Start with the exporter and customs registrations
Commercial export normally requires the exporter to be registered in the Exporters Register and in the Egyptian Customs trader register. The Customs Authority lists the tax card, proof of Exporters Register entry, VAT registration or the relevant tax-status form, and commercial register among the export trader-registration documents.
Prepare the shipment file
Classify the goods by HS code and confirm whether the item is unrestricted, controlled, inspected, licensed, or subject to a current export fee. Prepare the commercial invoice, packing list, transport booking or document, and any contract or payment documents requested by the parties. Shipment data must remain consistent across the commercial, customs, origin and transport records.
Submit through the national single window
Nafeza is Egypt’s national single window for trade documentation. Its export workflow uses a Unique Consignment Reference (UCR) to identify and track the consignment. The customs declaration must describe goods leaving Egypt, including exempt goods, and is submitted electronically by the owner or authorised customs broker using the required account and electronic signature.
Origin and preferential treatment
A certificate of origin proves Egyptian origin; it does not by itself guarantee a tariff preference. GOEIC issues preferential origin documents under applicable agreements and lists the relevant forms, including EUR.1, EUR-MED, COMESA, Mercosur and AfCFTA forms. The correct form and origin rule depend on the destination, HS code and agreement. GOEIC states that supporting origin records must be retained for five years.
Inspection and product certificates
Controlled industrial goods may require GOEIC inspection or export permission. Food, agricultural, veterinary, health or other regulated goods can require certificates from the competent product authority. Agricultural consignments may require Agricultural Quarantine inspection and a phytosanitary certificate. The destination country may additionally require import permits, conformity assessment, sanitary certificates, product registration or local-language labels.
Final pre-shipment check
- Confirm exporter and customs registrations are valid.
- Confirm HS code, export restrictions, fees and destination import conditions.
- Match invoice, packing, weight, marks, origin and transport data.
- Obtain product-specific inspection, health or phytosanitary documents.
- Complete Nafeza/UCR and customs-declaration steps through the authorised parties.
- Retain the evidence supporting origin and shipment compliance.
This guide is an operational overview, not legal or customs advice. Requirements can change by product, destination, agreement and shipment date. Verify the exact file with GOEIC, Egyptian Customs, Nafeza and the destination authority before loading.