People who know me well and often visit Egypt often ask me if they can bring certain foods through customs. One of the most common questions is “Can I take bacon to Egypt?”.
While Egypt is a Muslim country, bringing pork products like bacon into the country is not outright prohibited. However there are some guidelines travelers should follow to ensure the import process goes smoothly.
This article will tell you everything you need to know about how to bring bacon into Egypt, such as:
- Rules and regulations on importing pork
- How to pack bacon for travel
- What to expect during the customs process
- Tips for travel with bacon or other pork products
- Safer meat alternatives to consider
Follow these tips and you’ll be prepared to pass through Egyptian customs worry-free with your bacon in tow!
Rules on Bringing Bacon into Egypt
According to Egyptian customs rules, travelers can bring up to 2 kilograms of non-perishable meat like bacon into the country duty-free. Anything above 2 kilos is subject to import duties.
As Egypt is a predominantly Muslim country, customs agents may question pork products But bacon itself is not prohibited
There are some other regulations to keep in mind:
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Bacon must be commercially packaged. Customs may confiscate homemade or loosely packed meat products.
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The bacon cannot be raw It must be commercially cooked or cured bacon that is shelf-stable.
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Be prepared to show proof of the bacon’s origins. Brand name packaging helps verify it came from a licensed source.
Follow these rules and regulations, and there should be no issues passing through Egyptian customs with bacon.
How to Pack Bacon for Travel to Egypt
Since customs officials may inspect your baggage, it’s important to pack your bacon properly for travel:
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Leave bacon in original retail packaging to verify it’s commercially processed. Packing loose strips in plastic bags may cause problems.
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Wrap packages well in clothes to prevent leaking or odor issues. Bacon grease stains can raise suspicion.
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Put bacon in your checked luggage, not carry-on bags. Food items must be declared and are more thoroughly searched in carry-ons.
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Pack no more than 2 kilos total across all pork products. Declare any amount above 2 kilos on your customs form.
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Keep bacon cool with ice packs if traveling for more than 4 hours.
With proper packing methods, your bacon should arrive sealed, cool and ready to declare at customs inspection.
What to Expect During Customs with Bacon
When passing through Egyptian customs with bacon, be prepared for the following protocol:
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Declare any pork products on your written customs form before reaching inspection.
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Have proof of purchase or original packaging ready to verify the bacon’s commercial origins.
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Answer any questions from customs agents honestly and directly. Don’t be evasive.
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Unwrap and open packages of bacon when asked for inspection. Refusal may lead to confiscation.
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Expect to pay import duties on amounts over the 2 kilo allowance. The rate is around 100 EGP per extra kilo.
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Get a stamped customs receipt and keep it through the rest of your trip.
While customs agents may seem suspicious of the bacon, following protocol should mean you’re allowed to bring it into Egypt without issues.
Tips for Smooth Travels with Bacon to Egypt
To make sure your bacon makes it through customs, keep these tips in mind:
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Fly directly when possible. Connecting flights increase chances of damaged or lost luggage.
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Pack bacon in the center of your bag, cushioned by clothes for maximum protection.
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Know the Arabic word for bacon – “lahm al-khanzir” – in case an agent asks what it is.
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Be cooperative if agents need to inspect the bacon but know your rights if you feel mistreated.
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Keep calm and don’t get upset if questioned. Stay friendly and honest.
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Have a backup plan if your bacon gets confiscated. Purchase pork locally or opt for other protein sources.
With preparation and knowledge of customs policies, you should feel confident bringing bacon into Egypt from your travels.
Alternatives to Consider When Traveling to Egypt
While perfectly legal, some travelers may prefer not to pack pork products when traveling to a Muslim country like Egypt. Some alternatives include:
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Commercially packaged beef jerky or pepperoni
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Vacuum-sealed pouches of tuna, salmon or other canned fish
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Peanut butter, almond butter, or other nut butters
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Hard cheeses such as aged cheddar or gouda
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Powdered protein supplements (whey, bone broth, etc)
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Protein-rich nutrition bars with nuts, seeds, and dried fruit
With a little creativity, you can stay satisfied and protein-fueled on flights to Egypt without the headaches of pork products!
Travel to Egypt with Bacon – It’s Possible!
At the end of the day, while bringing bacon into Egypt as a tourist is allowed, it pays to be prepared. Follow the packing and customs protocol, know your rights, and don’t try to hide anything.
While customs agents may find it unusual, you should be able to pass inspection with up to 2 kilos of commercially packaged, cooked bacon.
