posted
Hi, I am moving from the UK to stay permanently in cairo in next few months. I am planning to bring our clothes, personal stuff like cosmetics, perfumes, books, my tv's,videos,dvd recorders, computers, etc. All this stuff is used and from my home here in uk. Electonics are very cheap here ie dvd recorder is about 30 sterling. Much cheaper than buying in egypt. I plan to bring in using some space in a container by uk company and have transported to our home in cairo. Has anyone from the uk any advice on this? ie customs, prices, best way of getting stuff to cairo? Dont want advice on leaving most behind because I need all this stuff. Just need the info on the best way. Thanks for any help out there. Posts: 57 | Registered: Nov 2005
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Yes, I am going through this at the moment as my personal belongings are being shipped from the UK to Egypt. Below you will find further details on Egyptian customs regulations, it's quite a complex matter, so make sure that you are using a reliable company in the UK who also has a good partner on the ground. I suggest you get a few quotes from different UK based companies, they normally need to do a survey at your residence to estimate the volume you wish to ship before they can send you a quote. My employer is helping out with the required paperwork & unless you are a diplomat or expatriate working for the private sector or the government, all your goods are subject to duties & taxes (further details below). Also suggest you take out insurance on your goods as everything will be inspected by customs officers (so allow for damage/breakage etc.). Good luck with your move Ann
CONSIGNMENT INSTRUCTIONS FOR ORIGINAL OBL/AWB: Proper Name of Consignee (as written on passport) C/O Employer in Egypt Address of Employer Cairo, Egypt
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED Original Bill of Lading / Air Way Bill Passport (original) with entry stamp and residence/working visa with minimum of 3 month 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 CUSTOMS REGULATIONS All shipments of used household goods & personal effects are subject to pay duties & taxes Consignee must be physically in the country upon customs clearance of his used household goods BUT the personal attendance of consignee during customs inspection is not required All used household goods shipments are subject to 100% physical inspection by customs authorities except for full Diplomatic shipments Used household goods are privileged Duty Free entry for Diplomats Used household goods are privileged Duty Free entry for Expatriates working for governmental or private sector/Contractor under term of temporary admission subject to fully re-exportation by providing a letter of guaranty. Only granted if consignee can provide a work visa/permit with min. of 3 month for work purpose Egyptian Citizen or Expatriates without a working visa have to pay fully duties & taxes to import their used household goods If shipment is duty-paid, percentage of duties & taxes for personal belongings will be:
Type: Duties: Taxes: Vehicles-range: 40-140 % of value 10-45 % of value+duties Upto 1600 CC: 40 % of value 10% of value+duties + 3% Import Tax Over 1600 less than 2000CC: 135 % of value 30% of value+duties + 5% Import Tax Over 2000 CC: 140 % of value 45% of value+duties + 8.5 Import Tax Electrical appliances 45 % of value 10 % of value + duties Furniture 40 % of value 10 % of value + duties Computers 5 % of value 10 % of value + duties Books 5 % of value 10 % of value + duties Clothes (used) None None New clothes Ranging US$ 10.00 - 250.00 /each piece. Consumables 40 % of value 10 % of value + duties Consumable items such as toiletries, food stuff, detergents, cosmetics, tissues are duly dutiable even if privileged duty free entry. RESTRICTED ITEMS Video tapes, computer discs, cassette tapes, CD's, DVDs, Records, slides are subject to censorship authority approval and are subject to confiscation in case it is against the country's religion, politic, etc... Printers, scanners, fax machines, copiers, and satellite receivers must obtain an extra approval by Ministry of Interior. It will be very helpful to show brand & model no. of such items on your packing list (i.e. Epson, Stylus Color 440c printer). Any manual (or copy) of printer, scanner, copier or satellites receiver is helpful to receive fast approval from authorities. High value statues + oil paintings are to be examined by a special committee for evaluation purposes which delays the customs clearance process and can be very costly PROHIBITED ITEMS Alcoholics All kind of telephones (Mobiles, Wireless Phones, normal home telephones) Pornographic Materials Drugs and medicine Firearms and weapons, ammunition, daggers and swords (even as decoration items) Anti-Islamic religious materials Gold and silver (tableware permitted) Seeds MOTOR VEHICLES Duty free entry granted only to Diplomats and Expatriates working under Egyptian Government Sector who can guarantee re-exportation of car. The Vehicle does not have to be brand new. For all others duties & taxes have to be paid. The car must be brand new, a product of the same year and consignee must be the first owner Egyptians may import a used car with proving ownership for at least 2 years by Factory/Agency original purchasing contract and statement from Traffic Authority showing ownership but still duties & taxes have to be paid Live Animals / Pets: Importation requires: - Health condition certificate - Vaccination certificate - Original Passport of owner
Clearing time : For air shpt 2 - 3 working days. For sea shpt 7-10 working days. Excluding weekends & holidays. Clearing to start after receiving original B/L from your side & passport + authorizations from consignee.
Posts: 42 | From: Maadi, Cairo | Registered: Dec 2005
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I got the above information from the company who is organizing my move to Cairo (the local agent here is Allied Pickfords). I am not sure about the regulations for Egyptian citizens. I had to put together an inventory list with estimated value of all the items, I put down the value of used goods, however if you under-value you'll be stuck when claiming insurance when things do go wrong.
Posts: 316 | From: Cairo, Egypt | Registered: Jan 2001
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posted
Ann you are a diamond!! You have helped more in 2 e mails than 2 days on the internet!! BRAVO!! I was worried I'd have to pay the full cost even though some items are used. Cheers Ann Have a great day A Posts: 57 | Registered: Nov 2005
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posted
You're welcome! Good luck with your move, I hope all goes well. I'll be getting my stuff at the end of January, I can't wait really!
Posts: 42 | From: Maadi, Cairo | Registered: Dec 2005
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posted
Hi allison , i,m egyptian tour leader and i airport representative , i can assist you thorough the immigration and customs in cairo airport , listen you can always email me or contact me directly , this is a free service by the way , i just need some new friends , my email is momen_80@hotmail.com my mobile number is 0020123429074
Posts: 73 | From: Cairo | Registered: Jan 2006
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posted
Hi allison , i,m egyptian tour leader and i airport representative , i can assist you thorough the immigration and customs in cairo airport , listen you can always email me or contact me directly , this is a free service by the way , i just need some new friends , my email is momen_80@hotmail.com my mobile number is 0020123429074
Posts: 73 | From: Cairo | Registered: Jan 2006
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You have helped more in 2 e mails than 2 days on the internet!! BRAVO!!
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