Selling medical disposables in Egypt: duty, registration and buyers for every consumable
Last verified:
Most medical disposables pay 0–10% import duty in Egypt — 0% on dedicated dialysis lines, 2–5% on syringes, needles, cannulas, catheters and sutures, 10% on gloves, dressings and gauze — while masks, gowns and drapes pay 20–40% depending on the line, and goods of EU, UK, EFTA or Turkish origin enter at 0% on almost all of them with proof of origin (official tariff, NAFEZA). Import VAT is 14% on most disposables, and a sterile item of any class filed for new registration is not released until its EDA registration is issued (EDA import guideline). Local industry is strong — the Medical Supplies Division of the Cairo Chamber of Commerce says 60–65% of medical consumables are made in Egypt (Al Mal News) — so the right product and the right HS line matter more than anywhere else.
Buying in Egypt?
Hospitals, labs and clinics in Egypt can order from the UltraTeb online shop.
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Supply your products to Egypt — and from there to Africa and the Middle East — with UltraTeb Market Access.
Apply — 2 minutesUltraTeb Market Access is a zero-upfront-fee route into Egypt's medical market: UltraTeb registers, imports, markets, stores and sells your product, shares the risk, and pays you when it sells.
Buying disposables in Egypt? Hospitals, labs and clinics can see the range and ask for a quote on UltraTeb's B2B web shop: syringes and needles, IV cannulas and infusion sets, gloves and PPE, dressings and plaster, gowns and drapes, catheters and drainage, sterilisation supplies and sharps and waste disposal. The rest of this page is for manufacturers who want to sell in Egypt.
What duty does each kind of medical disposable pay in Egypt?
| Fact | Value | Source | As of |
|---|---|---|---|
| Syringes and needles (9018.31, 9018.32) | 5% on syringes, 2% on hypodermic needles; 0% for EU, UK, EFTA and Turkish origin | nafeza.gov.eg | |
| IV cannulas and infusion sets (9018.39, 9018.90, 3917.39, 3917.40) | 5% on IV cannulas, sets and central venous catheters; 0% on medical tubing (3917.39.10.90) and fittings (3917.40.10.90), but 20% on 3917.39.90.70; 0% for EU, UK, EFTA and Turkish origin on 9018.39.90 | nafeza.gov.eg | |
| Blood collection (3822.19, 3926.90, 9018.32, 9018.90) | By classification: 5% on tubes as reagents (3822.19), 2% or 10% as plastic articles; 2% on needles; 5% on blood bags; 0% for EU, UK, EFTA and Turkish origin on the main lines | nafeza.gov.eg | |
| Catheters, urology and drainage (9018.39, 3006.91, 3923.21) | 5% on catheters and tubes; 2% on ostomy bags and flanges; 0% on sterile or unprepared PE bags (3923.21.10.00); 0% for EU, UK, EFTA and Turkish origin on the catheter lines, but those rules are not shown on the ostomy line | nafeza.gov.eg | |
| Dialysis consumables (8421.21, 8421.29, 9018.90, 9018.39) | 0% on the dedicated dialysis lines (dialysers, bloodlines, fistula needles); 2% on plastic dialysis clips; 10% on PE dialysis bags | nafeza.gov.eg | |
| Respiratory and anaesthesia consumables (9018.39, 9019.20, 9020.00) | 5% on ET tubes, oxygen-therapy and breathing items; 2% on tracheotomy tubes; 0% on medical tubing; 0% for EU, UK, EFTA and Turkish origin on the main lines | nafeza.gov.eg | |
| Biopsy needles (9018.32, 9018.39, 9018.90) | 2% if declared as tubular metal needles, 5% under 9018.39 or as instruments; no Egyptian line names biopsy needles; 0% for EU, UK, EFTA and Turkish origin | nafeza.gov.eg | |
