Tuesday 20/January/2026 – 09:09 AM
She declared Customs Authority Egypt and the National Telecommunications Regulatory Authority announced the end of the exceptional exemption period for mobile phone devices arriving from abroad accompanied by a passenger, as of 12 noon on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, with the continued exemption for mobile phone devices belonging to Egyptians residing abroad and tourists for a period of 90 days.
This comes within the framework of implementing the governance system for mobile phone devices imported from abroad, starting in January 2025, which was accompanied by an exceptional decision to exempt customs duties for one mobile phone device accompanied by a passenger until locally manufactured mobile phones not subject to customs are available.
The implementation of the system has already contributed to the entry of 15 international companies that manufacture mobile phone devices into the Egyptian market, with a production capacity of 20 million devices annually, which exceeds the needs of the local market. The mobile phone industry in Egypt witnessed a qualitative shift during the year 2025, which was reflected positively in the availability of the latest international models manufactured locally with their various characteristics and specifications, in a way that suits all segments of citizens, with their availability in all sales outlets and official branches of international companies.
These devices are manufactured by the same international manufacturers, or under their direct technical supervision, with the same technical specifications and international quality standards as their counterparts abroad, at competitive prices.
This movement reflects the direct positive impact of regulatory policies that led to providing about 10,000 job opportunities for Egyptian youth, in addition to meeting the needs of the local market, and thus eliminating the need to purchase mobile phone devices manufactured abroad or continuing the exceptional exemption for those devices.
To facilitate citizens, taxes and fees imposed on mobile devices imported from abroad can be paid via the “Talifouni” application, in addition to the digital payment methods available through banks and electronic wallets, with a time limit of up to 90 days from the date of first activation, to reconcile the devices’ conditions before taking any regulatory measures. The possibility of paying these taxes and fees in installments will also be available during the coming period.
The Customs Authority and the National Telecommunications Regulatory Authority confirm that these taxes and fees will not be applied retroactively to devices that were exempted before the implementation of this decision. The Customs Authority also informs those coming from abroad that the registration of personal mobile phone devices in the customs departments has been canceled due to its lack of purpose, and that payment of the taxes and fees due is made through the payment channels indicated above.
