05/10/2026
If you're an Egyptian importer comparing electric motorcycle suppliers, you've probably seen three terms on every quotation: CBU, SKD, and CKD. Here's what actually changes between them:
🔹 CBU (Completely Built Unit) — The vehicle arrives fully assembled. You focus on customs, taxes, compliance, and final landed cost.
🔹 SKD (Semi-Knocked Down) — Partial assembly moves to Egypt. You take on local assembly cost and quality control, alongside tax treatment.
🔹 CKD (Completely Knocked Down) — Most production responsibility moves to Egypt: industrial investment, operating capability, capital, and scale.
The common assumption: More disassembly → lower tax → lower total cost.
The reality: Not necessarily. The result depends on the product, shipment form, classification, importing entity, local cost, and achievable volume.
The scale test: Verified cost difference per unit × achievable volume must cover the added fixed, operating, quality, and capital costs — otherwise localization destroys value.
✅ The rule: The lowest FOB price does not always create the lowest market-entry cost. Run the numbers before choosing CBU, SKD or CKD.
Egyptian importers and distributors — which route are you currently using, and what surprised you most about the real costs? 👇
📖 Full decision model: nirugo.com/en/insights/evaluate-electric-mobility-opportunity-egypt/
