Import duty and clearance time are decided by three things on the paperwork: the HS code, the proof of origin, and the trade agreement your country applies to goods from Egypt. Getting them right before the vessel sails is what keeps a container out of a port warehouse.
HS codes: the 6-digit headings
| Product | HS heading | Description |
|---|---|---|
| PET preforms | 3923.30 | Carboys, bottles, flasks and similar articles, of plastics |
| Caps & closures | 3923.50 | Stoppers, lids, caps and other closures, of plastics |
The first six digits are harmonised worldwide; the full national tariff line (8–10 digits) and its duty rate are set by your country. Confirm the line with your customs broker before ordering, and make sure the code on the commercial invoice is the one your broker will declare.
Proof of origin and Egypt’s trade agreements
Egypt is party to several agreements that can reduce or remove import duty on goods of Egyptian origin — provided the goods meet that agreement’s rules of origin and the right proof of origin travels with the shipment.
| Agreement | Markets | Usual proof of origin |
|---|---|---|
| COMESA Free Trade Area | COMESA FTA members, e.g. Kenya, Uganda | COMESA certificate of origin |
| GAFTA (Greater Arab Free Trade Area) | Arab member states, e.g. Saudi Arabia, UAE, Jordan | Certificate of origin for Arab-origin goods |
| Agadir Agreement | Jordan, Morocco, Tunisia | EUR.1 / EUR-MED movement certificate |
| EU–Egypt Association Agreement | EU member states | EUR.1 movement certificate |
| AfCFTA | African states trading under the agreement | AfCFTA certificate of origin |
Whether a preference applies to your order depends on the importing country’s published schedule for the product and on the goods meeting the rules of origin — your broker confirms both. Delta El Nile handles EUR.1, COMESA preferences and full export documentation, so name the destination and the agreement you want to claim when you send your RFQ.
The usual document set
- Commercial invoice and packing list — HS code, quantities, net and gross weight, number of pallets or octabins.
- Transport document — bill of lading for sea freight, CMR for road.
- Certificate of origin — the form your agreement requires, as listed above.
- Food-contact compliance documents your market requires for packaging in contact with beverages and food.
Put it in the RFQ
Tell us the destination port, the Incoterm and the agreement you want to use, and the documents are prepared with the order — check the FOB / CFR / CIF guide and payment terms, then build your RFQ. This guide is an orientation, not customs advice: duty rates and origin rules change, and your broker’s ruling on your goods is the one that counts.