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

Within the framework of regulations governing import and export activities and the procedures for the inspection and control of imported and exported goods, Dr. Mohamed Farid Saleh, Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade, issued Decree No. 501 of 2026. This decree amends certain provisions of the regulations executing Provisions of Law No. 118 of 1975.

The Decree stipulates substituting Clause No. 7 of Annex No. 2 attached to this Regulation, regarding the item of “metal scraps and leftovers”, including used railway rails, and specifying the conditions for its import and release.

The Decree dictates obtaining a prior annual import permit for the non-hazardous wastes item "metal scraps” from Waste Management Regulatory Authority (WMRA). Import of such scrap shall be restricted to factories licensed by Industrial Development Authority (IDA) to use them as a production input or shall be restricted to licensed scrap recycling factories. Furthermore, the Decree stipulates that this item shall not include used automotive spare parts.

With respect to release of the shipments, the Decree stipulates that the railway rails shall be scrapped and cracked before release and the shipment shall undergo radiological inspection by the Egyptian Atomic Energy Authority (EAEA), in the presence of a representative from the Chemical Warfare Department.

It also stipulates that the shipment shall be accompanied by an Official Certificate from the export country attesting “free of explosives or hazardous materials” issued by government authorities or laboratories internationally accredited by the General Organization for Export and Import Control (GOEIC).

The conditions included submission of an Inspection and Analysis Certificate issued by an internationally accredited laboratory, an Egyptian government laboratory, or an Egyptian research centers, stating that the imported item shall not contain any contaminants or constituents listed in Annex (I) of Basel Convention at a level that render this item as hazardous according to hazard characteristics set forth in Annex (III) of the Convention, furthermore the item shall undergo radiation and heavy metal tests.

The Decree stipulates that the General Organization for Export and Import Control shall conduct random inspection to these shipments.

The Decree was published in “the Egyptian Gazette” (Issue No. 225), “follow” on October 12, 2026, and it shall come into force on the day following its publication.