If you’re returning from abroad and planning to bring a shiny new mobile phone with you, there’s something you should know—customs duties are officially in the picture starting TODAY. But don’t hang up just yet! The government promises this new system comes with some perks, a bit of convenience, and some time to adjust.

 

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So… what’s the deal?

In an official statement, the Ministry of Finance (MoF) and the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) have teamed up to introduce a new electronic customs system. Their goal? To tighten governance, promote local mobile phone manufacturing, and keep competition fair in Egypt’s buzzing telecom scene.

Locally bought phones are good to go, but imported ones will need to follow the following steps

If you’re coming back to Egypt from abroad, you can still bring one mobile phone along, duty-free—well, almost. While customs duties will now apply to imported phones, the process is designed to be simple and stress-free.

For the first time ever, travelers can:

• Check fees online before arrival.
• Pay customs duties in advance through the “Telephony” app—no more standing in long lines or dealing with complicated paperwork!
• Enjoy a three-month grace period to get used to the system without any penalties.

This update applies only to newly imported phones—so if you already own a phone and activated it before January 1, 2025, breathe easy! Your device is in the clear.

Phones bought locally are also unaffected. The focus here is purely on new phones coming in from abroad.

People’s reactions have been quite diverse, some people are surprised, while others have expressed confusion or even a bit of disappointment

Reactions to the news have been… let’s just say, all over the map.

• The Curious: Some are intrigued by the idea of simplifying customs processes and appreciate the effort to promote local manufacturing.
• The Confused: Others are scratching their heads, wondering how this might affect their travel plans or gadget upgrades.
• The Concerned: A few aren’t thrilled about the added costs, especially those who rely on bringing phones from abroad for family or business.

You can check if there’s anything on you through the Telephony App

If you’re heading abroad soon—or planning to bring back a brand-new device—be sure to download the “Telephony” app and get familiar with the process. It might just save you time, money, and a lot of frustration at the airport.

In the meantime, keep an eye out for updates and reminders as the new system kicks in. And who knows? This might be the push you need to explore locally manufactured phones—after all, they’re designed for Egypt, by Egypt.

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