Importing furniture from China to Egypt: a practical guide

At a glance
HS headings	9401 (seats and sofas), 9403 (other furniture), 9404 (mattresses)
Decree 43	Yes — home and office furniture
Usual shipping	FCL (40ft high cube is common); LCL for small orders
Known sourcing hubs	Foshan (Lecong, Shunde), Dongguan, Anji for office chairs

Decree 43 applies

Home and office furniture, including seats and mattresses, is on the Decree 43 list. It is released only if the factory or brand owner is registered with GOEIC — check before paying.

Where furniture is made

Foshan in Guangdong — especially the Lecong furniture market and Shunde — is China’s best-known furniture hub, with showrooms that represent many factories. Showrooms are often not the factory itself, so verify who actually produces your order.

Read more: How to verify a Chinese supplier

Specify materials and finish

Wood type and board (solid wood, MDF, particleboard) and thickness
Fabric or leather type, colour codes, and foam density
Metal parts and finish, and hardware quality
Dimensions and drawings for every piece
An approved sample or detailed photos for each model

Flat-pack or assembled?

Flat-pack (knock-down) furniture fits far more into a container and lowers freight per piece, but needs assembly in Egypt and clear instructions. Assembled furniture is ready to sell but takes much more space. Many importers combine both.

Packing and container planning

Ask for corner protection, export cartons, and moisture protection, and use wood packaging treated to international standards. Plan the container load with the factory — a 40ft high cube is common for furniture because the goods fill space before weight.

Check before loading

Inspect finish, colour consistency, dimensions, and packing, and watch the container being loaded where possible. Damage and finish problems are much harder to resolve after arrival.

Common mistakes

Buying from a showroom without knowing the producing factory
Not checking Decree 43 registration
Poor packing that leads to transit damage
Underusing the container and paying for empty space

Questions about this product

Does furniture from China need factory registration?

Yes. Home and office furniture is on the Decree 43 list, so the factory or brand owner must be registered with GOEIC.

What container is best for furniture?

A 40ft high cube is common because furniture fills space before it reaches the weight limit. Use our CBM calculator to check your volume.

Is Foshan the best place to buy furniture?

Foshan is the best-known hub with a huge choice, but the right supplier depends on your style, quality, and quantity. Verify the producing factory either way.

Can I mix furniture from several factories in one container?

Yes, through consolidation in China — but plan the ACID and documents, since each exporter’s goods may need their own paperwork.

General guidance. Requirements vary by product, specification, and date, so they are confirmed for each request.