Egypt Food Export Requirements: What You Need to Know
Egypt is one of the largest food importers in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. With strict regulations and compliance standards, businesses must meet specific Egypt food export requirements to successfully enter the market.
Whether you’re exporting processed foods, fresh produce, dairy products, or meat, you must follow Egypt’s import rules set by the General Organization for Export and Import Control (GOEIC) and the National Food Safety Authority (NFSA).
In this guide, we break down the Egypt food export requirements, including essential documents, labeling rules, inspection procedures, and common challenges.
1. Understanding Egypt’s Regulatory Bodies for Food Imports
Before exporting food to Egypt, it’s essential to understand the government authorities responsible for import approvals:
A. GOEIC (General Organization for Export and Import Control)
- Responsible for conducting pre-shipment inspections.
- Issues the Certificate of Inspection (COI), mandatory for food imports.
B. NFSA (National Food Safety Authority)
- Ensures compliance with Egyptian food safety standards.
- Approves food labeling, ingredient lists, and safety regulations.
C. Egyptian Customs Authority
- Handles import duties, taxation, and customs clearance.
To successfully export food to Egypt, companies must comply with all three regulatory bodies.
2. Required Documents for Exporting Food to Egypt
To comply with Egypt food export requirements, businesses must provide mandatory documents before shipping their products. These include:
A. Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate (COI)
✔️ Issued by GOEIC or an accredited third-party certification body.
✔️ Confirms compliance with Egypt’s food safety regulations.
B. Certificate of Origin (COO)
✔️ Confirms the country where the food product was manufactured.
✔️ Must be certified by the Chamber of Commerce.
C. Health Certificate
✔️ Issued by the food safety authority of the exporting country.
✔️ Required for fresh food, dairy, and meat exports.
D. Commercial Invoice
✔️ Includes product description, quantity, and price.
✔️ Must be certified by the Chamber of Commerce and legalized by the Egyptian embassy.
E. Packing List
✔️ Must include product weight, size, and packaging details.
F. Laboratory Test Report
✔️ Required for processed foods to confirm compliance with chemical and microbiological safety standards.
Each shipment must have these documents to avoid delays at Egyptian customs.
3. Egypt Food Labeling Requirements
Failure to meet Egypt’s food labeling regulations can result in shipment rejections or penalties.
A. Mandatory Labeling Rules
- Arabic labeling is required (other languages can be included, but Arabic is mandatory).
- Production and expiry dates must be clear.
- Ingredients list with exact percentages is required.
- Storage conditions (e.g., keep refrigerated, dry storage) must be specified.
- Manufacturer details (name, address, country of origin) must be included.
To avoid rejection, businesses should ensure accurate labeling before shipment.
4. Inspection & Testing for Food Exports to Egypt
To meet Egypt food export requirements, shipments must undergo pre-shipment inspection and laboratory testing to verify:
✔️ Microbiological safety – Checking for Salmonella, E. Coli, and Listeria.
✔️ Chemical safety – Ensuring compliance with pesticide residue and heavy metals limits.
✔️ Physical inspection – Verifying packaging quality and weight accuracy.
Egyptian authorities strictly enforce food safety inspections, making pre-shipment testing essential.
5. Common Challenges in Exporting Food to Egypt & How to Overcome Them
🚨 Challenge #1: Lengthy Customs Clearance
➡️ Solution: Ensure all required documents are ready before shipping.
🚨 Challenge #2: Labeling Errors
➡️ Solution: Follow Arabic labeling regulations and use approved templates.
🚨 Challenge #3: Shipment Rejection Due to Quality Issues
➡️ Solution: Conduct pre-shipment testing with an accredited certification body.
🚨 Challenge #4: High Import Duties
➡️ Solution: Check for free trade agreements (FTAs) to reduce tariff costs.
6. How Certify Can Help Exporters Meet Egypt’s Food Import Regulations
At Certify, we specialize in inspection, testing, and certification services for food exporters. Our global expertise ensures that your shipments comply with Egypt food export requirements, helping you avoid delays, penalties, and rejected shipments.
Our Services Include:
🔹 Pre-shipment inspections – Ensuring regulatory compliance before export.
🔹 Food labeling verification – Avoiding rejection due to incorrect labels.
🔹 Certification assistance – Helping you obtain COI, health certificates, and more.
🔹 Customs clearance support – Making the export process faster and hassle-free.
By working with Certify, exporters can ensure full compliance with Egypt’s import regulations.
7. Conclusion
Exporting food to Egypt requires strict adherence to Egypt food export requirements, including pre-shipment inspection, accurate labeling, and proper certification. Companies that fail to meet these standards risk shipment rejection, delays, and financial losses.
By following this guide and working with a trusted certification partner like Certify, food exporters can ensure compliance, reduce costs, and successfully enter the Egyptian market.
✅ Need help exporting food to Egypt? Contact Certify today for expert assistance!
