INSIGHTS

The main purpose of the law No.207 (2020):

Merge of customs legislation into a unified law. The new law repealed  the Law No. 66 of 1963 and the law, Law No. 186 of 1986 regulating customs exemptions, and any text that contradicts or conflicts with the provisions of the new law and the accompanying law are also canceled.

General framework of the new law:

• Putting a definition for the customs terminology contained in it.
• The texts are clearly detailed and unambiguous.
• The preservation and exchange of customs data, documents and records by secure electronic means was permitted, and these copies were given authenticity of evidence.
• Simplification of customs procedures.
• Legalize the post-release review procedure.
• Addressing the disadvantages of the temporary admission system.
• Introduce a new organization of free zones.
• Report customs exemption for cars that are drawn for the disabled and blind, and to avoid the negative aspects of applying the current texts.
• Introduced a system allowing the concerned parties to inquire in advance from the Customs Authority about customs procedures and regulations.
• Create a text that subjects dry ports to the same procedures and customs provisions related to sea, air and land ports.
• Simplifying customs procedures to achieve ease of releasing goods in the shortest possible period of time.
• The facilities provided for in the new customs bill to encourage investment.
• Applying any customs exemptions established by the international agreements to which the Arab Republic of Egypt has acceded or to the laws prior to the implementation of this law.
• The ability of paying customs taxes by Installment.
• The ability to settlement the disputes with Customs Authority through arbitration award as a simplified mechanism to settle disputes that may arise between the Customs Authority and the concerned parties about the type, value or origin of the imported goods.
• Limiting the acts that constitute a customs violation and stricter penalties for them.
• Raising the minimum and maximum penalties for imprisonment and fines and making them mandatory for customs smuggling crimes with intent to trade.
• Raising the compensation so that it becomes equivalent to double the customs tax instead of the tax equivalent in the current law, and if the goods are of the items prohibited to be imported, the compensation is equivalent to the same value or double the tax, whichever is greater, with the ruling that the prohibited goods must be confiscated.
• Considering the crime of customs smuggling as a crime against honor and integrity.

Regrading IP rights and Border Measures

The new law Keeps the provisions of the law No 118 for the year 1975 regarding import and export, specially the article in the chapter 7 from the implementing regulations of that law, this chapter organize the enforcement of IP rights on border through the custom authority.

For further information and/or inquiries, please contact our Baianat-IP Egypt Office at egypt@baianat-ip.com.