Cairo Airport Customs: Extortionary Practices Unveiled

Buckle up, folks, because we’re diving into the murky waters of Cairo International Airport (CAI) and the alleged shenanigans pulled by customs officials. Mohammed, one of our readers, has reached out with a story that his cousin underwent which will make your eyebrows hit the back of your neck. Was she extorted at Cairo Airport, or is this just a series of unfortunate events?

Before we unfurl the drama, let me say—I’m personally shocked that such an established institution like Cairo Airport could offer anything less than gold-star treatment. Surely, every employee there is solely focused on your convenience and certainly not on wringing extra cash out of unsuspecting travelers. But hey, draw your own conclusions… 😉

Egypt’s Customs and the Curious Case of the Second Tablet

So, here’s the story: Mohammed’s youthful cousin, a lady minding her own business, was traveling from the United Arab Emirates to Egypt on June 17, 2025. Picture this: she’s got her trusted smartphone, her personal tablet, and an extra Wi-Fi-only tablet—everything showing signs of extensive use and clearly not destined for eBay.

Upon her arrival at Cairo Airport, customs officials swoop in. Imagine their surprise as they claim she’s broken import laws by bringing in an additional tablet. They firmly request 3,500 EGP (that’s about $70 USD, if you’re keeping score at home) from her, in good old cash. No receipt. No paperwork. Just a smile and a nod. She’s pushed into paying, feeling like there were no other choices.

Mohammed wrote:

“This seems like a glaring act of extortion, and regrettably, it isn’t a one-off. It’s frighteningly common to hear similar stories, with vulnerable travelers being targeted who have little knowledge of their legal footing. I felt it was crucial to highlight this behavior, which undercuts Egypt’s public image and severely undermines the trust international travelers place in airport processes.”

Was it Legitimate or a Shakedown?

So, we have to ask ourselves: was she really breaching some deeply buried rule, or did the customs team just decide to shake her down on a whim? It’s like playing roulette, but with electronics.

Some countries have dropped jaws with weirdly low limits for electronic imports. Mexico, for instance, had a flirtation with controversy last year, where they enforced duties for more than one electronic device. Travellers with a laptop and a tablet suddenly had their plans scuttled at customs, though eventually, this policy was overturned to avoid scaring tourists away.

Now, I’ve scoured the cyberspace hoping to find any Egyptian laws leaning towards such gadget limitocracy… and I’ve found nothing. Zero. Zip. Nada. But if you know something that I’ve missed—do tell!

Of course, everyone knows my past observations about Cairo Airport have left them less than delighted. Reaching out for comments usually results in either dead silence or, even more entertaining, stern disclaimers about no staff ever receiving… let’s say, unsanctioned ‘rewards.’ So best of luck with that information hotline.

Conclusion: What’s Going on in Cairo?

Here’s the skinny: a young woman lands in Cairo with two tablets in her luggage, both clearly for personal use. Customs officials demand a spontaneous donation of about 75 bucks, and much like a magician, they make paperwork disappear.

Countries sometimes have bizarre rules around the duty-free import of electronics. In Egypt’s case, though, I’m stumped about any such low thresholds existing. So, let’s just say it looks very much like opportunistic extortion unless someone can shed light on hidden legal texts.

What are your thoughts on this situation at Cairo Airport? Is this a one-off incident, or a sign of systemic issues worthy of a deeper investigation?