Arab Republic of Egypt Ministry of Investment and Foreign Trade General Organization for Export and Import Control

Within the framework of the directives of the political leadership to develop the legislative environment supporting the foreign trade, and within the state’s direction towards improving the investment climate and enhancing competitiveness of the Egyptian economy, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi ratified Law No. 4 of 2026 on amendment of some provisions of Law No. 121 of 1982 with respect to the importers’ register, that was promulgated in the Official Gazette, and shall be applicable as of the date of its promulgation.

Such amendment comes within the context of the State’s continuous efforts to update the regulatory frameworks of the import system, contributing to streamline of the procedures, providing more facilitation to the business community, as well as supporting the digital transformation and raising the efficiency of institutional performance at the entities concerned with foreign trade, most notably the General Organization for Export and Import Control (GOEIC).

Legislative amendments that enhance the flexibility and support sustainability in business 

The Law included a number of substantive amendments aiming at achieving more flexibility in managing the importers' register, most notably:

• The possibility of paying the receivables in their equivalent in free foreign currencies acceptable to the Central Bank of Egypt, that contributes to facilitating the financial procedures for those dealing with the system.
• Simplifying the procedures of updating the data of companies enrolled in the register, whereas the competent authority may register the amendments related to the legal form or the tax registration number within 60 days commencing from sending the notification, considering this as a direct amendment with no need for the re-registration.
• Supporting the continuity of business activity through allowing the importer’s heirs to re-register if they establish a company for practicing the same activity within a period not exceeding year and a half from the date of death, along with exemption from certain registration requirements.

Approval of the reconciliation system for settling violations

The law introduced an integrated mechanism for reconciliation in crimes related to the importers' register, allowing the settlement of violations at various stages of litigation process in accordance with specific regulations:

• Before filing a lawsuit: Against payment of an amount not less than the minimum fine and not exceeding one-third of its maximum.
• After filing the lawsuit and before the final judgment: Against Payment of an amount not less than three times of the minimum and not exceeding two-thirds of the maximum.
• After issuance of the final judgment: Against payment of an amount not less than the maximum but not more than twice.

Reconciliation shall entail dismissal of the criminal case and all legal effects thereof, with the possibility of suspending the execution of the penalty if reconciliation is reached during the execution, in such way that enhances the climate of compliance and achieves the balance between control and facilitation.

Updating the Executive Regulation to ensure the quick application

The law stipulates that the Minister concerned with foreign trade affairs shall issue a decision to amend the Executive Regulation within 30 days from the date of enforcement of law while the current Regulation shall be applied insofar as they do not conflict with provisions of this Law, in order to ensure the rapid activation of the amendments and the realization of their actual benefit.

This legislative amendment reflects the Egyptian State’s keenness to develop the Foreign Trade System through more flexible and fair procedures that support the confidence of the Business Community and contribute to stimulating import activity in a controlled and sustainable manner, within the framework of the State’s vision towards a more competitive economy and openness to global markets.