News
The Egyptian Minister of Finance has announced simplified and expedited procedures and rules for the trade and investment in Egypt, issuing the decree No. 38 of 2021 which involves the Advance Cargo Information (ACI).
ACI is a new customs system that requires cargo data and documents (commercial invoice and final or initial bill of lading) at least 48 hours before cargo shipment from export country, to enable stakeholders to monitor any risk to the state through the Risk Management System (RMS), with the highest priority given to the security of Egyptian citizens.
The pilot phase will start on April 1, 2021 and the mandatory operation phase will start from July, 1, 2021.
Importers are required:
- to register on the National Single Window for Foreign Trade Facilitation (Nafeza). Nafeza is an integrated information platform to achieve the integration and coordination of procedures and information exchange between all parties that are involved in the foreign trade system in Egypt, and allowing the business and trade community to submit all documents and transactions (customs / control authorities / ports) once through a logistics services center (or via Online ''e-portal'') to fulfill all regulatory requirements related to the release of goods.
- to obtain the electronic signature pad from competent authorities to access Nafeza;
- to list advance cargo data and acquire ACID prior to the start of import operations;
- to submit cargo data and documents (commercial invoice and final or initial bill of lading) prior to shipment; and
- to notify overseas exporters dealing with electronic invoices and bills of lading at least 48 hours prior to connect with Nafeza through supply chain networks using Block-chain technology.
