Ain Sokhna Port — Customs Clearance & Port Support
Planning a shipment through Ain Sokhna requires coordination between the import file, port handling and inland destination. Al-Rouby has operational roots in Suez and Ain Sokhna and helps connect these steps. Share the cargo profile and delivery location before choosing the gateway or assuming a release window.
Chapters
- 0:00 The arrival
- 0:04 The whole journey
- 0:08 Before sailing
- 0:16 At the port
- 0:25 The next destination
- 0:32 Your next step
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Shipping through Ain Sokhna?
Plan beyond arrival. Shipment → Documents → Port → Destination.
Start before sailing. Document review. ACI / Nafeza coordination.
Coordinate the clearance steps. 01 Declaration · 02 Inspection, if selected · 03 Release coordination.
Connect release to delivery.
Tell us about your shipment. Cargo · Timing · Delivery location. Plan your shipment with Al-Rouby. al-rouby.com
What is Ain Sokhna Port?
Ain Sokhna Port is one of the six ports of the Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZone), with direct access from the Gulf of Suez. SCZone describes it as the “main gateway to the GCC, East Africa and Asia”; DP World operates its first and second basins, and the port has container, liquid-bulk, dry-bulk and general-cargo terminals. Clearance follows Egypt's national NAFEZA process. Al-Rouby's office is in TEDA Suez, beside the port.
Ain Sokhna was the first port on Egypt's electronic export system. See the UCR number guide for exporters.
For importers, Ain Sokhna combines Red Sea access with proximity to industrial zones — which makes preparation discipline matter even more: good preparation here reduces avoidable cost exposure and supports faster inland handover.
What cargo typically moves through Ain Sokhna?
Ain Sokhna typically handles containerized imports, industrial inputs, project cargo, and raw materials for the manufacturing base around the Suez corridor.
- Industrial inputs and manufacturing materials
- Project cargo and machinery
- Containerized imports (FCL and LCL)
- Raw materials for zone-based factories
Scroll horizontally to compare all columns.
| Terminal | Cargo listed by SCZone |
|---|---|
| Container terminal and second container terminal (CT2) | Containerised cargo |
| Liquid-bulk terminal (basin 3, south of the port) | LPG, ammonia, gas oil |
| Dry-bulk and general-cargo berths | Raw sugar, coal, iron ore; clinker and slag to a lesser extent |
How does customs clearance work at Ain Sokhna?
Clearance at Ain Sokhna follows the national process — ACI readiness before loading, declaration through Nafeza, classification and valuation, inspection where selected, and release coordination. Preparation before arrival is what keeps the file moving once the vessel berths.
The operational rhythm at the port rewards files that arrive complete: document discrepancies or late ACI work convert vessel time into storage time. We review the file against the port's procedural expectations before the cargo sails.
Since June 2026, a declaration under a straight (named) bill of lading can be filed before the delivery order is issued, with a signed undertaking; the delivery order is then presented before final release. With a “To Order” bill of lading, the delivery order still goes with the declaration. See what changed in 2026.
Does customs at Ain Sokhna work on Fridays and Saturdays?
Yes. Under a government decision approved by the Prime Minister, customs release offices and bank branches at Egyptian ports have worked every day of the week since 6 December 2024. On Friday 13 December 2024, the head of Suez Customs toured Ain Sokhna, where the customs yards, banks and logistics centre were working.
Other bodies, such as inspection authorities and shipping-line offices, may keep different hours, so check each one before planning a weekend release.
Vessel arriving before a weekend? Tell us early. We check which offices are working and plan the release around them, so your cargo doesn't wait for Sunday.
How does Al-Rouby support cargo at Ain Sokhna?
Al-Rouby Customs supports Ain Sokhna movements with document review, ACI and Nafeza coordination, inspection follow-up, and release planning — from an office inside the nearby TEDA SUEZ zone, close to the port's operational environment.
- Pre-shipment document review aligned with port expectations
- ACI/Nafeza coordination with importer and supplier
- Inspection follow-up and examination attendance
- Release coordination connected to inland handover
Cargo that continues into zone facilities can be planned together with our Suez Canal Economic Zone support, and clearance execution is described under customs clearance in Egypt.
See also: TEDA Suez Zone Customs & Logistics Support · Ain Sokhna vs Alexandria: Which Arrival Port? · Container Delivery from Egyptian Port to Factory
Frequently Asked Questions
Practical questions about Ain Sokhna operations.
If your cargo originates from Asia or Red Sea trade lanes, or your receiving facility sits along the Suez corridor or in the economic zone, Ain Sokhna is usually the natural choice. We review origin, cargo type, and final destination before recommending the port.
Yes. We connect customs release to the next inland step — transport, receiving windows, and delivery planning — through our logistics solutions.
A complete document set, a valid ACID printed on the Bill of Lading and commercial invoice, and any cargo-specific permits. Sharing draft documents with us before the vessel sails is the most effective preparation step.
SCZone names DP World as the main operator of the port's first and second basins.
Yes. It is one of the six SCZone ports, with West and East Port Said, Adabiya, Al-Arish and Al-Tor.
Yes. Customs release offices and port bank branches have worked every day of the week since December 2024. Other bodies may keep different hours, so confirm them before planning a weekend release.
Yes. Ain Sokhna was the first port on the developed export system (6 April 2026). The exporter needs a UCR number from Nafeza before booking.
Need support for cargo through Ain Sokhna?
Share the cargo profile, timing, and delivery expectations so we can outline the practical next steps.
Request QuoteContent reviewed: · Al Rouby Customs Clearance & Logistics
Prepare your shipment enquiry
Information to prepare
- Goods description, origin and intended use
- Expected shipment date and arrival window
- Carrier plan, delivery address and receiving restrictions
Customs Clearance in Egypt · Discuss the document review and next steps
Official requirements and practical guidance
NAFEZA explains advance submission of cargo information and the ACID workflow before shipment. The Egyptian importer and overseas supplier need to coordinate their data and documents. NAFEZA — advance cargo information.
NAFEZA's procedure steps explain the importer-side ACID request. A shipment checklist should then be checked against the cargo, transport mode and any approvals required by the competent authority. NAFEZA — ACID application steps.
Egyptian Customs Authority — developed export system launched at Ain Sokhna, 6 April 2026 (Arabic)
Al-Mal (press report, Arabic) — Friday work at Ain Sokhna, 14 December 2024
The official resources linked above explain the applicable procedures. Al-Rouby's checklists are practical planning advice; the required documents, approvals and charges depend on the goods, origin and import regime. Customs and other competent authorities determine the outcome.
Content reviewed: · Al Rouby Customs Clearance & Logistics