Egypt, along with many trading nations, is party to the United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods, also known as the Vienna Convention. The Vienna Convention is based on elements of both common law and civil law, and regulates contractual terms for international transactions for the sale of goods between nationals or residents of member states.

The Vienna Convention rules concerning contracts and contract interpretation differ from local rules. Importers and exporters from states that are party to the Vienna Convention should carefully review their sales contracts in light of the Vienna Convention to ensure that the Convention's rules do not conflict with the intentions of the party. If they do, the parties can opt out the application of the Vienna convention by an express provision in their agreement.