Free export

• No information available

Prohibited

• Illegal drugs
• Weapons and ammunition
• Perishable food
• Live animals
• Restricted

Restricted

• Antiques and valuable artefacts over a 100 years – permission has been obtained

Basic health information for travelers to Egypt

• A yellow fever vaccination is required for all visitors to the country over a year old who have come from or through a country suffering from the disease. Travellers not originating from an infected country are still advised to obtain a full vaccination prior to beginning their journey.

• Water in the country should be considered dangerous to drink and boiled well before used. Travellers should stick to bottled water wherever possible. Swimming in pools or the sea is not advised owing to the significant risk of disease. Visitors should only swim in chlorinated swimming pools and seek immediate medical attention if required. Milk and other dairy products should be avoided if unpasteurized.

• Meat, vegetables and fish should be cooked thoroughly before being eaten and should be served whilst hot. Milk and dairy products should also be avoided for risk of disease. All foods being eaten in the countries restaurants should be safe to eat but travellers are advised to choose food with care. Fruit should be peeled before being eaten and vendor food should be avoided due to health reasons.

• There is a limited risk of Malaria and Dengue Fever from mosquitoes bites in some sections of the country. Travellers are advised to utilise insect repellent and close clothing to limit the risk of infection. There have been several cases of H5N1 Bird Flu in the country and “travellers should avoid visiting live animal markets, poultry farms and other places where you may come into close contact with domestic, caged or wild birds; and ensure poultry and egg dishes are thoroughly cooked”.

• Visitors should obtain vaccinations against typhoid and polio before beginning their journey. Hepatitis A, B and E are advised and travellers should take all normal procedures when dealing with needle injections or when engaging in sexual activity. Bilharzia (schistosomiasis) is present in the Nile Delta and the Nile Valley; travellers are strongly urged to avoid swimming and wading in fresh water.

• There is a chance of Rabies from wild animal bites. Visitors travelling with children are urged to instruct their children to avoid playing with the wild animals and running the risk of being bitten. If infected, travellers should thoroughly clean the wound and seek medical attention for signs of infection.

• Dust and sandstorms can occur in the country and travellers with respiratory or other health concerns are advised to check the weather forecasts prior to leaving time. Travellers should come prepared for the intense heat during the summer months by buying plenty of sun protection and drinking plenty of bottled water to prevent dehydration.

• Public hospitals and chemists are open to tourists. Medical care is judged to be acceptable in Cairo and Alexandria but poor and unreliable elsewhere in the country. Travel and Medical insurance should be obtained prior to flight.

Basic security information for travelers to Egypt

• OWING TO THE UNSTABLE POLITICAL SITUATION IN THE COUNTRY, ALL TRAVELLERS ARE STRONGLY ADVISED TO CHECK THE CURRENT MILITARY AND POLITICAL LANDSCAPE PRIOR TO THEIR VISIT.

• Acts of violent theft have been on the increase in recent years and all visitors should keep their passport and other valuables in a safe place for the duration of their visit. Female travellers in particular should avoid travelling around the country alone after dark owing to the marked increase in physical and sexual violence in recent times.

• There is a greater than average danger from international terrorism in this country with both foreign and native civilians being at risk. Travellers should exercise considerable caution when visiting commercial establishments, government facilities, and public or religious sites.

• The borders between Egypt and Sudan and Libya should be approached with great care. A special permit from the Travel Permits Department of the Egyptian Ministry of the Interior will first have to be acquired before travel to the border can be authorized. Travellers should be wary of occasional outbreaks of violence and renegade bandit groups that can operate in the vicinity and to take all necessary precautions.

• Visitors travelling by road are cautioned against driving late at night due to the lack of lighting in much of the countries roadways combined with the chance of accident. Road standards are poor throughout the country with a high degree of fatalities owing to reckless driving and general unsafe conditions. Travellers driving throughout the country should also keep informed of any planned closures, accidents or other unforeseen incidents which could prove dangerous. A UK driving licence is acceptable for the first six months in the country although an Egyptian licence will be required if staying longer.

• Travellers should take plenty of liquids to avoid dehydration in the countries naturally hot climate and check local weather channels for potentially dangerous dust or sand storms. Earth tremors have been reported to occur occasionally in the country.

• Photographs of important military and government people and facilities are illegal and may lead to being detained or arrested by the police or the security services. Binoculars or photographs should not be used to observe airplanes either in public or at airports and can also result in a police arrest.

• Islamic practices and beliefs are dominate in Egypt and are advised to not act in a way that could potentially cause offense. Travellers should act and dress formally when in public and refrain from drinking alcohol in public places. Public displays of affection are frowned upon and whilst homosexuality is not illegal, open displays of affection should be avoided.

• Travellers to the country should check the country’s political situation make sure that they have obtained a heath and travel insurance prior to beginning their journey.

For further assistance please contact the Egyptian Customs authorities directly. They will provide the latest information about customs regulations and export-import procedures.

Egyptian Customs contact information

Website: http://www.customs.gov.eg/


For additional information about travel restrictions, security warnings, political updates, and basic travel guidelines, please contact the nearest Egyptian Embassy.

List of Egyptian Embassies all over the world: http://egypt.visahq.co.uk/embassy/United-Kingdom/