Moving from the UK to Egypt is a big decision, and the logistics can feel overwhelming if you don’t know where to start. Visa paperwork, shipping timelines, HMRC notifications, Egyptian customs requirements. There’s a lot to coordinate, and most of it needs to happen in a specific order.
This checklist breaks the process down into a realistic timeline. It covers what to do from three months before your move through to your first week in Egypt.
3 months before your move
This is when the big administrative tasks need to start. Most of them take weeks to process, so leaving them until later creates problems.
Visa and residency. If you hold an Egyptian passport or dual nationality, confirm your Egyptian ID is current. If you’re a British citizen without Egyptian nationality, apply for the appropriate visa. Tourist visas are available on arrival, but if you plan to live in Egypt long-term, you’ll need a residency permit. Start the application early because processing times vary.
Notify HMRC. If you’re leaving the UK permanently, tell HMRC. You may need to complete a P85 form (Leaving the UK) to settle your tax position. If you have a UK pension, check how it will be taxed once you’re resident in Egypt. Don’t skip this step. Getting it wrong can mean unexpected tax bills later.
Start decluttering. Shipping costs to Egypt are driven by volume and weight. Every box you don’t ship saves money. Go room by room and separate what you’re taking, what you’re selling, and what you’re giving away. Be realistic. That spare set of dishes is cheaper to replace in Egypt than to ship.
Research your shipping options. Understand the difference between groupage (shared container), full container, and air freight. Groupage is the most popular option for people moving from the UK to Egypt, especially for smaller loads. Full containers make sense for a 3-bedroom house or larger. Air freight works for urgent items. Get quotes from at least two companies and compare what’s included.
Check your Egypt address situation. If you already have a flat or house in Egypt, confirm the delivery address and building access. If you’re still looking, you’ll need a confirmed address before your shipment arrives. Your shipping company will need this for customs paperwork.
6 to 8 weeks before your move
By now you should have your visa in progress and a rough idea of what you’re shipping. Time to lock things down.
Book your shipping. Choose your shipping company and confirm your move date. Most companies require a 50% deposit at booking. If you’re using a door-to-door service to Egypt, your collection date will be scheduled at this point. Sea freight groupage to Egypt takes 6 to 8 weeks from collection to delivery, so the timing matters.
Arrange packing. Decide whether you’ll pack yourself or use professional export packing. For sea freight, items need to be packed to survive 6+ weeks in a container. Fragile items like mirrors, TVs, and glassware should be professionally packed or crated. Self-packing is fine for clothes, books, and soft goods, but use proper packing materials, not bin bags and newspaper.
Set up an Egyptian bank account. If you don’t already have one, start the process. You’ll need an Egyptian bank account for rent, utilities, and daily expenses. Some banks require an in-person visit to open an account, so you may need to sort this on an earlier trip or have a family member help.
Notify UK services. Cancel or redirect your UK utilities, broadband, and council tax. Redirect your post through Royal Mail. Inform your GP surgery and dentist. If you have children, notify their school.
Check your insurance. Your UK home insurance won’t cover goods in transit to Egypt. Ask your shipping company about marine cargo insurance. It’s worth it. A standard policy costs around 3.5% of the declared value of your goods.
2 to 4 weeks before your move
The logistics are now getting real. This is the detail-oriented phase.
Confirm your Egypt address. Make sure your shipping company has the full delivery address, including building name, floor, and a contact phone number in Egypt. If you’re shipping to Cairo or Alexandria, check lift availability and any building access restrictions. Some buildings in Egypt restrict large deliveries to specific hours.
Prepare your customs documents. Egyptian customs requires an itemised inventory and packing list in both Arabic and English. Your shipping company should prepare this, but you’ll need to provide a valid passport copy, Egyptian national ID (if applicable), and a power of attorney for the customs agent. Gather these now so they’re ready on collection day. For a full breakdown of what’s needed, see our guide to Egypt customs clearance for household goods.
Sort your personal luggage. Anything you need immediately in Egypt should travel with you, not in the shipment. Passports, medications, important documents, phone chargers, a change of clothes for a few days. Don’t pack these in your shipping boxes.
If you need UK storage. If your shipping date and your departure date don’t line up, you can store your belongings in the UK until the next container departure. This is common when people need to leave the UK before their shipment is ready to go.
The final week
Prepare for collection day. Clear a path for the removal team. Disconnect appliances you’re shipping. Have your inventory list ready. Label boxes by room if you haven’t already. If you can, add Arabic labels for the room names. Your Egypt delivery team will appreciate it.
Keep documents with you. Passport, Egyptian ID, visa paperwork, shipping documents, insurance policy, bank details, and your Egypt address. Keep digital copies on your phone as backup.
Take photos. Photograph high-value items (electronics, furniture, artwork) before they’re packed. This is useful for insurance claims and customs valuation.
Confirm your Egypt contact. Make sure someone in Egypt can receive your shipment if you won’t be there. Your shipping company’s Egypt partner will need a local contact for delivery coordination.
Your first week in Egypt
Don’t expect your shipment immediately. If you shipped by sea, your goods will arrive 5 to 8 weeks after collection. Plan to live without your belongings for this period. Buy essentials locally rather than paying for air freight on things like towels and kitchenware.
Customs clearance takes time. Once your shipment arrives at Alexandria port or Cairo airport, it goes through Egyptian customs clearance. This typically takes 1 to 2 weeks, sometimes longer during public holidays (especially Eid and Ramadan). Your shipping company’s customs agent handles this, but they may need you to sign documents or provide additional information.
Receiving your delivery. When customs clearance is complete, your goods will be delivered to your address. Check items against your inventory list before signing. Report any damage immediately so your shipping company can process an insurance claim.
Register locally. If you’re staying long-term, register with the local police station within the required timeframe. Sort out a local SIM card and internet connection. If you have children, finalise school enrollment.
Common mistakes to avoid
Leaving HMRC notification too late. If you don’t tell HMRC you’ve left the UK, you may end up paying tax in both countries. Sort this before you go.
Underestimating customs timelines. Egyptian customs clearance is not instant. Allow at least 1 to 2 weeks after your shipment arrives at port. Planning around this avoids frustration.
Shipping prohibited items. Egypt has strict rules on what can be imported. Weapons, certain electronics, satellite equipment, and some publications are restricted or banned. Check the prohibited list before you pack, not after.
Not having a power of attorney ready. Your customs agent in Egypt needs a signed power of attorney to clear your goods. If this isn’t prepared before your shipment arrives, clearance gets delayed.
Packing too much. Volume drives cost on groupage shipments. Every cubic metre you add to your shipment costs money. Be honest about what you actually need in Egypt versus what’s cheaper to replace.
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