ACI & Nafeza Support in Egypt
ACI is Egypt's advance cargo information process; NAFEZA is the platform used for the importer-side workflow. Al-Rouby helps importers and overseas suppliers align shipment data, registration readiness and document timing before loading. Share the draft file before booking so each party's next action is clear.
What is ACI and Nafeza in Egypt?
ACI (Advance Cargo Information) is Egypt's pre-arrival cargo declaration requirement: shipment data must be submitted and an ACID number obtained before cargo is loaded. Nafeza is the national single-window platform where the ACI file and customs procedures are processed. Al-Rouby Customs supports importers and suppliers on both sides of this workflow.
ACI has been enforced for maritime imports since October 2021 and became fully mandatory for air freight on January 1, 2026. In practice, ACI turns customs preparation into a pre-shipment activity: files that are complete and consistent before loading clear faster on arrival, while files with mismatches between the ACI data and the actual shipping documents create holds that are expensive to unwind. NAFEZA — aviation ACI notice
How does the ACI process work for shipments entering Egypt?
The importer initiates the ACI submission with cargo details, Egyptian Customs issues the ACID number, the supplier includes the ACID on shipping documents, and the file proceeds through Nafeza into clearance. Al-Rouby coordinates each hand-off so the file stays consistent.
- ACI submission. Cargo details, importer and supplier data are submitted ahead of loading.
- ACID number. A unique 19-digit ACID identifier is issued. The Egyptian Customs Authority strictly mandates that it be clearly printed on both the Bill of Lading and the Commercial Invoice — missing numbers result in immediate rejection at the port.
- Supplier alignment. The foreign supplier receives the ACID and reflects it on the invoice, packing list, and transport document.
- Nafeza processing. The file and documents move through the single window toward arrival and clearance.
- Clearance connection. Our clearance team takes over the same file at the port — no hand-off gap.
Chapters
- 0:00 Customs starts before loading
- 0:05 The risk
- 0:13 Connect before shipping
- 0:22 Before cargo moves
- 0:35 Sea & air across Egypt
- 0:42 Share your draft file before booking
Read the on-screen text
Shipping to Egypt? Customs starts before loading. Sea freight · Since Oct 2021; Air freight · Mandatory Jan 2026.
Late filing. Missing ACID. Data mismatch. One discrepancy can stop a shipment.
Two platforms. One aligned file. NAFEZA (Importer · Egypt): Single-window account & ACI request. AL-ROUBY (Customs Broker): Aligns importer & supplier before loading. CARGOX (Foreign Exporter): Verified account & electronic documents. 19-Digit ACID · Printed on Invoice & B/L.
Every hand-off, checked. 01 CargoX & Proforma: Exporter verifies CargoX and shares proforma data. 02 ACI on Nafeza: ACI request submitted on Nafeza before loading. 03 19-Digit ACID: Issued and printed on the Invoice and Bill of Lading. 04 CargoX Transfer: Exporter uploads final invoice, packing list, COO and B/L. 05 Al-Rouby Check: HS codes, weights and values matched before arrival. 06 Port Clearance: Same file moves into customs release — no hand-off gap.
One team from ACID to release. Clearing cargo in Egypt since 1984. Alexandria · Damietta · Port Said · Suez · Ain Sokhna · Cairo Airport · SCZone.
Share your draft file before booking. al-rouby.com/services/aci-nafeza.html
To see where ACI fits in the whole clearance, watch the 43-second film on our customs clearance page.
Who does what in ACI: importer, exporter, broker and carrier?
In ACI the importer in Egypt requests the ACID, the foreign exporter registers on CargoX and sends the final documents electronically, the carrier shows the ACID on the transport documents, and the broker checks that every document matches the ACI request before the cargo arrives.
