Figures below are realistic estimates as of July 2026, in Egyptian pounds. Shipping, ad and gateway rates change — treat these as planning ranges, not quotes.
The short answer
You can start selling online in Egypt for close to EGP 0. With a free store plan, photos from your phone, cash on delivery, and organic posts on Instagram and WhatsApp, your only real cost is the delivery fee — which the customer usually pays. A more serious start — custom domain, some ads — runs a few hundred pounds a month. There is no rent, no stock you must pre-buy, and no upfront platform fee.
Here is where every pound actually goes.
The full cost breakdown
| Item | Free / lean start | Growing store | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Store platform | EGP 0 (sellX Free, 30 orders/mo) | EGP 299–1,799/mo | Fixed EGP subscription — no per-order surprise |
| Domain | EGP 0 (free yourstore.sell1x.com) | ~EGP 200–350/yr (.com) | Optional; a custom domain builds trust |
| Product photos | EGP 0 (your phone) | EGP 0–500 | A window near daylight beats a paid studio |
| Shipping | EGP 0 to you (customer pays) | Courier ~EGP 50–90/order | With COD, the buyer covers delivery |
| Payment fees | EGP 0 (cash on delivery) | ~2.5–3% on card/wallet | Only when you accept cards via Paymob |
| Ads | EGP 0 (organic posts) | EGP 100–300/day when ready | Start organic, add ads once orders flow |
Add it up and the honest picture is: a real, professional store from EGP 0, then you spend only on the things that grow it.
What you do not pay for
- No rent or shopfront. Your store is a link you share anywhere.
- No stock you must buy first. Sell what you have, or take orders then source.
- No developer. Setting up is a 10-minute job you do yourself.
- No per-order platform cut on a fixed plan. Your subscription is the same whether you do 40 orders or 400.
Where beginners overspend
The two most common money mistakes for new Egyptian sellers:
- Paying for ads before the store is ready. Ads send traffic to a page that doesn't convert. Get your product pages, prices and checkout right first, then spend.
- Buying stock blind. Cash on delivery lets you validate demand before you tie up money in inventory. Post, collect orders, then commit.
Keep both in check and your first months cost almost nothing but time.
A realistic first-month budget
- Testing the waters: EGP 0 — free plan, phone photos, COD, organic reach.
- Getting serious: ~EGP 300–800 — a paid plan for higher order limits + a custom domain + a small ad test.
- Scaling: the only number that matters is cost per order. A fixed-EGP plan keeps it low and predictable as volume climbs — see the platform comparison.
Frequently asked questions
Can I really start selling online in Egypt for free?
Yes. A free store plan, cash on delivery, product photos from your phone, and organic posts on Instagram and WhatsApp let you take real orders without paying anything upfront. Your first cost is usually just the delivery fee, which the customer pays.
How much does an online store cost per month in Egypt?
It ranges from EGP 0 on a free plan to roughly EGP 299–1,799 per month for paid plans with higher order limits and features. On sellX the subscription is a fixed price in Egyptian pounds, so your cost does not rise with each extra order.
Do I need to pay for shipping myself?
Usually not. With cash on delivery the buyer pays the delivery fee, which the courier collects on handover. You set the fee per governorate, so it is passed on transparently at checkout.
What payment fees will I pay?
Cash on delivery has no percentage fee to you — the courier charges a COD handling fee that is typically passed to the buyer. If you accept card or wallet payments through Paymob, expect roughly a 2.5–3% processing fee per paid transaction.
How much should I budget for ads to start?
You do not need ads to begin — many stores get their first orders organically. When you are ready, start small, around EGP 100–300 per day, only after your product pages and checkout convert well.
Start selling
Start free on sellX — 30 orders/month, no card needed ←
Read next: The best way to sell online in Egypt (2026) · Set up your store in 10 minutes · Make real money selling online in Egypt
