How to buy gold in Egypt, karats, price per gram and hallmarks

Where to buy gold in Cairo

The main gold market of Cairo is called the Sagha (as-Sagha in Arabic). It is in the old city, next to the Khan el-Khalili bazaar, near the crossing of Al-Azhar Street and al-Muizz Street. Dozens of jewellery shops line the main street, and workshops sit in the side lanes. Egyptians themselves come here for gold.

Jewellery shops are also found in ordinary neighbourhoods and in big shopping malls. They are calmer, but the workmanship fee can be higher. How to find your way in the old bazaars and bargain, we explained in the article about Cairo markets.

18, 21 or 24 karat, which to choose

In Egypt gold purity is given in karats. The more karats, the more pure gold the piece contains and the softer it is.

• 21 karat (875 fineness). The most popular gold in Egypt: most bangles, chains and wedding sets are made from it. When people talk about the gold price of the day, they usually mean 21 karat.
• 18 karat (750 fineness). Harder and lighter in colour, used for delicate pieces and jewellery with stones.
• 24 karat. Almost pure gold, too soft for everyday jewellery. It usually comes as bars and coins for savings.
• The gold pound. A coin of 21 karat gold weighing 8 grams, bought as savings and as a gift.

How the price is made

Gold in Egypt is sold by weight, and the price of a piece has three parts.

• The gram price. It is the same across the market, different for each karat and changes every day. Before buying, check it in the news or in a gold price app.
• The masnaiya, or making charge. It is counted per gram, and this is where shops differ. Complex and handmade work costs more, a simple chain costs less.
• VAT of 14%. Under the tax rules it is charged only on the masnaiya, not on the whole price of the piece.

How not to overpay for workmanship

The Egyptian Tax Authority sets average making charges for tax purposes. From 1 July 2026 the figure for 21 karat is about 64 pounds per gram before VAT. But the authority itself stresses that this is not a retail price: in shops the masnaiya is usually higher and depends on the piece.

So compare the masnaiya per gram, not the final total. Ask for it in two or three shops for a similar design and bargain over it, and check the gram price against the rate of the day. If you want gold as savings, bars and coins are better value: their making charge is much lower.

Hallmark, weight and receipt

Gold pieces are tested and hallmarked by the state assay authority (Maslahat ad-Damgha wal-Mawazin). The hallmark shows the karat. You will see both old punched hallmarks and new laser ones, and both are valid.

• Find the hallmark and make sure the karat matches what the seller says. Do not buy a piece without a hallmark.
• Ask for the piece to be weighed in front of you.
• Get an official receipt with the shop name, address and phone number. It should show the weight, karat, gram price, masnaiya and total.
• Keep the receipt: it makes it easier to sell the piece and to show that it was bought legally.

How to sell gold back

You can sell gold at any jewellery shop, but the masnaiya is not returned. The shop pays only for the weight at its buying price, which is a little lower than the selling price on the same day. There is no fixed discount set by law, the gap depends on the shop.

Before selling, check the gram price for that day and visit several shops. With a receipt and a clear hallmark, selling is easier. Hence a simple rule: choose jewellery for yourself by taste, but buy gold for savings with the lowest masnaiya.

Fakes and how to avoid them

The assay authority reports seizures of fake pieces from time to time, and next to real gold the markets sell plenty of gold plating and costume jewellery copying famous brands. Protecting yourself is easy.

• Buy in shops with a sign and a permanent address, not from random sellers or through social media.
• Do not trust a price below the market gram price: real gold is not sold cheaper than the market.
• Inspect the piece. Solder marks, a different shade on the clasp or a worn hallmark are reasons to say no.
• Weigh a gold bar in sealed packaging in front of you as well.

How much gold you can take out and bring home

We did not find a clear limit on taking jewellery out of Egypt in the public official guidance. Under Egyptian customs rules, jewellery made of precious metals is declared on arrival, and you may take back what was declared or recorded in your passport, plus purchases for personal use. If you carry a lot of gold, bars or coins, check the rules with Egyptian customs in advance.

Keep jewellery in your hand luggage together with the receipts. Remember the rules of your own country too: in some countries jewellery falls under the general duty free allowance for personal items, while others, such as Uzbekistan, have separate limits and customs strictly checks undeclared gold. See the current rules on the website of the customs service of your country.

Jewellery on Tullab

Look for jewellery and watches from fellow expats in the watches and jewellery section, and for pieces by craftspeople in handmade jewellery. When buying gold second hand, act as you would in a shop: hallmark, weighing in front of you and the receipt, if it was kept.

Want to sell a piece before you leave? Post a listing for free with the karat, the weight and whether you have the receipt.