What is ACI?
ACI is a customs procedure that requires shipment data and documents to be available before the goods are loaded, so the authorities can assess risk in advance. NAFEZA describes its aims as protecting consumers from goods of unknown origin, reducing release time and cost, and replacing paper with electronic documents.
When does it apply?
| Mode | Mandatory since | Data deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Sea freight | 1 October 2021 | At least 48 hours before shipment |
| Air freight | 1 January 2026 | Before departure — published guidance cites at least 4 hours before the flight |
Confirm the current deadline for your route with your forwarder or NAFEZA before booking.
Who does what?
- The Egyptian importer (or its customs broker) requests the ACID on NAFEZA, using a registered account and an electronic signature token
- The foreign exporter registers once on the CargoX platform, completes identity verification, and uploads the shipping documents for each ACID
- The shipping line or airline must see a valid ACID before accepting the cargo
- Egyptian Customs uses the data for risk assessment and clearance
How to get an ACID: the steps on NAFEZA
- Log in to the NAFEZA portal
- Choose the request to obtain a shipment ID (ACID)
- Your importer data appears automatically
- Enter the foreign exporter’s data
- Enter the basic shipment data
- Enter the detailed data: items, HS codes, declared value, weights, preliminary bill of lading (if available), and invoice details
- Submit the request to issue the ACID
- The system emails the ACID to you and to the foreign exporter
The data you need before you start
Have these ready from your supplier before opening the request:
- Exporter’s full legal name, address, and CargoX registration
- Invoice or purchase-order number, date, currency, and value
- Item descriptions with the correct HS code, quantities, and unit prices
- Gross and net weight and the number of packages
- Ports of loading and arrival, and the carrier if known
After the ACID is issued
The exporter uploads the full set of shipping documents (such as the commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading or air waybill, and certificate of origin) through CargoX. The ACID must appear on the shipping documents, including the bill of lading or air waybill.
Mistakes that delay clearance
- Shipping before the ACID is issued
- The supplier is not yet verified on CargoX
- Descriptions, quantities, or values differ between the ACID, the invoice, and the packing list
- A wrong or vague HS code
- A missing ACID on the bill of lading or air waybill
Shipments without a valid ACID may be refused by the carrier or held on arrival.
Read more: ACI readiness checklistImport documents checklist
ACI is one step, not the whole picture
A valid ACID does not replace the other requirements. Commercial importers must be registered in the Importers Register, and some products can only be released if the foreign factory is registered with GOEIC under Decree 43.
Read more: Egypt’s Importers Register in 2026: conditions, fees, and the new rulesDecree 43: registering foreign factories with GOEIC before you import
Pacific can coordinate the ACI step with your supplier in China — CargoX registration, document consistency, and timing — so your shipment leaves with a valid ACID.
Sources
General guidance. Requirements vary by product, route, and date, so they are confirmed for each request.