Short answer: You can ship a vehicle to Egypt by Ro-Ro via ports such as Alexandria, Port Said or Damietta. The process is standard – the real hurdle is customs: Egypt has particularly strict import regulations for vehicles, and the import of second-hand vehicles is heavily restricted. You must therefore check in advance with Egyptian customs and your freight forwarder to ensure your vehicle is eligible for import.
The key points in 5 points
- RoRo is the standard for vehicles bound for Egypt.
- Major ports: Alexandria, Port Said, Damietta.
- Imports are strictly regulated – particularly in the case of second-hand vehicles.
- Check import eligibility in advance – otherwise the vessel risks running aground in the harbour.
- Documents and customs are the crucial part of the planning process.
How does Ro-Ro shipping to Egypt work?
Your vehicle will be driven onto the ship under its own power at the port of loading – usually Bremerhaven or Hamburg in Germany – secured in place, and then driven off the ship again at the destination port in Egypt. We’ll show you the options available across the Middle East as a whole at Reaching the Middle East by RoRo.
Which ports in Egypt are of relevance?
- Alexandria: the country’s most important Mediterranean port.
- Port Said: a major transhipment centre at the northern exit of the Suez Canal.
- Damietta: another relevant port on the Mediterranean coast.
You choose the appropriate port of destination in consultation with your freight forwarder, depending on the route and destination.
Am I allowed to import a vehicle into Egypt?
That is the crucial question. Egypt has particularly strict import regulations for vehicles, and the import of second-hand vehicles is severely restricted. Special rules with strict conditions apply to certain groups of people – such as returning citizens. You will need to check whether your specific vehicle is eligible for import before clarify this with Egyptian customs at the time of booking. Shipping without this check poses the greatest risk.
What documents do you need?
- Commercial invoice or proof of purchase
- Bill of Lading
- Vehicle documents and proof of export from the EU
- Egyptian customs and import documents
Exports from Germany are channelled through the ATLAS customs export declaration. We provide an overview of the costs and general conditions in the region at Shipment to the Middle East.
How do you plan transport properly?
- Check import eligibility – including Egyptian customs clearance and freight forwarding.
- Set the destination port and route.
- Compile all the documents.
- Ensure that the lead time and cut-off time are observed.
- Book RoRo shipping and fine-tune the tracking.
FAQ
Can I ship a second-hand car to Egypt?
The import of second-hand vehicles is strictly restricted. You will need to check with Egyptian customs in advance to see whether this is possible in your case.
Which ports in Egypt are suitable?
Mainly Alexandria, Port Said and Damietta. The appropriate port depends on the route and destination.
How long does the shipment take?
Journey times are shorter from the Mediterranean region and longer from Northern Europe. Exact journey times depend on the route and timetable.
Why is the import inspection so important?
Because a vehicle that isn’t roadworthy could end up stranded at the port – incurring storage and return transport costs. Checking this before you book protects you from that.
Is it worth taking out transport insurance?
Yes. As the shipping company’s liability is limited, transport insurance is strongly recommended.
All the information in this article has been carefully researched, but is subject to change at any time. ODS Orient accepts no liability for the timeliness, accuracy or completeness of the information provided. Please contact us directly for a no-obligation quote.
