Egypt's General Organization for Export and Import Control (GOEIC) published Decree No. 322 of 2026 on August 18, 2026, issued by Dr. Mohamed Farid Saleh, Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade, to streamline the inspection of imported cargo shipments. The decree amends the import requirements under Item (14) of Annex (3) to the executive rules of Law No. 118 of 1975 on Import and Export, making a visual inspection sufficient to release shipments for a defined set of compliant importers.
Under the new rules, a visual inspection combined with checking that the data listed on the shipment matches the data in its documents is enough when the imported goods are produced by an entity registered with GOEIC under Article (94) of the governing regulation. The same simplified procedure also applies when the importer submits an authenticated and certified inspection and audit certificate that covers the shipment details, the inspection and testing results, and a confirmation that the goods meet the approved Egyptian standards.
What does Decree 322/2026 change for imported shipments?
The decree adds a second paragraph to the import requirements under Item (14) of Annex (3), which is attached to the rules implementing Law No. 118 of 1975 and its system of inspection and control of imported and exported goods. The practical effect is a faster release pathway: instead of routing every consignment through full physical and laboratory testing, GOEIC can clear eligible shipments on a visual check plus document compliance, or on a valid accredited inspection certificate.
The stated policy aim is to upgrade the inspection and control system, cut redundant testing for companies already registered with the organization, reduce release time, and improve the efficiency of Egypt's foreign trade system. Goods must still meet approved Egyptian standards, which are set separately by the Egyptian Organization for Standardization and Quality (EOS).
Which importers benefit from the streamlined release pathway?
Two categories of importers can use the simplified procedure. First, goods produced by an entity registered with GOEIC, provided the registration rests on Article (94) of the governing regulation. Foreign factories and trademark owners, including cosmetics and perfumery manufacturers, must already hold this GOEIC registration before their products can be released for trade in Egypt, so the decree directly rewards existing registrants.
Second, any importer who submits an authenticated and certified inspection and audit certificate that covers the shipment details, the inspection and testing results, and a confirmation of conformity to the approved Egyptian standards. For cosmetics specifically, this border-inspection decree sits alongside the Egyptian Drug Authority's notification regime under Law No. 151 of 2019 and Decree No. 122 of 2022 (the EgyCosm database), which governs product notification and market placement rather than port inspection.
What inspection and audit certificates does GOEIC accept?
The certificate must be issued by an entity accredited by a recognized authority under the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC), or by other Egyptian or foreign bodies approved by the Minister of Foreign Trade. Importers relying on this route should verify that their inspection or audit firm holds current ILAC accreditation or a Ministerial approval that names the scope of goods in the shipment.
This acceptance of ILAC-accredited certificates lets foreign exporters pre-empt border testing by arranging accredited pre-shipment inspection in the country of origin, then presenting the certificate at Egyptian customs release. It aligns the GOEIC pathway with international conformity-assessment practice rather than relying solely on domestic laboratory testing at the port.
Does GOEIC keep its random inspection power?
Yes. The decree explicitly authorizes GOEIC to conduct random inspections of any shipments subject to these regulations to verify their compliance with the approved requirements and standards. A shipment cleared through the visual or certificate pathway can still be pulled for a random check, so compliant documentation does not waive GOEIC's oversight. The table below summarizes the three release routes.
| Release pathway | Condition | Random inspection |
|---|---|---|
| Visual inspection | Producer registered with GOEIC, Article (94) | Still applies |
| Accredited certificate | ILAC-accredited or Minister-approved body | Still applies |
| Standard route | No registration or valid certificate on file | Full inspection applies |
Continuous, per-jurisdiction real-time monitoring surfaces ministerial decrees like this the moment they publish on an enforcement body's media center, so trade and compliance teams can adapt inspection and certificate strategy before the next shipment sails.
Take advantage of this real-time watch
To act on this decree, take three steps:
- Confirm whether your factory or trademark owner holds active GOEIC registration under Article (94), and if you import on accredited certificates, check that your inspection firm's ILAC accreditation or Ministerial approval covers the goods in your next consignment.
- Brief your logistics and quality teams that a visual release does not waive GOEIC's random inspection authority, and keep the accredited certificate attached to the shipment file so it is ready at customs.
- For cosmetics, keep the Egyptian Drug Authority notification in EgyCosm separate, since this decree changes border inspection, not product notification.
