Registration in the Importers and Exporters Registers in Egypt

Registration in the Importers and Exporters Registers in Egypt:Conditions, Procedures, and Required Documents

Egyptian laws regulate import and export activities to ensure product quality and protect the national economy. Registration in the Importers and Exporters Registers at the General Organization for Export and Import Control (GOEIC) is a fundamental requirement for engaging in these activities.
Requirements and procedures vary depending on whether the applicant is an individual (natural person) or a company (legal entity), in accordance with Import and Export Law No. 118 of 1975 and Importers Register Law No. 121 of 1982, as amended

First: Registration in the Importers Register (Obtaining an Import Card)

Registration in the Importers Register is governed by Law No. 121 of 1982 and its amendments, which aim to regulate import activities. Importing goods for commercial purposes is not permitted without obtaining an import card.

1. Conditions and Requirements for Individuals (Natural Persons)

Basic Conditions:

• Nationality: The applicant must be an Egyptian national.

• Commercial Registration: The applicant must be registered in the Commercial Register.

• Capital: The capital stated in the Commercial Register must not be less than EGP 500,000.

• Business Volume: The business volume for the year preceding the application must not be less than EGP 2 million, according to an approved tax return.

• Commercial Practice: The applicant must have practiced commercial activity for at least two consecutive years prior to the application date.

• Cash Security: Depositing a cash security or submitting an unconditional bank guarantee of EGP 50,000.

• Training: Passing a specialized training course in import activity.

• Legal Eligibility: The applicant must not have been convicted of crimes involving dishonor, breach of trust, or crimes stipulated in import, export, or customs laws.

Required Documents:

• Completed registration application form signed by the applicant.

• Recent extract from the Commercial Register (issued within the last 90 days).

• Copy of a valid tax card.

• Original approved tax return for the previous year.

• Certificate from the Chamber of Commerce proving two years of commercial activity.

• Original certificate of practicing import after completing the training course.

• Receipt of security deposit or original bank guarantee.

• Copy of national ID card.

• Declarations and undertakings confirming non-employment in government or public sector and absence of criminal convictions.

2. Conditions and Requirements for Companies (Legal Entities)

Requirements vary depending on the company’s legal form (partnerships, limited liability companies, joint-stock companies).

Basic Conditions:

• Establishment: The company must be registered in the Commercial Register, with its head office in Egypt.
• Registration Period: For partnerships and limited liability companies, at least one year must have passed since registration.
• Capital:
• Partnerships and limited liability companies: Paid-up capital not less than EGP 2 million.
• Joint-stock companies and partnerships limited by shares: Issued capital not less than EGP 5 million.
• Business Volume: Business volume in the last year must not be less than EGP 5 million, according to the approved tax return.
• Cash Security: Depositing a cash security or submitting a bank guarantee of EGP 200,000.
• Capital Ownership: Recent amendments (Law No. 173 of 2023) allow full foreign ownership of import companies, after the previous requirement that Egyptians own at least 51%.
• Import Manager: The manager responsible for import activities must be an Egyptian national.
• Training: The import manager must pass the import training course.
• Legal Eligibility: Legal eligibility and absence of criminal convictions apply to general partners and managers.

Required Documents:

• Registration application form signed by the company’s legal representative.

• Recent Commercial Register extract.

• Copy of the company’s articles of incorporation, bylaws, and amendments.

• Copy of the tax card.

• Original approved tax return for the previous year.

• Receipt of security deposit or original bank guarantee.

• Import practice certificate for the responsible manager.

• Copies of identification documents for managers and general partners.

• Declarations of legal eligibility and criminal status for all general partners and managers.

Second: Registration in the Exporters Register

Registration in the Exporters Register is regulated by Import and Export Law No. 118 of 1975 and its executive regulations.

1. Conditions and Documents for Individuals (Sole Proprietorships)

Basic Conditions:

• Commercial Registration: The establishment must be registered in the Commercial Register.

• Capital:

  • Production projects: Minimum capital of EGP 10,000.

  • Other activities: Minimum capital of EGP 25,000.

• Training: The owner or export manager must obtain a certificate of practicing export.

• Legal Eligibility: The owner must not have been convicted of criminal offenses or crimes involving dishonor or breach of trust.

Required Documents:

• Original application form matching Commercial Register data.
• Recent Commercial Register extract (issued within 90 days).
• Copy of national ID card.
• Exporters Register declaration signed before the competent officer or notarized by a bank.
• Original export practice certificate and ID copy of the holder.
• Tax registration number.
• Registration fee of EGP 50.

2. Conditions and Documents for Companies

Basic Conditions:

• Commercial Registration: The company must be registered, with export included among its purposes.

• Capital:

  • Partnerships and companies: Minimum capital of EGP 20,000 for production projects and EGP 50,000 for other activities.

• Training: A general partner, authorized manager, or export manager must hold an export practice certificate.

• Legal Eligibility: Eligibility and absence of criminal convictions apply to general partners and authorized signatories.

Required Documents:

• Original application form signed by the authorized signatory.

• Recent Commercial Register extract.

• Exporters Register declaration signed by all general partners, managers, and authorized signatories.

• Copies of identification documents for all individuals listed in the Commercial Register.

• Original export practice certificate for the export manager.

• If the export manager is an employee, a recent social insurance printout.

• Tax registration number.

• Payment of the prescribed fee (EGP 50).

Important Note

Registration in both the Importers and Exporters Registers is valid for five years and must be renewed within 90 days prior to expiry to avoid doubled fees or administrative cancellation.

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