Soybean Meal – White Mold
Egyptian authorities don’t allow any white mold to exist. White mold is a fungus that causes sclerotinia stem rot in soybean farms. Soybean meal is a high-value intermediate product that is often detected. When this happens, the shipment is turned down at the port and has to be sent out of the country again, which costs a lot of money. White mold is common in Egypt and many other countries, but the government treats it as a quarantine pest even though there is no scientific evidence to support this. A risk-based decision is needed to overcome this trade barrier. When whole soybeans that have white mold on them are imported, they can still get into the country as long as the shipment is sieved to get rid of the mold. Soybeans are deemed a strategic commodity and are exempted from the white mold zero-tolerance level.
Beef and Beef Products
Egypt changed its meat and meat varieties standards in June 2014 by sending two notifications to the WTO TBT and SPS Committees. These were G/TBT/N/EGY/48 and G/TBT/N/EGY/63, and G/SPS/N/EGY/56 and G/SPS/N/EGY/57, respectively. These notifications set a zero-tolerance level for synthetic animal growth promotants (synthetic hormones, such as ractopamine) in foods that came from animals. The new rules are not based on science or risk assessment because there is no scientific proof that synthetic hormone residues in beef at levels above the Codex maximum residue levels (MRL) pose a health risk to consumers. Despite these measures, U. S. Exports of beef and beef products kept going up in 2019 and reached $76 million, 15% more than the $66 million they made in 2018. U. S. dairy product exports also increased to $45 million, up 47. 5 percent from 2018’s exports of $30. 5 million.
On January 5, 2020, the Government of Egypt issued Prime Ministerial Decree No. The Ministries of Islamic Affairs, Agriculture, and Land Reclamation, along with the General Organization for Export and Import Control (an agency of the Ministry of Trade and Industry), join forces to form a new state entity in the form of a joint-stock company. This joint-stock company ISEG HALAL, is the sole official Egyptian entity responsible for granting halal certification.
On April 11, 2020, Egypt’s Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) issued Decree No. 209/2020. The decree makes imported frozen fish last longer, from six to nine months, and frozen beef liver last longer, from seven to ten months. The decree was published in Egypt’s official gazette (Al-Wakaye Al-Mesreya) on April 11, 2020. It entered into effect on the same day of its publication and is valid until December 31, 2020.
In 2005, Egypt banned the import of whole frozen poultry, parts, and offal. The ban was eased in 2006 by only allowing whole frozen poultry to be brought in. However, poultry parts and offal are still illegal. U. S. industry is most competitive in the production of poultry parts as opposed to whole birds. Despite the ban, Egypt’s General Organization for Veterinary Services (GOVS) has inspected and approved 22 U. S. poultry plants for export to Egypt. Inspection teams from GOVS have certified that U. S. slaughtering processes and food-safety measures are in accordance with halal practices. Opposition from domestic poultry producers blocks the import of more affordable, high quality U. S. poultry parts. People in Egypt with lower and middle incomes eat chicken instead of beef because beef and beef products are very expensive.
At present, Egypt imports seed potatoes exclusively from the EU, primarily the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. For several years, Egyptian and U. S. quarantine officials have worked on a two-way market access package that would allow Egyptian oranges and tangerines to be sold in both the U.S. and the U.K. S. seed potatoes to Egypt. The U. S. has finished its risk assessment for Egyptian citrus, and in February 2015, Egypt allowed certified seed potato imports from California, leaving 15 other U.S. S. states yet to be approved. Thus far, the Egyptian Ministry of Agriculture has declined to issue import permits for U. S. seed potatoes from any states. Technical discussions between USDA and the Ministry of Agriculture are ongoing.
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FAQ
What food can I take into Egypt?
What is not allowed to bring to Egypt?
Can you eat pork in Egypt?
Do hotels in Egypt serve bacon?
Can you take food out of Egypt?
On the one hand, many sources on the Internet and travel guides say that it is forbidden to take food out of Egypt. On the other hand, it is not clear which law prohibits it. For example, the recommendations on the official website of Cairo airport says nothing about it.
Is it recommended to bring a backpack in Egypt?
I highly recommend bringing a backpack in Egypt for ease of transport. Doing laundry is inexpensive anyway, so it’s easier to wash your clothes once or twice instead of bringing two weeks worth of clothing in a giant bag. Even if you aren’t usually a backpacker, this will make your trip more convenient.
What can I eat in Egypt?
In Egypt, you can enjoy various foods, including yogurt and a feta-like cheese called gibna beida. These commodities are common and can be found in or alongside many types of food in the country. Many traditional Egyptian meals can be had inexpensively from the ‘snack bars’ found in major cities like Cairo, Luxor, and Aswan.
What foods and drinks to try in Egypt?
In Egypt, you’ll find many native foods that are popular not only in the country but also in Western countries. Common foods eaten by most Egyptians on a daily basis include pita bread, falafel, tahini and hummus, along with plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. Eating and drinking in Egypt will introduce most travelers to these dishes.