MOVING TO EGYPT

When relocating to Egypt, it’s natural to want to bring your personal items along with you. If moving to Egypt for a long period of time, more of your household goods might need to come along with you. To ensure you have everything in the correct order to ship your belongings from the UK to Egypt, GMS provide professional international moving advice.

Below is a list of the documents you will need when planning an international removal to Egypt:

• Original Passport (Of the individual moving/importing the goods) with Egyptian Resident / Work Permit
• Original Bill of Lading (OBL) / Air Waybill (AWB) – We will take care of this if completing the entire international removal to Egypt for you.
• Detailed moving inventory, valued, dated and signed in English
• Removal packing list – We will complete this if you want us to undertake a full packing service for your removal
• Form 4DE (applicable only to diplomatic relocations / diplomats moving)
• Letter of Guarantee

We recommend providing these as soon as possible to reduce delays with your move from the UK to Egypt. Late receipt of documentation can lead to missed shipments, additional charges and penalties at Egyptian Customs. For your own protection, we will almost never ship your goods without the above in place.

There are strict customs requirements for bringing items into Egypt from the UK, so it’s important to follow our Egypt removal advice closely. Note that all items are subject to taxes, including consumables and all audio-visual goods (tapes, video, books, DVD, CD ROMS, etc.) will be inspected, viewed, read by Customs and released no sooner than 3 weeks after import.

• Removal packing list must be clear and legible as it will be translated into Arabic; do not indicate “Miscellaneous,” “Packed by Owner,” or “PBO.”
• Private shippers must pay duties and taxes.
• All shipments, from private to half-diplomatic are subject to Customs inspection.
• Extra charges may be applied for the inspection of special items, including: alcohol, food, phones, paintings, etc.; check with agent for details.
• Inspection fees and taxes are paid by the shipper.
• All private shippers not having a Letter of Guarantee must pay duties and taxes in cash.
• The Letter of Guarantee states an amount of money corresponding to the amount of duties and taxes to be paid; these funds are placed into a bank account and released to the shipper when moving out of Egypt; at that time, all items must be exported, otherwise taxes and fines will be paid on each missing item.
• The Guarantee can only be obtained with a Work Permit and Work Visa.
• Vehicles and all audio visual goods must be loaded at the door of the container.
• The Moving inventory must state the model, brand, size and content (e.g., Sony 40″ Television) for all electrical and electronic items.
• Instruction manuals must be attached to printers and fax machines.
• Wooden crates in air or sea shipments must be fumigated.
• Diplomatic missions and some international organizations must apply for duty and tax exemptions on personal effects (approximately 7 to 21 working days).
• Diplomats may be exempted from Customs duties and inspection provided they apply for and are granted Form 4DE (Protocol).