What changed in 2026
- Law No. 4 of 2026 (published 2 April 2026) allows fees to be paid in foreign currencies accepted by the Central Bank, introduces settlement for certain violations, and regulates re-registration by heirs and changes in a company’s legal form
- Decree No. 271 of 2026 (in force from 22 July 2026) replaced the 2017 executive regulations (Decree 846 of 2017)
- A move to fully electronic registration: GOEIC is to launch an electronic platform within six months, after which all applications go through it
Conditions by type of applicant
Main financial conditions under the new executive regulations:
| Applicant | Capital | Annual business volume | Security deposit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sole trader | At least EGP 500,000 | At least EGP 2,000,000 | EGP 50,000 |
| Partnership, LLC, one-person company | Paid-in at least EGP 2,000,000 | At least EGP 5,000,000 | EGP 200,000 |
| Joint-stock company | Issued at least EGP 5,000,000 | At least EGP 5,000,000 | EGP 200,000 |
The security can be a cash deposit or a bank guarantee. Figures are from an unofficial translation of Decree 271/2026; the Arabic text in the Official Gazette is binding.
Other main conditions
- Sole traders: at least two consecutive years of commercial practice, certified by the Chamber of Commerce
- Companies (partnerships, LLCs, one-person companies): registered for at least one year
- At least 51% Egyptian ownership, with a time-limited exception for companies below that threshold
- A training certificate from the Foreign Trade Training Center or an approved center for the person responsible for importing
- The person responsible for importing enrolled in social insurance
- Good-conduct declarations, and declarations on parliamentary or political roles
- Undertakings to link electronically with GOEIC systems
Commodity groups
Registration is by commodity group, following the 21 sections of the Customs Import Tariff. Register every group you plan to import; each group carries its own fee.
Fees
| Service | Fee (EGP) |
|---|---|
| First registration or re-registration | 5,000 |
| Renewal | 2,000 |
| Each commodity group | 1,000 |
| Data modification | 500 |
| Publication of registration or change | 500 |
| Register extract | 100 |
Validity and renewal
- Registration lasts five years and is renewable
- Apply for renewal within the 90 days before expiry
- A late application within 90 days after expiry is accepted at double the renewal fee
- GOEIC decides within 15 days of a complete application; no reply means rejection
Practical tips
- Check your latest tax return: business volume is measured from it
- Register all the commodity groups you expect to need, not only the first product
- Diary the renewal window now — five years passes quickly
- Keep the commercial register, tax card, and social-insurance data consistent
Not registered yet?
If your business does not yet meet the conditions, talk to us before you buy. We can review your situation and the lawful options for your first shipment.
Pacific can help you plan the registration steps alongside your first order, so the paperwork is ready when the goods are.
Sources
General guidance. Requirements vary by product, route, and date, so they are confirmed for each request.