Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
Egypt will officially end the temporary customs exemption for mobile phones brought into the country by travelers on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, at 12:00 pm, marking a significant shift in the country’s mobile phone market and industrial policy.
The announcement was made by the National Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (NTRA) in coordination with the Egyptian Customs Authority, concluding an exceptional measure that had been in place since January 2025. Under the policy, travelers were allowed to bring one mobile phone into Egypt free of customs duties. The exemption was introduced as part of a broader mobile phone governance system designed to curb informal imports while giving the local manufacturing sector time to expand.
According to the authorities, the exemption has fulfilled its purpose. Over the past year, Egypt has succeeded in attracting 15 major global mobile phone manufacturers to establish production operations in the country. These facilities now have a combined annual production capacity of approximately 20 million devices, exceeding domestic market demand and reducing reliance on imported handsets.
The growth of local manufacturing has transformed Egypt’s mobile phone market. During 2025, locally produced smartphones including the latest international models, became widely available across a broad range of specifications and price points. These devices are manufactured either directly by global brands or under their technical supervision, ensuring compliance with international quality standards while being sold at competitive prices through official retail channels nationwide.
Officials say the expansion of the sector has also generated significant economic benefits, including the creation of around 10,000 jobs for Egyptian youth. The authorities argue that these developments eliminate the need for continued customs exemptions or large volumes of imported phones, which had previously strained foreign currency resources.
While the general exemption is ending, certain categories will continue to benefit from temporary relief. Mobile phones belonging to Egyptians living abroad and foreign tourists will remain exempt from customs duties for a period of 90 days. In addition, the decision will not be applied retroactively, meaning devices that were legally exempt before the enforcement date will not be affected.
To streamline the process and reduce congestion at entry points, the Customs Authority and NTRA have cancelled the requirement to register personal mobile phones at customs checkpoints. Instead, all applicable taxes and fees on imported devices must now be paid digitally through the “Telephony” mobile application or via electronic payment services offered by banks and e-wallet providers.
Users will be granted a grace period of up to 90 days from the date of first activation of the device to regularise their status before any regulatory action is taken. Authorities also announced that instalment payment options for customs fees will be introduced in the near future, aiming to ease the financial burden on consumers.
The policy reflects Egypt’s broader push to localise strategic industries, regulate parallel imports, and support domestic production as part of its economic reform agenda. By ending the exemption, officials say the government is signaling confidence in the maturity and competitiveness of the local mobile phone manufacturing sector.
