Most Egyptian businesses import products from China. Total worth is approximately $12.94 billion. Primary imports include electrical appliances, synthetic fibers, plastics, and organic chemicals.
Importing products from China offers a cost-effective advantage for your business. However, understanding the complete process of shipping from China to Egypt is necessary before you start your business. Here is the complete guide for you.
7-Step Process For Shipping From China To Egypt
Below are the simple steps to import products from China to Egypt. We have described all the steps briefly, so you can start your business by reading the following process.
1. Register As An Importer In Egypt
You should get an import license from the General Organization of Export and Import Control (GOEIC) to start the import process. It is difficult to get an import license in Egypt, as you have to register your company as LLC (Limited Liability Company) or JSC (Joint Stock Company).
To register an LLC, you must have a capital of 2 million Egyptian Pounds. For JSC you should have at least 5 million Egyptian Pounds in capital. You can register your company whether you are Egyptian or a foreigner, you have to get a certificate of training. The Foreign Trade Affairs Ministry conducts these import training programs.
2. Product Selection
Product selection is the primary decision in your import journey. You should analyze the market completely and evaluate the customs duties and taxes on different products. Egypt is a growing Muslim country, therefore you can import products related to Islamic events as well.
Textile products from China are very popular in Egypt. The construction industry is growing at a rapid pace in Egypt, so construction-related materials can also be imported. You should also consult the big business consultants including us. We have vast experience in the import industry, so our valuable suggestions will help you to find a profitable product.
3. Hunt a Reliable Chinese Supplier
Suppliers are the backbone of the import process because if your product gets initial success, then its continuous supply is important. You can consult other importers, who are in contact with the Chinese manufacturers. If you have a good budget, you should visit Chinese fairs and exhibitions to hunt for the targeted supplier.
Your freight forwarder can also help you to find a reliable supplier. Some freight forwarders have a wide social network, like Bansar who can help you connect with reliable suppliers. Online platforms can be an effective method to search for reliable sellers. Alibaba, Global Sources, and Made-In-China are some famous online platforms.
4. Define Incoterms With Chinese Supplier
Incoterms is an agreement to ship your products between you and the supplier. These incoterms define the final cost, risk, ease, and transit time. Two to three incoterms are usually common while importing from China to Egypt.
- FOB (Free On Board): FOB is the most commonly used incoterms. In this mode, the seller is the responsible person until the goods are loaded onto the ship for transit. After loading, all the responsibilities including the shipping cost, insurance, damage risk, and accidents are on the buyer’s shoulders.
- CIF (Cost Insurance Freight): In this mode of incoterms, the seller has the sole responsibility until the products reach the final destination in Egypt. Everything will be managed by the seller in this mode, including the shipping cost, insurance issues, freight challenges, etc. The products have a slightly higher cost than the products reached through FOB.
- EXW (EX-Works): In this mode, the buyer is responsible after the products are manufactured. You will be responsible for carrying your products from the factory outlet in China to the seaport or airport, whatever method you opt for. With this method, you will get products at cheaper rates, however, the responsibility and headache will be unbearable.
5. Freight Forwarder & Its Selection Criteria
You should select the freight forwarder with caution and thorough research. Freight forwarders are responsible for carrying your products from the factory outlet to the port of origin, in your case it’s China. After reaching the port, they help in all the crucial steps like storage in the warehouse, customs clearance, loading, and final journey towards Egypt.
We at “Bansar” are always ready to assist our prestigious clients in documentation, customs clearance, and other critical issues at the port. We have a wide network at Egyptian ports as well, so your goods will be cleared as early as possible. We comply with all the international shipping rules and regulations, you can trust us and our services.
6. Customs Clearance From Chinese Authorities
Products’s clearance from the Chinese ports is the responsibility of either you or your supplier in China depending on the incoterms you are following. Your supplier can submit an export declaration form to the authorities. The documents needed are usually the commercial invoice, packing list, the agreement between the supplier and the buyer, etc.
7. Customs Clearance Process in Egypt
Now the Egyptian Government has launched a new system “Nafeza”, which is a single-window system. Advanced Cargo Information has initiated this online platform, where you can submit all your documents and customs duties through this portal. You need the following documents:
Import Documents
- Airway Bill/ The Bill of Lading: You need to submit this bill to the Egyptian authorities. This is a kind of receipt of your goods, which you get after the loading of your products onto the ship. In the case of air freight, you call this document an airway bill. This document contains information about the shipping agreement, incoterms, and other legal information.
- Commercial Invoice: This invoice is generated by the supplier. It contains the product type, the cost of the goods, the currency used, etc.
- Certificate of Origin: Another important document produced by the Chamber of Commerce of the origin’s country. This document helps the Customs Department to define the customs duty and taxes depending on the country of origin which is China.
- Packing List: This list defines the product details in depth including the product cost, quantity, product expiry, variants, color, batch number, and other such details.
Import Duties and Taxes
Egypt imposes 14% of VAT on all imported items. The customs duties may vary from one product to the other, depending on the HS category of the products.
- Electronic items have customs duty ranging from 10-30%.
- Textiles have a 5-20% customs duty.
- Agricultural products have around 10%.
- The machinery has 2-15% duties.
- Health-related products and pharmaceuticals are exempted from customs duties.
After submitting these taxes, your goods will be released by the customs and you can take them to any address in Egypt.
4 Ways To Ship From China To Egypt
The following means of importing goods to Egypt are used to transport your cargo from China. You can select the one on the basis of your investment and deadlines.
