Privileges and Immunities Guide Overview General rules
Privileges and Immunities: - Release of personal baggage - Re-exportation of personal baggage - Release of halted items under Tariff of Re-Exportation. - Issuance of driving license - Refund of sales taxes - Airport permits - Guarding - License of Weapons - Parking lots - Construction and restoration works - Possession of real estate and lands Vehicles - Permitted items - Halted items - Official use vehicles - Personal use vehicles - Head of Mission - Diplomatic members' vehicles - Married diplomatic member - Unmarried diplomatic member - Diplomatic husband and wife - Non-diplomatic member General Rules The Department of Protocol avails itself of this opportunity to greet all diplomatic and consular missions, international and regional organizations accredited in Egypt, and presents an overview of the privileges and immunities regulations applied to all diplomatic and consular missions, as well as international and regional organizations accredited in Egypt. General rules: The Department of Protocol receives the applications of diplomatic missions throughout the week, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., except the holidays. The department delivers the replies on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The application is processed within the department in three working days. Official Memos in Arabic, the official language, are the means of addressing the department. In case the Memo is written in another language, an official translation should be attached.
A copy of the personal ID, issued by the Department of Protocol, should be attached to the correspondences related to personal use. The ID should be valid, and the diplomatic member should be enlisted on the diplomatic list. Privileges and Immunities Release of personal baggage: - Personal baggage of the diplomatic member of the mission is released, free of customs and taxes, as stipulated by Vienna Convention for Diplomatic Relations, according to an official memo enclosing a certified ( )4 ك مapplication. - Personal baggage of an administrative attaché, with no diplomatic ID, is exempted of customs, only, under Law no. 186 for 1986. The baggage is to be released within the first six months since the date of arrival. The member loses the right to release his baggage after the mentioned period. - Personal baggage of international employees at international and regional organizations is released, as stipulated by the Headquarter Agreement. Re-exportation of personal baggage: - The baggage of the diplomatic member is re-exported according to an official memo from the embassy, enclosing a list of items and a copy of the personal ID, as stipulated by Vienna Convention for Diplomatic Relations. As for administrative attaché, Re-exportation undergoes Law no. 186 for 1986. - As for the international employees of regional or international organization, reexportation is done according to the Headquarter Agreement. Release of halted items under Tariff of Re-Exportation: - Embassies and organizations are permitted to release some items under the condition of re-exportation after the end of its use without an export permit; the embassy is to re-export these items after the end of its use. All customs and taxes are paid in case of non re-exportation. Issuance of private driving licenses: An Egyptian driving license is issued according to an official memo from the embassy, enclosing a certified translation of the local or international driving license and a certified copy of the ID. - Exemption from tests, medical check up and fees are subject to the principle of reciprocity. Refund of sales taxes: - Sales taxes is refunded as stipulated by Vienna Convention for Diplomatic Relations, and according to Article 24, Law 11 for 1991 for General Sales Tax,
and in conformity with the principle of reciprocity for diplomatic missions or the Headquarter Agreement for the international and regional organizations. - The regulations and procedures followed in Egypt state that the mission or organization pays the tax, then applies for refund at the department. Airport permits: The Department of Protocol issues two kinds of airport permits: First: permanent airport permits: - Issued annually according to the principle of reciprocity and the volume of the mission. - These permits allow entry to the airport hall, cargo village, and vehicles customs according to the needs of the mission. - The mission is granted, only, two permits for entering the landing field, in accordance with the principle of reciprocity Second: temporary airport permits: - These permits are issued, based on the principle of reciprocity, to the nonholders of permanent annual permits. - These permits allow entry to the airport hall or cargo village for one day only. Guarding: - Guarding is provided for diplomatic missions according to relevant international customary rules. License of Weapons: - The diplomatic member is permitted to own a weapon within the framework of the principle of reciprocity. Parking lots: - The mission applies for allocating parking lots for the official vehicles and those of the members in front of the mission, the applications are reviewed in light of the principle of reciprocity. Construction and restoration works: - The mission has to address the Department of Protocol prior to any new constructions or restoration works in the premises of the mission or its surroundings, and a clear detailed plan of action should be attached.
