Importers’ questions, answered.
Real questions from our clients — in their own words — grouped by topic, with clear answers and links to the full guides.
Browse by topic
Starting an import business in Egypt
For first-time importers, entrepreneurs, and small companies.
- How do I start importing from China to Egypt from zero?
- Can I import from China without a company?
- What documents do I need to import from abroad?
- How do I get an import card in Egypt?
- …
Finding Chinese suppliers and factories
For sourcing and purchasing decision-makers.
- How do I find reliable factories in China?
- What’s the difference between Alibaba, 1688 and Made-in-China?
- How do I make sure a Chinese supplier isn’t a scam?
- Is the supplier a real factory or a trading company?
- …
Shipping from China to Egypt
For customers comparing freight options and quotations.
- How much does it cost to ship a 20ft container from China to Egypt?
- How much does it cost to ship a 40ft container from China to Egypt?
- How much does shipping one cubic metre from China to Egypt cost?
- How many days does shipping from China to Egypt take?
- …
Customs duties and total landed cost
How duties and taxes are worked out, and what the goods really cost at your warehouse.
- How do I calculate customs on goods coming from China?
- What is the customs duty on machinery imported from China?
- What is the customs duty on clothes and shoes from China?
- What is the customs duty on car spare parts from China?
- …
ACID, CargoX and NAFEZA
Shipment IDs, supplier registration, rejected HS codes, and documents.
- What is an ACID number and how do I get one?
- Who is responsible for getting the ACID for the importer?
- How does the Chinese supplier register on CargoX?
- Can I ship the goods before getting the ACID?
- …
Customs clearance and shipment problems
Release times, delays, held shipments, and fixing document errors.
- How many days does customs clearance in Egypt take?
- What causes customs release delays?
- What do I do if the goods are held at customs?
- Do the goods need inspection or a conformity certificate?
- …
Machinery and industrial equipment
Production lines, heavy and oversized equipment, and spare parts.
- How do I import a complete production line from China?
- What documents do I need to import industrial machinery?
- Is there customs duty on new factory machinery?
- Can I import a used machine from China?
- …
Chemicals and raw materials
Hazardous and non-hazardous materials, SDS, approvals, and plastic raw materials.
- What are the conditions for importing chemicals into Egypt?
- Do chemicals need special approvals?
- What’s the difference between hazardous and non-hazardous materials in shipping?
- Do I need an SDS or MSDS for the shipment?
- …
Importing from other countries
Turkey, Europe, the Gulf, India, and the US — and how origin affects duty.
- How much does shipping from Turkey to Egypt cost?
- Is importing from Turkey cheaper than from China?
- How do I import spare parts from Germany?
- How much does shipping from Dubai or the UAE to Egypt cost?
- …
Exporting from Egypt
Getting started, documents, the exporters register, and shipping Egyptian products abroad.
- How do I start exporting from Egypt?
- What documents are needed to export Egyptian products?
- How do I get an export card?
- How much does shipping a container from Egypt to China cost?
- …
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