4 CultureShock! Egypt
certain items you are bringing into the country. Occasionally,
bags are searched. Personal effects and cameras are exempt
from duty, but items such as electronic equipment and video
cameras should be declared and listed on a Form D. If you
lose them during your visit, it will be assumed they were
‘sold’ when you leave the country (unless you have police
documentation of the theft). In this case, you will be required
to pay 100 per cent duty. On items with a high resale value,
you may be required to pay a deposit, which is refundable on
departure from Egypt. If, for some reason, Customs insists
on impounding any of your personal goods, get a receipt and
contact your Consulate as soon as possible. That being said,
I have taken my laptop computer into the country several
times and have never been asked to declare it; perhaps next
time. If there are specifi c items that need to be declared, you
will be notifi ed by offi cials at the airport. I read somewhere
that you should be sure to keep all money-change receipts
and the custom Form D or other declaration forms (fi lled in
upon arrival) as you may be required to present them upon
departure. I have no idea why nor have I ever had anyone
ask me for money-change receipts.
On your way through the airport, you will pass several
banks or money exchanges. Unlike many other countries, the
exchange rate you get at airport banks will be comparable
to that elsewhere, so if you need to, exchange money into
Egyptian pounds (E£) at the airport. If you prefer, you can
wait to exchange money at your hotel or a bank near to your
lodgings. Most taxi drivers will take major foreign currencies,
as will baggage handlers, because they can now easily
exchange them into Egyptian pounds. Hard currencies are
at a premium throughout the country, so Euros or US dollars
are greatly appreciated. However, you are likely to pay more
for the service using foreign currency than you would if you
tipped in Egyptian pounds—I think this is simply because
you are still ‘thinking’ in your native language and customs
rather than switching to Egyptian ones.
Do not be surprised, when you fi nally walk out onto the
pavement, to fi nd numerous men running towards you and
grabbing your bags. No matter how many times I go there,