| Medical gloves (4015.12, 3926.20) | 10% on rubber and nitrile medical gloves; plastic gloves 10% under the occupational-protection lines but 60% under 3926.20.90.00; 0% for EU, UK, EFTA and Turkish origin | nafeza.gov.eg | |
| Masks, gowns and drapes (6307.90, 6210.10, 3926.20, 4818) | Medical face masks 20%; nonwoven gowns 20% as occupational protection, 40% if declared 'not for occupational protection'; plastic infection-protection apparel 10%; textile drapes as other made-up articles 35%; paper apparel 40%; 0% for EU, UK, EFTA and Turkish origin | nafeza.gov.eg | |
| Wound care and dressings (3005.10, 3005.90, 3006.50) | 10% on adhesive and non-adhesive dressings; 5% on first-aid kits; 0% for EU, UK, EFTA and Turkish origin | nafeza.gov.eg | |
| Gauze and cotton (3005.90, 5601.21, 5803.00) | 10% on medical gauze, bandages and cotton put up for retail; 5% on bulk cotton wadding; 10% on gauze fabric; 0% for EU, UK, EFTA and Turkish origin | nafeza.gov.eg | |
| Sutures (3006.10, 9018.32, 3005.90) | 5% on sutures; 2% on suture needles and surgical mesh; 0% for EU, UK, EFTA and Turkish origin | nafeza.gov.eg | |
| Sterilisation consumables (4823.90, 3822.19, 3926.90) | 10% on paper sterilisation reels; 5% on indicator strips if classified as reagents; 10% on plastic articles — no Egyptian line names wraps, indicators or test packs; 0% for EU, UK, EFTA and Turkish origin | nafeza.gov.eg | |
| Sharps containers and medical waste (3926.90, 3923) | 10% on the likely lines for sharps containers and waste bags; 0% only on sterile or unprepared surgical-patient bags (3923.21.10.00); 0% for EU, UK, EFTA and Turkish origin | nafeza.gov.eg | |
| ECG electrodes and monitoring consumables (9018.19, 9018.90, 3006.70) | 5% on every candidate line, including coupling gel; 0% for EU, UK, EFTA and Turkish origin | nafeza.gov.eg | |
| Import VAT | 14% shown on the official tariff lines of most disposables. Law 149 of 2026 added a 5% rate for medical devices used to provide services; it is not confirmed that single-use supplies qualify, so we confirm your product's rate | nafeza.gov.eg | |
| VAT exemptions | VAT-exempt on the dedicated dialysis lines (Law 149 of 2026 broadened the exemption to dialysis inputs, parts and supplies); 14% VAT is still charged on the freight value of exempt imports | nafeza.gov.eg | |
| Sterile release rule | A sterile device filed for new registration is not released until the registration notification is issued | edaegypt.gov.eg | |
| Consumables made locally (industry estimate) | 60–65% of medical consumables, according to the Medical Supplies Division of the Cairo Chamber of Commerce (22 August 2026) | almalnews.com | |
| Public-tender preference | An Egyptian product with more than 40% local content is treated as the lowest bid if it is within 15% of the lowest foreign bid, so imported disposables compete with that preference in UPA tenders wherever a qualifying local maker bids | trade.gov | |
| Search demand we measured | 'medical supply distributors' 1,300 searches a month worldwide; 'medical supply distribution companies' 1,000 in ten exporter countries (CN, IN, TR, DE, IT, KR, US, GB, FR, ES); 'medical supplies egypt' 140 and 'medical consumables distributor' 90 worldwide (Google Keyword Planner, UltraTeb measurement) | ads.google.com |
MFN duty on the CIF value, from Egypt's official tariff (NAFEZA, Ministry of Finance single window); the EU, UK, EFTA and Turkish 0% needs valid proof of origin. The exact 10-digit line is a classification decision for the customs broker. Each category page carries the full line-by-line detail. Last verified 2026-09-25.
