The exemption from registration on the ACI ahead of arrival at Egyptian ports will continue for three months. In cases where finalizing customs procedures is needed, priority will be given to transit shipments already experiencing schedule delays due to the US-Israel war on Iran, the head of the Egyptian Customs Authority, Ahmed Amoui, said in the statement.
Egypt has also been facing temporary capital-flow pressures and disturbance in international supply chains, especially in the energy sector, since the start of the US-Israel war on Iran and Iran's retaliatory attacks against US targets in several Gulf and Arab states.
Moreover, the exemptions aim to accelerate the movement and shipping of goods to their destinations through Egyptian ports. Minister of Finance Ahmed Kouchouk also confirmed that Egypt is “working to contribute to resolving the supply chain crisis, especially on maritime routes connecting the European Union and the Arabian Gulf, and boost international trade.”
The ACI enables traders to complete customs procedures before the cargo arrives. It allows for quicker and simpler declaration processing and pre-clearance mechanisms. Initially available for seaports, it was recently made available for air cargo in January 2026.
The system gives real-time information on incoming shipments. Importers, brokers, and air-freight agents must register through the Nafeza digital platform, which covers all trade routes.
Companies compliant with ACI requirements receive priority treatment through the Authorised Economic Operator programme.
Furthermore, the ACI helps streamline customs procedures, digitalize operations, and reduce clearance time and costs, boosting Egypt’s trade competitiveness.
It has reduced document authentication costs abroad, eased burdens on businesses, and prevented shipment rejections caused by non-compliance with import specifications.
The ECA has been planning to incorporate artificial intelligence into the ACI to reduce clearance times and improve risk assessment, especially for strategic goods such as food and medicine, to two days, down from an average of five days in 2025.
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