Egypt (EG)
Fish products for human consumption
1.1 Establishment registration
The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (the Department) is the Australian government authority responsible for export registration, inspection and certification of Australian food and agricultural exports.
All premises involved in the production of fish and fish products for export, including fishing vessels where fish is prepared for export must be registered with the Department. For more information or assistance with the export registration process contact the departments Dairy, Eggs and Fish Program at dairyeggsfish@aff.gov.au.
Exceptions to establishment registration
Preparation of goods at an export registered establishment and an export permit is not required if you are exporting the following as these goods are not prescribed under the Export Control (Fish & Fish products) Rules 2021;
- liquid fish and liquid fish products exported in a consignment of not more than 10 litres;
- dried fish and dried fish products (other than dried abalone) exported in a consignment of not more than 2 kilograms;
- fish products where fish or fish products are not the major component;
- fish or fish products that are animal food or pharmaceutical material;
- fish or fish products not covered by paragraphs (a) to (d) (other than dried abalone) exported in a consignment of not more than 10 kilograms;
- fish or fish products in the form of a tablet or capsule;
- Note
- However, if Egypt requires a government certificate for the entry of the above goods, a certificate can be issued by the department – provided that the goods have been prepared in an export registered establishment.
1.2 Overseas listing
| Initial listing procedure for fish products for human consumption | Required? |
|---|---|
| Establishment listing for Egypt | No |
1.3 Prohibited products
The department has no knowledge of fish or fish products that are prohibited for import to Egypt.
1.4 Access for fish products for human consumption
| Product | Access? |
|---|---|
| Finfish | Yes |
| Bivalves (for example, oysters, scallops, mussels, oysters, clams, cockles) | Yes |
| Crustaceans (for example, crab, prawn, lobster, scampi, crayfish) | Yes |
| Echinoderms (for example, sea urchins, sea cucumber) | Yes |
| Gastropods (for example, abalone, periwinkles) | Yes |
| Cephalopods (for example, squid, cuttlefish, octopus) | Yes |
| Tunicates (for example, sea squirts) | Yes |
| Crocodile | No agreed certification |
2.1 Harvest
Sourcing of fish and fish products
Egypt has no known specific requirements for sourcing of fish and fish products that differ from those required by the Export Control (Fish and Fish Products) Rules 2021.
Sourcing, slaughter and post-mortem inspection of crocodiles
Australia does not have access for crocodile to Egypt.
2.2 Microbial and residue sampling
Egypt has no known additional requirements for microbial sampling of fish and fish products that differ from those required in the Export Control (Fish and Fish Products) Rules 2021.
Egypt residue standards
Maximum residue limits (MRLs) or import tolerances for residues of specific agricultural and veterinary chemicals approved for use in Australia may not exist in Egypt or may be established at levels lower than those established in Australia. Maximum Limits (MLs) for contaminants may also vary between Egypt and Australia.
Food business operators should note that:
- These differences can be interrogated case-by-case by considering the Egypt standards and the Australian standards.
- Any detection of a residue above the Egypt MRLs/MLs (as applicable) at the border may result in rejection of the consignment.
- Note
- Importing country residue standards can usually be found via the official webpages of their competent authority. Links to a limited number of export markets and Australia are provided on the DAFF website.
2.3 Operational requirements additional to Australia's export legislation
Egypt has no known specific operational hygiene requirements that differ from those required by the Export Control (Fish and Fish Products) Rules 2021.
2.4 Premises and equipment
Egypt has no known specific premises and equipment requirements that differ from those required by the Export Control (Fish and Fish Products) Rules 2021.
3.1 Live fish
Egypt has no known specific requirements for the preparation of live fish that differ from those required by the Export Control (Fish and Fish Products) Rules 2021.
3.2 Non-viable fish
Egypt has no known specific requirements for the preparation of non-viable fish that differ from those required by the Export Control (Fish and Fish Products) Rules 2021.
3.3 Crocodile
Australia does not have access for crocodile to Egypt.
3.4 Packaging
Egypt has no known specific requirements for packaging that differ from those required by the Export Control (Fish and Fish Products) Rules 2021.
3.5 Labelling
Egypt has no known specific requirements for labelling that differ from those required by the Export Control (Fish and Fish Products) Rules 2021.
3.6 Shelf life
Egypt has specific requirements for use-by dates and/or shelf life under Egyptian Standard No.2613-2/2008.
