For e-commerce in Egypt, offer cash on delivery as your main payment option, add card and mobile wallet payments for online buyers, and partner with a reliable courier for shipping. The right mix depends on your products and customers, but offering cash on delivery is almost always essential — a large share of Egyptian shoppers still prefer to pay when the order arrives.
Last updated: May 2026. Written by the Aelaany team, who set up payment and fulfillment for Egyptian online stores.
What payment options work best in Egypt?
Egyptian shoppers use a mix of payment methods, and trust is the deciding factor. Cash on delivery still dominates, but online payment is growing fast, especially among younger buyers in big cities. The safest approach is to offer several options so you never lose a sale over payment.
| Method | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Cash on delivery | Most trusted, widest reach | Returns, cash handling |
| Cards (Visa/Mastercard/Meeza) | Paid upfront, no return risk | Some buyers hesitate |
| Mobile wallets | Fast, popular with youth | Needs setup |
| Bank transfer | No fees | Slow, less convenient |
How does cash on delivery actually work?
With cash on delivery (COD), the customer pays the courier when the order arrives, and the courier transfers the money to you (minus their fee). It’s the most trusted option in Egypt because the buyer takes no risk. The downside is a higher return rate and the cost of handling cash, so confirm orders by phone or WhatsApp to reduce fake or impulse orders.
How do you choose a shipping company?
Your courier is part of your customer experience — a late or damaged delivery reflects on your brand, not theirs. Compare a few providers on the points below before committing, and don’t be afraid to use more than one for different regions.
- Coverage: do they reach all the governorates you sell to?
- COD handling: how fast do they transfer your cash?
- Fees: per-shipment cost and any COD commission.
- Speed & reliability: delivery times and damage rates.
- Tracking: can customers track their order?
How should you handle shipping fees?
Be transparent — surprise fees at checkout are a top reason for abandoned carts. You can charge a flat delivery fee, offer free shipping above a certain order value (which also raises average order value), or build the cost into your prices. Whatever you choose, state it clearly before checkout.
Common payment and shipping mistakes
- Not offering cash on delivery — you lose a huge share of buyers.
- Hiding shipping fees until checkout — carts get abandoned.
- Using one unreliable courier — late deliveries hurt your reviews.
- Not confirming COD orders — return rates climb.
- No order tracking — customers flood your inbox asking “where’s my order?”
Frequently asked questions
Is cash on delivery still necessary in Egypt?
For most stores, yes. A large share of Egyptian customers still prefer it, and not offering it can cut your orders significantly. Offer it alongside online payment to cover everyone.
Should I offer free shipping?
Free shipping increases conversions, but it costs you money. A common middle ground is free shipping above a minimum order value, which encourages bigger orders while protecting your margins.
How do I reduce returns on COD orders?
Confirm each order by phone or WhatsApp before shipping, write clear product descriptions, use accurate photos, and set honest delivery expectations. This filters out impulse orders and reduces refusals at the door.
Related: how to start an online store in Egypt and how to increase your e-commerce sales.
Need help setting up payment and shipping for your store? The Aelaany team builds complete e-commerce systems for Egyptian businesses. Contact us to get started.