New Facilitation Measures for Personal Car Imports: Egyptians Abroad and Foreign Residents Included

In a new step aimed at simplifying the procedures for importing vehicles for personal use, the Egyptian Minister of Trade and Industry has approved several facilitation measures as part of the implementation of Ministerial Decree No. 49 of 2024, according to a statement issued by the Egyptian Customs Authority based on correspondence from the Foreign Trade Agreements Sector at the ministry.

The newly approved measures expand the eligible categories to include foreign residents in Egypt with valid residence permits, provided that the vehicle's value is paid from abroad, in line with current procedures for Egyptians working abroad and diplomats.

The new guidelines include the following:

• No requirement to submit official documentation proving payment from abroad, easing paperwork and allowing for more flexible processing.
• Students and residents who have been living abroad for at least 16 months will also benefit from the facilitation outlined in Clause (2) of the decree.
• A bank Swift transfer confirmation will be accepted in lieu of Form (4) until the completion of system integration with MTS, allowing the form to be officially linked to the personal-use import process.

The ministry has instructed that these guidelines be circulated to all customs outlets nationwide to ensure prompt and unified implementation. These changes come as part of the state’s broader policy to support Egyptians living abroad, encourage official financial transfers, and provide a more flexible environment for foreign nationals residing in Egypt.