As of 1 January 2026, the Egyptian Customs Authority has officially mandated the use of the Advance Cargo Information (ACI) system for all air freight shipments entering Egypt. This follows the successful integration of the CargoX Blockchain Document Transfer services with Egypt’s NAFEZA single window system.
Packing flowers for air freight, Aalsmeer NL
With Dutch agricultural exports to Egypt—particularly high-value seeds, dairy, and floriculture exceeding $130 million annually, the shift to a mandatory ACI system for air freight is a critical update to ensure the seamless delivery of time-sensitive cargo. To ensure trade continuity and avoid shipments being denied entry, Dutch exporters must comply with the new electronic filing requirements through the CargoX platform.
The ACI process for air freight:
- ACID generation: the Egyptian importer initiates the process on the NAFEZA platform. Once customs validate the data, a unique ACID number is issued.
- Notification: the Dutch exporter receives an ACI notification via their CargoX account.
- Data transmission: the exporter must securely upload and transmit the required filing to NAFEZA for review.
- Approval: once customs approve the submission, the shipment may proceed to Egypt for standard clearance.
Key compliance requirements:
- Mandatory documents: exporters must upload the Air Waybill (AWB) copy, Invoice, Packing List, Invoice in NAFEZA XML format, and Certificate of Origin (COO).
- The 8-hour rule: all shipping documents must be filed electronically via CargoX at least 8 hours prior to the flight's departure.
- AWB requirements: the ACID number must be clearly included in the OCI segment of the Air Waybill, per IATA standards.
- Exceptions: there is currently an exception for express shipments weighing a maximum of 50 kg (110 lbs) with a value not exceeding USD 2,000.
Action steps for exporters:
If you have not yet transitioned your air freight operations to the digital system, you must:
- Register and verify your company profile on the CargoX Platform.
- Create your blockchain key and purchase the necessary units for filing.
- Note that existing CargoX accounts used for sea freight are fully compatible with air freight shipments.
If your company faces issues or has specific questions regarding these regulations, please reach out to the agriculture team at the Netherlands Embassy in Cairo for assistance: Kai-lvvn@minbuza.nl