Will my phone get blocked in Egypt for using a local SIM card without paying customs duty?

One user reports that phone blocking in Egypt isn't limited to newly unregistered devices — acquaintances living permanently in Sharm El Sheikh had phones blocked that they'd been using since as early as 2022, meaning older, previously working devices can also get blocked.

There are reports that after buying a local Orange SIM at the airport, users receive an SMS warning that the phone may be disconnected from the Egyptian mobile network after 30 days if the device is not registered. This appears to be a standard notice about possible blocking under Egypt’s device registration rules, not the phone becoming an instant 'brick'.

According to one report, even with an eSIM in Egypt the connection may be blocked intermittently, but toggling airplane mode on and off can sometimes restore service temporarily. This does not remove the underlying block risk; it only may bring back connectivity for a while.

No signal on an iPhone 14 Pro with the WE operator may be a device-specific issue rather than a SIM problem. If the same SIM works in another iPhone, the issue lies with the device's settings or compatibility. Check APN settings and ensure the firmware is up to date.

If your phone was blocked by Egyptian authorities due to unpaid customs duty, you will not be able to use local Egyptian SIM cards on that device in future trips either — the block remains in place.

Egypt has a system for registering imported phones. If you don't register your device and pay the customs duty at the border, the phone can be blocked from using local SIM cards. This applies to repeat visits as well — the block is not lifted automatically.