Transparent Pricing: What Suppliers Must Show You
Under Article 7 of Egypt's Consumer Protection Law, all suppliers must clearly display the prices of goods and services they offer. Crucially, the displayed price must be all-inclusive — it must include all applicable taxes and any other financial obligations. There should be no surprise charges added at the checkout.
What this means for expats:
- The price tag or menu price you see is the price you legally pay
- Suppliers cannot add undisclosed fees on top of advertised prices
- If a price is not clearly displayed, you have the right to ask and receive a clear answer before committing to a purchase
What Counts as Deceptive Behavior
Article 9 prohibits suppliers and advertisers from engaging in any deceptive behavior related to:
- The nature of the commodity — what it actually is
- Its essential features, components, or quantity
- Its source, weight, size, or method of manufacture
- The price or method of calculating the price
- Any delivery conditions or after-sale services
- Expiry dates or conditions of use
Deceptive behavior includes both outright false statements and misleading omissions — if a supplier fails to mention something important that would affect your purchasing decision, that can also be a violation.
Essential Product Information You Are Entitled To
Under Article 4, suppliers must inform you of all essential data about products, including:
- Country of origin or source
- Price (full and inclusive)
- Features and basic characteristics
- Any additional data required by executive regulations for that product type
Additionally, Article 6 requires that all labeling on commodities be written in Arabic, clearly and legibly, in accordance with Egyptian standard specifications. As an expat, you are entitled to request translations or explanations of product labels from suppliers.
Competitions and Promotional Offers
If you encounter prize competitions, giveaways, or promotional draws in Egypt — whether in supermarkets, shopping malls, or online — Article 14 requires that the organizer notify the Consumer Protection Agency (CPA) at least three days before announcing the competition. The CPA has the power to suspend competitions it finds to be non-compliant or potentially harmful to consumers.
Expat tip: Be cautious of competitions run by unknown brands or informal vendors that ask for personal data without clear terms and conditions.
Real Estate Advertising: Special Rules
For expats considering purchasing or renting property in Egypt, Article 15 contains an important protection: it is illegal to advertise the sale, reservation, or subdivision of real estate units before a building permit has been officially obtained. This is a common area of abuse in rapidly developing property markets.
Before signing any property agreement, verify that:
- A valid building permit exists for the development
- You receive all required documentation at contract stage
- The price you are quoted matches all legally required disclosures
No Unsolicited Door-to-Door Sales
Under Article 16, suppliers are prohibited from visiting your home to offer or sell products unless you have made a prior, explicit request for them to do so. This protects expats from high-pressure door-to-door sales tactics.
If someone arrives at your home uninvited and tries to sell you something, you are under no obligation to engage, and any resulting contract may lack proper legal standing.
How to Report Deceptive Practices
- Document everything — keep screenshots, photos of advertising, receipts, and any written communications
- Contact the Consumer Protection Agency (CPA) through their hotline or online portal
- Request all invoices and receipts — required under Article 10 — as proof of the transaction
- Remember: Any contract clause waiving these rights on your behalf is legally null and void under Article 28