The head of the Mobile Division at the Cairo Chamber of Commerce, Mohamed Talaat announced on Tuesday that imports of mobile phones that have not paid their import fees into Egypt will be curbed during 2025.
In a phone interview with the al-Hadath al-Youm channel, Talaat explained that the National Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (NTRA) has begun taking the necessary measures in handling the matter.
This step comes within the state’s efforts to support local industry and encourage national investments, he explained.
What phone imports will be halted?
Talaat confirmed that this decision includes devices that do not have a “serial number” with the NTRA, suggesting that citizens (who own these devices) must pay fees for these.
However, he explained that the matter is still premature, especially since a meeting will be held with the NTRA to discuss the particulars further.
How are phones imported into Egypt?
The Vice President of the Mobile Division at Cairo Chamber of Commerce, Walid Ramadan, discussed the two main ways phones enter Egypt.
He explained that the first is the official way, which includes purchasing the phone personally or as a gift for another person and the second is smuggling, where phones are brought in illegally.
He urged for tighter controls over ports to prevent smuggling and reduce its negative impact on the market.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
