Government considers new legislation to counter customs smuggling

The government is considering new legislation regulating customs transactions and toughening penalties on customs smuggling, particularly in free zones, as part of larger efforts to protect industries from smuggled goods.

“The new legislation will consider smuggling to be trafficking, and therefore a crime of moral turpitude,” said Prime Minister Ibrahim Mehleb in a Sunday press statement.

The prime minister added that the government would deal firmly and decisively with smuggling in free zone areas, adding that the cabinet has already agreed on the new legislation.

“We, as a government, have direct instructions from President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi to combat the phenomenon of goods smuggling,” he said.

He explained that at present, customs smuggling issues are being examined due to their negative repercussions for some industries, particularly the fabric industry and the interests of its employees.