To import phone accessories from China to Egypt, you need four things in place before the goods leave China: a registered importer whose name the goods are cleared under, an ACID number for the shipment, NTRA approval for any Bluetooth products, and a forwarder who knows the Egyptian lines for batteries and Bluetooth goods. This guide explains each step for wholesalers and shop owners buying chargers, cables, power banks, earbuds and car accessories.
More visitors come to our website from Egypt than from any other country, and Egyptian wholesalers often ask us how importing works. The rules below come from official and specialist sources (chambers of commerce, customs platforms and press reports) linked in each section, and the practical advice comes from how our Egyptian customers actually import. Rules change, so always confirm the details with your customs broker before you pay a deposit.
Quick answer: the steps
- Decide how you will import. In your own company's name (you need to be in Egypt's Importers Register), or through a forwarder's door-to-door line that clears the goods under its own registration and delivers them to you.
- Get the ACID number. Commercial sea and air shipments to Egypt need an ACID number from the NAFEZA platform before they are shipped.
- Check Bluetooth products. Earbuds, speakers and other Bluetooth devices need NTRA type approval, or customs can hold them.
- Plan shipping for batteries. Power banks are lithium-battery goods. Tell your forwarder before booking.
- Prepare payment. Get a Proforma Invoice (PI) for your bank, then pay the deposit.
1. Own name or door-to-door?
Short answer: many wholesalers in Egypt use a forwarder's door-to-door line, which ships the goods and clears them under its own registration for a price per kilo or per cubic metre. Larger importers clear goods in their own company's name.
- In your own name: your company must be registered in Egypt's Importers Register, you register on NAFEZA, you request the ACID number and you clear the goods through your customs broker. You control the paperwork and the costs, but you also handle every approval yourself.
- Door-to-door line: you buy from the supplier, the forwarder collects the goods in China, clears them in Egypt under its own registration and delivers them to your warehouse. This is simpler for mixed orders, but ask exactly what the price includes and whether the line accepts power banks and Bluetooth products.
Earldom sells on EXW Foshan/Guangzhou terms: we prepare the goods and deliver them to your forwarder's warehouse in China, or recommend a partner forwarder with Egypt experience.
2. ACI and the ACID number
Short answer: Egypt's Advance Cargo Information (ACI) system requires commercial shipments to be registered before they are shipped from the exporting country. The Egyptian importer requests an ACID number on NAFEZA, and the foreign exporter uploads the shipping documents through the CargoX platform.
- ACI has been mandatory for sea freight since 1 October 2021 and for air freight since 1 January 2026, according to the German-Arab Chamber of Commerce in Cairo.
- The ACID number must appear on the commercial invoice, packing list and bill of lading.
- The exporter must register and be verified on CargoX to send the documents (CargoX help centre).
Before you order: agree with your forwarder who will handle the ACID number and the CargoX documents. Door-to-door lines usually do this for you; if you import in your own name, confirm it with your broker first.
3. Bluetooth products and NTRA approval
Short answer: Bluetooth earbuds, speakers and other wireless devices count as telecom equipment in Egypt and need type approval from the National Telecom Regulatory Authority (NTRA). Without it, customs can hold the shipment.
In 2021 Egyptian customs held several shipments of Bluetooth headphones pending NTRA approval, under Law No. 10 of 2003 (Daily News Egypt). Importers submit samples to NTRA, and shipments without approval may have to be re-exported.
In practice, this is why Bluetooth goods to Egypt usually travel on forwarder lines that specialise in them. If your order includes TWS earbuds, speakers or Bluetooth car kits, tell your forwarder before booking and ask how they handle NTRA approval. Wired chargers, cables, power banks, phone holders and OTG adapters have no Bluetooth, so this NTRA rule does not apply to them; wireless products such as wireless chargers may be treated differently, so check any other requirements with your customs broker.
4. Power banks and lithium batteries
Short answer: power banks are lithium-battery goods. They can travel by sea as dangerous goods (UN 3480) or on forwarder lines that accept batteries, but many standard air and express services refuse them.
