- Egypt is the most populous Arab nation.Sphenks at Giza Egypt image by TekinT from Fotolia.com
With a population of 80 million, Egypt is the most populous Arab nation and one of the largest economies in the region. According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, in September 2004, Egyptian President Hosny Mubarak eliminated administrative fees on imported goods--raw materials and basic goods--and reduced tariffs by 40 percent. Those reforms reduced Egypt’s tariffs from 14.6 to 9 percent, with an intent to further align Egypt with the requirements of the World Trade Organization, increase the country’s ability to compete in industry and attract foreign investors. - According to the Egyptian Ministry of Finance, a September 2007 amendment issued by Presidential Decree No. 39/2007 adjusted the customs duties on imports to Egypt. Any equipment imported by hotels or any other branch of the tourist industry--machinery or appliances, for example--will incur a duty of 20 percent of the value or the import tax itself, "whichever is lowest." Factories importing equipment to produce milk for infants will have to pay either a 2 percent duty or the import tax--again, whichever is lowest. The same goes for the Arab Petroleum Pipeline Company's imports. Imports on railway equipment for locomotive engine turbines to any company under the Industrial Authority incur a 5 percent customs duty.
- Most meats will cost importers a customs tax of 5 percent in Egypt. Cow products, whether fresh or frozen, incur no tax, according to the Egyptian Ministry of Finance. Carcasses or half-carcasses of pig, whether fresh or frozen, incur a customs tax of 20 percent, while pig shoulders or other cuts with bone included incur a 30 percent customs tax. Meat from sheep or goats has no customs tax associated with it. Organs--such as tongues or liver coming from cows, sheep, goats, donkeys or horses--carry a customs tax of 5 percent, while the same parts of pig will incur importers a 30 percent tax, as will poultry organs. Fish other than trout, salmon or tuna carry a 5 percent tax.
- Olives, cucumbers and mushrooms come with a 10 percent customs duty, while peas, chickpeas and other beans get 2 percent. Vegetables such as corn, spinach, asparagus and potatoes incur a 5 percent duty, as do nuts. Bananas and oranges get 20 percent and other fruits such as avocado, pineapple and guava have 10 percent customs duties.
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