🇪🇬 Trade Corridor Profile

Egypt Trade Corridor

Egypt is Africa's second-largest economy and the Arab world's most populous market. 91%+ of trade moves by sea through Alexandria, Port Said, and Suez — the continent's shortest lane to Asia. Primary corridors: EU (Association Agreement, preferential), GAFTA (Arab League, 0% duty), and USA (MFN).

Classify Your Product → Egypt HS Lookup →
91%+ trade by sea (Alexandria / Port Said / Suez)
~30% trade with the EU
~9.1% avg MFN tariff
~42% duty-free tariff lines
Trade Lanes

Know your lane before you ship.

🇪🇬 Egypt → 🇪🇺 EU
Preferential

Primary Corridor — EU–Egypt Association Agreement

Association Agreement in force since June 2004. Industrial goods achieved 0% duty after a 12-year phase-in completed in 2016. PEM (Pan-Euro-Mediterranean) cumulation is active — EU inputs incorporated into Egyptian exports do not break origin.

EU–Egypt Agreement in force since June 2004
PEM cumulation protocol active — EU inputs don t break origin
📄
EUR.1 Certificate → 0% duty on most industrial goods
🧾
Invoice Declaration → Available for shipments under €6,000
How to get EUR.1: Egyptian Chamber of Commerce → ECA stamp → present at EU customs. Typically 1–2 business days.
EU–Egypt Agreement details →
🇪🇬 Egypt → 🇺🇸 USA / Arab League
GAFTA / MFN

GAFTA Preferential + USA MFN — Two Different Regimes

Egypt is a full GAFTA member (Greater Arab Free Trade Area, 18 Arab League states). Goods of Arab origin trade duty-free within GAFTA — Arabic CO required. No FTA with the USA — Egypt–USA trade runs on MFN rates.

Rate typeAverageNotes
Overall MFN ~9.1% On all goods
Agricultural ~22% Food, beverages, tobacco
Non-agricultural ~7.7% Manufactured goods
Maximum ~60%+ Some textiles and vehicles
⚠️ No preferential tariff benefits for Egypt–USA trade. Certificate of origin is non-preferential only and does not reduce duty rates.
Non-preferential CO — legalization for USA (4 steps):
  1. Notarize at Egyptian notary
  2. Authenticate at Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
  3. Legalize at US Department of State
  4. Legalize at Egyptian Embassy in Washington

Timeline: 3–6 weeks. Use a freight forwarder or Chamber of Commerce to manage.

Required Documents

Every shipment needs these. Missing one means a hold.

🚢

Nafeza Pre-Clearance

National Single Window for pre-arrival cargo registration

  • Required for all maritime imports since March 2022
  • File at nafeza.gov.eg before vessel departure
  • Missing Nafeza registration → shipment held at port
  • Integrates with ECA Single Window for clearance

nafeza.gov.eg →

🔬

GOEIC Inspection Certificate

General Organization for Export and Import Control

  • Required for food, chemicals, textiles, electronics, machinery
  • Inspected at port of entry
  • Cannot clear customs without GOEIC release
  • File pre-shipment via goeic.gov.eg

goeic.gov.eg →

🧾

Commercial Invoice

In Arabic or English (both preferred)

  • Must include 8-digit HS code (Egypt national extension)
  • CIF value in EGP or USD
  • Country of origin
  • Incoterms 2020 designation
  • Exporter and consignee full details
📄

Certificate of Origin

Three types — use the right one for your market

  • EUR.1 → Egypt–EU lane (preferential, 0% duty)
  • Arabic CO → GAFTA/Agadir markets (Jordan, Morocco, Tunisia)
  • Non-preferential CO → USA and general markets

Routiply can generate Egypt COs — go to the classification tool.

🏛️

Licensed Customs Broker

All Egypt import/export formalities require a licensed broker registered with ECA

  • Broker files the declaration via ECA Single Window
  • Must be registered with Egyptian Customs Authority
  • Most declarations processed within 24–48h
  • Broker coordinates Nafeza and GOEIC integration
HS Classification

8-digit+ codes — Egypt's national tariff system.

Egypt uses an 8-digit national extension of the global 6-digit HS system. The national digits define your exact duty rate and GOEIC inspection requirement — wrong classification means overpaying or customs holds.

🔍
tariffs.customs.gov.eg Official Egyptian Customs Authority tariff portal
⚠️ Misclassification risk: Using EU Combined Nomenclature (CN) codes or US HTS codes without the Egypt national extension will misclassify your product. Always use the ECA official portal.

Egypt Tariff Summary

Average MFN tariff~9.1%
Duty-free lines~42%
Maximum tariff~60%+
Customs formality fee1%
VAT (standard)14%
VAT (reduced)5% / 0%
Key Agencies

Who to contact. Where to go.

🚛

Egyptian Customs Authority (ECA)

Customs clearance and tariff classification

  • egyportal.customs.gov.eg
  • Tariff classification, all import/export formalities
  • Nafeza integration and Single Window operator
🔬

GOEIC

General Organization for Export and Import Control

  • goeic.gov.eg
  • Quality inspection certificates for regulated goods
  • Mandatory pre-clearance for food, textiles, chemicals, electronics
🏛️

Ministry of Trade and Industry

Trade policy and export promotion

  • mti.gov.eg
  • Issues import licences for controlled goods
  • Coordinates FTA eligibility
  • Export support programmes
🏛️

Egyptian Chambers of Commerce

CO issuance and EUR.1 processing

  • Chambers in Cairo, Alexandria, Suez
  • Issue EUR.1 for EU lane
  • Arabic CO for GAFTA/Agadir markets
  • Non-preferential CO for USA and general
  • Processing: 1–2 business days
Other Trade Agreements

Beyond the EU — Egypt's trade network.

🇪🇺 EU–Egypt Association Agreement

In force since June 2004. Industrial goods 0% duty (fully phased in by 2016). PEM cumulation applies. Agricultural products partially covered under additional protocols.

Active

🌙 GAFTA — Greater Arab Free Trade Area

18 Arab League member states. Goods of Arab origin trade duty-free. Egypt is a founding member. CO: Arabic certificate of origin issued by Egyptian Chamber of Commerce.

Active

🇪🇬 Agadir Agreement

Free trade zone with Morocco, Tunisia, and Jordan. Supplements GAFTA for Maghreb–Mashreq trade. Industrial goods duty-free, separate CO required (Arabic format).

Active

🔶 COMESA

Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa — 21 member states. Egypt is a member. Reduced MFN rates on goods from COMESA partners. Check specific commodity eligibility.

Active

🌍 AfCFTA

African Continental Free Trade Area — 54 nations. Egypt is a signatory and early mover. Pan-African origin rules being finalised. Check current status with ECA before relying on it.

Implementing

Start With Your HS Code —
Get the Right Classification First

The right 8-digit Egypt HS code unlocks every other step: duty rates, required documents, CO eligibility, and more. Routiply classifies your product against the official Egypt tariff schedule in seconds.

Classify Your Product → Egypt HS Lookup → See your savings →

Talk to a trade compliance expert

Get a personalised walkthrough of Routiply for your trade lane.