CAIRO, Egypt (Eye Radio) – The Egyptian government has officially ended the temporary “one-phone” duty-free rule for travelers, marking a major shift in the country’s mobile phone market.

According to an Egyptian media report, the decision, announced Tuesday, comes as Egypt’s local phone manufacturing industry now produces enough devices to meet national demand.

In January 2025, Egypt introduced a new system to manage mobile phone imports. At that time, travelers were allowed to bring in one phone without paying taxes until local factories could catch up.

Authorities now say that goal has been reached. Today, 15 international companies are manufacturing phones within Egypt. These factories can produce 20 million devices a year, which is more than enough for the local market. This growth has already created 10,000 jobs for Egyptian youth.

While the general tax exemption has ended, there are still special rules for visitors:

• Tourists: Can use their phones for 90 days without paying extra fees. They will receive a new SIM card upon arrival, valid for their stay.

• Expats (Egyptians living abroad): Can activate their phones for 90 days during each visit. To do this, they must report their arrival and show proof of residence abroad.

If you bring a phone from abroad and wish to use it long-term, you no longer need to wait in line at customs. Instead, you can pay the required taxes and fees through:

• The Telephony mobile app

• Banks or Electronic Wallets

There is a 90-day grace period from the moment a new phone is first turned on to pay these fees before any action is taken. The government also plans to introduce monthly payment options soon to help with the costs.

Important Facts to Know

• No Back-Taxes: If you brought a phone into Egypt before this new rule started, you do not have to pay taxes on it now.

• Quality Guarantee: Locally made phones are built under the direct supervision of global brands. They follow the same international quality standards but are sold at more competitive prices.

• The Results: Since January, over 650,000 phones were brought in under the old exemption rule. Officials say the new system will now focus on stopping phone smuggling and supporting local shops and workers.