Shipping and Removals in Egypt

Several international shipping and removal companies are offering competitively priced quotes for shipping services to Egypt. Shipping outside Cairo will be more difficult and expensive, but it is still feasible.

We recommend that small, expensive items be brought in personal luggage or air freight, as Egyptian customs has a reputation for allowing items to go missing. It is also a good idea to insure expensive shipped goods and to secure coverage through a different company than the one used for shipping to ensure complete and honest coverage.

That said, it is often much cheaper to buy new items from within Egypt than to ship them from another country. This will not only save on shipping costs, but also on any imposed duty or taxes on imported goods. Electronics and furniture are taxed exceptionally highly but can be bought cheaply in Egypt.

Banned items for shipping to Egypt

Egypt has a strict policy in place for bringing in items that are offensive to the Muslim culture. Be sure to check the government lists or phone the nearest Egyptian embassy before shipping. Narcotics and drugs, cotton, firearms and birds, or any bird by-products, are also banned from shipping to Egypt.

Among other things, the amount of alcohol, cigarettes and fragrances that can be brought into the county are strictly regulated. It's also essential for expats to ensure that any literature they bring into the country is not considered offensive to the Muslim culture.

Useful links

• Visit the Egyptian Customs Authority website or contact the department for an exhaustive list of prohibited items in Egypt.

Shipping pets to Egypt

Expats looking to bring their furry friends with them to Egypt will need to wait until they are at least four months old. They will also need a health certificate from a valid government veterinarian in their home country.

This must not be older than 10 days, and the pet may still be subject to examination upon arrival in Egypt. Pets must also have had all their vaccinations, including rabies, 31 days before travelling. Pets must be microchipped, and the microchip should not be older than the rabies vaccination certificate.

There are several animals that are banned from being brought into Egypt, including birds and reptiles. Although Egypt currently does not post a list of banned breeds, the country recently passed a law banning 14 dog breeds, including American Bullies, German Shepherds and Pitbulls. Expats should contact their Egyptian embassy for more information about this.