Possession of real estate and lands: - Missions are permitted to possess real estate and lands within the framework of the principle of reciprocity. Vehicles The vehicles release system in Egypt is as follows: Temporary release of permitted items: - It means exempting the vehicles, upon sale, from taxes and customs, according to the applied customs regulations and laws, known to the embassies. - Approving the release of a vehicle under the Permitted Items Regulations requires meeting the import conditions, particularly, the vehicle should be of the same year of the release. Temporary release of halted items: - It means paying the taxes and customs for the vehicle in case of selling it, it could also be re-exported, the ownership of the vehicle could be transferred to any member or organization that enjoys diplomatic exemption. Official use vehicles: - The diplomatic mission is permitted to release five vehicles for official use, in view of the principle of reciprocity. - The exempted official use vehicles could be sold three years after registering the vehicle under the Permitted Items Regulation. Personal use vehicles: Head of Mission:
- The Head of Mission has the right to, under the condition of reciprocity, to import two vehicles under the Permitted Items Regulations, for the period of his accreditation in Egypt as a maximum. - The first vehicle could be sold two years after its registration to his name. - The second exempted vehicle could be sold two years after selling the first one; or in case of transfer, one year of being registered to his name. - In case the period is not completed, customs are paid or the vehicle is reexported or transferred to the possession of other diplomat or diplomatic mission. - In case the Head of Mission is transferred, in two years, since his inclusion in the diplomatic list, one exempted vehicle only could be sold.
Diplomatic members' vehicles: Married diplomatic member: - The married diplomatic member is allowed to import two vehicles only, throughout his service in Egypt, the first one would be released under the category of Permitted Items Regulations, and the second is released under the regulations of Temporary Release of Halted Items. - The permitted vehicles could be sold with exemption two years after being registered to the member, and the halted ones could be two years after being registered to the member after paying all customs and taxes, it could be also reexported, or undergo ownership transfer to any member or organization that enjoys diplomatic exemptions. Unmarried diplomatic member: - The unmarried diplomatic member is allowed to own one vehicle under the permitted items regulations, and it could be sold with exemption two years after being registered to his name. - The diplomatic member can import another vehicle under the regulations of temporary release of halted items, after selling the first one. - The vehicle could be re-exported, or be transferred to the ownership of a member or organization that enjoys exemptions, or sold after paying all due taxes and customs. Diplomatic husband and wife: The diplomatic husband and wife accredited to Egypt are treated as the unmarried diplomat. Non-diplomatic member: - The non-diplomatic employee -administrative- can own only one vehicle throughout his service in Egypt under the regulations of the temporary release of halted items, during the first six months after assuming his position at the mission. General rules: - The Department of Protocol calls on the diplomatic missions, as well as international and regional organizations to obtain the approval of the department before proceeding with any procedures related to official or personal use vehicles. - The diplomatic member has the right to enjoy all customs exemptions upon selling his car for one time only throughout his service in Egypt, and can not multiply benefit from such exemption.
- When the diplomatic member requests selling the vehicle, with exemption, in case of transfer, the transaction could be carried out at least two years after its release under the regulations of the permitted items and registering the vehicle to the member, on condition of reciprocity. - When the diplomatic member requests selling the vehicle, with exemption, in case of sudden transfer, the transaction could be carried out at least one year after its release under the regulations of the permitted items and registering the vehicle to the member, on condition of reciprocity. - The diplomatic member should finish all the vehicle selling procedures and hand out the diplomatic license plates before the termination of his service at the mission and departing the country, in case of departing before finishing the procedures, all taxes and customs should be paid. - In case the diplomatic or administrative member exceeds five years, he can have another vehicle under the halted items regulations, on the condition of disposing one of his possessed vehicles. - The additional vehicle could be sold after two years or upon transfer, and all customs and taxes would be paid. The vehicle can be re-exported, or undergo transfer of ownership. - Vehicles with right steering wheels are released under the regulations of halted items.
Application of Vehicle Release: - Release application no. 1, signed by the Head of Mission and sealed by the Mission seal. - Copy of the bill of lading or a receipt notarized by the mission (same as original). - Notarized copy of the member's personal ID (same as original). - Notarized copy of the personal ID of the member' spouse (same as original), in case of requiring a second car (for diplomats only). - Application ( )4 ك مif the vehicle is released under the Permitted Items Regulations, and of the same year of the release. Application of Vehicle sale: - Sale request application no. 3, signed by the Head of Mission and sealed by the Mission' seal. - Notarized copy of the member's personal ID (same as original). - Notarized copy of the vehicle's license (same as original). - The original passport of the owning member for review.
