The World Desk Floor 2 · The Gulf & Africa

Room 202

Egypt

Ahlan. How may I help you?

GAFI incorporation, the tax card, and advance cargo information on Nafeza.

Capital
Cairo
Currency
Egyptian pound (EGP)
Guide
Overview · full guide in preparation
Last checked
Cairo Alexandria Port Said Aswan

The concierge

What do you need in Egypt?

01 · Set up

Ways to be present

Registry: General Authority for Investment and Free Zones (GAFI), through its investor service centres, with the commercial registry.

Limited liability company (LLC)

Most small and mid-sized businesses.

  • 2 to 50 partners
  • Foreign partners can hold 100% except in activities reserved for Egyptians
  • GAFI guidance requires at least one Egyptian manager

Joint stock company (SAE)

Larger ventures and those planning to raise capital.

  • At least three founders
  • Minimum capital commonly cited at EGP 250,000

Branch of a foreign company

Contract-based or project activity by a foreign company.

  • Registered with GAFI; the parent is liable

01 · Set up

First registrations

  1. 01

    Incorporation

    Through GAFI: articles, capital deposit certificate, notarised and apostilled documents for foreign shareholders, Arabic translations where required.

  2. 02

    Tax card and VAT

    Tax card from the Egyptian Tax Authority. VAT at 14%; registration above EGP 500,000 of sales in 12 months, and from the first sale for importers and certain businesses.

  3. 03

    Social insurance

    Employer registration when hiring.

02 · Trade

Moving goods

  1. 01

    Registration in the importers’ or exporters’ register; eligibility rules for foreign-owned importers have changed recently: confirm the current position

  2. 02

    Obtain an ACID number on Nafeza before shipment; the foreign exporter registers on CargoX. Mandatory for sea freight since 2021 and air freight since 1 January 2026

  3. 03

    The ACID number must appear on the invoice, packing list and bill of lading

  4. 04

    Certain consumer goods need the foreign manufacturer registered with GOEIC

03 · Close

Done when

Watch

  • Shipments without a valid ACID number can be refused
  • Documents signed abroad usually need apostille and Arabic translation

Sources

Checked against

  • GAFI e-services guide gafi.gov.eg
  • Nafeza: Advance Cargo Information nafeza.gov.eg
  • Plus each authority’s own portal. Several points come from practitioner reports; where they disagreed, the text above says so.