Egypt grants three-month grace period for imported mobile phone registration

Egypt is introducing a three-month grace period for citizens to register imported mobile phones online, said Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Communications and Information Technology in a joint statement late Tuesday.

The initiative, part of a new electronic system, allows users to calculate fees and pay digitally through the Telephony App, eliminating the need to visit customs offices.

This digital system aims at modernising Egypt’s telecommunications market, fostering local manufacturing, and ensuring fair competition. For the first time, travellers can bring one duty-free mobile phone for personal use during a transitional period of three months.
The new system applies exclusively to new phones imported after January 1, 2025, the ministries noted. Devices already purchased locally or imported and activated before this date are exempt, ensuring fairness and clarity.

Customs Policies Remain Unchanged
The ministries clarified that customs duties and taxes on imported mobile phones remain unchanged. However, the new system simplifies the process for citizens by allowing seamless online registration and payment for imported devices via the Telephony App.

Protecting Citizens and Encouraging Local Manufacturing
The system offers robust consumer protection, enabling users to verify the authenticity of their devices through electronic checks of original equipment codes. The move safeguards citizens from counterfeit or smuggled mobile phones, the ministries explained.

Additionally, the initiative aligns with Egypt’s vision to localise mobile phone production. With several international companies already manufacturing devices in Egypt, the system supports the creation of high-quality, competitively priced, and export-ready phones.

Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English