port Said Container Terminals

Airport cargo hubs

Cairo International Airport
Other airports like Hurghada, Sharm El-Sheikh

Cut-off times

Sea freight – 5-7 days before vessel arrival
Air freight – 3-4 days before arrival

Container operations

Limited port storage space, prompt collection required
Obtain port delivery order for container pickup
Adhere to free time periods and return empty units
Potential extra charges from shipping lines

Export regulations

Get a detailed guide that provides an in-depth look into every aspect of the export process to ensure your goods are shipped efficiently and in compliance with all legal standards.

Regulations and restrictions

Products requiring export licenses/permits

Agricultural commodities and food products
Fertilizers and pesticides
Cotton, yarn, and textile products
Leather and leather goods
Minerals, petroleum products, and chemicals
Antiques, cultural artifacts, and heritage items
Arms, ammunition, and strategic goods

Prohibited/restricted exports

Narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances (prohibited)
Gambling equipment and materials (prohibited)
Hazardous wastes and toxic substances (prohibited)
Live plants and seeds (restricted, phytosanitary requirements)
Certain antiquities and cultural relics (restricted)
Encryption software and censorship circumvention tech (restricted)

Agencies involved

General Organization for Export & Import Control (GOEIC)
Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation
Ministry of Trade and Industry
Ministry of Environment
Supreme Council of Antiquities
Industrial Control Authority

Customs and documentation requirements

Required documents

Commercial invoice with HS codes
Packing list
Bill of lading/airway bill
Export declaration
Export license/permit (if required)
Certificate of origin
Inspection/quality certificates as applicable

Commercial invoices must show

Full product description and HS codes
Quantities and unit values
Total invoice value and currency
Terms of sale (Incoterms)
Payment details

Export declaration process

Exporter or clearing agent submits export declaration
Provide all supporting export documents
Payment of any applicable duties/taxes
Obtain release notes after inspections/verifications

Certificates required

Phytosanitary certificates for agricultural exports
Quality/conformity certificates for manufactured goods
Certificates of origin – preferential or non-preferential

Terminal/Port operations

Major ports for exports

Port Said
Alexandria
Damietta
El Dekhiela
East/West Port Said Container Terminals

Cut-off times

Sea freight — Documentation cut-off 3-5 days before ETD
Air freight — Documentation cut-off 1-2 days before ETD

Container operations

5 calendar days of free time for export containers
Detention fees apply after free period
Obtain port delivery order for container pickup
Limited storage space, prompt collection required

Cargo handling and fees

Empty container returns

Container detention fees start from $50-60/day after free time
Shipping lines may also charge additional box rental fees

Export duties and taxes

Most exported goods are exempt from duties
However, some product categories face export duties:
Raw cotton – 2-4% of export value
Scrap metal – 10-15% duty
Marble blocks – $30-$90 per ton
Silver/gold – 10% of export value

Other fees

Handling and service fees at ports
Inspection and certification charges by agencies
GOEIC registration and license fees (if applicable)
Freight forwarder/customs broker charges

Leverage our seamless cross-border logistics to and from Egypt

Egypt’s complex cross-border regulations create a web of potential delays and penalties —averaging 8-12 days of disruption and a minimum of $6,000 in fines for non-compliant businesses. Let Limark be your guide. Our extensive knowledge of Egyptian customs procedures ensures seamless, compliant shipments, minimizing delays and safeguarding your operations.

Backed by a 91% on-time delivery rate for Egyptian shipments, we guarantee reliability. Our streamlined processes, vast network, and proactive approach not only ensure timely arrivals but also unlock potential cost savings. Contact Limark today and experience the difference our expertise makes in navigating Egyptian cross-border logistics.

Get Expert Guidance

Contact our regional experts

Partner with experienced freight forwarders and customs brokers for seamless shipping to and from Egypt. Ensure full documentation compliance with the guidance and logistics services of our team.