Safety in Egypt: what actually matters to know

From real experience

• Exporting parts of marine life, such as crab claws, from Egypt is generally prohibited and customs regulations are strict. Tourists should avoid taking such items to prevent issues at border control.
• Travelers often report conflicting information regarding alcohol import limits in Egypt. Some sources state 2 liters for low-alcohol or 1 liter for strong alcohol. Others claim a strict 1-liter limit, with quantities exceeding 1 liter subject to declaration and a fee (e.g., 13 units per bottle). There are also anecdotal reports of individuals successfully bringing in 2 liters of strong alcohol without issue, suggesting enforcement may vary, and customs checks can still result in visa annotations.
• Travelers importing prescription medication to Egypt have reported successful entry with only a Russian-language doctor's prescription, without official translation or notarization. While official regulations may vary, practical experience suggests a Russian prescription can suffice for common prescription drugs. Verify specific drug legality if uncertain.
• Regulations on taking souvenirs, specifically stones from pyramids, out of Egypt. Removing stones or historical artifacts from Egypt is generally illegal and can lead to significant fines or legal consequences. Tourists are advised against taking any natural materials, including sand or shells, as souvenirs to avoid environmental damage and legal issues.
• Upon arrival in Hurghada, Egypt, travelers can purchase alcohol at local duty-free shops. However, there is conflicting information regarding the time limit for these purchases: some sources state 4 days, while others strictly indicate 48 hours. A new tax has also recently been applied to these duty-free purchases. Additionally, some travelers report successfully bringing up to 2 liters of strong alcohol from their home country (e.g., Russia) in checked luggage.
• Official customs allowance for cigarettes in Egypt is 200 units (one carton). Regarding hookah tobacco, while guidelines often suggest a 1kg limit, enforcement can be subjective. It is common for travelers to import preferred brands of tobacco from abroad due to perceived poor quality of local varieties.
• Alcohol import limits to Egypt: Officially, the limit is 1 liter of spirits and 2 liters of low-alcohol beverages per person. However, it is commonly reported that individuals may bring up to 2 liters of spirits without facing fines. In cases of exceeding this, the most likely consequence is confiscation, with no reported instances of fines for personal quantities.
• Medicine export from Egypt: There is no strictly defined limit on the number of medicine packages that can be exported. The key guideline is to ensure the quantity is not considered a commercial shipment. One user suggested up to 8 packs per medication type per person. Receipts for purchased medications are of debated necessity; some advise keeping them, others find them irrelevant.
• Egyptian law strictly prohibits the export of natural marine flora and fauna, as well as natural stones (e.g., from St. Catherine's Monastery) and sand/pebbles from beaches, to protect the Red Sea ecosystem. This includes any fragments of live or dead corals, whole mollusk shells (even small ones), starfish, sea urchins, dried marine life, and parts of marine animals (e.g., shark jaws, pufferfish). Violators face severe penalties, including fines (e.g., $1000 USD), risk of deportation, blacklisting, and even imprisonment, under environmental law No. 4 of 1994. The CITES convention applies to some species. Items purchased in licensed stores with receipts and certificates are generally permitted. Advise tourists against collecting natural items and suggest purchasing certified souvenirs instead.
• If a lost suitcase is opened and its contents are being used (e.g., AirPods playing music), this situation may escalate from a lost luggage issue to a theft. Standard lost and found procedures through the airline or airport may not be sufficient. In such cases, it is advisable to involve the police rather than relying solely on the airport's lost and found service.
• Medicines, including injectable drugs like Wegovy (semaglutide) or similar, are generally safer and less problematic when transported in checked luggage (hold baggage) rather than carry-on to avoid security scrutiny.

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