Customs Brokerage in Egypt
Customs brokerage focuses on preparing and coordinating the declaration file: goods description, classification, valuation evidence and responses to customs requests. Al-Rouby connects that file work with inspection follow-up and release coordination; customs retains responsibility for assessment and acceptance.
What does a customs broker do in Egypt?
A customs broker in Egypt prepares and submits customs declarations, aligns HS classification and valuation with the documents, follows up on inspections, and coordinates release so the importer's cargo clears customs compliantly. Al-Rouby Customs provides this broker-side coordination for importers at Egyptian ports. Al-Rouby is a licensed customs broker in Egypt.
Brokerage work is where most clearance problems either get solved early or turn into delays. The broker sees the file before customs does — which is why the quality of the document review at that stage determines how smoothly the shipment moves.
Do I need a licensed customs broker in Egypt?
Not in every case. Customs Law 207/2020 lets the owner of the goods submit the customs declaration, or have a customs broker submit it as the owner's agent (Art. 50). Anyone who clears goods for other people must hold a Customs Authority licence, valid for two years and renewable (Art. 51).
Whoever signs the declaration is responsible for its accuracy, and the owner stays liable too (Art. 50). For the ACI step, a broker requests the ACID under a power of attorney or an electronic authorisation from the importer.
What does a broker's licence require?
The conditions include (Customs Law 207/2020, Arts. 52–54):
- Egyptian nationality, a university degree, and no final conviction for customs or tax smuggling or for a crime involving dishonour or breach of trust
- Customs Authority training, a fitness exam and a six-month probation period
- An independent office in Egypt and a tax card
- A cash security with Customs: EGP 50,000 per clearance office, or EGP 100,000 for a company
- A numbered register of the goods cleared, sealed by Customs and kept for five years
A company can hold a licence if the clearance work is done by people who meet these conditions.
Doing it yourself, or with Al-Rouby?
The law lets you file yourself. If you import only now and then, the steps can feel heavy: Nafeza, the ACID, approvals, the inspection and the release. For us they are everyday work, and we know how each one runs in practice. Al-Rouby is with you at every step, so you always know what happens next and what is still needed.
What is the difference between customs clearance and freight forwarding?
Customs clearance covers the regulatory side — declarations, classification, duties, inspection, and release — while freight forwarding covers the transport side: booking, carrier coordination, and moving cargo between points. The two must connect cleanly, which is why Al-Rouby offers both under one file.
If your shipment also needs transport coordination, see freight forwarding in Egypt; if it needs the regulatory file handled, this brokerage service is the entry point.
When should an importer involve a customs broker?
The earlier the better — ideally before the shipment is booked, so documents, ACI readiness, and any permits can be reviewed while there is still time to correct them at origin.
- Before booking: document and permit review, ACI coordination with the supplier
- Before loading: file consistency check so the declaration matches the shipping documents
- After arrival: declaration follow-up, inspection attendance, and release coordination
Can brokerage be combined with freight and delivery?
Yes. Al-Rouby combines customs brokerage with freight coordination and inland delivery planning, so customs completion connects directly to the next logistics step instead of stopping at release.
Importers planning a full movement can combine this service with freight forwarding and logistics solutions, or hand the entire movement to our door-to-door shipping to Egypt workflow.
Which cargo types does Al-Rouby handle?
We support commercial and industrial cargo: machinery, raw materials, textiles, manufacturing inputs, containerized freight, and general import/export shipments.
- Machinery and industrial equipment
- Raw materials and manufacturing inputs
- Textiles and fabrics — see fabric imports to Egypt
- Containerized commercial cargo (FCL and LCL)
Frequently Asked Questions
Practical answers from brokerage work at Egyptian ports.
The broker prepares and submits declarations, aligns classification and valuation with the documents, follows up on inspections, and coordinates release — acting as the importer's operational side inside the customs process.
Before the shipment is booked if possible. Early involvement gives time for document review, ACI coordination, and permit checks — the stage where problems are cheapest to fix.
Yes. We combine brokerage with freight coordination and inland delivery planning, so the file runs from document review through release to handover without a coordination gap.
Yes. Customs Law 207/2020 lets the owner of the goods submit the declaration. A licensed customs broker is needed when someone clears goods on another person's behalf (Arts. 50–51).
Need a customs broker for a shipment into Egypt?
Share the cargo profile, expected port, and document status. We will review the file and outline the practical next steps.
Request QuoteContent reviewed: · Al Rouby Customs Clearance & Logistics
Prepare your shipment enquiry
Information to prepare
- Draft invoice, packing list and transport details
- Technical specifications, composition and product identifiers
- Current file status, outstanding requests and assigned contacts
Customs Clearance in Egypt · Discuss the document review and next steps
Official requirements and practical guidance
NAFEZA's procedure steps explain the importer-side ACID request. A shipment checklist should then be checked against the cargo, transport mode and any approvals required by the competent authority. NAFEZA — ACID application steps.
Use the official tariff lookup to check the full commodity code. A product description alone does not establish a duty rate; valuation, origin and the import regime also affect the assessment. NAFEZA — official customs tariff lookup.
Customs Law 207/2020 (English translation, Andersen Egypt)
The official resources linked above explain the applicable procedures. Al-Rouby's checklists are practical planning advice; the required documents, approvals and charges depend on the goods, origin and import regime. Customs and other competent authorities determine the outcome.
Content reviewed: · Al Rouby Customs Clearance & Logistics