Why import from Egypt
For buyers in Europe, Africa and the Middle East, Egypt is close, has trade agreements that cut import duties, and makes most everyday household products locally.
Close to your market
Egypt sits on the Suez Canal between the Mediterranean and the Red Sea. Sea routes to Southern Europe, the Gulf and East Africa are short.
Trade agreements
Goods of Egyptian origin can enter the EU, UK, EFTA, Arab countries, much of Africa and MERCOSUR duty-free or at reduced duty when the origin rules are met.
Local factories
Plastics, packaging, household goods, textiles, building materials, chemicals and food are all made in Egypt's industrial zones.
Factory prices
Energy, labour and many raw materials are local, which keeps prices reasonable for volume orders.
Four main export ports
Alexandria, Damietta and Port Said on the Mediterranean, and Ain Sokhna on the Red Sea, so goods can go out by the shortest route.
Factories used to exporting
Many Egyptian manufacturers have exported to Europe and the Arab world for years and know the paperwork and standards involved.
Lower duties for goods of Egyptian origin
Depending on your country, products from Egypt may be imported duty-free or at reduced duty. We issue the origin documents your customs ask for.
| Agreement | Markets | Typical benefit | Origin document |
|---|---|---|---|
| EU–Egypt Association Agreement | 27 EU member states | Duty-free access for industrial products | EUR.1 or origin declaration |
| Greater Arab Free Trade Area (GAFTA) | Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon and other Arab states | Zero customs duty on Arab-origin goods | Arab certificate of origin |
| Agadir Agreement | Jordan, Morocco, Tunisia | Duty-free trade between members | EUR.1 / Agadir certificate |
| COMESA | Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Zambia, Zimbabwe and other member states | Duty-free trade among FTA members | COMESA certificate of origin |
| African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) | Participating African states | Tariffs reduced step by step across Africa | AfCFTA certificate of origin |
| EFTA–Egypt FTA | Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein | Duty-free access for industrial products | EUR.1 or origin declaration |
| MERCOSUR–Egypt FTA | Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay | Tariffs removed step by step | MERCOSUR certificate of origin |
| Egypt–Türkiye FTA | Türkiye | Duty-free access for industrial products | EUR.1 |
| UK–Egypt Association Agreement | United Kingdom | Duty-free access for industrial products | EUR.1 or origin declaration |
| Qualifying Industrial Zones (QIZ) | United States | Duty-free entry for qualifying goods from QIZ factories | QIZ certificate |
Whether a product qualifies depends on its rules of origin and your country's current tariff. Please check with your customs broker. We provide the origin documents for every shipment that qualifies.
Typical transit times
Sailings from Egypt reach the Mediterranean, the Gulf and East Africa quickly. The Americas and Northern Europe are served through transshipment hubs.
Ports we ship from
- AlexandriaEgypt's main Mediterranean port, with frequent sailings to Europe and the Americas.
- DamiettaDeep-water Mediterranean container terminal east of Alexandria.
- Port Said (East)Transshipment hub at the northern end of the Suez Canal.
- Ain SokhnaRed Sea port for the Gulf, East Africa and Asia.
Typical sea transit from Egypt
| Southern Europe (Italy, Greece, Spain) | 4–8 days |
|---|---|
| Northern Europe (Rotterdam, Hamburg) | 10–16 days |
| Gulf (Jebel Ali, Dammam) | 7–12 days |
| East Africa (Mombasa, Dar es Salaam) | 10–16 days |
| West Africa (Lagos, Tema) | 18–28 days |
| US East Coast | 18–25 days |
Rough port-to-port times. Real times depend on the shipping line and the route.
Beyond our catalogue
Our catalogue covers plastics, cookware, disposables and household goods. For larger orders we also look for products in other sectors:
Want to try a first order?
Browse the catalogue, or tell us exactly what you need.