By air, power banks are dangerous goods under the IATA rules, which we explain in our China import guide. For Egypt, the simplest options are sea freight in a consolidated container or a forwarder line that accepts battery goods. Send your forwarder the model list with battery capacities before booking, and ask which battery documents they need (usually an MSDS and a UN 38.3 test summary). Browse our power banks.
5. What to buy for the Egyptian market
Short answer: start with fast-moving items that usually do not need NTRA approval, such as wired chargers, cables, power banks and phone holders, then add Bluetooth products once your forwarder confirms the route.
| Category | What to check for Egypt |
|---|---|
| Wall chargers | Egypt uses 220V and two-pin European plugs (types C and F), so order the EU-plug versions. |
| Charging cables | Keep USB-C, Lightning and Micro USB; many customers still use older phones. |
| Power banks | Battery goods: confirm the shipping route first. |
| Car mounts and car chargers | No Bluetooth, easy to mix into the first order. |
| TWS earbuds, speakers | Bluetooth: NTRA approval and a forwarder line for Bluetooth goods. |
At Earldom every piece comes in its own retail box, so you can order flexible quantities per model and mix categories in one order (power banks by the full carton). We suggest a first order from about US$2,000. See our wholesale terms.
6. Customs duty and VAT
Short answer: Egypt charges customs duty based on each product's HS code, plus VAT at the standard rate of 14%; other fees may apply depending on the item (PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries). Ask your broker for the current duty rate of each code before you order.
| Product | Typical HS code (first 6 digits) |
|---|---|
| Chargers and adapters | 8504.40 |
| Charging cables with connectors | 8544.42 |
| Power banks (lithium-ion) | 8507.60 |
| Earbuds and headphones | 8518.30 |
These are typical classifications; some products can fall under other codes. Your broker adds the Egyptian digits and confirms the code and rate.
7. PI and payment
Short answer: ask for a Proforma Invoice (PI) as soon as you confirm models and quantities. Egyptian banks ask for the PI when you arrange payment for imported goods.
Our PI lists models, pictures, quantities, unit prices, total amount, payment terms, lead time and the trade term (EXW). Payment is by T/T: 30% deposit, and the 70% balance when the goods are ready, before they are handed to your forwarder.
8. Timeline: from product list to delivery
- Send your product list, get a quotation and PI1–2 days
- Give the PI to your bank and pay the 30% depositDepends on your bank
- Goods preparedIn-stock models: within 7 days · OEM models: about 30 days
- ACID number and documents ready, balance paid, goods handed to your forwarderA few days
- Transit and clearanceSeveral weeks by sea; ask your forwarder for the current time on their line
Importer's checklist for Egypt
- Decide: own name (Importers Register) or door-to-door line
- Forwarder confirms ACID number and CargoX documents
- NTRA approval plan for any Bluetooth products
- Forwarder accepts power banks on your route
- EU-plug versions chosen for wall chargers
- HS codes and duty confirmed with your broker
- PI received for your bank
FAQ
What do I need to import phone accessories from China to Egypt?
A registered importer the goods are cleared under (your own company in the Importers Register, or a forwarder's door-to-door line), an ACID number from NAFEZA for every shipment, NTRA approval for Bluetooth products, and a forwarder who accepts your products.
Can I import Bluetooth earbuds into Egypt?
Yes, but they need NTRA type approval, and customs can hold shipments without it. Use a forwarder line that handles Bluetooth goods to Egypt and confirm the process before you order.
Can power banks be shipped to Egypt?
Yes, by sea as dangerous goods or on forwarder lines that accept lithium-battery goods. Many standard air and express services refuse them, so tell your forwarder before booking.
What is the VAT on imported goods in Egypt?
The standard VAT rate is 14%, charged together with customs duty. The duty rate depends on the HS code of each product; your broker confirms it.
Can I mix different products in my first order?
Yes. At Earldom every piece has its own retail box, so you can mix models and categories in one order (power banks by the full carton). We suggest a first order from about US$2,000.
Do you ship to Egypt?
We sell on EXW Foshan/Guangzhou terms and deliver to your forwarder's warehouse in China. If you do not have a forwarder, we can recommend partners with experience on Egyptian lines.
Get a quote from Earldom
Send us your product list and we will reply with a quotation and PI for your bank. Mixed orders welcome.
See our wholesale terms or browse all products.
