Moving to Egypt

EGYPT

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 are subject to censorship by the Ministry of Interior. They are subject to approval or refusal. 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
• Office jets/work stations are subject to approval or refusal.
• 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 customs clearance process
• Foods & medicine, to be examined by health authorities.
• What might be deemed as commercial such as large quantity of item. If included in shipment, higher duties apply and clearing process gets more complicated and costly.

Restrictions (The following items have particular restrictions and are subject to screening):

• Videos, CD’s and DVD’s are subject to censorship.
• Computer printers, scanners, photocopiers must be approved by Anti-Forgery Dept.
• Any Telephone sets, wireless phones, communication equipment & satellite equipment must be approved by Telecom Egypt. Approval may take around 7 days to be secured. It is highly advisable that shipment not to include such equipment to avoid clearance delay.
• High value Framed oil paintings & Sculpture artworks are subject to a special committee evaluation
• Audio and Video tapes
• Books, CD’s, DVD’s, Oil paintings
• Any religion frames
• Wooden items
• Silver & gold items
• Colored printers

• Firearms, swords, rifles, knives, daggers , etc. (even for house decorations),
• Pornographic materials, narcotics.
• High frequency telephones either wireless or related equipment.
• Alcoholic beverages are not prohibited but it is always advisable not to be included in the shipment as of the extreme duty percentage 3000% + 100% sales tax.
• Jewelry is also not advisable to be included in the shipment.
• All used & New Medical devices
• GPS and All kind of Maps
• Foods, Pork, Alcoholic beverages
• wireless transmitters
• Swords, Daggers, Firearms and Ammunition
• Pornographic materials
• Laser colored printers
• Any chemicals materials

Animals and pets can be imported into Egypt by providing:

• Legalized health condition certificate. (legalization must be by Egyptian embassy at origin country)
• Vaccination certificate from a registered veterinarian
• Original passport of pet
• Original passport of owner and work residence visa

Customs Clearance:

Returning Citizens:

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED

• Sea waybill / or Original Bill of Lading and Air Way Bill with proper name of consignee (as written on passport) C/O Egyptian employer/ authority name and address
• Passport (original) – with entry stamp date of maximum 6 months old.
• Typed Inventory (Egyptian Customs do not accept handwritten Inventories)
• Keys for car or any locked baggage, safes
• Authorization letters to handle the shipment, locally issued in Egypt, and letterforms can be provided to client.

• Egyptian Citizens have to pay full duties & taxes to import their used household goods
• Household goods and personal effects are subject to 100% physical inspection by Egyptian customs authorities
• Clearing time: 7-10 business days, provided full paperwork is available.
• Consignee must be present in the country upon customs clearance of his used household goods. Attendance in person during customs inspection is not required.
• Egyptian consignee does not require residency visa, BUT requires newly dated entry stamp of maximum 6 months old.
• Wood packaging must be treated and stamped as per ISPM15 standards

• All motor vehicles for Egyptians are dutiable.
• Vehicle can be used or new.
• Consignee must be the first owner/buyer of his imported vehicle
• Requirements are: Ownership certificate from Traffic Authority at country of origin (notarized by Egyptian Consulate/Embassy)

DUTIABLE ITEMS

• All household shipments for Egyptian citizens are duly duty paid.
• Updated duty & tax rates as of Jan 2009 are:

• Additional info below under – “For All”

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED

• Sea Way Bill or Original Bill of Lading and Air Way Bill with proper name of consignee (as written on passport) c/o Egyptian employer name and address.
• Passport (original) with valid residency visa for minimum 3 months.
• Typed Inventory (Egyptian Customs do not accept hand written inventories)
• Keys for any automobile or any locked baggage/items
• Authorization letters to handle the shipment – this is issued locally in Egypt and letterforms can be provided to client

CUSTOMS REGULATIONS

• Used household goods and personal effects can be imported duty free for expatriates working within governmental or private sectors under the terms of temporary admission and subject to full exportation by providing a Ministry guarantee or bank guarantee. This is only granted if the consignee provides a WORK VISA valid for a minimum of 3 months.
• Foreign citizen WITHOUT work visa must pay full taxes and duties in order to import used household goods and personal effects.
• Household goods and personal effects are subject to 100% physical inspection by Egyptian customs authorities.
• Consignee must be present in the country upon customs clearance. Attendance in person during customs inspection is NOT required.
• Clearing time: 7-10 business days, after receipt of all shipping and personal paperwork.
• Wood packaging must be treated and stamped as per ISPM15 standards.

