Here’s How A New App In Egypt Will Tackle Phone Smugglers

Egpyt is introducing a new plan to tackle phone smuggling whilst promoting its local phone industry. A 38.5% customs tax will be given to individuals who import mobile phones into the country. “The number of devices entering the country through smuggling is too large,” Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly said in a press conference. “Countries resort to such measures to regulate the market and encourage the growth of local industry,” he added.

The Finance Ministry and the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology are working together to create an electronic system that can track imported phones while protecting customers from fake and stolen devices. “We work to ensure fair competition and confront illegal practices in the telecommunications market for the benefit of citizens, investors and the Egyptian economy,” they said.

How does the app work?

The app “Telephony” (My Phone) registers any mobile phone bought into the country. Telephony aims to maintain fairness in the market by ensuring that taxes and customs duties on phones brought into the country are accurately counted. The app is timely as international brands are now building their phones locally in Egypt.

When you enter Egypt, you can bring one mobile phone for personal use without paying extra fees, but this only applies every three months. To ensure you’re paying the right amount for your phone, you must download the Telephony app to register your phone online. This way, the app will account for any electronic payments you may have.

The new scheme was introduced on January 1, 2025, but it won’t impact any phones that were activated prior to that date. Additionally, the app gives users governance tools that will allow individuals to confirm device authenticity to ward off fake phones.

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