Can I Import a Chinese Electric Car into Egypt in 2026?

Updated 27 Oct 2026. Craveuo is an export platform, not a car brand and not an official dealer or agent of any brand. We do not clear customs in Egypt. Nothing here is a promise, legal advice or a quote.

Short answer

Only new cars, and possibly only through an official agent: Egypt charges 0% duty and 14% VAT on imported electric cars in 2026 [1][2][3]. Used electric cars are not allowed in practice [4][5]. A 5% duty is under study, with a decision targeted before the end of 2026 [1][2].

What changed in 2026

• Official agents. On 4 Dec 2025 EnterpriseAM, citing unnamed sector sources, reported that from 1 January Chinese cars may enter only through official agents and accredited companies, with local-parts and after-sales commitments [6]. On 19 Jul 2026 it repeated this, adding that makers limited warranties to their own agents [3]. We found no decree number or Gazette text, so this is to be confirmed by a customs broker. A Customs Authority official said clearance rules have not changed since 2024, while an industry official said ACID registration for complete cars can be delayed [3].
• Possible 5% duty. Egypt is studying a first duty of about 5% on fully imported EVs. Three ministries are assessing it before cabinet [1][2].
• Personal imports. Decision 319/2024 (Gazette issue 289, 26 Dec 2024) allows one car per importer every five years, paid through Egyptian banks [7]. Whether a foreign buyer can use it is to be confirmed.

Duty and VAT

Used electric cars: buy new

A 2018 decree allowed used electric cars up to three years old [8]. A May 2021 decree cancelled it: an electric car must now be unused, with the import credit opened within the model year [5]. The US government's guide (published 21 Nov 2025) says used vehicles are generally banned unless under one year old [4]. We found no later change, but the current legal text is to be confirmed, and so is whether an unused car already registered in China counts as new.

Steering, standards and warranty

• Traffic Law 66 of 1973 reportedly bars permanent licences for right-hand-drive cars, so choose left-hand drive [9].
• We found no official source on type approval for China-market EVs or on charging connectors, so both are to be confirmed.
• Law 9 of 2022 requires importers to run service centres and stock spare parts equal to 15% of import volume, per EnterpriseAM [3].

Clearance documents

• The importer files shipment data in the Nafeza system before loading and the exporter uploads documents to CargoX. The ACID must appear on the invoice and bill of lading, or the cargo is returned. The filing fee is US$160 from 1 Apr 2024 [10].
• The US guide lists a commercial invoice, certificate of origin (both legalised or authenticated by the Egyptian consulate), packing list, bill of lading and proforma invoice [11].

China-side rules

Pure-electric passenger cars need a Chinese export licence from 1 Jan 2026 [12]. A car registered under 180 days before export also needs the maker's after-sales confirmation [13]. Batteries ship as UN 3556, Class 9 dangerous goods, mandatory since 1 Jan 2026 [14].

How to work out your own total

Use the car price from your written quote. Your broker confirms each base and rate when you order.

This leaves out China-side costs, broker, port and storage charges, registration and the exporter's margin. The real total is higher.

Door delivery

Our default quote is delivered to your door on DAP terms, with a local customs broker we recommend. It is not DDP: you pay the taxes Egyptian customs assesses. We take no payment before a signed contract. We cannot promise registration or warranty. See all models and our FOB to landed price guide.