Customs Clearance in Egypt
Customs clearance covers the declaration, assessment, any required inspection and release of a shipment. Al-Rouby coordinates the file and operational follow-up for importers and exporters; start with the cargo description and draft documents so unresolved requirements can be identified before arrival.
What is customs clearance in Egypt?
Customs clearance in Egypt is the process of declaring goods to Egyptian Customs, submitting the required documents, completing HS classification and valuation, passing inspection where selected, paying applicable duties, and obtaining release so cargo can leave the port or airport. Al-Rouby Customs supports importers and exporters through every step of this process at Egypt's major ports.
Commercial imports into Egypt are processed through the ACI (Advance Cargo Information) system and the Nafeza single-window platform. ACI is mandatory for all commercial maritime imports and became fully mandatory for air freight on January 1, 2026. Limited exceptions apply — indirect transit shipments with strategic exemptions, postal and express parcels up to 50 kg, and excess personal baggage a traveller hands in at the departure airport — but standalone personal cargo shipped via maritime freight forwarders is not exempt and must also be registered on Nafeza. Preparation before cargo arrives — not after — matters most: standard shipments are cleared very quickly, while those requiring additional regulatory approvals depend on the specific authorities involved.
How does customs clearance work in Egypt?
Al-Rouby Customs executes customs clearance in six steps: pre-shipment document review, ACI and Nafeza readiness, customs declaration, classification and valuation alignment, inspection follow-up, and release coordination with inland handover.
- Pre-shipment document review. We check the commercial invoice, packing list, transport document, and any permits against Egyptian requirements while cargo is still at origin, so discrepancies can be corrected before arrival.
- ACI and Nafeza readiness. We coordinate the ACI submission and ACID number with importer and supplier so the file is compliant before loading.
- Customs declaration. The declaration is prepared and submitted through Nafeza with the correct customs regime (final import, export, temporary admission, or other).
- Classification and valuation. We align HS code classification and declared value with the supporting documents to avoid re-classification disputes.
- Inspection follow-up. If the shipment is selected for examination, we follow up on scheduling, attendance, and any findings until the inspection closes.
- Release and handover. After applicable duties and charges are settled, we coordinate release and connect the file to the next inland logistics step.
What does Al-Rouby's customs clearance service include?
Our clearance service covers the file from the first document check to cargo release: document review, ACI coordination, the customs declaration, classification and value support, inspection follow-up, and release with handover to inland transport. The importer pays duties, taxes and port charges. Registrations that belong to the importer or the supplier stay with them, and we explain what is needed and when.
Included in every clearance file:
- Review of the commercial invoice, packing list, transport document, certificate of origin and any permits before loading.
- ACI coordination with you and your supplier. With your authorisation, we submit the ACI request on Nafeza.
- Preparation and submission of the customs declaration on Nafeza.
- HS classification and valuation checked against the supporting documents.
- An estimate of duties and taxes before the declaration is submitted.
- Coordination of approvals with GOEIC and other relevant authorities.
- Attendance and follow-up when the shipment is selected for inspection.
- Release coordination and handover to the trucking or warehouse team.
Not included unless agreed in the quote:
- The importer's registration in the Importers' Register (importer card). It is required for commercial imports; limited exceptions apply under conditions, such as goods for the importer's own use and personal effects.
- Product or factory registration with GOEIC, which is the supplier's or trademark owner's responsibility.
- Cargo insurance.
- Storage, demurrage or detention caused by late or incorrect documents.
- Inland transport, which is quoted separately (see logistics solutions).
What do you receive during and after clearance?
You get clear findings before the cargo ships, updates at each customs milestone, and the documents that show the shipment was cleared and released.
| Stage | You receive |
|---|---|
| Before loading | A list of document discrepancies and the corrections needed, so the supplier can fix them at origin |
| ACI | Confirmation that the ACID and the supplier's documents match the ACI request |
| Before submission | An estimate of duties, taxes and expected charges |
| During clearance | Updates by WhatsApp or email when the declaration is submitted, when an inspection is scheduled, and at release |
| At release | A copy of the customs declaration, the payment receipts and the release confirmation |
Who is responsible for each step of customs clearance?
Clearance works when each party does its own part on time. The importer holds the registrations and pays the duties, the supplier issues correct documents, the carrier carries the ACID on the transport documents, and Al-Rouby prepares, checks and follows the customs file.
Scroll horizontally to compare all columns.
| Step | Importer in Egypt | Foreign supplier | Al-Rouby | Carrier |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Importer registration and customs data | Responsible | — | Checks before the file starts | — |
| ACI request and ACID | Submits, or authorises us | Provides its exporter details | Prepares and checks the request | — |
| Commercial invoice, packing list, certificate of origin | Agrees terms with the supplier | Issues the documents | Reviews them before loading | — |
| Documents through CargoX | Accepts them on Nafeza | Uploads them | Checks them against the ACI request | — |
| Bill of lading / air waybill and manifest | — | Gives the ACID to the carrier | Checks the ACID on the transport document | Shows the ACID on the B/L, AWB and manifest |
| Customs declaration | Provides the authorisation | — | Prepares and submits it | — |
| Duties, taxes and port charges | Pays | — | Calculates the estimate | — |
| Inspection and agency approvals | Provides product details and certificates | Provides test reports or certificates | Attends and coordinates | — |
| Release and inland handover | Receives the cargo | — | Coordinates release and handover | Releases the cargo against the delivery order |
Problems at origin are cheaper to fix before loading; see pre-shipment document review, customs brokerage, the ACID number guide and required import documents.
