Moving from the UAE to Egypt
In short
Shipping household goods from the UAE to Egypt takes 8–16 days port to port for a full container to Alexandria and Port Said, or 2–5 days by air through Cairo Intl. Clearance is handled by Egyptian Customs Authority under Returning Egyptian and foreign resident personal effects relief. Egyptian customs values used household goods aggressively and duty is common; a detailed valued inventory matters more here than almost anywhere.
| Capital | Cairo |
|---|---|
| Arrival port | Alexandria, Port Said |
| Airport | Cairo Intl |
| Sea — full container | 8–16 days |
| Sea — shared container | 16–26 days |
| Air freight | 2–5 days |
What is different about moving to Egypt?
Egypt values used household goods aggressively and duty on a household consignment is common rather than exceptional. Alexandria handles most household cargo; Port Said is faster for Canal-adjacent destinations but has less household-goods handling capacity.
Who clears your shipment in Egypt?
Egyptian Customs Authority, under Returning Egyptian and foreign resident personal effects relief. A detailed, realistically valued inventory matters more here than on almost any other corridor, because valuation is where the cost is decided.
How long does it take, and by which route?
A full container runs 8–16 days port to port to Alexandria and Port Said; shared container space takes 16–26 days because it must be consolidated before departure and unpacked on arrival. Air freight through Cairo Intl is 2–5 days. Add roughly two weeks across packing, clearance at both ends and final delivery.
What happens when it arrives?
Cairo delivery contends with dense traffic and buildings without service lifts; deliveries are scheduled outside peak hours and a shuttle vehicle is often required. We survey the destination access before quoting rather than discovering it on the day, because a street a full-size vehicle cannot enter means a shuttle, and an upper floor without a lift means a longer carry. Both are priced at survey.
Documents you need
- Passport copy — Photo page, plus the UAE residence visa and exit stamp.
- Itemised and valued packing list — The document customs actually reads. We produce it as the goods are packed.
- Proof of residence in Egypt — Visa, residence permit or property documents.
- Bill of lading or air waybill — Issued once the shipment is loaded.
- Authorisation for the clearing agent — Lets our destination agent clear on your behalf.
Shipping a vehicle
Vehicles are always declared and cleared separately from household goods, even when they share a container, because they follow a different duty and registration process. The UAE side is the same everywhere: deregistration, surrender of plates and an export certificate, all blocked until any finance is settled and traffic fines are paid. On the Egypt side, confirm the age limit, the drive-side rule and the conformity requirement before you ship, because a non-compliant vehicle can be refused entry.
Taking pets
Cats and dogs travelling to Egypt need a microchip, a current rabies vaccination and an international veterinary health certificate, and most destinations also require an import permit obtained in advance. Where a rabies antibody titre test is required, it carries a fixed waiting period after the sample is taken that cannot be compressed — which is why a pet move is planned around the animal's calendar rather than your flight date.
Restricted and prohibited items
- Meat, dairy and fresh produce
- Plants, seeds and soil
- Counterfeit goods
- Flammable liquids, gas cylinders, aerosols and paint
- Fireworks, ammunition and explosives
- Narcotics and controlled substances
- Endangered species products (CITES)
What affects the price
Volume is the main driver, then whether you take shared container space or a full container — the crossover usually sits around fifteen cubic metres. Destination charges at Alexandria and Port Said are billed separately from the ocean freight and vary more than people expect. Delivery to an address a full-size vehicle cannot reach needs a smaller shuttle, and that is quoted at survey rather than added afterwards.
Questions about Egypt
Will I pay duty moving to Egypt?
Quite possibly, yes. Egypt is less generous than most destinations on used household effects and applies its own valuation rather than accepting your figures. Budget for a duty assessment rather than assuming relief, and we will tell you the likely basis before you ship.
How should I value my inventory for Egypt?
Realistically, item by item. Undervaluing invites reassessment at a higher figure plus scrutiny of the whole list; overvaluing costs you directly. This is the corridor where inventory quality translates most directly into money.
Who decides whether I pay duty in Egypt?
Egyptian Customs Authority, applying Returning Egyptian and foreign resident personal effects relief. Goods you have genuinely owned and used abroad normally qualify; anything new, unused or bought shortly before the move is assessed on its own, and alcohol and tobacco are excluded almost everywhere. We confirm your position in writing before booking.
What will hold my shipment up at Alexandria and Port Said?
A vague inventory, more than anything else. "Kitchen items" invites an officer to open the box; "6 dinner plates, 8 glasses, 1 blender, AED 450" does not. After that it is missing residence documentation, which is why we assemble it before the vessel sails rather than after it berths.
What cannot be shipped to Egypt?
Flammable liquids, gas cylinders, aerosols, paint and ammunition are refused on every route we run. Egypt adds its own restrictions, including meat, dairy and fresh produce and plants, seeds and soil. Anything on your inventory that will cause a problem is flagged before it is packed.
Customs, vehicle and pet import rules change, and transit bands are corridor averages rather than promises. We confirm what applies to your shipment in writing before booking.
Last updated:
Get a free quote
A free survey and a fixed written price before you commit to anything.