Engineered quartz slabs from Egypt for German and European importers
Cuarzo del Nilo slabs are produced in Egypt on Italian Breton lines and shipped west through the Mediterranean to Northern and Southern European ports, with no Suez Canal or Red Sea transit. Egyptian origin enters the EU duty-free under the EU–Egypt Association Agreement when the shipment carries valid proof of origin.
* With valid proof of preferential origin. Import VAT applies.
EU customs and trade terms
| Term | Detail |
|---|---|
| EU CN code | 6810 99 00 · articles of artificial stone (confirm with your customs broker or a Binding Tariff Information decision) |
| Import duty | 0% for goods of Egyptian origin under the EU–Egypt Association Agreement, with valid proof of preferential origin under the Pan-Euro-Mediterranean rules |
| Import VAT, Germany | 19% Einfuhrumsatzsteuer, recoverable for VAT-registered importers |
| Destination ports | Hamburg · Bremerhaven · Rotterdam · Antwerp · Valencia · Livorno · Genoa |
| Routing | Egyptian Mediterranean ports, westbound; no Suez Canal or Red Sea transit |
| Incoterms | FOB Egyptian Mediterranean ports |
| Shipping documents | Commercial invoice, packing list by design and thickness, bill of lading, certificate of origin and proof of preferential origin, inspection report, safety data sheet |
Quality and test requirements for the German market
German kitchen studios, fabricators and distributors buy against the European agglomerated stone standards. The product standard for kitchen and vanity tops is EN 15388. The test methods are the EN 14617 series. Test reports for the Cuarzo del Nilo range are available on request.
| Property | Test method |
|---|---|
| Apparent density and water absorption | EN 14617-1 |
| Flexural strength | EN 14617-2 |
| Abrasion resistance | EN 14617-4 |
| Freeze–thaw resistance | EN 14617-5 |
| Thermal shock resistance | EN 14617-6 |
| Impact resistance | EN 14617-9 |
| Chemical resistance | EN 14617-10 |
| Linear thermal expansion | EN 14617-11 |
| Dimensional stability | EN 14617-12 |
| Dimensions, flatness and squareness | EN 14617-16 |
Product standards and CE marking
Kitchen and vanity tops are specified to EN 15388. Slabs and tiles sold as construction products for wall or floor finishes fall under the harmonised standards EN 15286 and EN 15285, which require CE marking and a Declaration of Performance under the Construction Products Regulation. Tell us the end use and we will confirm the documents for your order.
Food contact, chemicals and radioactivity
Worktops are surfaces in occasional contact with food. Food-contact testing to the EU framework regulation (EC) No 1935/2004 and the German LFGB can be arranged through an accredited laboratory. The slabs are articles under REACH; a substances-of-very-high-concern statement and a radioactivity measurement are available on request.
Independent inspection
Every container is inspected before loading by Control Union. SGS or TÜV Rheinland can be appointed at the buyer's request, with a photo record of loading per container.
Crystalline silica and fabrication safety
Engineered quartz is not banned in Germany or the EU. Fabrication is regulated as a workplace exposure. The EU binding limit for respirable crystalline silica is 0.1 mg/m³ (Directive (EU) 2017/2398). In Germany, TRGS 559 sets an assessment criterion of 0.05 mg/m³ for respirable quartz dust, which fabricators meet with wet cutting, on-tool extraction and respiratory protection.
For buyers who want to reduce silica exposure further, a low-silica range with a maximum of 1% crystalline silica is available, with a laboratory test report. A safety data sheet in EU format accompanies every shipment.
Supply and commercial terms
| Term | Detail |
|---|---|
| Slab format | Jumbo, 3270 × 1610 mm (5.26 m²) |
| Thickness | 12 mm · 20 mm · 30 mm |
| Composition | Approx. 90% quartz, 10% resin |
| Collections | Four collections, 24 designs, see the quartz catalogue |
| Capacity | About 50,000 m² of slabs per month |
| Minimum order | 1,500 m² per order. Colours and designs can be mixed. |
| Trial order — payment | 50% advance payment; 50% against a copy of the full set of clean on-board shipping documents. |
| Long-term contract | Based on a minimum quantity in m² per month. |
| Long-term contract — payment | 20% advance payment covering three months of shipments; 80% by irrevocable letter of credit payable at sight. |
| Pricing | By design and thickness; quoted on request |
Für Einkäufer in Deutschland
DEXPRO liefert Quarzkomposit-Platten der Marke Cuarzo del Nilo aus Ägypten, gefertigt auf italienischen Breton-Anlagen, im Jumboformat 5,26 m² in 12, 20 und 30 mm. Waren ägyptischen Ursprungs sind nach dem Assoziierungsabkommen EU–Ägypten zollfrei, sofern ein gültiger Präferenznachweis vorliegt. Prüfberichte nach EN 14617, eine Low-Silica-Linie mit höchstens 1 % kristallinem Siliziumdioxid und eine unabhängige Verladekontrolle durch Control Union sind verfügbar. Anfragen gerne auf Deutsch oder Englisch an office@dexpro.com.co.
Frequently asked questions
What is the customs code for engineered quartz slabs in the EU?
Engineered (agglomerated) quartz slabs are normally declared under CN 6810 99 00, articles of artificial stone. Your customs broker should confirm the code for your product, or you can request a Binding Tariff Information decision.
Is there EU import duty on Egyptian quartz slabs?
Industrial goods of Egyptian origin enter the EU duty-free under the EU–Egypt Association Agreement, provided the shipment carries valid proof of preferential origin. Import VAT (19% in Germany) still applies and is recoverable for VAT-registered importers.
Which test reports can you provide?
EN 14617 test reports for the Cuarzo del Nilo range are available on request, together with independent pre-shipment inspection by Control Union, or SGS / TÜV Rheinland at the buyer's request.
Do you offer a low-silica slab?
Yes. A low-silica range with a maximum of 1% crystalline silica is available, with a laboratory test report on request.
How do slabs reach Germany?
Containers load at Egypt's Mediterranean ports and sail west through the Mediterranean to Hamburg, Bremerhaven, Rotterdam or Antwerp, without transiting the Suez Canal or the Red Sea.
Request a quotation
Tell us the designs, thickness, number of containers, destination port and end use (worktops, wall or floor). We reply with pricing by design, the matching test reports and current availability.
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