Vehicle re-exportation application: - Application no. ( ,)3أspecifying the export customs, signed by the Head of Mission and sealed by the Mission' seal. - Notarized copy of the member's personal ID (same as original). - Notarized copy of the vehicle's license (same as original). Accompanying the vehicle in departure and arrival - Notarized copy of the vehicle's license (same as original). - Notarized copy of the member's personal ID (same as original). - Specifying the departure and arrival ports and the travel period. Application of Vehicle Renewal: - Vehicle renewal application no. 2, signed by the Head of Mission and sealed by the Mission' seal. - Notarized copy of the member's personal ID (same as original). - Notarized copy of the vehicle's license (same as original). Application of Vehicle Disclaim: - Vehicle disclaim application no. 3, signed by the Head of Mission and sealed by the Mission' seal. - Notarized copy of the disclaimed vehicle's license (same as original). - Notarized copy of the owning member's personal ID (same as original). In case of transferring the ownership of the vehicle to an embassy member: - Vehicle ownership transfer application no. 4, signed by the Head of Mission and sealed by the Mission' seal. - Notarized copy of the vehicle's original owner personal ID (same as original). - Notarized copy of the buying member personal ID (same as original). - Notarized copy of the vehicle's license (same as original). In case of transferring the ownership of the vehicle from an embassy member to a member of another embassy: - A memo from the embassy of the owning member - A memo from the embassy of the member to whom the ownership of the vehicle will be transferred -Vehicle ownership transfer application no. 4, signed by the Head of Mission and sealed by the Mission' seal. - Notarized copy of the vehicle's original owner personal ID (same as original). - Notarized copy of the buying member personal ID (same as original). - Notarized copy of the vehicle's license (same as original). The following is the different applications need to be filled by the mission upon dealing with any of the above-mentioned issues with the Department of Protocol:
Model No. 1 Form of Vehicle Release (Private - Official) Issued by Embassy of …..
First: Details of the current owner of the vehicle: 1. Name of mission: 2. Name and function of the owner: 3. Date of start of duty: 4. ID issued by MFA (Type, number, date): 5. Expected date of transfer: / /
Second: Details of the vehicle: 1. Mark and model of vehicle: 2. Year of Manufacture: 3. Chassis no.: 4. Engine no. : 5. Name of Customs Release: 6. Bill of lading no.: 7. Type of Release: (Permitted – Halted – Tariff of Re-Exportation): 8. Number of Plate:
Third: Supplementary Details: 1. Vehicle details (owned by exemption requester apart from the required vehicle): 2. In case of official vehicle release request, number of mission vehicles is mentioned: Date: / Vehicles under permitted system ( ) )
Vehicles under temporary release system " Halted " ( Vehicles of tariff of re-exportation ( / Signature Head of Mission )
Owner Signature
Seal of Mission
Model No. 2 Form of Renewal of Vehicle License (Private - Official) Issued by Embassy of …..
First: Details of the current owner of the vehicle: 1. Name of mission: 2. Name and function of the owner: 3. Date of start of duty: 4. ID issued by MFA (Type, number, date):: 5. Expected date of transfer: / /
Second: Details of the vehicle: 1. Mark and model of vehicle: 2. Year of Manufacture: 3. Chassis no.: 4. Engine no. : 5. Name of Customs Release: 6. Bill of Lading no.: 7. Type of Release: (Permitted – Halted – Tariff of Re-Exportation): 8. Number of plate: / / /
9. Expiry Date of license:
Date:
/
/
Owner Signature
Signature Head of the Mission Seal of Mission
Model No. 3 Form of Vehicle Sale (Private - Official) Issued by Embassy of …..
