Minister of Finance Ahmed Kouchouk explained that the pilot phase, which began in 2022, will continue until the end of December 2025 to allow investors and importers sufficient time to adjust their procedures.

Minister of Finance Ahmed Kouchouk announced that the Advance Cargo Information (ACI) system will be officially implemented at Egypt’s airports on January 1st, 2026, marking a new step on the path of partnership and trust between the Ministry of Finance and the business community. He explained that the pilot phase, which began in 2022, will continue until the end of December 2025 to allow investors and importers sufficient time to adjust their procedures.

 

Kouchouk highlighted the close and continuous coordination with Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade Hassan El-Khatib to facilitate trade flows, enhance Egypt’s economic competitiveness, and reduce customs clearance time and business costs.

 

He noted that the pilot application of the ACI system for air cargo has received positive feedback from business partners, emphasizing that the Ministry continues to simplify and automate customs procedures to shorten clearance time and reduce the cost of imports and exports.

 

Kouchouk affirmed that the ACI system at seaports is fully operational and stable, with 2.5 million customs release certificates already issued. The system, he explained, reduces the cost of document authentication abroad, alleviates burdens on the business community, and prevents the rejection of non-compliant shipments upon arrival. It also encourages traders to complete all customs procedures before cargo arrival, making greater use of pre-clearance mechanisms to speed up and streamline declaration processes.

 

He added that the “NAFEZA” single-window electronic platform now covers all trade movement channels, integrating the ACI system for air cargo. The new framework strengthens governance, transparency, and the accuracy of foreign currency planning, while preventing the entry of unidentified goods to ensure the quality of products entering Egyptian markets.

 

Kouchouk underscored that the integration between the NAFEZA platform and the e-invoicing system will further enhance the governance of Egypt’s economy in a more comprehensive manner.

 

Head of the Egyptian Customs Authority Ahmed Amawi called on importers, customs brokers, and air freight agents to register in the ACI system through the NAFEZA portal, stressing that the objective is to facilitate import procedures, safeguard national industry, and eliminate unfair trade practices that harm legitimate international commerce.