A foreign supplier can currently establish its own entity in Egypt to import and distribute its products. While there are generally no legal restrictions on full foreign ownership of legal entities in Egypt that carry out distribution activities, full foreign ownership of an Egyptian legal entity that wishes to carry out import trade activities is currently possible on a temporary basis until the end of October 2033, with the possibility of such period being extended by a Cabinet decree in due course for another additional period not exceeding 10 years.

A distinction should be made between distribution and commercial agency as the latter requires full ownership by Egyptians.

A distinction should also be made between the activity of import for trade and import of production needs as the latter does not have any constraints on foreign ownership of the local entity.