Procurement, sourcing and import from Egypt

Purchasing products or services seems easy, but this is not always the case. How do you know that you have the best deal, especially if you haven’t done much business before in Egypt?

It already helps if you have a structured approach for your procurement and to keep your options open. Working with a local consultant or agency may help to identify more potential suppliers and to get the products that you just bought accross the border to their destination.

Find the right suppliers in Egypt

Egypt, located in North Africa, exports a variety of products that showcase its natural resources and industrial capabilities. It sells goods like petroleum and petroleum products, which are crucial for its economy. The country also exports natural gas, reflecting its significant reserves of these resources. Additionally, Egypt is known for agricultural products such as cotton, fruits, and vegetables, which are important for farming.

Wages in Egypt are generally lower compared to many other countries. People often earn less money, which can make it harder to afford some things. However, living costs in cities like Cairo and Alexandria are lower compared to many other places, which can help balance out lower wages.

Egypt is famous for its ancient history and tourism industry. It attracts millions of tourists each year to visit its pyramids, temples, and museums. The country also has a growing manufacturing sector, producing textiles, chemicals, and cement. Overall, Egypt’s economy relies on its exports of petroleum, natural gas, agricultural products, and its tourism industry.

Shipping your products

If you purchase tangible products, you have to ship them out of the country. Depending on the country where you want these goods, this may have implications.

First of all you may have to pay import duties or settle VAT. There are certain thresholds for both of these charges, e.g. while importing in the EU you don’t have to pay import duties on any shipment worth less than € 150.

There may also be non-financial barriers, like certifications or approvals to be obtained. Especially for food, cosmetics or medicine this may be the case. Check this in advance, even before you invest in your marketing.

VAlidate the HS-codes you use for shipping

Almost every country or trade block in the world has its own detailing on the international HS-code list. With our report you strongly reduce the risk on misclassifications, delays and higher custom duties than expected.

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A structured sourcing approach in Egypt

Step 1

Supplier search

Try to identify in total 6 to 10 possible suppliers and check their websites. Approach them with a general request to see whether they have the products or services you need.

Step 2

Supplier selection

Submit your requirements to a group of three to five selected suppliers and ensure you get the right comparable quotations to make a choice. Negotiate with one or two of them to get the best result.

Step 3

Supplier management

Now start collaborating, making sure you have an efficient ordering process and limited risks where it comes to quality control and shipping the products.