Egypt scraps duty-free allowance for imported mobile phones

Egypt’s policy of allowing citizens to import one mobile phone from abroad without paying customs duties has come to an end, as the government looks to support local phone manufacturers.

The decision to end the policy from Wednesday was announced by the Egyptian Customs Authority and the National Telecommunications Regulatory Authority in a statement.

The duty-free allowance was introduced in January 2025 when Egypt faced a shortage of mobile phones and limited local production. 

Egyptian expats and tourists will continue to be exempt for the next 90 days.

The statement comes as the government said 15 global mobile phone manufacturers have entered the Egyptian market. 

These companies now operate with a combined annual production capacity of 20 million devices, exceeding local market demand.

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“Therefore, there is no longer a need to purchase mobile phones manufactured abroad or to continue the exceptional customs exemption for those devices,” the statement said.

The mobile manufacturing companies have created 10,000 local jobs.

Citizens will have to pay taxes and fees on imported mobile phones through the “Telephony” app and via digital payment options offered by banks and electronic wallets.