A member of the Cairo Chamber of Commerce has raised concerns over what he described as “increasingly sophisticated” attempts to evade customs duties, warning that the practice is distorting Egypt’s domestic market and draining state revenues.
Mahmoud Youssef, an engineer and member of the chamber, said some shipping firms have been exploiting loopholes by declaring large-scale commercial consignments as “personal belongings” or “gifts” to avoid paying import duties and taxes.
“These tactics are choking legitimate traders who fully comply with the law, while at the same time depriving the state treasury of significant revenues that could support development plans,” Youssef told reporters. “They also open the door for products of questionable quality and safety standards to enter the Egyptian market.”
Youssef noted a surge in complaints from businesses about such practices, and called for closer coordination between the Customs Authority, shipping companies, and chambers of commerce to establish stricter controls. He suggested imposing heavy penalties—including license withdrawals—on companies caught facilitating smuggling.
“The distinction between genuine personal shipments and disguised commercial imports must be clear,” Youssef said, adding that the aim of enhanced oversight should be to “protect the market, consumers, and compliant traders—not to complicate trade processes.”
He stressed that tackling the issue is not optional but a “national necessity” to safeguard both industry and commerce, urging the adoption of technology-driven monitoring and data sharing to detect irregular shipping patterns.
“Customs evasion is not just a regulatory violation—it is an economic drain and a threat to serious investment, especially at a time when Egypt is working hard to attract more capital into industry and trade,” Youssef said.
He praised the government’s efforts and recent tax incentives designed to draw companies into the formal economy, welcoming policy measures that aim to create a more investment-friendly climate.
“We trust in the ability of Egyptian authorities to close these loopholes in ways that ensure fair and transparent competition,” Youssef concluded.
