Australia has friendly and positive relations with Egypt. Diplomatic relations were established in 1950. Egypt is Australia’s 37th largest merchandise export destination and third largest merchandise export market in the Middle East. There is scope to strengthen and diversify bilateral trade and investment relations.
Australian products sold to Egypt in recent years include lead, specialised machinery, cereal preparations, food processing machines, animal feed, crustaceans, chocolate, metal fasteners, food products, measuring and controlling instruments, and pigments, paints and varnishes.
Import tariffs
Since 1991, tariff rates in Egypt have been reduced to a maximum of 40 % - except cars, alcoholic beverages, and a number of luxury goods. Tariffs on many goods are lower - the average tariff rate is still in excess of 25 %.
Additionally to the government levies a service fee on the value of imported shipments. The surcharge is 2 % or 4 % depending on the customs duty of the imported article: 2 % for commodities subject to customs duties between 5 % and 30 %; 4 % for those subject to custom duties over 30 %.
Alcoholic beverages, larger motor vehicles, tobacco and tobacco goods are subject to duties up to 3000 %.
Duty reductions apply to goods imported for domestic processing and assembly.
Non-tariff import barriers
Egypt has supported reductions in trade barriers and the concept of open and multilateral trading systems. The authorities have encouraged free trade by active participation in the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) and similar forums.
Import restrictions: the General Authority for Exports keeps a registry of all importers and imports Control who issue an import card to importers that are registered. The import card must be presented when an import transaction is undertaken. All import transactions require a letter of credit to be issued from an officially registered bank.
A wide range of imported goods is subject to inspection and approval by the General Authority for Exports and Imports Control after arrival and after payment of import duties. All kinds of food products are subject to health and quality inspection by the 3 Ministries: Health, Supply and Agriculture. A health certificate is delivered if consignments comply with the rules.
Certificates of specifications are issued for consignments that satisfy established conditions and specifications. These goods are subject to inspection fees, assessed in Egyptian piasters per specified measure. Conditions and specifications must meet the norms issued (and approved) by the Egyptian Organisation for Standardisation and Quality Control.
A wide range of products are conditionally restricted or prohibited for economic or industrial considerations.
Import documentation: commercial invoice; certificate of origin etc. | 
