Egyptian Customs Settles the Debate: Expats' Car Initiative Ends, No Reopening for Registration

The Egyptian Expats' Car Initiative is officially over. Ahmed Amwi, head of the Egyptian Customs Authority, confirmed that recent reports about reopening registration for duty-free car imports are false, stressing that only those who previously registered during the initiative's active period may proceed with import procedures under the granted five-year window from the date of registration.

Is There Any Chance Registration Will Reopen?

Speaking during a phone interview on the "El Hekaya" program broadcast on MBC Masr, Amwi denied any decision or discussions about reviving the initiative. The extended five-year deadline for previous beneficiaries doesn't mean new applicants can register—it's simply additional time to complete import procedures for those who already signed up while the initiative was active.

So, who decides whether to reopen it? The head of Customs made clear that this isn't within his authority's jurisdiction. It would require a decision from the competent authorities and a new legal provision, just as happened when the initiative was first launched and later revived. Talk of its return needs fresh legislation—not just statements.

Timeline of the Expats' Car Initiative

Egypt launched the expats' car initiative in 2022, allowing citizens living abroad to import a vehicle in exchange for a foreign-currency payment while benefiting from customs exemptions under specific rules. In October 2023, the initiative was reopened under Law No. 174 of 2023, giving a second chance to those who missed the first phase.

By April 2024, the Ministry of Immigration announced that April 28 of that year would be the final deadline for the initiative, while procedures for prior registrants continued under the established rules. That effectively closed the door on any new applications, with no legal indicator of a future reopening at this time.

What This Means for Egyptian Expats

Duty-free imports remain available only to those who registered within the specified periods. Others are turning to the local market for alternatives, while the final say on any revival rests with legislative authorities—not Customs, as the authority's head confirmed.