Egypt’s Minister of Finance, Ahmed Kouchouk, said a new package of customs facilitation measures marks a further step towards simplifying procedures for the business community and reducing administrative burdens on economic operators, helping to enhance the competitiveness of the Egyptian economy, support trade flows, stimulate productive activity, and attract additional investment.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Kouchouk said the government is working to reduce documentation requirements and simplify procedural steps to facilitate operations for importers and exporters. He noted that amendments have been introduced to certain provisions of the Executive Regulations of the Customs Law as part of broader efforts to shorten customs clearance times, improve customs services, facilitate investment, and strengthen Egypt’s logistics performance indicators.
Under the new measures, customs procedures will be allowed to begin immediately upon the arrival of goods at ports without requiring the submission of a delivery order alongside the customs declaration. Instead, the delivery order can be completed at a later stage before the final release of the shipment.
Kouchouk added that a bill of lading issued in the importer’s name will now be sufficient for submitting a customs declaration, provided that all other required documents and procedures are completed before final customs clearance.
He explained that the reforms are designed to strike a balance between accelerating trade procedures and safeguarding the state’s financial rights.
For his part, Ahmed Amawi, Head of the Egyptian Customs Authority, said the decision was reached following a series of meetings and technical consultations involving key stakeholders, including the Ministry of Transport, shipping chambers, shipping agencies, chambers of commerce, and MTS.
According to Amawi, the discussions focused on developing a practical mechanism that serves the interests of all parties while supporting the smooth movement of trade and cargo through Egyptian ports.
He added that the new measures form part of the ongoing modernisation of Egypt’s customs system and are expected to contribute to reducing cargo clearance times, improving operational efficiency, and facilitating trade activities.
