Reader Mohammed shared a irritating story with me a few scenario that his cousin confronted at Cairo Worldwide Airport (CAI), suggesting she was extorted by customs officers.
I’ll share the story, however I merely battle to imagine that anybody working at Cairo Airport would offer something apart from probably the most distinctive, 5 star service, under no circumstances motivated by making an additional buck. So everybody can draw their very own conclusions… 😉
Egypt customs calls for cost for second pill
An OMAAT reader’s (younger, feminine) cousin was touring from the United Arab Emirates to Egypt on June 17, 2025, arriving at Cairo Airport. She was carrying her private smartphone, her private pill, and a second Wi-Fi solely pill. All had been clearly not for resale, and had already been used.
Mohammed tells me that at customs, she was stopped and intimidated by officers, who claimed that having an additional pill violated import guidelines, and demanded that she pay 3,500 EGP (~70 USD) in money. She felt threatened into compliance, and no receipt or documentation was issued concerning the cost.
Mohammed concludes with the next:
This seems to be blatant extortion, and it’s sadly not an remoted case. There are rising reviews of comparable abuse, particularly focusing on susceptible vacationers who’re unfamiliar with their rights. I wished to lift consciousness about this conduct, which is damaging each to Egypt’s picture and to the belief that vacationers place in worldwide airport operations.
Was this import responsibility respectable, or corruption?
One definitely wonders whether or not an precise responsibility free restrict was exceeded, or if the officers made up the rule on the spot, viewing this as a simple sufferer they may prey on to make some fast money.
Some international locations do certainly have bizarrely low limits on the variety of electronics that vacationers can convey into the nation. For instance, in 2024, Mexico made headlines, when there have been more and more points with vacationers being charged import duties for bringing multiple laptop-style machine into the nation. So if somebody had a laptop computer and a pill, they had been technically exceeding the import restrict, even when for private use.
Because it turned out, Mexico had that coverage in place for a very long time, but it surely seemingly simply wasn’t enforced typically, till final 12 months. The nation ended up reversing this coverage, given the extent to which it depends on tourism, and this coverage undoubtedly wasn’t good publicity.
Within the case of Egypt, I’m looking for if there’s an identical coverage, however I can’t discover something suggesting {that a} second pill that’s not for resale is topic to duties. That being stated, if I’m lacking one thing, please let me know.
In fact my tackle the Cairo Airport isn’t any secret, and the Egyptian authorities isn’t a fan of individuals having opinions. I’d attain out to authorities for a press release on this, however I believe they’d both inform me to pound sand, or may declare that no worker on the airport has ever accepted a bribe for something, so…
Backside line
Egyptian immigration officers demanded cost when a younger lady arriving at Cairo Airport had two tablets on her, neither of which had been for resale. They demanded a money cost of roughly $75, and no receipt was offered.
Typically international locations have bizarre limits on the objects that may be imported with out paying duties. On this case, I can’t discover any reference to such a low restrict on the variety of electronics that may be introduced into Egypt. In order that leaves me to imagine that officers noticed a possibility to make a fast buck, although if I’m lacking one thing, please let me know.
What do you make of this Egypt immigration scenario?
Supply hyperlink
