Egypt Airport Customs Rules 2026: Alcohol, Cigarettes & Drones

Arriving in Egypt without knowing the "Drone Rule" or the strict limit on local currency can lead to immediate confiscation or worse. Here is the no-nonsense guide to passing Cairo, Hurghada, and Sharm El-Sheikh customs without fines.

Ethan Brooks

Jan 16, 2026

Egypt Airport Customs Rules 2026: Alcohol, Cigarettes & Drones

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1. Red Channel vs. Green Channel

Like most international airports, Egyptian airports (Cairo - CAI, Sharm El Sheikh - SSH, Hurghada - HRG) use a two-channel system.

Green Channel ("Nothing to Declare"): Use this if you are within the duty-free limits listed below and have no restricted items. Warning: Random X-ray checks are very common here. Do not lie.
Red Channel ("Goods to Declare"): Use this if you have excess cash, commercial goods, professional camera gear, or any restricted items.

2. Duty-Free Allowances

These limits apply per person (adults 18+).

Item	Limit (Per Person)
Cigarettes	200 cigarettes (or 25 cigars or 200g tobacco)
Alcohol	1 Liter (Spirits, Wine, or Beer)
Cash (Foreign)	Unlimited, but must declare if over $10,000 USD (or equivalent)
Cash (Local)	Strict Limit: Maximum 5,000 EGP
Perfume	Personal use quantity only
Electronics	Personal used items (1 laptop, 1 phone, etc.) are fine. Boxed/New items may be taxed.

Warning: The "Duty-Free Shop" Loophole You can purchase up to 3 Liters of alcohol at Egyptian Duty-Free shops after arrival (within 48 hours of landing) for a small fee. However, bringing more than 1 Liter into the country from your origin is risky and may be confiscated or taxed heavily.

3. The "Big Ban" / The Trap: DRONES & MEDS 🚨

This is where travelers get into serious trouble. Egypt has two major "traps" that strict Western travelers often overlook.

The Trap: DRONES & MEDS

1. Drones are ILLEGAL Do not bring a drone to Egypt. It does not matter if it is a small "toy" drone or a professional DJI.

The Penalty: Confiscation is the best-case scenario. You can face heavy fines or imprisonment under Egyptian military law.
The Myth: "I'll just leave it at customs and pick it up when I leave." Reality: This process is unreliable, fees are high, and many travelers never see their drone again. Leave it at home.

2. Prescription Medication (Tramadol & Psychotropics) Egypt has a zero-tolerance policy for drugs that are legal elsewhere but considered narcotics locally.

Restricted Meds: Tramadol, Xanax, Librax, and medications containing Codeine or pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) can land you in jail.
The Rule: You must carry a medical certificate from your doctor, legalised by the Egyptian Embassy in your country, if you need these meds. Keep them in original packaging.

4. Banned & Restricted Items List

Do not pack the following in your checked or carry-on bags:

Drones & RC Helicopters (Strictly prohibited).
Narcotics (Including some prescription painkillers mentioned above).
Wireless Apparatus: Two-way radios or satellite phones (unless permitted).
Indecent Material: Pornographic magazines or DVDs.
Cotton: It is forbidden to import cotton (to protect local crops).
Antiquities: You cannot export any antiquities without a permit; bringing replicas in is fine, but be careful taking "souvenirs" out that look real.

Official Source: For the full regulatory list, refer to the Cairo Airport Customs Regulations Page.

5. Fines & Payment

Cash Penalties: If you exceed allowances (e.g., 3 cartons of cigarettes), you will likely pay a customs duty (tax) on the spot. This must usually be paid in Egyptian Pounds (EGP).
Confiscation: Drones and banned medications will be seized.
Deportation: Carrying significant amounts of undeclared narcotics (even if for personal back pain) can result in immediate deportation or arrest.

6. The Connectivity Lifesaver

Customs officers in Egypt often do not speak fluent English. If you are stopped, you may need to use a translation app or quickly pull up your banking app to show proof of funds. You cannot rely on spotty airport Wi-Fi for this.

The Connectivity Lifesaver

Roafly allows you to connect instantly upon landing. No queuing at the orange kiosks for a local SIM while a taxi driver yells at you.

Make an Informed Choice: If you want to compare speed and operators before you buy, check our deep dive on Best eSIM for Egypt: Prices, Coverage and Operator Comparison.
Avoid the Kiosk Trap: Thinking about buying a physical card at the terminal? Read why that might be a hassle in our Egypt Airport SIM Card & eSIM Guide: Prices, Coverage and Tourist Tips.

Why choose eSIM?