Egypt ACID Certificate — The Complete Guide
How the Egypt ACID certificate works: issuing authority, required documents, application process, timeline and the rules that apply.
This guide covers the ACID certificate for shipments to Egypt — who issues it, which documents it needs, how the application runs and what the validation rules are. For the country procedure page, see Egypt ACID.
Overview
The ACID — Advance Cargo Information Declaration — is the cargo tracking certificate required for shipments to Egypt. It is issued by Egyptian Customs Authority (Nafeza / CargoX). Requirement status: Mandatory.
Sample ACID certificate
A Egypt ACID we filed, with the customer fields masked. Use it to check the layout, where the authority stamp sits and where the reference number is printed.
Discharge ports
- Alexandria
- Port Said
- Damietta
- Sokhna
Required documents
- Bill of Lading
- Commercial Invoice
- Packing List
- Certificate of Origin
Application process
1. Send your documents
Share PDF copies of the required documents via sck@scktr.com, or upload them through the application form. There is no need to send hard copies for the issuance of ACID certificates.
2. Draft is prepared
Once complete, consistent documents arrive, a draft is prepared for your confirmation. A file specialist checks the shipment details against the documents before anything is filed.
3. Confirm the draft
Check every field on the draft — consignee, ports, weights, values and container references. Final documents must be submitted without further amendments; corrections after validation are charged separately.
4. Filing and validation
The confirmed file is submitted to the issuing authority for validation. The ACID number is issued at validation, so it cannot be shown on documents prepared before that point.
5. Certificate delivered
The validated certificate is sent to you and can accompany the cargo to the destination port.
Timeline
- Processing time: a few business days
- Validity: One ACID number per Bill of Lading
The exact cut-off depends on the destination and the vessel schedule; confirm the deadline for your shipment with our team before filing.
Special rules
Validation deadline. The ACID number must be obtained before shipment and shared with your Egyptian consignee, who registers it on the Nafeza platform. All documents must match exactly — Nafeza will not approve mismatched information.
Non-compliance. Without a valid ACID number, cargo cannot be cleared through Egyptian customs: the shipment risks rejection, penalties and demurrage at the destination port.
Frequently asked questions
Is the ACID number mandatory for shipments to Egypt?
Yes. The ACID (Advance Cargo Information Declaration) number is mandatory for all imports to Egypt and must be registered on the Nafeza system before arrival. It is also referred to as an ECTN, BSC, BESC or CTN.
How long does the Egypt ACID process take?
Approval typically takes a few business days, provided all documents are correct and consistent. Egyptian authorities review applications on weekdays only.
Will my application be approved if documents don’t match?
No. The Nafeza system will not approve documents with any discrepancy — every value and detail must be consistent across all documents.
Can I reuse an ACID number for the next shipment?
No. Each ACID number is uniquely linked to a single Bill of Lading. A new number is required for every shipment.
Ready to file? Apply for a ACID certificate or go back to the Egypt ACID procedure page. All country guides: Country guides.