10 Directives.. the Minister of Finance issues a guide to tax refund procedures for participants in the Climate Summit

Dr. Mohamed Maait, Minister of Finance, issued the simplified guide to customs procedures and value-added tax refunds; As part of the ongoing preparations to facilitate customs and tax procedures for the "COP-27" climate conference, which Egypt will host next November in Sharm El-Sheikh, and the large international participation it witnesses.

According to a statement from the Ministry of Finance, Mohamed Maait confirmed that the guide specifies customs procedures on imports under the temporary release system, procedures for goods received for display and return fees, and procedures for refunding value-added tax for foreign departures.

He stated that this guide was circulated, published and linked to the official website of the Climate Conference, the website of the Ministry of Finance, and other relevant authorities.

The Minister explained that this guide includes many facilitation in procedures for those dealing with the customs system, including:

1- Excluding goods shipped at all customs ports included in the framework of the Climate Conference from registration in the “ACI” system, and excluding goods arriving at Sharm El-Sheikh International Airport from registration in the “window” system.

2- He referred to the simplified procedures for the temporary release of cameras, equipment and photographic equipment belonging to foreign journalists and correspondents.

3- The delegates participating in the climate conference will benefit from tax and customs exemptions and benefits, noting the necessity of disclosing what foreign exchange, negotiable securities or commercial securities carry, or any things whose value exceeds the permissible limit upon arrival, with the exception of things intended for personal use.

4- Non-Egyptians are allowed upon departure to carry the remainder of the amounts that were disclosed upon arrival, with the obligation not to take prohibited items according to the law.

5- The Minister of Finance agreed and agreed to accept the pledges submitted by the companies for the temporary release of the items and goods received for the “Al-Manakh” conference for a fee of presentation and return, provided that the company responsible for shipping, transport and customs clearance guarantees these pledges; To ensure that items are re-exported abroad, instead of submitting bank guarantee letters or cash insurance to facilitate customs procedures.

6- The Minister of Finance approved the establishment of a customs yard at Sharm El-Sheikh International Airport to facilitate the completion of customs procedures on goods so that the procedures for detection, inspection and valuation are carried out in this yard.

7- Coordination has been made with the competent authorities in examining the goods to nominate representatives authorized to opinion and take the decision to facilitate the customs release process. A central operations room has been formed at Cairo International Airport to monitor any obstacles to customs release and resolve them immediately.

8- Departing foreign visitors to Egypt for a period not exceeding 3 months are entitled to recover the value-added tax previously paid to the registered seller for his purchases of taxable goods, provided that the value of his purchases on one invoice is not less than 1500 pounds, so that his purchases leave the country with him or by any other means.

9- The tax is refunded when the purchase is made from one of the shops that issues a tax invoice, describing the purchased goods in terms of type, number and value, and the value of the value-added tax.

10- Several meetings were held with officials of the Central Bank, Al-Ahly Bank and Egypt; To discuss the proposed work cycle to facilitate the return of value-added tax for foreign departures, and it was agreed upon and a cooperation protocol was signed in this regard.