VAT on Gold in Egypt
The gold value of bars and coins is not taxed; bars of 100 g or less pay 14% VAT on their making charge. 14% VAT applies only to the making charge, not to the gold. Today 10 grams of 24K gold cost E£69,833 at the world price, with no tax on investment bars and coins.
Rules checked 26 October 2026 · Prices Oct 30, 2026, 21:55 UTC · Not tax advice
Gold in Egypt today, with tax
EGP · Oct 30, 2026, 21:55 UTC| Weight | World price, 24K gold | Bar or coin, with tax and duty | 21K jewellery metal, with tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 gram | E£6,983 | E£6,983 | E£6,110 |
| 10 grams | E£69,833 | E£69,833 | E£61,104 |
| 1 ounce | E£217,206 | E£217,206 | E£190,055 |
| 100 grams | E£698,334 | E£698,334 | E£611,042 |
| 1 kilo | E£6,983,337 | E£6,983,337 | E£6,110,420 |
The rules in Egypt
| What you buy | Tax | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Bars and bullion coins | 0% | The gold value of bars and coins is not taxed; bars of 100 g or less pay 14% VAT on their making charge. Bars over 100 g are reported as exempt; bars up to 100 g are treated like jewellery for VAT (14% on the making charge only). |
| Jewellery | 0% on the gold | 14% VAT applies only to the making charge, not to the gold. Charged on: making charges only. |
| Import duty | 0% | The market runs mainly on recycled gold, and no import duty is built into the gram price. A temporary duty-free scheme let travellers import gold from 2023. |
| Tourist refund | No | No operational tourist VAT refund for jewellery found. |
Compared with nearby countries
| Country | Bars and coins | Jewellery | Import duty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Egypt | 0% | 0% on the gold | none |
| UAE | 0% | 5% | none |
| Saudi Arabia | 0% | 15% | none |
| Kuwait | 0% | 0% | none |
| Qatar | 0% | 0% | none |
| Bahrain | 0% | 10% | none |
| Oman | 0% | 5% | none |
| South Africa | 0% | 15% | none |
| Nigeria | 7.5% | 7.5% | none |
| Kenya | 16% | 16% | none |
| Ghana | 20% | 20% | none |
VAT on Gold in Egypt: FAQ
Is there VAT on gold in Egypt?
The gold value of bars and coins is not taxed; bars of 100 g or less pay 14% VAT on their making charge. 14% VAT applies only to the making charge, not to the gold.
Do you pay VAT on gold bars and coins in Egypt?
The gold value of bars and coins is not taxed; bars of 100 g or less pay 14% VAT on their making charge. Bars over 100 g are reported as exempt; bars up to 100 g are treated like jewellery for VAT (14% on the making charge only).
Is there import duty on gold in Egypt?
The market runs mainly on recycled gold, and no import duty is built into the gram price. A temporary duty-free scheme let travellers import gold from 2023.
Can tourists claim back the VAT on gold in Egypt?
No. No operational tourist VAT refund for jewellery found.
Why is the gold price in Egypt different from the world price?
Local 21K prices traded far above world parity in the 2023 currency crisis, about 50% in May 2023. In 2026 the gap was small: a rough conversion for 26 Feb 2026 (21K LE6,960/g vs spot $5,182) gives about 1%. Metals Focus attributes local premiums to reliance on recycled supply.
Sources (3)
Related
General information on the tax a private buyer pays, checked 26 October 2026. Rules change; check with the seller, the tax authority or an adviser. Not tax advice.