“This initiative was launched due to the widespread phenomenon of mobile phones entering the country illegally, which has harmed the nation's public treasury, where 95 percent of mobile phones entering Egypt are smuggled, and only five percent pay the required customs fees,” Elkilany said.
The Egyptian government has developed an electronic application allowing individuals to register their mobile phones without incurring additional customs duties to address this issue. Although individuals will not pay taxes on a single personal phone, they will be required to pay customs duties, estimated at 38.5 percent, if they bring in more than one phone at the airport.
Phones that enter without registration will receive a message requiring the payment of customs fees within 90 days.
Smuggled phones will be deactivated if the fees are not paid within that period, Elkilany added.
Several countries, including India, Brazil, Indonesia, Turkey, and EU member states, impose customs duties or taxes on mobile phones when imported. These taxes vary depending on the country’s regulations and the device’s value.
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