Mobile Phone Exemption Period Extended to 120 Days
The exemption period for mobile phones brought in by Egyptians abroad has been extended to 120 days starting April 1st.
The exemption period for mobile phones brought into Egypt by Egyptians living abroad will be extended from 90 to 120 days starting April 1st, 2026.
The measure follows discussions between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology on improving digital services and consular procedures for citizens overseas.
The extension forms part of wider efforts to streamline processes and expand access to services through the Digital Egypt platform, which provides online government services for users in Egypt and abroad.
The update builds on the Mobile Phone Governance System introduced in January 2025, which requires all mobile devices entering the country to be registered.
Under the system, devices not imported through official local agents are subject to a 38.5% regulatory fee covering customs duties and value-added tax. The framework was introduced to address informal imports, which had previously accounted for a large share of the market.
A general 90-day grace period was initially applied to travellers but was discontinued in January 2026 as part of a shift toward supporting domestic electronics distribution.
The extended exemption period applies specifically to Egyptians living abroad, providing additional time to regularise devices under the current system.
