Your Comprehensive Guide to Registration in the Importer's Registry (Import Card) in Egypt
The Import Card is a vital document for any establishment or company seeking to engage in import activities in Egypt. It is the legal basis that enables importers to clear imported goods for the purpose of trade. This article aims to provide a detailed and comprehensive guide on the conditions and requirements for registration in the Importer's Registry, in accordance with the Egyptian laws regulating this activity.
The registration process in the Importer's Registry is regulated by the Importers' Registry Law No. 121 of 1982, and its recent amendments under Law No. 7 of 2017 and Law No. 173 of 2023.
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1. Registration for Individual Establishments
A. Registration Conditions:
- The establishment must be registered in the Commercial Register and hold a valid tax card.
- The owner of the establishment and the authorized agent (if any) must be of Egyptian nationality.
- Importing must be among the purposes of the establishment.
- The establishment must have practiced commercial activities for at least two consecutive years before submitting the application.
- The establishment's business volume for the year preceding the registration application must not be less than 2 million Egyptian Pounds, according to the tax declaration.
- The capital stated in the Commercial Register must not be less than 500,000 Pounds.
- A cash deposit or an unconditional bank guarantee letter of 50,000 Pounds must be provided.
- The applicant or the person responsible for importing must complete a training course on importing procedures.
B. Required Documents:
- A registration application form signed by the applicant or their agent.
- A recent official extract from the Commercial Register, not more than 90 days old.
- A copy of the valid tax card, matching the data in the Commercial Register.
- The original tax declaration approved by the Tax Authority for the preceding year, showing a business volume of no less than 2 million Pounds.
- The original certificate of practicing commerce for two consecutive years.
- The original certificate of practicing importing, or a copy of the training course payment receipt as a temporary substitute.
- If the holder of the importing certificate is an employee whose name is not mentioned in the Commercial Register, the original insurance printout (1S insurances) and a letter from the establishment identifying the person responsible for importing must be submitted.
- A receipt for the deposit of the guarantee amount (50,000 Pounds) or the original bank guarantee letter of the same value.
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2. Registration for Partnerships and Limited Liability Companies
A. Registration Conditions:
- The company must be registered in the Commercial Register and hold a valid tax card.
- The company must have been registered in the Commercial Register for at least one year.
- The business volume for the year preceding the registration application must not be less than 5 million Pounds, based on the tax declaration.
- The paid-up capital must not be less than 2 million Pounds, and it must be stated in the Commercial Register and the tax declaration.
- The share of Egyptian partners in the capital must not be less than 51%.
- A cash deposit or a bank guarantee letter of 200,000 Pounds must be provided.
- The director responsible for importing must be of Egyptian nationality and his/her name must be registered in the Commercial Register.
- The director responsible and the employees involved in importing must obtain a certificate of practicing importing.
B. Required Documents:
- A registration application form signed by the person with the right to manage and sign.
- Copies of National ID cards for Egyptians and passports for foreigners whose names are in the Commercial Register.
- An official extract of the birth certificate for the director responsible for importing.
- The registration declaration in the Importers' Registry for companies, which varies based on the percentage of Egyptian and foreign ownership.
- An official extract from the company's incorporation contract and its amendments, showing the importing activity and the paid-up capital.
- A recent official extract from the Commercial Register, valid for at least 90 days.
- The original tax declaration for the preceding year, approved by the Tax Authority.
- The original certificate of practicing importing, or proof of booking the training course as a temporary substitute.
- A receipt for the deposit of the guarantee amount (200,000 Pounds) or the original bank guarantee letter of the same value.
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3. Registration for Joint-Stock Companies and Limited Partnerships by Shares
A. Registration Conditions:
- The company must be registered in the Commercial Register and hold a valid tax card.
- The business volume for the year preceding the registration application must not be less than 5 million Pounds, according to the tax declaration.
- The issued capital must not be less than 5 million Pounds.
- The share and stocks of Egyptian partners must not be less than 51% of the issued capital.
- A cash deposit or a bank guarantee letter of 200,000 Pounds must be provided.
- The director responsible for importing must be of Egyptian nationality and his/her name must be registered in the Commercial Register.
- The director responsible and the employees involved in importing must obtain a certificate of practicing importing.
B. Required Documents:
- A registration application form signed by the person with the right to manage and sign.
- Copies of National ID cards for Egyptians and passports for foreigners.
- An official extract of the birth certificate for the director responsible for importing.
- The registration declaration in the Importers' Registry for companies, which varies based on the percentage of ownership.
- A copy of the Official Gazette or the companies' gazette in which the articles of incorporation and its amendments were published.
- A recent official extract from the Commercial Register.
- The original tax declaration for the preceding year, approved.
- The original certificate of practicing importing or proof of booking the course.
- A receipt for the deposit of the guarantee amount (200,000 Pounds) or a bank guarantee letter.
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4. Procedures and Steps for Registration in the Importer's Registry
The registration process is carried out through several organized steps:
- Booking an appointment: An appointment to submit the application is booked through the website of the General Organization for Export and Import Control (GOEIC) or the relevant Chamber of Commerce.
- Submitting documents: All required documents, prepared according to the provisions of Law No. 7 of 2017, are submitted.
- Application review: The competent authority reviews the application and documents to ensure all conditions are met.
- Determining fees: The value of the registration fees is determined.
- Paying fees and guarantee: The fees are paid, and the guarantee amount is deposited either in the authority's treasury, its bank account, or by providing a bank guarantee letter.
- Technical and financial review: The documents undergo a thorough financial and technical review.
- Data entry: After approval, the Importer's Registry card data is entered.
- Receiving the card: The applicant reviews the card data before receiving it. The card is valid for five years.
General Notes and Important Procedures
- Validity of Registration: The import card is valid for five years.
- Renewal of Registration: The renewal application must be submitted within ninety days before the expiration date.
- Registration for Companies with Foreign Ownership: Companies with less than 51% Egyptian ownership are allowed to register, but the total registration period shall not exceed 10 years from the date of implementing the provisions of Law No. 173 of 2023.
- Certificate of Practicing Importing: If this certificate is not fulfilled upon application, a temporary import card can be obtained for three months.
- Agent: Dealing with a second agent is only accepted with a notarized power of attorney.
- Application Locations: Applications are submitted at the relevant branches of the General Organization for Export and Import Control (GOEIC) (Ma'rouf, 6th of October, Suez, Alexandria, Damietta) or the relevant Chambers of Commerce.
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