Expiration periods for products and their preservation methods are listed in the table below.
| Product name | Specification Number | Specification Name | Expiration period | Packaging type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cold-smoke fish | 288/2005 | Smoked fish | 5 months | This product is kept in a vacuum package to maintain its validity |
| Hot & semi-hot smoked fish | 4 months | The product is wrapped and placed in a package that maintain its validity | ||
| 3 months | The product is kept in a vacuum package to maintain its validity | |||
| Shrimp and crustaceans | 516/2005 | Frozen shrimp | 8 months | Plastic or carton package |
| Frozen fish | 889 part 1 & 2/2005 – part 3/2007 | Frozen fish | 9 months | |
| Frozen squid | 2800/2006 | Frozen squid | 10 months frozen squid after removal of viscera 8 months frozen squid with viscera | |
| Frozen lobster | 5022/2005 | Fast frozen lobster | 8 months | |
| Frozen Covered Fish (Fingers - Slices) | 3495/2005 | Frozen fish products covered in a layer of paste or rusk | 6 months, for products that have not undergone any cooking operations, they should not exceed the expiration date of the fish prepared from it. |
| Product name | Specification Number | Specification Name | Expiration period | Packaging type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cold-smoke fish | 288/2005 | Smoked fish | 2.5 months | This product is kept in a vacuum package to maintain its validity |
| Hot & semi-hot smoked fish | 2 months | The product is wrapped and placed in a package that maintain its validity | ||
| 15 days | The product is kept in a vacuum package to maintain its validity | |||
| Caviar | 3018/2007 | Roe & Caviar | 6 months for pasteurized caviar packed under vacuum | |
| Roe | 6 months for pasteurized roe packed under vacuum | |||
| Chilled shrimp | 5021/2005 | Chilled shrimp | 7 days from the date of being caught | |
| Chilled stewed Shrimp | 5 days from the date of processing |
| Product name | Specification Number | Specification Name | Expiration period | Packaging type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Whole chilled fish | 3494/2005 | Chilled fish | 7 days from the date of fishing kept at a temperature between 0°C and 4°C | |
| Whole, chilled, eviscerated fish, chopped, or chilled fillets | 17 days from the date of fishing at 0°C for high fat fish. 21 days from the date of fishing at 0°C for low-fat fish. | |||
| Caviar & Roe | 3018/2007 | Roe & Caviar | 9 months for roe at temperature from −2°C to −4°C. | Packed under vacuum |
| 18 months for pasteurized caviar at temperature from −5°C to −10°C | ||||
| 3 months for the roe | ||||
| 12 months for pasteurized caviar at temperature from −2°C to −4°C |
4.1 Shipping marks
Egypt has no known specific requirements for shipping marks, that differ from of the relevant Export Control (Fish and Fish Products) Rules 2021.
4.2 Refrigeration, transfer and loadout
Egypt has no known specific requirements for refrigeration, transfer and loadout, that differ from of the relevant Export Control (Fish and Fish Products) Rules 2021.
5.1 Import permit
Exporters should confirm with their importer if an import permit is required for their product.
5.2 Port of entry inspection and testing
General requirements
Exporters and their importer(s) are required to register with Egypt’s Advance Cargo Information (ACI) pre-clearance system – the Nafezsa Customs Single Window System. This system facilitates consignment clearance at Egypt port of entry.
The ACI pre-clearance system issues consignments with an ACI Identification number (ACID number) that must be referenced on all consignment shipping documentation.
Exporters must include an ACID number on all consignment shipping documentation. This includes:
- Australian government issued certification
- All commercial export documentation (including but not limited to commercial invoices, packing list, bill of lading, certificate of origin).
Although the ACID number is not required as an official information field on Australian government issued certificates, exporters must ensure that this number is applied following certificate issuance by the department, such as by an exporter applied sticker label so as not to obscure information.
Copies of all documentation must also be upload to the Nafeza system with the ACID number.
Further information on ACID number requirements for shipping documentation can be found via the Nafeza system website.
The import process under the Nafeza system is understood to be as follows:
| Steps | Responsibilities of commercial parties |
|---|---|
| 1. | The importer inputs consignment shipping data to the Nafeza system. |
| 2. | The Egyptian Customs Authority will issue an ACID number and notify the importer and exporter within 48 hours. |
| 3. | The exporter will electronically upload all consignment shipping documentation with the ACID number referenced on all documents to the Nafeza system. |
| 4. | The importer certifies and acknowledges the accuracy of all consignment shipping documentation and data uploaded by the exporter. |
| 5. | The vessel is loaded with the shipment and departs exporting country. |
| 6. | The importer pays import taxes and fees. |
| 7. | The vessel arrives at Egypt port of entry, is inspected by a joint committee, and cleared by the Egyptian customs Authority. |
6.1 Live fish
Live finfish, bivalves, crustaceans, echinoderms, gastropods, cephalopods and tunicates
For export eligible live seafood, use an FX99EG certificate.
