Last updated: June 2025
When you arrive in Egypt, the first thing you must do is pass through customs. It is important to know what you can and cannot bring into the country.
Certain objects and medications foreign nationals use commonly without much thought in their day-to-day lives may be illegal in Egypt.
Read our expert travel recommendations to learn about Egypt’s entry requirements as well as the customs regulations.
Egypt Border Regulations
Upon arrival in Egypt, passengers must clear border control. As with any country, they must comply with the Egyptian border regulations.
These include the following:
- Meet the entry requirements, such as having a valid visa
- Do not bring any prohibited items into the country
- Declare any currency over the value of USD $10,000, or EGP 5000
Prohibited items include firearms, drugs, and drones.
As well as knowing the rules for passing through customs in Egypt, passengers must also meet entry requirements such as having a visa.
Many travelers can now get an Egypt eVisa online thanks to the simple and rapid electronic service.
What You Need to Enter Egypt
Foreign nationals who wish to enjoy everything the Arab Republic of Egypt has to offer must comply with a few entry requirements:
- A current passport with a minimum validity period of 6 months from the date of entry into Egypt
- A valid Egypt visa, either e-Visa or Visa on Arrival
- A medical certificate or official letter from your healthcare practitioner if you are carrying medication into the country. In this document, your doctor must confirm that the medication you bring with you was prescribed by a medical doctor, specify the details of your condition, the quantity of medication you carry and that the medication is exclusively for your personal use.
Top Tip: The quickest and easiest way to authorize a trip to Egypt is by applying for an Egyptian e-Visa before your trip.
Travelers must meet a few basic Egyptian eVisa requirements to apply.
Egypt Customs Regulations - What You Cannot Take to Egypt
If you are wondering about import or customs regulations in Egypt, please take the following into consideration when packing your bags prior to traveling to the country.
Regulated Items for Entry in Egypt
Passengers may carry the following quantities of items and substances regulated by Egyptian law without incurring in customs fees, regardless of their age:
- 200 cigarettes, 25 cigars, or 200 grams of tobacco
- 1 liter of alcoholic beverages
- 1 liter of perfume or eau de cologne
- Non-commercial articles with a total value under USD $200
- Goods for personal use
Within 48 hours of your arrival in Egypt, there’s a limit of USD 200 when shopping in duty-free stores.
Prohibited Items When Entering Egypt
Foreign nationals visiting the country may not enter Egypt carrying any of the following items or prohibited substances:
- Narcotics
- Drugs
- Drones
- Seeds or agricultural seedlings
- Cotton
- Live, frozen or stuffed birds or any bird-derived product
- Firearms, including sporting guns
The possession, use, trade, and import of drones has been outlawed in Egypt since 2017 without a permit from the Egyptian Civil Aviation Authority and the Ministry of Defense. There are fines and prison sentences for those that break this law.
Medication You Can Take into Egypt
Travelers may bring medicines for personal use into Egypt under the following conditions:
- Medication must be in its original packaging with the dispensing label intact
- Only quantities required for the duration of your stay are permitted (typically up to a 30- to 90-day supply)
- A letter from your doctor is required, stating the medication is for your personal use, the quantity, and your medical condition
- All medicines are subject to inspection by Ministry of Health officials upon arrival
For controlled or psychotropic substances, check with the Egyptian embassy or consulate before traveling
What Medications Can You Not Take to Egypt?
Egypt customs regulations prohibit the import and export of certain medications.
Any medication containing methadone, even with a prescription, is strictly prohibited.
If unsure of the regulations regarding medications that can be brought into Egypt, it is advisable to contact the Egyptian Medical Office in the country of origin prior to departure.
