The UCR (Unique Consignment Reference) is the reference number every export shipment from Egypt must have. The exporter, or their customs broker on their behalf, obtains it on Nafeza, Egypt's single window for foreign trade, before the sea freight is booked. Egyptian Customs made it mandatory from 6 April 2026, and since 17–18 July 2026 Maersk, CMA CGM and ONE do not accept an export booking without a valid UCR; ONE and CMA CGM also need the exporter's tax ID.
Last checked: . Egypt's export system is still being rolled out, so we re-check this page at every content review.
What is a UCR number?
The UCR is NAFEZA's Unique Consignment Reference: a unique number given to each export consignment. It identifies the shipment from the start of the export file until the final bill of lading.
You will also see it called the Unified Consignment Reference. That name is a translation of its Arabic name, «الرقم التعريفي الموحد للشحنات». Both names mean the same number.
How long is it? Maersk and CMA CGM describe the UCR as a 19-digit number. Some guides show 20 digits in three groups. Copy the number exactly as Nafeza issues it.
The UCR is for exports. Imports use a different number, the ACID, under the ACI system (see the comparison table below).
When did the UCR start?
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| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| Sep–Oct 2025 | Testing was planned from 30 September 2025 and go-live from 30 October 2025. |
| Late 2025 | Go-live was postponed to April 2026 at the shipping chambers' request. |
| 6 April 2026 | Customs launched the developed export system at Ain Sokhna port. All exporters must obtain a UCR; other ports follow in stages. |
| 17 July 2026 | Maersk and CMA CGM require a valid UCR on every new export booking from Egypt. |
| 18 July 2026 | The Customs date for new bookings. NAFEZA said the full export cycle was still running only at Sokhna and would be extended in stages. |
| October 2026 | In Al-Rouby's own export files, the UCR-linked export cycle is also in use at Alexandria/Dekheila, Damietta, Port Said and Safaga/Adabiya. |
How do you get and use a UCR? Step by step
- Have a Nafeza account The exporter registers on Nafeza, or delegates this to a customs broker, shipping agent, freight forwarder or container handling company. Register on Nafeza · NAFEZA's account-creation guide
- Request the UCR on Nafeza The exporter, or their customs broker on their behalf, registers the export shipment and obtains the UCR. Do this before you book.
- Book with the UCR At booking, give the shipping line or forwarder the UCR, the shipper name exactly as registered for the export shipment, and the exporter's tax ID (9 digits, per ONE).
- The carrier checks it on Nafeza The line confirms the booking only if the UCR is valid. Customs can send questions (RFI) or a “do not load” instruction even after confirmation.
- Pick up the right containers Carriers now report an Empty Container List to Customs, so gate in the containers assigned to your booking.
- File the export declaration with the UCR The export declaration carries the UCR. At customs offices not yet connected to the system, customs work starts only after a printed export declaration bearing the UCR is submitted.
- Load and close the file The export cycle ends with the final bill of lading.
Who does what?
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| Party | Does | Does not |
|---|---|---|
| Exporter (shipper) | Requests the UCR on Nafeza, or authorises a broker to do it. Gives the UCR, exact shipper name and tax ID at booking. | Change the UCR or the shipper after booking (that cancels the booking). |
| Customs broker | Can request the UCR for the exporter and file the export declaration that carries it. | Replace the exporter as the shipper on the booking. |
| Freight forwarder / foreign buyer | Collects the UCR and tax ID from the Egyptian shipper before booking. | Invent or “hold” a UCR. Dummy entries cancel the booking. |
| Shipping line | Validates the UCR and tax ID through Nafeza before confirming, and reports the containers picked up. | Issue the UCR. |
| Customs / NAFEZA | Issues the UCR through Nafeza and decides whether the booking may load. | — |
Ain Sokhna, other ports and dry ports such as Badr
- Ain Sokhna was the first port with the full electronic export cycle, from 6 April 2026.
- Other seaports. Customs said the system would extend to other ports in stages. In our own files in October 2026, we also see it at Alexandria/Dekheila, Damietta, Port Said and Safaga/Adabiya.
- Dry ports and offices not yet connected (for example Badr Dry Port). NAFEZA said the exporter must still register the shipment on Nafeza and obtain the UCR first. Customs work there starts only after a printed export declaration bearing the UCR is submitted.
