Changes in Egypt’s import registration procedures
Do you export to Egypt and are you faced with import registration requirements with the General Organization for Export and Import Control? Know that these procedures will be made easier.
On 1 April 2022 The Egyptian Ministry of Trade and Industry introduced significant structural changes to import registration procedures (Decree 43/2016). The new Decree 195/2022 [please find the complete text in below] will amend registration procedures to provide more transparency and predictability. This will facilitate foreign companies exporting goods to Egypt.
Key changes include:
- A Ministerial Decree is no longer needed to finalize registration;
- Registration process through Egyptian embassies and within 15 days;
- Introduction of a mechanism to appeal cancellation of registration
- The procedure will be more transparent through publication decisions in the Egyptian Gazette and GOEIC’s website
Earlier this year, the EU requested consultations for dispute settlement at the WTO against Egypt’s import procedures. The EU challenged the requirement by Egypt that certain categories of goods should undergo import registration requirements. These apply to a range of goods including agri-food products such as milk, dairy, fruit juices and confectionary. Since 2016, EU exports of such goods to Egypt fell by 40%. This fits into a range of trade measures discouraging exports to encourage local manufacturing and value addition.
The agriculture team believes this is a step to ease the import restrictions imposed by the Egyptian government through Decree 43. This step will facilitate Dutch food processors and exporters to access the Egyptian market. This may encourage them to move from trade to investment.
For questions or updates from Dutch agribusinesses exporting to or planning to invest in Egypt, contact: KAI-LNV@minbuza.nl
