EGYPT: Government Suspends Import of Goods from 800 Foreign, Local Firms

On 17 April 2022, the General Organisation for Export and Import Control (GOEIC) department of Egypt’s Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) announced the suspension of imports from more than 800 companies. This follows the failure to comply with a recent MTI decree requiring registration of production facilities. Companies in the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, the United States, China, Germany, Turkey, France, Bulgaria, Denmark, Italy, Malaysia and South Korea are among those suspended. Companies wishing to regain exports to Egypt must register and renew expired documents within 30 days. 

The MTI stated that the suspension targets only those failing to abide by the decree, which stipulates that imported products may not be released unless manufacturing factories are registered, or goods come from companies that own the trademark and are registered in accordance with the law. The decree requires factories importing a range of specific goods, such as dairy, oils, fruits, sugar products, chocolates, clothing, furniture, textiles, carpets and floor coverings, home and office furniture, household appliances, home lighting devices, paper, children’s toys and glass, register with the GOEIC.