Taking antiques (100+ years old, non-ivory) out of Egypt
Egypt prohibits the export of antiquities entirely — private trade and export have been banned since 1983.
Details
Under Law 117 of 1983 on the Protection of Antiquities, all antiquities in Egypt are state property and their export is prohibited — there is no personal-export permit pathway. This covers items more than 100 years old of historical or archaeological significance, including coins, fragments, and manuscripts. Airport customs actively screens departing luggage; attempted export is prosecuted as antiquities smuggling with imprisonment and heavy fines. Replica items should be carried with purchase receipts clearly identifying them as reproductions.
Quantity limits
Zero — antiquities export is banned
Documentation required
- Purchase receipts identifying replicas as reproductions
The other direction
Bringing antiques (100+ years old, non-ivory) into Egypt(allowed)