• All motor vehicles are subject to duties and taxes.  Vehicle must be imported the same year as purchased. Shipper must be the first buyer/owner.
• Motor vehicles (new or used) can be imported duty free for Expatriates working within the Egyptian Government Sector, who must guarantee re-exportation of the vehicle.
• Motor vehicles (new or used) can be imported duty free for Expatriate of non-governmental sector in one case only: if expatriate is owner or partner of a private company/project in Egypt. In this case, duty can be covered with local bank guarantee. Requirements are: proof of ownership/partnership from Egyptian Investment Authority, company commercial registration documents, and taxation documents.
• Trip ticket system allows free import for maximum period of 6 months, provided submitting trip ticket documentation and plates. Once the 6 months are over, car must be exported for at least 6 months before shipping it back to Egypt again.
• Authorization letter, locally issued in Egypt

• All consumable items (such as toiletries, food stuff, detergents, cosmetics, tissues) are dutiable, regardless of the status of the consignee & even if eligible for duty free entry.
• Updated duty & tax rates as of Jan 2009 are:

• Additional info below under – “For All”

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED

• Sea Way Bill or original Bill of Lading and Air Way Bill with proper name of consignee (as written on passport) c/o Egyptian employer / authority name and address
• Egyptian Diplomatic ID for full/1st degree Diplomats. It takes them two weeks to issue.
• Authorization letters to handle the shipment by Diplomat’s Embassy – to be issued in Egypt
• Clearing Letter issued by Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Egypt
• Keys for automobile

CUSTOMS REGULATIONS

• Wood packaging must be treated and stamped as per ISPM15 standards.
• Used household goods and personal effects can be imported duty free for full/1st degree Diplomats
• Consignee must be present in the country upon customs clearance. Attendance in person during customs inspection is not required.
• Clearing time: 2-3 days (if OBL and local customs paperwork available).

MOTOR VEHICLES

• Motor vehicles can be imported duty-free for full Diplomat. Vehicle must be brand new.
• Clearing time 6-7 days (if all OBL + customs paperwork available).
• Clearing of vehicles takes longer than household goods
• Highly recommended not to ship car together with household goods in one container.
• Authorization letter, locally issued in Egypt

DUTIABLE

• None if consignee is full diplomat.
• If consignee is Simi-Diplomat of 2nd degree, consumable items (such as toiletries, food stuff, detergents, cosmetics, and tissues, etc) will be dutiable 40% of value.

When moving from Canada to Egypt it is very important to choose the best overseas moving company. Orbit International Moving Logistics is the best international moving company in Canada. With our extensive experience with international relocations to Egypt, Orbit International Moving Logistics can offer you and your family, valuable insights about you’re moving to Egypt and finding the right international relocation companies and choosing the best international moving service overseas moving companies. We have listed below helpful ideas and tips that can help you plan you’re moving to Egypt. Shall you prefer to talk with an International moving consultant, please call (416) 661-4228.

There are many overseas moving companies who claim to be the best mover and best relocation company in the country. Of course this cannot be true because then, all the international shipping companies would be the best.

To help determine which overseas moving company is right for you, Orbit International Moving Logistics Ltd has gathered some vital points for you to consider.

1. The best tip – a recommendation from a friend.
2. Research the overseas moving companies you are considering. Check if they are licensed to export and import.
3. Make sure that you are performing an equal comparison between the quotes of the various companies. You compare international relocation rates from the overseas moving companies based on shipping an equal volume of goods and contracting the same exact shipping service on the same dates. Pay special attention to the “EXCLUDES” of each quote to insure that you are not overlooking any hidden fees.
4. Check the overseas moving company’s referrals and reputation. Ask each company for testimonials from past clients. A reputable overseas moving company should have some for you to review.
5. Visit the physical office of the overseas moving company you are considering. Never trust an international moving company without a physical address!. In this day and age anyone can have an office in their basement.
6. Make sure that the overseas shipping company you choose has reputable overseas forwarding agents who can assist you in the same manner that you are getting from the company moving you from Canada.

Orbit International Moving Logistics Ltd was established by 2 long time family friends who had experienced moves with mixes results. However, none have satisfied the quality of service needed during such an emotional and straining event. We have extensive experience relocating customers worldwide by Ocean Freight and Air Cargo as we are an international shipper. Our rates are always All-inclusive. What sets us apart is the level of service we offer our customers.  We provide free, no-obligation estimates, listen to your concerns, and find the solutions best suited to meeting your removal and relocation needs – whether you’re moving your family.(i.e. door-to-door, door to port, full containers, RO-RO, custom crates, etc.) We offer free consultations with one of our relocation specialist and assist you in planning moving to Egypt and choosing the right overseas moving services.

Embassy of Egypt in Canada
454 Laurier Avenue
East Ottawa
Ontario K1N6R3
City: Ottawa
Phone: (613)234-4931, (613)234-4935
Fax: (613)234-4398
Email: egyptemb@sympatico.ca
Office Hours: Monday to Friday from 9 am to 4 pm, except official holidays.

General Consulate of Egypt in Montreal, Canada
1 Place Ville Marie
# 2617 Montreal
QUE H3B 4S3
City: Montreal
Phone: (514) 866 84 55, 866 8456, 866 8457
Fax: (514) 866 0835