Last verified:
How much does Egypt import on the main disposables lines?
| HS line | What it holds | Egypt imports, 2024 | Largest origin |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9018.39 | Needles, catheters and cannulae n.e.s. | US$39.20M | Mexico 11.86M |
| 4015.12 (WITS 4015.11) | Medical gloves | US$33.09M | Malaysia 22.57M |
| 3006.10 | Sterile sutures, adhesives, haemostats | US$13.06M | USA 3.15M |
| 9018.32 | Tubular metal needles and suture needles | US$12.60M | China 8.40M |
| 9018.31 | Syringes | US$7.57M | China 2.30M |
| 6307.90 | Made-up textile articles incl. masks | US$7.55M | China 3.80M |
| 5803.90 | Gauze of non-cotton textiles | US$6.15M | China 6.13M |
| 3005.90 | Other dressings, gauze, bandages | US$5.18M | China 3.55M |
| 4015.19 | Other rubber gloves | US$3.40M | China 1.59M |
| 3926.20 | Plastic apparel incl. vinyl gloves and PE gowns | US$3.30M | China 2.58M |
| 9020.00 | Breathing appliances and gas masks | US$2.53M | China 0.70M |
| 3005.10 | Adhesive dressings | US$1.87M | China 0.88M |
| 6210.10 | Garments of nonwovens | US$1.39M | Russia 0.49M |
| 5601.21 | Cotton wadding | US$1.15M | Poland 0.73M |
What does it take to sell medical disposables in Egypt?
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Have the certificates ready
A CE certificate for the product's class, ISO 13485:2016, a Declaration of Conformity and a Free Sale Certificate. Certificates from non-reference countries such as China, India or Korea are legalised by the Chamber of Commerce and the Egyptian embassy.
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Register sterile items before you ship
A sterile disposable filed for new registration is not released until the registration notification is issued. Devices used by the oral or nasal route, such as nasogastric and feeding tubes, need registration first even when non-sterile.
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Fix the HS line with the customs broker
The line can change the duty sharply: a nonwoven gown pays 20% as occupational protection and 40% if declared otherwise, and plastic gloves 10% or 60%.
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Get an import approval for every shipment
EDA's import approval comes before the goods ship; syringes and needles must also ship from the country of origin or the producer's main distribution centres.
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Price against local supply
Check which local makers bid on your product, because a qualifying Egyptian product within 15% of the lowest foreign bid wins UPA tenders.
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Sell where the product fits
Private hospitals and hospital groups, UPA tenders where the product can compete, and specialised channels such as dialysis centres, blood banks and pharmacies.
Which disposables category is yours?
- Syringes and needles — 5% duty on syringes, 2% on needles; sterile items registered before release.
- IV cannulas and infusion sets — 5% on cannulas and sets.
- Blood collection — tubes are IVDs in Egypt, with testing of the first three batches.
- Catheters, urology and drainage — nasogastric and feeding tubes need registration even when non-sterile.
- Dialysis consumables — 0% duty and VAT-exempt on the dedicated lines.
- Respiratory and anaesthesia consumables — oral and nasal route devices registered first.
- Biopsy needles — no dedicated tariff line; 2% or 5% by classification.
- Medical gloves — 10% duty; powder-free is mandatory for imported non-sterile gloves.
- Masks, gowns and drapes — the most classification-sensitive duty in the group.
- Wound care and dressings — 10% duty; advanced dressings may go to a scientific committee.
- Gauze and cotton — bulk cotton wadding needs an Agricultural Quarantine approval.
- Sutures — Class IIb/III; non-reference origins go to a scientific committee.
- Sterilisation consumables — customs expects an EDA import approval on sterilisation reels.
- Sharps containers and medical waste — the overseas factory must be registered with GOEIC for bag and box lines.
- ECG electrodes — 5% duty; plan shelf life around per-shipment approvals.
Who buys medical disposables in Egypt?
- UPA tenders and framework call-offs. Since financial year 2025/26 these are tripartite contracts: the Unified Procurement Authority issues the order and the requesting public hospital pays.
- Ministry of Health and university hospitals, buying through UPA.