New supplier? See our CargoX registration guide for the exporter's verification steps, documents and fees.
| Party | Main responsibilities |
|---|---|
| Importer (Egypt) | Holds the Nafeza account and the importer registration; submits the ACI request or authorises the broker; accepts the exporter's documents on Nafeza |
| Foreign exporter | Registers and verifies its CargoX account; gives the importer its company details; prints the ACID on the commercial invoice; uploads the final invoice, packing list, certificate of origin and transport document through CargoX |
| Al-Rouby (broker) | Prepares and checks the ACI request; explains the requirements to the supplier directly; checks the uploaded documents against the request; connects the file to the customs declaration at arrival |
| Carrier (shipping line or airline) | Shows the ACID on the bill of lading or air waybill and on the manifest submitted to Egyptian Customs |
In what order are ACI documents handed over?
The ACI file moves in seven steps, from the exporter's details to the declaration at arrival. Each step depends on the one before it, so a late or wrong step at origin delays everything after it.
- Exporter → importer: the exporter's company details and the proforma invoice data. The exporter also sets up and verifies its CargoX account.
- Importer or Al-Rouby → Nafeza: the ACI request is submitted before shipment.
- Nafeza → importer and exporter: the 19-digit ACID is issued and emailed automatically to both.
- Exporter → carrier: the ACID is printed on the commercial invoice and passed to the shipping line or airline for the bill of lading or air waybill and the manifest.
- Exporter → importer (through CargoX): the final invoice, packing list, certificate of origin and transport document are sent electronically.
- Al-Rouby check: ACID, HS codes, quantities, weights and values are compared with the ACI request; mismatches go back to the exporter for correction before arrival.
- Al-Rouby → customs: at arrival the declaration is submitted on Nafeza under the ACID, and clearance continues.
More detail: the ACI system guide, the ACID number guide, customs clearance and pre-shipment document review.
What are the most common ACI errors?
The most common ACI problems are late submission, mismatches between ACI data and shipping documents, missing or incorrect supplier details, and the ACID not appearing on the transport documents. All of them are preventable with early preparation.
- Late submission — ACI started after the supplier was ready to load
- Data mismatch — weights, values, or descriptions that differ between the ACI file and the invoice
- Supplier details — incorrect or incomplete exporter information
- Missing ACID — transport documents issued without the ACID number
Deeper background is in our ACI system guide and the ACID number Egypt guide.
What do suppliers outside Egypt need to do for ACI?
Foreign suppliers need the ACID number from the importer, must include it on shipping documents, and must keep their document details consistent with the ACI file. We coordinate directly with suppliers to align documents and timing before cargo moves.
We regularly work with suppliers who have never shipped to Egypt before — explaining what they need to provide, in a form they can act on. If your supplier is unfamiliar with Egyptian requirements, that is exactly what this service is for.
Frequently Asked Questions
Practical answers on ACI timing and responsibility.
As soon as cargo details and commercial terms are fixed — before the supplier loads. Starting ACI late is one of the most common causes of avoidable delay for Egypt-bound cargo.
Yes. We coordinate with foreign suppliers directly — aligning documents, the ACID number, and timing before cargo moves.
Inconsistencies between the ACI file and shipping documents can trigger holds, re-submission, or inspection on arrival. We identify and correct mismatches during pre-shipment review wherever possible.
Yes. With the importer's authorisation we prepare and submit the ACI request on Nafeza, follow the ACID with the supplier and check the supplier's documents when they arrive through CargoX. The importer's Nafeza account and registration stay in the importer's name.
Need ACI or Nafeza support for a shipment to Egypt?
Share the cargo profile, supplier status, and timing. We will map out the ACI steps and the document work needed before loading.
Request QuoteContent reviewed: · Al Rouby Customs Clearance & Logistics
Prepare your shipment enquiry
Information to prepare
- Importer and supplier registration status and any existing ACID
- Draft invoice, packing list and transport details
- Expected shipment date and arrival window
Pre-Shipment Document Review for 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 aviation notice sets the mandatory air-cargo ACI start date at 1 January 2026. Confirm the current filing procedure for the shipment before booking. NAFEZA — aviation ACI notice.
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