- Goods registered at one office and shipped from another port. As reported by Al-Ahram, NAFEZA said there is one export declaration per shipment carrying the UCR. The registering office can issue more than one bosla (transit permit) if the goods move in stages, under Customs Procedures Circular No. 12 of 2026.
See also: Ain Sokhna port guide · Dry ports in Egypt
UCR, ACID and export declaration: what is the difference?
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| UCR | ACID | Export declaration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Direction | Exports from Egypt | Imports into Egypt | Exports from Egypt |
| Issued on | Nafeza | Nafeza | Filed with the customs office; carries the UCR |
| Requested by | Exporter, or their customs broker | Egyptian importer (or their broker) | Exporter or their customs broker |
| Needed before | The sea booking | The goods are shipped to Egypt | Customs work on the export starts |
| Shown to the carrier | Yes, at booking | Yes, on the B/L or AWB | No (customs document) |
Why was my export booking rejected? A checklist
Check these before you book. Every item comes from the carriers' own notices.
- No UCR in the booking. Not accepted (Maersk, CMA CGM, ONE).
- Dummy UCR such as “xxx” or “222”. The booking is cancelled (CMA CGM).
- Invalid UCR. Not accepted or cancelled (Maersk); delayed until you answer an RFI (CMA CGM).
- Shipper name does not match the registered export shipment (Maersk).
- Tax ID missing (ONE, CMA CGM).
- UCR or shipper changed after booking. The booking must be cancelled and resubmitted, subject to space (Maersk); changing the UCR cancels the booking at once (ONE).
- Split booking. Maersk no longer accepts split requests; CMA CGM needs a new UCR for each split.
- Wrong container gated in. It must be a container assigned to that booking (Maersk, CMA CGM).
- No reply to a Customs RFI. The cargo can be held or get a “do not load” instruction (CMA CGM).
Booking through INTTRA/EDI? Put the UCR (and tax ID) in the remarks field (Maersk, CMA CGM, ONE).
Send this to your Egyptian shipper
For foreign buyers and forwarders: copy this message to the shipper in Egypt before you book.
To our shipper in Egypt — UCR for your export booking
Before we book your shipment, please send us:
- The UCR number issued on Nafeza for this shipment (copy it exactly as Nafeza shows it).
- The shipper name exactly as registered for this export shipment.
- Your exporter tax ID (9 digits).
Please do not change the UCR or the shipper after we book. The shipping line will cancel the booking.
How Al-Rouby helps
- We get the UCR, or check yours. We can request the UCR on Nafeza as your customs broker, or check the one you requested.
- We check the booking details first. Before you book, we check that the UCR, shipper name and tax ID match. This avoids rejections and rebookings.
- We handle the export declaration at Ain Sokhna, Alexandria/Dekheila, Damietta, Port Said and Safaga/Adabiya, and we coordinate files from inland dry ports.
Export customs clearance · Pre-shipment document review · Send your export details
Frequently Asked Questions
Short answers about the UCR for exports from Egypt.
Both names mean the same number. NAFEZA's English pages say Unique Consignment Reference. “Unified” is a translation of the Arabic name «الرقم التعريفي الموحد للشحنات».
Maersk and CMA CGM describe it as a 19-digit number, while some guides show 20 digits. Copy it exactly as Nafeza issues it.
No. The UCR is for exports from Egypt. The ACID is the advance cargo number for imports into Egypt under ACI.
Yes. The UCR can be requested by the exporter, or by their customs broker on their behalf. Al-Rouby does both, depending on the client.
Yes, to request the UCR yourself. NAFEZA says the account can be registered by the trader or a delegated customs broker, shipping agent, freight forwarder or container handling company.
No. Maersk and CMA CGM do not accept a change of UCR or shipper after booking, and ONE cancels the booking at once. You must cancel and book again.
Yes. Customs requires a UCR for exports from all customs points, and carriers apply the rule to bookings from all Egyptian ports. The full electronic cycle started at Ain Sokhna and is being extended port by port.
You still register the shipment on Nafeza and obtain the UCR first. Customs work starts only after you submit a printed export declaration bearing the UCR.
Planning an export from Egypt?
Send us the goods, the port and your booking date. We check the UCR, shipper and tax ID before you book.
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