How to Import a Car into Egypt: Step-by-Step Customs Process Explained

Thinking about importing a car from abroad? The process takes longer than most expect, but it comes with clear rules. Customs expert Dr. Badawi Ibrahim detailed the full journey of direct car imports — starting from a simple provisional invoice and ending with tax payment and final customs release.

The Start: Provisional Invoice and Bank Communication

Step one begins with contacting the seller in the export country. A provisional invoice must be issued for the desired vehicle. The number matters here — the bank needs the approximate value before any transfer. The customer then visits the bank to declare import intentions. The phase of securing foreign currency begins.

The national ID is the operative key. The importer presents their ID card and works through an accredited customs broker. This broker opens a certificate for the shipment's preliminary number — a figure that precedes any physical shipping of the car.

Form No. 4 and the Turning Point

After securing the currency and opening the certificate, the customer returns to the bank to complete banking procedures. Then comes the decisive moment: Form No. 4 appears on the banking system, signaling the green light to ship the vehicle. No form — no shipment movement from the export port.

Once the car reaches the Egyptian port, the customs broker receives an official arrival notice. The final — yet most detailed — stage begins here. A customs certificate is opened for the vehicle, followed by the precise calculation of taxes and duties. Everyone waits for this number as it defines the total cost.

Customs Release and the Final Step

Assessing the fees isn't the finish line. Completing the release process requires paying the full dues, after which the car leaves the port. The whole operation demands patience and careful financial planning, especially amid exchange rate fluctuations.

Expert advice is clear: anyone planning a direct import must follow each step with a trusted broker. Yet the used car market in Egypt offers ready alternatives — with brands like Toyota and Kia available locally at prices that often rival the full import cost.