The decision by the Egyptian Customs Authority and the National Telecommunications Regulatory Authority to cancel the exceptional exemption for one mobile phone accompanying Egyptians returning from abroad, effective from noon on January 21, 2026, has sparked angry reactions among Egyptians working abroad and members of Parliament.
This decision means resuming the application of fees and taxes (ranging between 38% and 38.5% of the phone’s value) on any device brought into the country, while maintaining only a temporary 90-day exemption for tourists and residents abroad during their visits to Egypt.
The most prominent reactions focused on defending the rights of Egyptians abroad, especially since this decision will increase their financial burdens. “Al Arabiya Business” has identified the main reasons for dissatisfaction with the decision in seven main points, including:
Expats have become accustomed to buying high-specification phones for their families due to the price difference between abroad and Egypt.
The exemption was not a permanent law, but rather an “exception linked to the governance system that began in January 2025, then was completely canceled in January 2026; which made many feel that the rules of the game changed quickly after they had adapted for a whole year to importing one phone without fees.”
After the cancellation, a percentage of approximately 38% to 38.5% (including customs, taxes, and system fees) is applied depending on the value of the device, which constitutes an additional burden on the financial obligations borne by the expatriate towards his family at home.
It has also become necessary to pay fees through digital channels (including the “Telephony” application) within 90 days of the first activation inside Egypt. For many travelers, visits seem short, and the idea of ”activation, grace period, and payment” seems like a tiresome procedure compared to the previous practice.
Buying one phone as a gift was a common practice that had nothing to do with trade. Today, any phone entering Egypt will be treated as a personal import subject to fees, creating a feeling among some expatriates that the system does not clearly differentiate between personal use and trade.
The succession of decisions, from the start of the system in 2025 to the end of the exemption in 2026 within a relatively short period, has created an impression among a segment of Egyptians abroad that the regulatory policy is not stable enough to plan purchases and gifts in advance.
A surprise bill upon final return
Another aspect that is often overlooked is what families who end their expatriation and return permanently to Egypt may face. Most families own more than one phone for family members (husband/wife/children), and they may all be included in personal belongings. After the exemption is canceled, the family will have to pay fees on each device (except for temporary exemptions for residents abroad during their visits that do not exceed 90 days), which may lead to an unexpected collective financial claim upon final entry, especially if the devices are activated inside Egypt before arranging payment through the system.
What does the government say?
The regulatory authorities confirm that the decision came after the development of the local industry and the increase in production capacity to about 20 million devices annually with the entry of about 15 international assembly/manufacturing companies, which exceeds the needs of the local market and justifies ending the exemption, in addition to providing digital payment and grace periods for compatibility before any regulatory procedures.
How can an expatriate deal with the new situation?
Purchase Planning: “Compare the price of the device outside Egypt + approximately 38% compared to its local price before making a decision. In many cases, the attractive price difference may disappear.”
Activation Management: “Avoid activating the device inside Egypt before arranging its status through the system if you are within the grace period, and pay through the announced digital channels, including the “Telephony” application.”
Final Return: “If the family is returning permanently and has several devices, take into account the total cost of the fees and determine which devices will enter service inside Egypt first, and consider selling/replacing the extra devices before returning if the cost is high.”