What documents are required for customs clearance in Egypt?
The core document set for most imports into Egypt is the commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading or air waybill, certificate of origin where required, and any cargo-specific permits or approvals.
| Document | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Commercial invoice | Basis for customs valuation and duty calculation |
| Packing list | Describes quantities, weights, and package composition |
| Bill of lading / air waybill | Contract of carriage and receipt for the cargo; a negotiable bill of lading is also the document of title (an air waybill is not) |
| Certificate of origin | Required where preferential or origin rules apply |
| Permits or approvals | Cargo-specific requirements (regulated goods, standards, food safety, etc.) |
| ACID number (19-digit) | Mandatory shipment identifier under ACI. It must appear on the bill of lading or air waybill, the manifest, the commercial invoice and the other shipping documents; without it the goods are not cleared and can be re-shipped abroad at the carrier's expense |
A full checklist with timing is available in our guide to required import documents in Egypt, and early document checks are covered under pre-shipment document review.
How long does customs clearance take in Egypt?
Clearance is completed very quickly for shipments without regulatory holds; otherwise, the timeframe depends entirely on the specific regulatory agency's requirements. Document readiness before arrival is the strongest predictor of speed; send us your shipment documents for a shipment-specific estimate.
Factors that most often extend the timeline:
- Document discrepancies between invoice, packing list, and transport document
- ACI or ACID work started late at origin
- Missing permits for regulated cargo
- Classification or valuation questions raised during review
- Inspection selection and examination scheduling
See our detailed breakdown in customs clearance time in Egypt.
What does customs clearance cost in Egypt?
Customs clearance cost in Egypt is made up of customs duties and VAT determined by HS classification and declared value, port and terminal charges, and clearance service fees. Reviewing these components before the shipment moves is what prevents surprises.
We break down each component in customs clearance cost in Egypt, including what causes costs to increase and how document quality affects the total.
Which Egyptian ports does Al-Rouby clear cargo at?
Al-Rouby Customs supports clearance at Ain Sokhna Port, Alexandria and Dekheila, Port Said (East and West terminals), Cairo International Airport, and zone-linked movements through the Suez Canal Economic Zone — all major electronic hubs within the Nafeza national single window.
- Customs clearance at Ain Sokhna Port — Red Sea gateway for industrial and project cargo
- Customs clearance at Alexandria and Dekheila — Egypt's main Mediterranean import flow
- Suez Canal Economic Zone — zone-linked cargo with additional procedural awareness
- Port Said (East and West terminals) — Mediterranean and transit cargo flows
- Cairo International Airport — air cargo with coordinated customs handling
Frequently Asked Questions
Practical answers to the questions importers ask most often.
Before cargo is loaded at origin, ideally as soon as the commercial terms are fixed. That leaves enough time for ACI work, document review, and permit checks instead of fixing problems after arrival.
Yes. We support final import, export, temporary admission, and other practical customs regimes for commercial and industrial cargo.
Document discrepancies, late ACI work, missing permits, and unclear HS classification or valuation details. Most of these are preventable with pre-shipment review.
Few. Transit cargo has strategic exemptions: Procedural Notice No. 4 of 2026 (March 2026) temporarily exempted indirect transit shipments through Egyptian ports to and from the Gulf region from the ACID requirement, and Notice No. 10 of 2026 (June 2026) extended this by six months and added shipments to or from several East African countries. This exemption is valid until December 2026. Please verify the current status before shipping. For air shipments, postal and express parcels up to 50 kg, and personal belongings a traveller hands in at the departure airport as excess baggage, are also exempt. Standalone personal cargo shipped via maritime freight forwarders is not exempt: it must be registered on Nafeza using the citizen's ID or the foreigner's passport number to generate an ACID.
Yes. We connect customs completion to the next logistics step — inland transport, receiving windows, and delivery planning — through our logistics solutions.
The importer pays duties, taxes and port charges. Al-Rouby calculates an estimate before the declaration is submitted, so the amount is known in advance. Advancing payments on the importer's behalf is possible only when agreed in the quote.
Unless agreed, a clearance quote does not include the importer's registration, product registration with GOEIC, cargo insurance, inland transport, or storage and demurrage caused by late documents.
Need customs clearance for a shipment to or from Egypt?
Share the cargo profile, expected port, timing, and any draft documents. We will review the file and 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
- Draft invoice, packing list and transport details
- Proposed port or airport and delivery destination
Pre-Shipment Document Review for Egypt · Discuss the document review and next steps
Official requirements and practical guidance
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.
Use the official tariff lookup to check the full commodity code. A product description alone does not establish a duty rate; valuation, origin and the import regime also affect the assessment. NAFEZA — official customs tariff lookup.
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