By John Lee.
Iraq's Ministry of Transport has announced a series of measures agreed with Egypt to facilitate road transport of passengers and goods between the two countries.
The decisions were reached during the first meeting of the joint technical committee, held in Cairo on 13-14 January 2026, as part of the implementation of the bilateral memorandum of understanding on road transport signed in Baghdad on 30 January 2025.
Key points agreed include:
- Truck entry: Loaded trucks and refrigerated vehicles may enter between Iraq and Egypt without numerical limits, subject to a review after six months. Empty trucks require a permit for each trip, with technical study fees reduced to USD 150 per trip until 31 July 2026, down from USD 300.
- Length of stay: Discussions are under way to allow trucks to remain for up to 14 days in the other country, with procedures to be applied if this period is exceeded.
- Fuel: Trucks and buses may enter the other country with diesel fuel in their tanks, with a permitted quantity of 500 litres.
- Visas: Drivers must apply for Egyptian entry visas through the General Company for Land Transport or the General Company for Passenger Transport and Delegations.
- Documentation: Iraq's professional operating licence for trucks will be accepted as an official document.
- Official receipts: Drivers must obtain official receipts for any fees paid at ports and should not pay charges without documentation.
- Cargo handling: All carriers are required to use pallets to facilitate loading and unloading.
- Weights: Trucks must carry official weight documentation (empty and loaded) and comply with permitted weights and dimensions in both countries.
- Oversized cargo: Non-divisible loads exceeding permitted limits will require a special permit under an agreed mechanism.
The ministry said the measures are intended to ease cross-border transport and improve cooperation with Egypt, calling on Iraqi drivers and transport companies to comply fully to ensure successful implementation.
(Source: Ministry of Transport)
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