Egypt is the most economically developed country in North Africa. Since the days of the Soviet Union, Egypt and Russia have been linked by close trade and economic relations. With the support of the USSR, industrial facilities were built in Egypt, some of which are still in operation. At the end of 2020, Egypt ranks 26th in Russia's foreign trade turnover, 19th in terms of exports and 54th in terms of imports.

Import Features

If you cooperate with qualified specialists, then the delivery of imported products will not be a problem, as well as its customs clearance. For a novice importer, the main difficulties arise when issuing certificates and declarations, because the approach in Egypt and Russia to this procedure is different.

Egypt is not a member of the European Union, so this country is not subject to the 2014 embargo. Fruits, vegetables, nuts are actively imported from here. But these are the goods for which you need to issue a phytosanitary certificate and such goods are cleared through customs only at customs points equipped with a phytosanitary laboratory.

Certain products, namely, some types of clothing, footwear, medicines, must be marked with CIMs before arriving at customs for registration of release for domestic consumption. Wine, some types of vehicles are cleared for customs only at excise customs posts.

In accordance with the requirements of the EAEU, imported products must meet certain quality and safety standards. Therefore, it is often required before the main batch to import product samples for registration of permits.

Export Features

Problems may arise when registering enterprises in Egypt that supply their products to the foreign market.

For customs clearance of goods, you will need a standard package of documents. A customs declaration must be drawn up, which is submitted before the goods arrive at the customs border. At the customs, the cargo and documents are checked, the accuracy of determining the customs value and the payment of customs payments are monitored.

Note! Some product categories have restrictions on the place of declaration (for example, precious metals, animals, oil and gas).

At the moment, there is a decrease in the supply of raw materials and an expansion of the range of exported non-primary goods. Nevertheless, the main share in exports is occupied by agricultural raw materials, timber and products of its processing, metals and metal products. Exports to Egypt are distinguished by the periodic introduction or elimination of export duties. Various economic prohibitions and restrictions are introduced.

It is difficult to organize the structure of product exports from zero. Therefore, it is better to use the help of an intermediary who will help with certification, logistics and customs clearance. SB Cargo is just such a partner. We are ready to take on the support of export deliveries.

Categories and types of exported and imported goods

Trade between Russia and Egypt in 2020 in monetary terms amounted to more than 4.5 billion US dollars.

In the structure of export supplies, the largest share of the total volume of Russian exports fell on the following goods:

• agricultural raw materials and foodstuffs - 48.64% (TN VED 01-24);

• metal products and metals - 13.05% (TN VED 72-83);

• equipment, machinery and vehicles - 9.26% (TN VED 84-90);

• wood and processed products - 7.22% (TN VED 44-49);

• mineral products - 5.35% (TN VED 25-27);

• chemical products - 1.68% (TN VED 28-40).

Exports to Egypt of Russian cereals, copper, ore and slag, rubber, rubber and products made from them, devices for railways and tramways increased.

The volume of exports decreased in such categories as ferrous metals and products from them, oil, electrical equipment, animal and vegetable fats and oils, and timber.

As for imports, the following types of goods took the main place in the volume of supplies that increased compared to 2019: 

• agricultural raw materials and food - 81.41% (TN VED 01-24);

• equipment, machinery, transport - 6.52% (TN VED 84-90);

• chemical products - 5.56% (TN VED 28-40);

• textile products and footwear - 4.32% (TN VED 50-67);

• products of mineral origin - 1.09% (TN VED 25-27).
  

There is an increase in imports of edible fruits, vegetables, nuts, electrical machinery and equipment, salt, sulfur, rubber, rubber and other raw materials, plaster mixes, cement and lime.

In 2020, imports of pharmaceutical products, clothing, finished products from flour, cereals, milk, confectionery, processed fruits, vegetables, and nuts decreased.

Delivery of goods to Egypt from Russia and back

A popular way of delivering goods to Egypt is by sea. Export cargo is sent from the Baltic seaports and ports in the south of Russia. They are:

• Ust-Luga;

• St. Petersburg;

• Novorossiysk;

• Kaliningrad;

• Taganrog;

• Azov.
  

The cargo arrives at the ports of Egypt:

• Port Said;

• Alexandria;

• Think;

• Suez;

• Safaga.
  

The delivery time, depending on the place of departure and point of arrival, is 15 to 30 days. Products are delivered in bulk or in containers. The method is cost effective, but it cannot always be used because of the significant delivery times.

Another way, which may be the main one, is an air delivery. Here, the cost is high, but prompt transportation takes from 1-2 days.

In Russia, goods are sent and received at the airports of Sheremetyevo, Domodedovo, Pulkovo and others. In Egypt, international cargo is handled in Cairo, Hurghada, Sharm el-Sheikh. For example, at airports such as:

• Alexandria Borg El Arab;

• Taba;

• Cairo;

• Marsa Alam.
  

Delivery by road and rail is used as auxiliary transportation options as part of a multimodal transportation scheme in order to optimize the route and financial costs.

Benefits of air transportation

The aircraft is best suited for the delivery of urgent, valuable and perishable goods. In order to guarantee timely shipment of cargo, the carrier needs to cooperate with reliable aviation companies.

SB Cargo is an IATA accredited cargo agent. This means that we have an advantage in choosing directions of transportation and air operators. We can guarantee prompt cargo handling, more favorable transportation rates, transparent reporting.

Customs clearance

The customs clearance procedure is mandatory for export and import cargo. To do this, the company needs to prepare the necessary commercial, transport and permits, determine the TN VED codes for each type of goods, calculate the customs value and customs payments. Each stage of preparation for a complex customs clearance procedure requires attentiveness, time expenditure and certain knowledge. Upon arrival of the cargo at the place of customs clearance, both the cargo and the documents are carefully checked by customs officers.

"SB Cargo" will assist in supporting import and export deliveries, will help to obtain the necessary certificates. We offer to use a comprehensive import support service, which greatly facilitates the organizational process of supplying products to the Russian market.