EXCLUSIVE- New tariffs on luxury goods, tariff cuts on production inputs coming in December? The government is preparing to announce changes to import tariffs that will come into effect in December, sources tell Enterprise. Changes reportedly being considered by the Higher Tariffs Committee include higher tariffs on luxury goods, our sources tell us, stopping short of providing additional detail. President Abdel Fattah El Sisi imposed in late 2016 a series of higher tariffs on luxury imports.

Production inputs for glass, plastic and paint manufacturing will see customs duties reduced, as their tariffs are currently higher than those of the finished products, sources added.

Private sector being consulted on changes: Business associations and export councils have sent recommendations to the tariff committee. The Federation of Egyptian Industries sent its recommendations last month, Mohamed El Bahey, head of the taxes and customs division of the FEI, confirmed. The plastics division suggested that industrial cleaners and other chemicals be put up for review by the committee, division head Khaled Aboul Makarem tells us.