Last updated: January 2026

Mandatory ACI Implementation for Air Shipments to Egypt

Egypt ACI mandatory for air shipments - Egyptian Customs Authority announcement

Bilgilendirmeyi Türkçe okumak için lütfen tıklayınız

Dear Valued Business Partner,

The Egyptian Customs Authority, in cooperation with the Ministry of Finance, has announced that the Advance Cargo Information (ACI) system for air shipments to Egypt has become mandatory as of January 1, 2026.

What Is the ACI/ACID Requirement?

ACI (Advance Cargo Information), also known as the ACID Certificate, is a mandatory pre-shipment declaration required by Egyptian Customs for all cargo entering Egypt. It generates a unique identifier — registered through Egypt’s Nafeza blockchain platform — that must accompany every shipment before loading. The system covers sea, air, and land cargo.

Egypt first introduced the ACID requirement for sea freight in 2021. As of January 1, 2026, air freight is now included, completing the coverage across all cargo modes. This means every air shipment destined for Egypt — regardless of size or value — must have a valid ACID number registered in the Nafeza system before the goods are loaded onto the aircraft.

The requirement applies to all exporters shipping to Egypt worldwide. There is no country exemption.

Key Deadlines for Air Shipments

The filing timeline for air cargo is stricter than for sea freight due to the faster transit times involved.

Cargo Mode	ACID Filing Deadline	Mandatory Since
Sea freight	48 hours before vessel departure	2021
Air freight	8 hours before aircraft departure	January 1, 2026
Land/road cargo	At border crossing	Varies

Practical implication: For air shipments, exporters and their freight forwarders need to initiate the ACID process well in advance of the cut-off — ideally as soon as the booking is confirmed.

Documents Required for Air ACID Registration

To register an ACID for an air shipment, the following documents must be submitted through an authorized agent:

Air Waybill (AWB) — carrier-issued, with AWB number
Commercial Invoice — showing declared value, buyer, and seller details
Packing List — with weights, dimensions, and HS codes
Egyptian Importer’s Tax ID — the Nafeza system requires the Egyptian consignee’s registration number to initiate the declaration

Note: The ACID process is initiated by the Egyptian importer through Nafeza, but exporters must provide all relevant shipment details promptly to avoid delays.

Consequences of Non-Compliance

Shipments arriving in Egypt without a valid ACID number face serious consequences:

Cargo held at the airport until an ACID is registered retroactively
Storage and demurrage fees accumulating during the hold period
Risk of cargo return to origin at the shipper’s expense
Customs fines applied to non-compliant shipments

The Egyptian Customs Authority has enforced the ACID requirement strictly since the sea freight rollout in 2021. The same level of enforcement is expected for air cargo from January 2026 onward.

How SCK Representation Can Help

With more than 20 years of experience in the sector and a solution-oriented approach, SCK Representation and Foreign Trade is an authorized agent for the Advance Cargo Information (ACI/ACID) Certificate for Egypt. We handle the full registration process on your behalf — including coordination with your Egyptian importer through the Nafeza platform.

For a broader understanding of how ACID works and why it was introduced, see our guide: Understanding the ACID Certificate in Egypt’s Nafeza System. For the technology behind why these systems are so effective at preventing fraud, read: How ACD Eliminates Document Fraud in Global Trade.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is ACID now required for all air shipments to Egypt?

Yes. As of January 1, 2026, all air cargo destined for Egypt requires a valid ACID number registered in the Nafeza system before departure. There are no exemptions based on cargo size, value, or country of origin.

How is air cargo ACID different from the sea freight ACID?

The content of the declaration is the same, but the filing deadline differs. Sea freight ACID must be filed 48 hours before vessel departure; air freight ACID must be filed 8 hours before aircraft departure. The shorter window means coordination with your freight forwarder must happen immediately after booking.

Who is responsible for obtaining the ACID — exporter or importer?

The ACID process is initiated by the Egyptian importer through the Nafeza platform. However, the exporter must provide complete and accurate shipment details (AWB, invoice, packing list) promptly. SCK Representation coordinates between both parties to ensure the ACID is issued before the cargo cut-off.

What happens if my air shipment arrives in Egypt without an ACID?

The shipment will be held at the airport by Egyptian Customs. Storage fees accumulate while the ACID is registered retroactively. Depending on the situation, cargo may be returned to origin at the shipper’s expense, and customs fines may apply.

Does ACID apply to express courier shipments?

Very small express shipments may fall under different customs channels, but as a rule, all commercial air cargo to Egypt requires ACID registration. Contact SCK Representation to confirm whether your specific shipment type is subject to the mandatory ACID requirement.