What You Need to Know About Egypt’s Mobile Phone Customs Policy

On April 7, the National Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (NTRA) officially began implementing a decision to deactivate mobile phones that had not paid the required customs duties. 

The move targets phones imported without proper clearance, particularly those brought in through parallel channels, bypassing the official customs process. Users were notified about service disruptions, marking the government’s push to regulate the mobile market and enforce compliance with customs regulations.

The Deactivation Aims to Address Parallel Imports & Tax Gaps

The decision to deactivate unregistered phones comes after a three-month grace period and is part of Egypt’s wider push toward digital governance and market regulation. Authorities are targeting parallel imports—phones that enter the country unofficially without paying duties—which undercut official sellers and cost the state valuable customs revenue. 

The move also helps support local phone manufacturers, who struggle to compete when untaxed imports flood the market. By enforcing the rules, the government hopes to level the playing field and reduce losses in both the formal retail and tech sectors.

Use the “Telephony” App to Check If Your Phone Is Affected

To determine whether your phone is affected, the NTRA has introduced the “Telephony” app. It’s a useful tool for checking the status of your device. 

To use the app, simply enter your phone’s IMEI number, which can be found by dialing *#06# or checking your phone’s settings. The app will show if your phone is registered with customs and if the appropriate duties have been paid. 

It’s a straightforward process that ensures you know the status of your phone before any disconnection takes place.

If You Bring More Than One Phone Into Egypt, You’ll Need to Pay Duties

Travelers bringing phones into Egypt need to understand the rules for personal and commercial imports. Each traveler is allowed to bring one phone duty-free for personal use. 

However, if you bring in more than one phone, such as multiple devices for family or friends, you may be required to pay customs duties. 

If you bring in five or more phones, they will be treated as a commercial import. That means you’ll need to go through the proper registration and duty payment process. Understanding these guidelines will help prevent unexpected issues with phone registration upon arrival.

Unregistered Phones Will Lose Access to Mobile Networks

Phones that haven’t been properly registered or cleared through customs will no longer function on Egyptian mobile networks. This means they won’t be able to make calls, send messages, or access mobile data. 

However, these phones will still work for Wi-Fi connections or when used abroad. This could affect the second-hand market, as buyers might unknowingly purchase devices that cannot be used in Egypt. The deactivation will remain in place until the necessary customs duties are paid.

A New Phase for Egypt’s Mobile Market

This new enforcement marks a significant step in organizing Egypt’s mobile market. With more stringent rules in place, the country is moving toward a more regulated and transparent digital environment, which could lead to better consumer protections and fairer competition.

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