The Advanced Cargo Information System (ACI) has been in operation for sea freight shipments to Egypt since October 2021. Now, the Egyptian customs administration has announced that it will extend the system to air freight as well. From 1 January 2026, electronic pre-registration will be mandatory for all air freight shipments to Egypt.
Background and aim of the ACI system
The ACI system was introduced to simplify and accelerate customs risk analysis and the release of imported goods. It enables the electronic recording and transmission of freight information before the shipment reaches the country. The aim is to identify potential risks in advance and optimise customs clearance upon arrival of the goods. The technical implementation is carried out via two interconnected platforms: Nafeza, the portal for Egyptian importers, and CargoX for exporters.
Introduction for air freight
The introduction of the ACI system for air freight was originally scheduled for October 2022, but has been postponed several times. The Egyptian Ministry of Finance has now published a new timetable: implementation is to take place gradually until the end of 2025, before mandatory use begins in January 2026. With this expansion, air freight shipments will also be subject to the same security and efficiency standards as sea freight transport in the future.
For exporters: Procedure for pre-registration of freight information
- Register with CargoX (for a fee)
- Apply for an ACID number
The Egyptian importer enters the delivery data into the Nafeza system. This automatically generates an ACID number (Advanced Cargo Information Declaration), which is made available to both the importer and the exporter via the interface between Nafeza and CargoX. - Add the ACID number to the documents
All shipping documents – in particular the commercial invoice, certificate of origin and freight documents – must contain the ACID number. Provide the ACID number to the freight forwarder in good time. - Upload the documents via CargoX
Upload the shipping documents at least 48 hours before the goods cross the border into Egypt.
Sources: Außenwirtschaftsportal Bayern (in German), GTAI (in German)
