Egypt’s National Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (NTRA) confirmed on Monday the suspension of approximately 60,000 mobile devices suspected of violating rules related to phones brought into the country by travelers.
The devices were flagged through NTRA’s electronic monitoring system, launched on 1 January 2025, which has so far exempted 650,000 mobile phones under the policy allowing each traveler to bring one device duty-free via official customs channels.
A recent review revealed that 13,000 devices obtained exemptions illegally, violating customs and regulatory procedures; these remain suspended. Meanwhile, 47,000 devices were verified as eligible and have been reactivated.
Under current regulations from NTRA and the Egyptian Customs Authority, travelers may bring one mobile phone for personal use without taxation if declared upon arrival.
The mobile phone governance system aims to regulate device registration and taxation, as well as curb smuggling of unregistered phones into Egypt.
