Egypt Ends Customs Exemption for Personal Imported Mobile Phones Starting Wednesday

The Egyptian Customs Authority and the National Telecom Regulatory Authority (NTRA) officially announced the end of the exceptional customs exemption for mobile phones brought by travelers for personal use, effective Wednesday, January 21, 2026, at 12:00 PM. This move follows the success of Egypt's local manufacturing initiative, which now hosts 15 international brands producing 20 million units annually, exceeding domestic market demand.

Expatriates and tourists will be granted a 90-day grace period to use their international devices. For others, taxes and fees can be settled via the "Telefony" app or digital payment platforms, with future options for installment plans. Officials confirmed that the new regulations will not be applied retroactively to devices already in use, emphasizing that the policy aims to protect a local industry that has created over 10,000 jobs for Egyptian youth.