Why is my phone getting blocked with a local SIM in Egypt, and how to avoid the registration tax?
Based on 1 discussion with 3 participants · Last activity: 3 days ago
TL;DR
Using a local SIM in an expensive phone for too long triggers a mandatory IMEI registration tax of about 38% of the phone's value. Most travelers avoid this by buying a cheap $/€ phone or router for the local SIM/eSIM and sharing WiFi to their main device.
What the community said
Best workaround: buy the cheapest basic phone or a portable router, put the local eSIM/SIM in it, and share internet via WiFi to your main phone. This avoids the 38% tax entirely — makes sense if the extra device costs only around $150-200.
3 days ago cheap phone + eSIM/WiFi router
The choice comes down to two options: either accept using a separate WiFi router, or pay a tax equal to 38% of your phone's value to unlock it.
3 days ago 38% of phone value tax
To unlock a phone that got blocked for using a local SIM card, you need to pay a registration tax calculated as a percentage of the phone's value, not a flat fee.
3 days ago unlock tax — 38%
After the carrier restricts your phone to WiFi-only access, unlocking it requires paying a tax of 38% of the phone's value — a steep cost if you're using a high-end smartphone.
3 days ago mobile network block, 38% tax