- Universal Health Insurance and Health Insurance Organization facilities.
- Private hospital groups and private hospitals.
- Specialised buyers — dialysis centres, blood banks, laboratories, clinics and pharmacies, depending on the product.
Is there still room for imported disposables?
Yes, but not everywhere. Our research found Egyptian production of syringes and needles, IV cannulas and infusion sets, dressings, gauze, masks and gowns, dialysis consumables and some tubes and sterilisation reels, and in public tenders a qualifying Egyptian product within 15% of the lowest foreign bid is treated as the lowest (US Commercial Service). So we start with what local lines do not make, or make in smaller volumes, and the free market study checks your exact product against local supply and prices before anything ships.
How does UltraTeb Market Access sell your disposables?
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Free market study and pricing
Where your product fits against local supply, what private buyers and UPA tenders pay, and a price that works at the VAT rate that really applies.
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EDA registration, end to end
We tell you which certificates need legalising, prepare and file the registration, and follow it to the registration notification.
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Import, customs, duty and VAT
The import approval before every shipment, the right HS line agreed with the broker, clearance, and the duty and VAT paid by us. We tell you which origin document gets EU, UK, EFTA or Turkish goods in at 0%.
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Warehousing by lot and expiry
Stored and picked first-expiry-first-out, with your stock visible to you at all times.
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Marketing and distribution
Arabic and English product pages on shop.ultrateb.com and campaigns once EDA advertising approval is in place, our sales team calling on hospitals, labs and clinics, and bids in UPA tenders where your product can compete.
“In disposables the work is in the detail — the right HS line, the right file, the right buyer. We do that work at our cost, and we earn only when your products sell.” — Mohamed Dabees, founder, UltraTeb
Frequently asked questions
What import duty do medical disposables pay in Egypt?
Mostly 0–10% on the CIF value: 0% on dedicated dialysis lines, 2–5% on syringes, needles, cannulas, catheters and sutures, and 10% on gloves, dressings and gauze. Masks, gowns and drapes pay 20–40% depending on the line. EU, UK, EFTA and Turkish goods enter at 0% on almost all of these lines with proof of origin (official tariff, NAFEZA).
Is VAT on medical disposables 14% or 5%?
The official tariff lines show 14%. Law 149 of 2026 added a 5% rate for medical devices used to provide services, but it is not confirmed that single-use supplies qualify. Dedicated dialysis lines are VAT-exempt. We confirm your product's rate before we price it.
Can sterile disposables be shipped before EDA registration?
They can ship, but they are not released: a sterile device filed for new registration stays at the port until the registration notification is issued (EDA import guideline). Every shipment also needs an EDA import approval issued before the goods ship.
Which disposables need registration even when non-sterile?
Devices used by the oral or nasal route — for example nasogastric and feeding tubes and oral suction items — may be imported only after the registration notification is issued.
Why can the duty on the same product differ so much?
Because it depends on the 10-digit tariff line. A nonwoven gown pays 20% as occupational protection but 40% if declared otherwise, drapes declared as other made-up articles pay 35%, and plastic gloves pay 10% or 60%. We agree the line with the customs broker before the first shipment.
Are medical disposables made in Egypt?
Many are. The Medical Supplies Division of the Cairo Chamber of Commerce says 60–65% of medical consumables are made locally, and in public tenders a qualifying Egyptian product within 15% of the lowest foreign bid is treated as the lowest. The free market study checks your product against local supply.
Who pays for registration, duty and VAT with UltraTeb Market Access?
We do. Registration, import, duty and VAT, storage and marketing are funded by UltraTeb, and you are paid when your goods sell.
Where can buyers in Egypt order medical disposables?
On UltraTeb's B2B web shop, for example syringes and needles, gloves and PPE and dressings and plaster.
Sell your medical disposables in Egypt — with zero upfront fees.
Send us your product and certificates. We check demand, local competition and the EDA route in a free market study, then register, import, store, market and sell. You're paid when we sell.