Global Daily Tax News, Egypt Receives UN Advice On Enforcing Shipping Industry Taxes, (Sep 2, 2025)

The UN has provided technical support to tax authorities in Egypt on the enforcement of tax on the shipping sector.

During a recent five-day training workshop, organized by the UN's Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and the Egyptian Tax Authority, expertise was passed on to senior tax officials, supervisors, and auditors responsible for reviewing large taxpayers' contributions in the cities of Alexandria, Hurgada, and Cairo. It was aimed at supporting officials to understand and navigate the complexities, tax oversight requirements, and financial reports of the shipping sector.

The ECA said the training was aimed at improving participants' ability to improve audit effectiveness, ensure accurate tax assessments, and promote the consistent and transparent application of tax laws in the shipping sector. Officials also received advice on applying international financial reporting standards (IFRS) in tax audits, identifying and addressing VAT-related audit issues, handling cross-border tax matters more effectively, and implementing more consistent and informed audit practices.

"Egypt currently has one of the largest economies in Africa and the Middle East. Its diverse economic base includes key sectors like petroleum, textiles, tourism, agriculture, and shipping via the Suez Canal, a global shipping and maritime artery that plays a central role in foreign trade and national revenue," the ECA said. "Egypt's shipping sector is one of the key drivers of national development and encompasses a wide range of activities, including cargo transportation, maritime services, port operations, and logistics. While the sector faces complex challenges in the realm of taxation, it also benefits from numerous tax incentives and exemptions that enhance its global competitiveness."

This workshop was held as part of a series of training events organized by the ECA office for North Africa, in Egypt, Libya, Mauritania, and Sudan, to improve national tax systems and enhance domestic resource mobilization in support of sustainable development.