Egypt launches app to register mobile phones from abroad with grace period for customs payment

CAIRO – 1 January 2025: The Egyptian Customs Authority, in cooperation with the National Telecom Regulatory Authority (NTRA), has launched the "Telephony" application for iPhone and Android devices to register mobile phones imported from abroad.

The app aims to record data on mobile devices brought in for personal use, allowing them to operate within a grace period of 90 days. After this period, the devices will be stopped unless the applicable customs fees are paid.

The customs fees for imported phones will vary, amounting to up to 38.5% of the device's price.

NEW SYSTEM LAUNC

A joint statement by the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology on Wednesday stated that the customs duties and taxes on imported mobile phones remain unchanged.

Every citizen coming from abroad has a mobile phone "exempt for personal use for a transitional period of three months,” the statement said.

The ministries noted that citizens are allowed to register their imported mobile phones via the new Telephony app without the need to refer to customs employees.

Through the app, they can inquire about the value of the fees due and pay them online within a period that extends to three months for the first time.

The ministries assert that the new electronic system ensures governance, inquiry, registration and electronic payment of any fees due, while protecting citizens from smuggled, counterfeit and non-compliant mobile phones.

NOT RETROACTIVE

The new system applies only to new imported mobile phones, excluding mobile phones previously purchased from the local market or from abroad and were activated before January 1, 2025, the joint statement added.

"This system does not apply retroactively," emphasized the statement.

The ministries said the new system seeks to encourage the localization of the mobile phone industry in Egypt, ensure fair competition and confront illegal practices in the telecommunications market.

They added that these efforts are for the benefit of citizens, investors and the Egyptian economy, supporting efforts to produce local mobile phones with high quality and competitive prices that encourage export.

According to previous reports, a text message will be sent to unregistered phones, alerting the owner to pay the required customs fees within 90 days. Failure to do so will result in the suspension of the phone's functionality.

Vice Minister of Finance for Tax Policies Sherif El-Kilany said in December that the ministry is actively combating mobile phone smuggling, which has escalated in the Egyptian market.

He added that 95% of mobile phone imports enter Egypt illegally, resulting in significant losses to the public treasury and negatively impacting the local market.

El-Kilany noted that the value of smuggled phones entering the country over one year amounted to around LE 60 billion, in addition to thwarted smuggling operations at customs ports.

Steps to check mobile customs fees via the "Telephony" app

To identify customs fees applicable on your phone, follow these steps:

1- Download the "Telephony" app from "Google Play" or "App Store."

2- A prompt will appear requesting the phone's serial number, known as the International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI).

3- Enter the serial number of your phone.

4- The app will display the customs fees due, if applicable.