The egyptian customs authority officialfacebook page
ECA head Ahmed Amoui said the authority is expanding automation and AI-based classification tools to reduce manual processing and increase the accuracy of customs valuations. He gave no timeline for implementation.
The ministry said the goal is to cut clearance times for strategic goods, including food and medicine, to two days, down from an average of five days in 2025.
Officials say the use of AI is expected to strengthen the investment climate, support local industry, and improve the competitiveness of Egyptian exports by reducing delays at ports.
The ACI system gives authorities real-time information on incoming shipments. Importers, brokers, and air-freight agents must register through the Nafeza digital platform, which now covers all trade routes. Companies compliant with ACI requirements receive priority treatment through the Authorised Economic Operator programme.
The system is scheduled to become mandatory for air cargo at all airports on 1 January 2026. The pilot phase, launched in 2022, will continue until the end of December to allow operational adjustments, Finance Minister Ahmed Kouchouk said.
He added that the private sector has given positive feedback on the trial, and that the ACI platform at seaports is functioning smoothly, with more than 2.5 million release certificates issued to date.
Customs reform is a central component of Egypt’s programme with the IMF, which calls for greater digitalisation, simplified procedures, and reduced bureaucratic delays to boost trade flows and investor confidence.
Mandatory pre-shipment ACID registration and digitised processing are among the key measures being rolled out as part of wider fiscal reforms.
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