Not all types of shipments are created equal. Shipping a television will
require different paperwork, duties, and taxes than shipping an accounting
statement, for example.
Here is a list of the most common types of shipments:
You can also skip ahead to the table containing the list of
Commonly Required Documents.
Documents may be shipped to Egypt from Canada if they have no
commercial value, i.e. they are not for sale.
Typical examples of documents include:
- Advertising literature, brochures, and pamphlets
- Annual reports
- Bids and proposals
- Blueprints and drawings
- Business cards
- Cash letters and cheques
- Catalogues and price lists
- Credit cards
- Computer print-outs
- Driver's licence
- Examination papers
- Graphs
- Greeting cards and invitations
- Manuscripts
- Maps and charts
- Magazines, newspapers, periodicals, and publications
- Photographs
- Seismic data
- Sepia drawings
- Specifications sheets
- Traveller's cheques
- Visa applications
The following may be sent as document shipments if they abide by the
conditions listed.
| Item | Restriction |
|---|
| Airline tickets | Only if validated |
| Diplomas | Only if sent in an envelope |
| Educational books | If used in schools and universities for educational purposes |
| Envelopes | Must be blank |
| Event tickets (stage and concert performances,
soccer/football matches) | Shipment weight no more than 1 kg Must not be tickets shipped
from a printing company to a ticket sales office or an event
organiser |
| Forms | Must be blank |
| Intercompany mail | Only if it has no commercial value |
| Manuals | Only if they are of a technical nature |
| Newsletters | Must be for internal company use |
| Passports | Owner of the passport must meet the Egyptian Police Department
in person and the recipient's ID accompanies the shipment |
| Stationery | Only if blank |
Sources:
https://www.ups.com/ga/CountryRegs?loc=en_US
All gift shipments from Canada to Egypt will incur duties and taxes.
There are no tax exemptions.
Shipments from Individual-to-Individual
A gift shipment from an individual in Canada to an individual in Egypt
will incur duties and taxes.
Shipments from Business-to-Business
A gift shipment from a business in Canada to a business in Egypt will
incur duties and taxes.
Shipments from Business-to-Individual
A gift shipment from a business in Canada to an individual in Egypt
will incur duties and taxes.
Gift Checklist
- A commercial invoice must be included with your shipment
- The words 'Gift Shipment' or 'Unsolicited Gift' are included on the
commercial invoice, even if the shipment is sent at Christmas time (see sample)
- List the items in the parcel and write the value of each
- Sending more than one gift in the parcel? Wrap and tag each one
individually.
Sample Commercial Invoice for Gifts
Multiple Gifts in One Shipment
Gift shipments from Canada to Egypt will incur duties and taxes.
Sample Commercial Invoice for Gifts
Sources:
https://www.ups.com/ga/CountryRegs?loc=en_US
Personal effects may be shipped from Canada to Egypt providing:
- They are of a quantity appropriate for the size of the household
- Are for use only by the person or his or her family
- They are not sold or released into general circulation
Personal goods and effects exempt from duties include:
- Jewellery
- Laptop computers
- Electronic equipment
Certain goods within a shipment are restricted or will incur
duties, such as:
- Alcohol - duty of up to 3,000%
- Tobacco and perfume
- Scanners, printers, phones, and faxes require permission
from Egyptian authorities
NOTE: All audio-visual items - DVDs,
CD ROMs, videos, tapes - will be viewed and inspected by Customs.
Moving Temporarily
Students
There is no information at this time regarding students shipping
personal effects from Canada to Egypt.
Non-Students
If you are moving temporarily to Egypt, you will be required to
deposit an amount corresponding to the duties and taxes owing on your
personal effects.
A letter of guarantee is required - provided only with a work permit
or visa - that states the amount of duties and taxes owing.
The deposit will be returned when you leave Egypt. Items not returning
to Canada will incur duties and taxes.
Moving Permanently
There is no information at this time regarding moving to Egypt and
shipping personal effects from Canada.
Personal Effects Checklist
- A commercial invoice must be included with your shipment
- Commercial invoice must clearly state 'Personal Effects' (see sample)
- A clearly written and detailed description of each item is
provided, including monetary value, dated, and signed in
English
- A letter of guarantee with a work permit or visa
Sources:
https://www.export.gov/apex/article2?id=Egypt-Business-Travel
https://www.iamovers.org/ResourcesPublications/CountryGuides.aspx?ItemNumber=3630
http://www.unesco.org/culture/pdf/anti-piracy/Egypt/Eg_ExeRegulationIPCustoms_en.pdf
Sample Commercial Invoice for Personal Effects
No information regarding shipping foodstuffs to Egypt is available at
this time.
Food, Chocolate, Candies Checklist
- Clearly indicate 'Food' on the commercial invoice in the General Description
or Remarks section (see sample)
- Ensure that your food, chocolate, or candies may be imported into the
country
- You are not shipping commercial quantities (for any duty & tax exemption)
- Check with your carrier that they will accept food shipments
Sample Commercial Invoice for Food, Chocolate, Candies
Goods may be shipped to Egypt from Canada as a temporary import exempt
from duties and taxes. Temporary imports are sent to promote product
sales and for display at trade fairs and exhibitions.
Items must follow the conditions below:
- A refundable deposit is paid to cover duties and taxes
- The material displays the name of the corporation or the event or
exhibition
- Are not prohibited goods
- Items should arrive 10 days before the start of an exhibition
ATA Carnets
Egypt does not accept ATA carnets for temporary imports. However,
an ATA carnet may facilitate the return of temporary imports to
Canada.
| Option # | Temporary Import Method | Risk of paying |
|---|
| 1 | Commercial Invoice Only (no other documentation is provided) | High - if broker cannot clear goods temporarily |
| 2 | Commercial Invoice + ATA Carnet | Very Low |
| 1. Complete a Commercial Invoice (CI) only
This is the simplest and quickest option. See example.
NOTE:You should be aware that shipping using this
method doesn't guarantee that your items will be imported duty/tax
free. Not all brokers will clear goods as temporary imports (i.e.
UPS, Fedex, DHL) nor is it a guarantee that customs won't charge any
duties and taxes. 2. Commercial Invoice (CI) + an ATA Carnet
Completing an ATA Carnet is great option for items that frequently travel
in and out of the country. It's also great because once you have an ATA
Carnet, it is accepted by 176 countries worldwide making the application
process a one-time thing.
In addition to declaring your commercial invoice as a temporary
import, you can get an ATA Carnet for the items that are of
temporary nature. ATA Carnets are beyond the scope of the article however, you can
find more information here: http://www.chamber.ca/carnet/ NOTE:It is highly recommended to get an ATA Carnet
for items that frequently travel in and out of the country and
especially so when it is valued over $2,500 USD |
Temporary Imports Checklist
- Commercial Invoice clearly stating 'Temporary Import'. This must be written
in the General Description section and the Detailed Description of Goods. (see sample)
- The goods arrive and leave in the same condition, i.e. they undergo no
repairs nor are they used in manufacturing
- Stay no longer than the period listed above
- Include your ATA Carnet with your shipment (if applicable)
- Include the expected return date or the date that it was originally received
within the country (whichever applies)
- A commercial invoice must be included with your shipment
- Any above listed items not listed in this checklist
Sources:
https://www.atacarnet.com/carnet-countries
https://www.export.gov/apex/article2?id=Egypt-Temporary-Entry
Sample Commercial Invoice for Temporary Imports
