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Cash on delivery in Egypt: a guide for Shopify stores

By the COD Confirmation teamUpdated 2 min read

Cash on delivery is still the most common way Egyptians pay for online orders. To keep refusals down, confirm every order on WhatsApp before shipping, collect a detailed address (building, floor, apartment and a landmark), quote the exact total in Egyptian pounds and consider a small prepayment through a mobile wallet or InstaPay for high-risk orders.

Key takeaways

  • Most Egyptian online shoppers still pay cash on delivery.
  • WhatsApp is the natural channel for order confirmation in Egypt.
  • Detailed addresses (building, floor, apartment, landmark) prevent failed deliveries.
  • Use partial prepayment only for high-value or high-risk orders.

How cash on delivery works in Egypt

Egyptian COD orders follow a familiar path: the customer orders, the store confirms, a courier delivers and collects cash in Egyptian pounds (EGP), and the courier pays the store back after deducting fees. With high order volumes from social media ads, the confirmation step has a big effect on profit.

Why COD orders get refused in Egypt

  • Orders placed on impulse from Facebook, Instagram or TikTok ads.
  • The customer isn’t home or doesn’t answer the courier’s call.
  • Incomplete addresses missing the building number, floor, apartment or a landmark.
  • Price surprises when shipping fees weren’t clear.
  • Opening the parcel at the door and refusing it, when policies on inspection weren’t explained.

Couriers and delivery

Egyptian stores commonly use Bosta, Aramex, J&T Express, Mylerz and Egypt Post, among others. Some stores use more than one: one for Cairo and Alexandria, another for governorates further away. Compare coverage, delivery speed, return fees, cash payout times and whether the courier lets customers open parcels before paying.

Confirming COD orders in Egypt

WhatsApp is the obvious channel in Egypt. A short Arabic message with the order details and two buttons is enough:

Arabic (Egypt)
أهلاً {{1}} 👋 شكراً لطلبك من {{2}} رقم الطلب: {{3}} المبلغ عند الاستلام: {{4}} العنوان: {{5}} من فضلك أكّد الطلب علشان نشحنه.
✅ تأكيد الطلب
❌ إلغاء الطلب

Tips for Egyptian stores:

  • Ask for building, floor and apartment numbers and a landmark if they’re missing.
  • Confirm the delivery window, so the customer knows when the courier will call.
  • Explain your inspection policy (can the customer open the parcel before paying?) to avoid disputes at the door.
  • Use a small prepayment through a mobile wallet or InstaPay for high-value orders or customers who refused before.
  • Call unanswered orders with a short call script.

More Arabic messages: WhatsApp COD confirmation templates.

Checklist for COD stores in Egypt

  • Confirm every order on WhatsApp before shipping.
  • Collect complete addresses with a landmark.
  • Ship confirmed orders quickly, especially in Cairo and Alexandria.
  • Track refusals by governorate, product and courier.
  • Ask repeat refusers for a prepayment.

Questions merchants ask

Can’t find the answer you’re looking for? Email info@usewhapi.com.

Is cash on delivery still common in Egypt?
Yes. Card payments, mobile wallets and InstaPay are growing, but cash on delivery remains the payment method many Egyptian shoppers choose, especially for first orders from a new store.
Which couriers do Egyptian online stores use?
Commonly used options include Bosta, Aramex, J&T Express, Mylerz and Egypt Post, among others. Compare their coverage outside Cairo and Alexandria, delivery times, return fees and how quickly they transfer the collected cash.
Should I write confirmations in Egyptian Arabic?
A simple, friendly Arabic message works best. Many Egyptian stores use light Egyptian colloquial phrasing in WhatsApp messages and calls, which feels more personal than formal Arabic.

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