Sea Freight
It is the most widely used transportation method globally. If you are planning to import huge quantities from China to Egypt, sea freight is the ideal choice. You can import goods either in the 40-foot container, 20-foot container, or LCL.
The FCL (full container load) is the most economical option when shipping your products through the sea route. If you don’t have enough budget to import the whole container, then LCL (less than a container load) will be your most suitable option.
Special Transportation Options in Sea Freight
- Reefer Containers: These containers are specially designed to carry the controlled products from China to Egypt. These items need a stable temperature and environment. Seafood and medicinal products are usually shipped through these reefer containers.
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- OOG (Out of the Gauge): These containers are large-sized and made for huge and irregularly shaped products. They are used for transporting cargo that can not fit in the regular-size containers.
- Dry-Bulk: This term is used when you carry commodities like coal, grains, and other such dry materials to Egypt that need great space.
- RoRo Vessels: These are the ships through which you can transfer the vehicles on their wheels. The trucks can be loaded directly on these vessels.
Suez Canal – A Wonder For Ocean Shipping
It is a man-made pathway that connects 2 major seas, the Mediterranean and the Red Sea. It is the backbone of Egypt’s economy, they get tolls from the ships passing through this route. Almost 12% of the global sea trade happens through this route. This route is the shortest way between Asia and Europe.
Important Ports In Egypt
- The Port of Alexandria
- The port of Damietta
- The port of El Dekheila
- The port of Said
- The port of Suez
- The port of Ain Sokhna
Main Ports In China
- The port of Shenzhen
- The port of Tianjin
- The port of Shanghai
- The port of Qingdao
- The port of Ningbo
- The port of Guangzhou
Air Freight
The most protected transportation way is air freight. If you import small to medium quantities from China and do not worry about the cost, this method is the most convenient. Although this transportation method is a costly option, it provides more safety and protection to the consignment.
The following airlines are the key players in air freight from China to Egypt.
- Egypt Air
- China Southern Airlines
- China Eastern Airlines
Gross Weight & Volumetric Weight – A Comparison
The weight is always calculated through a volumetric formula. If you pay as per the gross weight of your parcel, you will be at a loss. Volumetric weight is calculated by multiplying the width, height, and length of the parcel, and then dividing by 6000.
The result will be volumetric weight and you should always pay according to the volumetric weight for shipping from China to Egypt.
Important Airports In China
- The Beijing Capital International Airport
- The Pudong Shanghai International Airport
- The Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport
- The Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport
- The Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport
Major Airports In Egypt
- Cairo International Airport
- Alexandria Borg El Arab International Airport
- Sharm El Sheikh International Airport
- Luxor International Airport
- Hurghada International Airport
DDP & Its Types
DDP freight is also known as door-to-door freight. This is a hassle-free mode of transportation from China to Egypt. In this mode, duties and taxes are paid in advance. You get your products at your doorstep.
If you are connected with some e-commerce business model, or you need products at your desired site, go for this model. DDP can be of the following types
- Air freight DDP
- Sea freight DDP
- Express freight DDP
E-commerce – A Reliable Business Model Using DDP
Egypt is a modern country, which has a cultural touch of Europe as well. You can do a successful online business venture in Egypt while using the DDP model. For the Amazon warehouse, you can also import products from China through this mode.
You can start your website as well, and list the products on it. After getting the order, import the product to your customer’s location in Egypt.
Express Freight
This freight method is the fastest way to get your products to your desired location in Egypt. If you are in a hurry, and can not wait a long time to import, you must go with this terrific model. Some big international courier companies provide this service. It is the most costly option to get your products in Egypt from China. Some international courier companies are listed below.
- DHL
- FedEx
- Aramex
- EMS
- UPS
- TNT
Average Cost To Import From China To Egypt
Here are the approximate shipping costs of the different methods of shipping from China to Egypt. This shipping cost may vary depending on the time, international fuel prices, peak seasons in China, etc.
| Shipping Mode | Cost |
| LCL (Less Than a Container Load) | $100 – $120 per cubic meter |
| FCL (Full Container Load) 40 feet | $3000 – $3500 per container |
| FCL (Full Container Load) 20 feet | $4900 – $5500 per container |
| Express Freight | $5 – $10 per kg |
| Air Freight | $5 – $7 per kg |
Time Duration For Shipping From China To Egypt
Below are the average transit times for the different shipping modes. These transit times may vary, especially the sea shipping is unexpected. It can be delayed due to port congestion, peak season rush, accidents, environmental hurdles like storms, and wars.
| Shipping Mode | Transit Time |
| Sea Freight (LCL) | From 24 to 35 Days |
| Air Freight | From 4 to 6 Days |
| Express Freight | From 1 to 3 Days |
| Sea Freight (FCL) | From 28 to 40 Days |
Major Import Products From China To Egypt
- Electronic items are imported for more than 2.5 billion dollars
- Nuclear reactors, boilers, and other heavy machinery
- Steel, iron, and other construction-related items
- Man-made filaments
- Plastic and products made of plastic
- Pharmaceutical products
- Agricultural products and technology
- Chemicals and commodities
Prohibited Imports in Egypt
The following items are banned from shipping to Egypt:
- Destructive materials
- Explosives
- Sexual products like Viagra
- Fake currency notes
- Pornographic material
- Alcohol and Tobacco
- Nail Polish
- Telescopes
- Perishable infectious and non-infectious biological products
Final Note
Now you have a clear understanding of shipping from China to Egypt. Importing products is definitely manageable on your own, but our team at Bansar is here to help with any of your questions. We offer support throughout the process, from shipping to customs clearance. Feel free to reach out for more details and assistance.
