Wednesday 22 Jan
Sources within the Egyptian automotive market indicate that challenges persist in importing vehicles for people with determination, despite efforts to streamline the process and implement import controls.
These sources report that these individuals continue to face difficulties in clearing their vehicles from the ports. Many vehicles remain detained due to non-compliance with customs release criteria. Car owners express concerns that the current import regulations are not easy to apply, and applicable only to a limited number of vehicles, hindering the release of detained cars.
To obtain their imported
vehicles, they must now demonstrate, within one month of submitting a release
request, that they have paid for the car (in full or in part) using funds from
their personal accounts or those of a first-degree relative.
This hard requirement was
implemented by the customs authority last October to curb the illegal practice
of flooding the market with duty-exempt vehicles intended for people with determination.
These vehicles were then being sold to other buyers, violating existing laws.
However, sources indicate that
many car owners are struggling to meet these new customs requirements,
particularly those with lower levels of education.
It's estimated that approximately 16,000 vehicles are currently being held at ports due to these challenges.
