Egypt’s NTRA imposes 5% fee on imported mobile phones

Expect to pay more for your next mobile phone: The National Telecom Regulatory Authority (NTRA) issued a decision yesterday imposing a new 5% fee on imports of all mobile phones as of today. The fee will essentially apply to all phones sold in Egypt, with the exception of those assembled by Egyptian electronics outfit Sico. Importers are widely expected to pass the hike directly on to consumers to protect what Al Mal says industry players claim are their “their already slim profit margins.”

It’s likely (but still unclear) that this is the 5% development fee the government plans toimpose on mobile phones and accessories as the Finance Ministry looks to plug its fiscal deficit. The ministry previously said the development fee would be imposed on the total cost after tacking on VAT and other taxes.