Currency Import Regulations when Traveling to Egypt
In case you are wondering how much money —whether in cash, traveler’s checks or foreign currencies— you are allowed to carry into Egypt, the Egyptian currency import regulations are as follows:
- Local currency (Egyptian Pound-EGP): up to EGP five thousand (5,000)
- Foreign currencies: up to USD ten thousand (10,000), or its equivalent in freely convertible currency
- EGP obtained via postal (giro) checks may be used for payment of hotel expenses and tickets for air travel
- Exchange of foreign currency must be done through official banks or money exchange offices
Traveling to Egypt with Pets
If you are traveling with your pet cat or dog, make sure to carry a valid Government veterinarian good health certificate issued at your place of residence. This certificate has a 2-week validity from the date of issue and does not exempt pets from the Egyptian Ministry of Agriculture Doctor examination upon arrival.
Please note that pet birds may not be brought into Egypt, except live chicks that meet all health requirements stated by the General Organization for Veterinary Services, so long as they are not being imported from infected/endemic bird flu areas.
How Much Is the Customs Duty in Egypt?
Egyptian customs duties follow the Harmonised Customs System and are calculated using the Ad valorem on the CIF value. Customs duties are payable in Egyptian pounds.
Import Taxes —Excluding Consumer Taxes— are of 2% of the customs cleared value if the applied duty is between 5% and 30%, and 3% if the customs duty exceeds 30%.
Please note that the information provided on this page is general guidance. For specific situations, it's best to contact the Egyptian embassy or customs office directly.
Below is a handy table explaining exactly what you can and cannot bring:
| Category | Allowed | Not Allowed |
|---|---|---|
| Tobacco | 200 cigarettes, 25 cigars, or 200 grams of tobacco per person | Amounts above the limit |
| Alcohol | 1 liter of alcohol per person | More than 1 liter |
| Currency | Up to USD 10,000 (or equivalent in foreign currency); up to EGP 5,000 | Amounts above these limits without declaration |
| Medicines | Personal use only, in original packaging, with doctor’s prescription (translated to English) | Narcotic/psychotropic drugs without prescription; methadone; commercial quantities; expired/loose medicines |
| Personal goods | Personal items, electronics, jewelry, sports equipment, up to EGP 15,000 in new goods | Items in commercial quantities |
| Food | Canned and dry packaged goods | Fresh fruits and vegetables, meat, dairy, honey, poultry, untreated seeds, plants |
| Electronics | Personal electronic devices (up to 15 per traveler) | Unlicensed radio equipment, satellite phones, certain GPS devices, encrypted communication devices |
| Animals/pets | Cats and dogs with health certificate; live chicks with proper documentation | Pet birds (except approved chicks), endangered species, CITES-listed animals and products |
| Weapons | None | Firearms, ammunition, explosives, toy guns, knives, items considered weapons |
| Other | Up to $200 in duty-free purchases within 48 hours of arrival | Pornographic/immoral materials, religious materials violating local norms, radioactive/toxic/chemical substances |
Egypt Export Regulations - What You Cannot Take Out of Egypt
If you are wondering about export or customs regulations in Egypt, please consider these rules when packing your bags prior to leaving the country.
Regulated Items for Exiting Egypt
Passengers may carry the following quantities of items and substances regulated by Egyptian law out of the country without incurring in customs fees:
- 200 cigarettes, 25 cigars, or 200 grams of tobacco
- 1 liter of alcoholic beverages
- 1 liter of perfume or eau de cologne
- Non-commercial articles with a total value under USD $200
- Goods for personal use
Prohibited Items When Departing from Egypt
Foreign nationals leaving the country may not exit Egypt carrying any of the following items or prohibited substances:
- Narcotics
- Drugs
- Food
- Gold and silver purchased in Egypt, except for very small quantities for personal use
Currency Export Regulations when Leaving Egypt
Egyptian currency export regulations are as follows:
- Local currency (Egyptian Pound-EGP): up to EGP five thousand (5,000)
- Foreign currencies: up to USD ten thousand (10,000), or its equivalent in freely convertible currency
Now that you know everything you need about packing your bags for your trip to Egypt, remember there is an important document you need to carry on you if you wish to save time upon arrival.
Apply for your Egypt eVisa now and avoid long lines for visa applications at the airport.
