Egypt Import & Export Toolkit

Egypt combines Suez Canal transit with a large domestic import market. Price shipments correctly using our LC, duty + 14% VAT, HS and Incoterms tools, and mind ACI (Nafeza) pre-shipment declaration.

Currency

EGP (Egyptian Pound)

VAT

14% standard / 5% on select machinery

Base = CIF + duty. Development fees apply to select goods; excise (schedule tax) applies to autos, tobacco, alcohol.

Duty regime

Ad valorem duty on CIF under Egypt's Harmonised Tariff. Preferential rates under COMESA, GAFTA, Agadir Agreement, EU-Egypt Association, AfCFTA and Egypt-Türkiye / Mercosur FTAs.

Regulatory deep-dive

Egypt import & export regulations →

Egypt import/export rules: Egyptian Customs, Nafeza ACI single window, GOEIC inspection, importer register, FX challenges.

Authorities · Licensing · Sanctions

Also see compare Egypt vs other markets →

Free calculators for Egypt trade

LC Cost Calculator →

All-in bank charges on a Letter of Credit.

Usance LC Interest →

Deferred payment cost with correct ACT/360 or ACT/365 basis.

Import Duty & Tax →

Duty, VAT/GST and landed cost per HS code.

Landed Cost by HS & Country →

Interactive duty + VAT/GST + Incoterm split for this destination.

CIF ↔ FOB Converter →

Convert between CIF, FOB and landed cost.

HS Code Lookup →

Search harmonised classification codes.

CBM & Container →

Volume, weight and container utilisation.

Incoterms 2020 Visualiser →

Cost, risk and document split across all 11 rules.

Multi-Currency Invoice →

FX spread and cross-currency invoice value.

Major ports & gateways

· Alexandria & Dekheila
· Port Said (East & West)
· Sokhna
· Damietta

Key trading partners· 8 linked toolkits

Top exports

· Refined petroleum & LNG
· Fertilisers (urea, nitrogen)
· Fresh fruit (oranges, strawberries)
· Textiles & garments
· Iron & steel
· Aluminium
· Cement

Top imports

· Refined petroleum & LPG
· Wheat & maize
· Machinery
· Vehicles
· Pharmaceuticals
· Iron & steel
· Plastics

Trade finance in Egypt

· USD LCs dominate cross-border trade (ACT/360). Post-2024 IMF programme, LC opening has normalised versus the 2022-2023 FX crunch.
· Egyptian banks (National Bank of Egypt, CIB, Banque Misr, QNB Alahli) quote 0.25-0.50% per quarter plus 14% VAT on fees. G7 confirmation typically 0.60-1.50% per quarter.
· Export Credit Guarantee Company of Egypt (ECGE) provides political and commercial risk cover.

Customs & duty in Egypt

· 8-digit HS code aligned to WCO nomenclature; managed by Egyptian Customs Authority.
· ACI (Advance Cargo Information) via Nafeza is MANDATORY for all seaborne imports since Oct 2021 - registered and submitted BEFORE vessel loading at origin.
· CargoX blockchain B/L submission is the required channel for ACI documents.
· GOEIC pre-shipment registration required for importer and factory for many regulated goods.

Incoterms 2020 practice in Egypt

· CIF Alexandria / Port Said / Sokhna dominates seaborne imports.
· FCA at origin for container cargo. FOB is common but technically incorrect for containers.
· DDP is administratively very hard - use DAP with the buyer as importer of record.

HS commodity guides for Egypt

Classification, duty and worked landed-cost examples for the commodity families most active on Egypt's trade lanes.

HS 61 & 62Consumer goods

HS Code for Textiles & Apparel (Chapters 61 and 62) →

HS 84Industrial

HS Code for Industrial Machinery (Chapter 84) →

HS 30Regulated

HS Code for Pharmaceuticals (Chapter 30) →

HS 72Metals

HS Code for Iron & Steel (Chapter 72) →

HS 39Chemicals

HS Code for Plastics & Polymers (Chapter 39) →

HS 1006Agricultural

HS Code for Rice (HS 1006) →

HS 2710Energy

HS Code for Petroleum Products (HS 2710) →

HS 76Metals

HS Code for Aluminium (Chapter 76) →

Egypt appears in the trade lanes for the commodities below. Each hub covers grades, specs, benchmark pricing and HS code references.

Petroleum Coke (Petcoke) →

HS 2503 · OCP - world's largest phosphate producer

Egypt's key trading partners

India toolkit →

IGST on imports · 5% / 12% / 18% / 28%

United Arab Emirates toolkit →

VAT · 5% standard

China toolkit →

Import VAT · 13% standard, 9% reduced, 6% services

United States toolkit →

No federal VAT / GST · 0% federal

Germany toolkit →

VAT (Umsatzsteuer / Einfuhrumsatzsteuer) · 19% standard, 7% reduced

Saudi Arabia toolkit →

VAT · 15% standard (from July 2020)

Frequently asked questions

What is ACI / Nafeza and when do I submit?

The Advance Cargo Information declaration is filed by the importer through the Nafeza single-window platform BEFORE the vessel loads at origin, with documents (invoice, packing list, B/L draft) exchanged via CargoX blockchain. Non-compliance means cargo cannot be discharged in Egypt.