Two members of the Egyptian House of Representatives submitted a parliamentary question and an inquiry regarding the cancellation of the customs exemption granted to imported mobile phones for Egyptian expatriates.
This exemption allowed each expatriate to bring one phone into Egypt every three years without fees.
Under a new decision issued by the Egyptian Customs Authority, Egyptians residing abroad and tourists are granted a 90-day exemption period, after which they must pay the applicable tax or disconnect their mobile phone.
The two MPs, head of the Justice Party and deputy chairman of the Planning and Budget Committee in the House of Representatives, Abdel-Moneim Emam, and the deputy chairman of the Manpower Committee in the House, Rawya Mokhtar, directed the parliamentary question and inquiry to the Cabinet and the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Finance, and Communications.
Eman said that the decision to end the exceptional exemption equates expatriates who endure the hardships of living abroad, with tourists in transit – without considering social and economic differences.
‘Is this how we repay them?’
He explained that Egyptians abroad represent one of the most important sources of national income, and asked, “Will the localization of the mobile phone industry be achieved by preventing expatriates from bringing two or three phones to their families? Is this how we repay them?”
A joint statement issued Tuesday by the Customs Authority and the National Telecommunications Regulatory Authority indicated that this measure is part of implementing a governance system for mobile phones imported from abroad, which began in January 2025.
Taxes and fees levied on imported mobile devices can be paid through the “Telephony” app, in addition to digital payment methods available through banks and e-wallets.
A grace period of up to 90 days from the date of initial activation will be provided to allow for the regularization of devices before any regulatory measures are taken.
Installment payment options for these taxes and fees will also be available in the near future.
Informed sources at the Finance Ministry said that the new mobile phone governance system does not aim to increase revenue, but rather to encourage local production and prioritize Egyptian products.
They emphasized ongoing coordination is in place with the National Telecommunications Regulatory Authority.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
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