Embedded endorsement
The FX99EG Certificate contains the following attestations;
The undersigned official inspector hereby certifies that:
- The fishery and/or aquaculture products described above have been handled, prepared or processed, identified, stored and transported under conditions at least equivalent to those laid down in Council Directive 91/493/EEC of 22 July 1991, laying down the health conditions for the production and placing on the market of fishery products
- In addition, in the case of frozen or processed bivalve molluscs, the latter have been fathered in a production area subject to conditions at least equivalent to those laid down in Council Directive 91/492/EEC of 15 July 1991, laying down the health conditions for the production and placing on the market of live molluscs
- Any person working on and/or handling the fishery and/or aquaculture products described above have satisfactorily undergone the medical supervision laid down in Chapter III, Part II B of the Annex to Directive 91/493/EEC
- The official inspector certifies that the fishery and/or aquaculture products specified above were produced under a system of monitoring check as laid down in Chapter V, Part II 3B of Annex to Directive 91/493/EEC and the results of these checks are satisfactory.
6.2 Non-viable fish
Non-viable finfish, bivalves, crustaceans, echinoderms, gastropods, cephalopods and tunicates
For export eligible non-viable seafood, use an FX99EG certificate.
Embedded endorsement
The FX99EG Certificate contains the following attestations;
The undersigned official inspector hereby certifies that:
- The fishery and/or aquaculture products described above have been handled, prepared or processed, identified, stored and transported under conditions at least equivalent to those laid down in Council Directive 91/493/EEC of 22 July 1991, laying down the health conditions for the production and placing on the market of fishery products
- In addition, in the case of frozen or processed bivalve molluscs, the latter have been fathered in a production area subject to conditions at least equivalent to those laid down in Council Directive 91/492/EEC of 15 July 1991, laying down the health conditions for the production and placing on the market of live molluscs
- Any person working on and/or handling the fishery and/or aquaculture products described above have satisfactorily undergone the medical supervision laid down in Chapter III, Part II B of the Annex to Directive 91/493/EEC
- The official inspector certifies that the fishery and/or aquaculture products specified above were produced under a system of monitoring check as laid down in Chapter V, Part II 3B of Annex to Directive 91/493/EEC and the results of these checks are satisfactory.
6.3 Crocodiles
There is no agreed certification for import of crocodile meat into Egypt.
Fish products not for human consumption
1.1 Establishment registration
The Export Control (Fish and Fish Products) Rules 2021 does not regulate fish and fish products not for human consumption. Establishments processing such products are not required to be export registered with the Department unless it is a requirement of the importing country. Exporters are encouraged to confirm the eligibility and import requirements of their product with their importer, or directly with the importing country competent authority prior to export.
Importing countries may require a health certificate be provided for fish and fish products not for human consumption. If a health certificate is required, contact the department’s non-prescribed goods program at NPGExports@aff.gov.au for further information.
1.2 Overseas listing
| Initial listing procedure for fish products not for human consumption | Required? |
|---|---|
| Establishment listing for Egypt | No |
1.3 Prohibited products
The Department is not aware of any prohibited fish products. Additional information relating to fish and fish products not for human consumption may also be found on the corresponding Meat Micor page. Exporters should check with their importers to determine if the products are permitted for import to Egypt.
1.4 Access for fish products not for human consumption
| Product | Access? |
|---|---|
| *Establishments processing fish and fish products not for human consumption are not required to be export registered with the Department. The Department is not aware of import eligibility for these products. Exporters are encouraged to confirm eligibility criteria for their products with their importer or the importing country competent authority prior to export. | |
| Aquaculture feed | No agreed certification* |
| Animal feed | No agreed certification* |
| Crocodile skins and hides | No agreed certification* |
| Technical products and pharmaceutical material (for example, fish oil capsule) | No agreed certification* |
| Rendered products | No agreed certification* |
| Shells | No agreed certification* |
The Department is not aware of the requirements for animal feed. Additional information relating to fish and fish products not for human consumption may also be found on the corresponding Meat Micor page. Exporters should check requirements with their importer or the Egypt competent authority prior to shipping any animal feed to Egypt.
The Department is not aware of the requirements for crocodile skins and hides. Additional information relating to fish and fish products not for human consumption may also be found on the corresponding Meat Micor page. Exporters should check requirements with their importer or the Egypt competent authority prior to shipping any crocodile skins and hides to Egypt.
The Department is not aware of the production requirements for Rendered products. Additional information relating to fish and fish products not for human consumption may also be found on the corresponding Meat Micor page. Exporters should check production requirements with their importer or the Egypt competent authority prior to shipping any Rendered products to to Egypt.
The Department is not aware of the production requirements for technical grade and pharmaceutical products. Additional information relating to fish and fish products not for human consumption may also be found on the corresponding Meat Micor page. Exporters should check production requirements with their importer or the Egypt competent authority prior to shipping any technical products or pharmaceutical material to Egypt
15/09/2023 - Updated expiration period for frozen fish (section 3.6).
14/08/2023 - Updated residue statement to refer to importing country standards (section 2.2).
25/04/2023 - Content on this page may have changed location to conform to standard Fish headings.
14/08/2023 - Updated residue statement to refer to importing country standards (section 2.2).
25/04/2023 - Content on this page may have changed location to conform to standard Fish headings.