- Download our Moving to Egypt Guide (PDF)
Several international companies offer competitive quotes for shipping and removals in 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 things can go missing when going through Egyptian customs. 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 duties or taxes imposed on imported goods. Electronics and furniture attract steep import duties, although expats relocating with used personal effects may qualify for temporary duty exemptions through their employer. Everyday goods can often be bought cheaply in Egypt.
Banned items for shipping to Egypt
Egypt has a strict policy in place for bringing in items considered offensive to religious beliefs or contrary to public morality. Be sure to check the government lists or phone the nearest Egyptian embassy before shipping. Narcotics and drugs, raw cotton, firearms, drones, and birds or any bird by-products are also banned from shipping to Egypt. Two-way radios and satellite phones are prohibited without a permit, and certain prescription medications that are legal elsewhere may be restricted.
Among other things, the quantities of alcohol, cigarettes, tobacco, and perfume that can be brought into the country are strictly regulated. It is also essential for expats to ensure that any literature or media they bring into the country is not considered offensive to religious beliefs or public morality. Pornographic material is strictly prohibited.
Useful links
- US International Trade Administration: Egypt Prohibited and Restricted Imports
- US International Trade Administration: Egypt Customs Regulations
Shipping pets to Egypt
Shipping pets to Egypt requires some planning. Dogs and cats must be at least four months old to enter the country. They will also need a health certificate from a valid government veterinarian in their home country. This certificate must be issued within 14 days of travel, and it should then be endorsed by the national veterinary authority in your home country. Your pet may still be subject to examination upon arrival in Egypt.
Pets must have had a rabies vaccination at least 30 days before travel, but no more than 11 months prior. Dogs and cats also require their core vaccinations, administered between four weeks and 12 months before departure. Pets must be microchipped with a chip that complies with ISO 11784/11785 standards, and the microchip must have been implanted before the rabies vaccination was administered.
Several animals are banned from being brought into Egypt, including birds, reptiles, rodents, and rabbits.
Egypt’s dangerous animal laws ban three dog breeds outright: the Brazilian Mastiff (Fila Brasileiro), South African Mastiff (Boerboel), and Dogo Canario. Breeds such as German Shepherds, Pitbulls, and American Bullies may be kept with a veterinary licence. Breed regulations change frequently, so expats should contact their nearest Egyptian embassy for the latest requirements before travel.