First: Details of the current owner of the vehicle: 1. Name of mission: 2. Name and function of the owner: 3. Date of start of duty: 4. ID issued by MFA (Type, number, date):: 5. Expected date of transfer: / /
Second: Details of the vehicle: 1. Mark and model of vehicle: 2. Year of manufacture: 3. Chassis no.: 4. Engine no. :
Third: Details of Vehicle's Customs: 1. Name of Customs Release: 2. Bill of Lading no.: 3. Bill of Release (date, no.): Date: / / 4. Type of Release: (Permitted – Halted – Tariff of Re-Exportation): 5. Number of Plate: 6. Export Customs:
Fourth: Supplementary Details: 3. Vehicle details ( not vehicle to be sold): 4. Details of vehicles previously approved to be sold: (Exempted – Paid)
Date: /
/ Signature Head of Mission Seal of Mission
Owner Signature
Model No. 4 Form of Vehicle Ownership Transfer (Private - Official) Issued by Embassy of ….. First: Details of the current owner of the vehicle: 1. Name of mission: 2. Name and function of the owner: 3. Date of start of duty: 4. ID issued by MFA (Type, number, date):: 5. Expected date of transfer: / /
6. Number of vehicles was/still owned by the transfer requester:
Second: Details of the future vehicle owner: 1. Name of mission: 2. Name and function of the owner: 3. Date of start of duty: 4. ID issued by MFA (Type, number, date):: 5. Expected date of transfer: / /
6. Number of vehicles was/still owned by the transfer requester:
Third: Details of the required vehicle ownership transfer: 1. Mark and model of vehicle: 2. Year of manufacture: 3. Chassis no.: 4. Engine no. : 5. Name of release customs: 6. Bill of lading no.: 7. Bill of Release (date, no.): Date: / / 8. Type of Release: (Permitted – Halted – Tariff of Re-Exportation): 9. Number of Plate: 10. Exportation customs: Date: / / Signature Head of Mission Seal of Mission
Owner Signature
Model No. 5 Form of Re-Exportation of a Vehicle (Private - Official) Issued by Embassy of …..
First: Details of the current owner of the vehicle: 6. Name of Mission: 7. Name and function of the owner: 8. Date of start of duty: 9. ID issued by MFA (Type, number, date): 10. Expected date of transfer: / /
Second: Details of the vehicle: 9. Mark and Model of vehicle: 10. Year of Manufacture: 11. Chassis no.: 12. Engine no. :
Third: Details of Vehicle's Customs: 7. Point of Custom Release: 8. Bill of Lading no.: 9. Bill of Release (date, no.): 10. Type of Release: (Permitted – Halted – Tariff of Re-Exportation): 11. Number of Plate: 12. Export Customs:
Fourth: Supplementary Details: 5. Vehicle details ( not vehicle to be re-exported): 6. Details of vehicles previously approved to be re-exported:
Date: /
/ Head of the Mission Signature
Owner Signature
Seal of Mission
Model No. 6 Form of accompanying a Vehicle (Private - Official) Issued by Embassy of …..
First: Details of the current owner of the vehicle: 1. Name of Mission: 2. Name and function of the owner: 3. Date of start of duty: 4. ID issued by MFA (Type, number, date):
Second: Details of the vehicle: 1. Mark and Model of vehicle: 2. Year of Manufacture: 3. Chassis no.: 4. Engine no. :
Third: Supplementary Details: 1. Departure Customs: 2. Accompany period: 3. Date of Departure: 4. Date of Return:
Date: /
/ Head of the Mission Signature
Owner Signature
Seal of Mission
Model No. 7 Form of Vehicle Disclaim (Private - Official) Issued by Embassy of …..
First: Details of the current owner of the vehicle: 1. Name of Mission: 2. Name and function of the owner: 3. Date of start of duty: 4. ID issued by MFA (Type, number, date): 5. Expected date of transfer: / /
Second: Details of the vehicle: 1. Mark and Model of vehicle: 2. Year of Manufacture: 3. Chassis no.: 4. Engine no. :
Third: Details of Vehicle's Customs: 1. Point of Custom Release: 2. Bill of Lading no.: 3. Bill of Release (date, no.): 4. Type of Release: (Permitted – Halted – Tariff of Re-Exportation): 5. Number of Plate: 6. Export Customs:
Fourth: Supplementary Details: 1. Vehicle details ( not vehicle to be assigned): 2. Details of vehicles previously approved to be assigned:
Date: /
/ Head of the Mission Signature
Owner Signature
Seal of Mission
Model No. 7A Form of Vehicle's engine Disclaim (Private - Official) Issued by Embassy of …..
First: Details of the current owner of the vehicle: 1. Name of Mission: 2. Name and function of the owner: 3. Date of start of duty: 4. ID issued by MFA (Type, number, date): 5. Expected date of transfer: / /
Second: Details of the vehicle: 1. Mark and Model of vehicle: 2. Year of Manufacture: 3. Chassis no.: 4. Old Engine no. : 5. New Engine no.:
Third: Details of Vehicle's Customs: 1. Point of Custom Release: 2. Bill of Lading no.: 3. Bill of Release (date, no.): 4. Type of Release: (Permitted – Halted – Tariff of Re-Exportation): 5. Number of Plate: 6. Export Customs:
Fourth: Supplementary Details: 1. Vehicle details (not vehicle to be disclaimed): 2. Details of vehicles previously approved to be disclaimed: Date: / / Head of the Mission Signature
Owner Signature
Seal of Mission