Buying a phone in Egypt: registration, warranty and used-phone checks
Since 1 January 2025 Egypt registers imported phones by IMEI. Knowing a phone's status before you buy it helps you avoid a blocked device.
Telephony registration
- Egyptian Customs and NTRA run the Telephony app. Enter the phone's IMEI (dial *#06#) to see its status and whether any customs amount is due.
- An unregistered imported phone gets a 90-day grace period after activation. After that it may stop working with Egyptian SIM cards.
- Visitors roaming on a foreign SIM are not affected. Visitors on an Egyptian tourist SIM can request a 90-day exemption for each visit.
- Before buying locally, especially second-hand, check the IMEI in Telephony, and never pay through unofficial channels.
Warranty and returns
- Article 17 of Consumer Protection Law No. 181 of 2018 gives the buyer 14 days from receipt to exchange or return goods without giving a reason. Exceptions include perishable goods, goods made to the buyer's own specification, goods damaged by the buyer, and books and software.
- The Consumer Protection Agency says defective goods can be exchanged or returned within 30 days of receipt.
- Durable goods carry a legal warranty against manufacturing defects of at least two years. Keep the invoice and the warranty card.
- If a dispute arises, you can file a complaint with the Consumer Protection Agency. Gather the invoice, messages and photos first.
Checking a used phone
- Switch it on in front of you and test the screen, camera, charging and signal.
- Make sure the seller has signed out of iCloud or Google, or the phone may be locked.
- Match the IMEI on the box or invoice with the one the phone shows.
- Meet in daylight in a public place, ideally with someone who speaks Arabic.
- Do not transfer money or pay a deposit before you have seen the item.
Related shops and markets
Abdel Aziz Street electronics market
Cairo · Downtown · Shopping area / market
Downtown street near Al-Ataba packed with appliance, phone and accessory shops, wholesale and retail. Check a phone's IMEI in Telephony and inspect it before buying.
Hours and what is sold can change, so check before you go. Wang Fu has no business relationship with the places listed and does not vouch for their goods.
Official and public sources
- Telephony phone registration (Customs and NTRA)
- National Telecom Regulatory Authority (NTRA)
- CPA FAQ: exchange and return rules
- Consumer Protection Law No. 181 of 2018 (WIPO Lex)
Need an interpreter to come along, or want to post a real sale or rental?