Frequently Asked Questions concerning the Advanced Cargo Information System (Decision n. 38/2021)

The ACID number consists of 19 digits (numbers only)

There is already an electronic connection to the system with each of the General Organization for Import and Export Control, the Food Safety Authority, the National Authority for Regulating Communications, the Drug Control Department, and the Department of Counterfeiting and Forgery, and the link is successively done with all other authorities.

There are no fines for not using an ACID number.

The route, whether red, green or yellow, is specified for all importers when applying to customs to record the customs declaration in the form 46.

The ACID number can be verified by the Nafeza system and the importer can see its status. An ACID Number has a validity of 3months. In case shipment was not done after the 3 months, the importer will have to apply for another ACID number. And there is no penalty for not using the previous ACID number.

Yes.

The shipment will not be off loaded and will be reshipped on exporter’s expense. The provisions of Customs Law No. 207/2020 will be applied in this case.

At the moment, the ACI is covering Sea cargo only with a trial period for operation from the 1^st of April and mandatory to be applied on all shipments starting the 1^st of July. However, the Egyptian authorities are preparing a study to implement the system on passengers and ferries.

The companies that will provide the electronic signature are two certified companies, namely the Egypt Trust Company and the Misr Clearing Company. This service might cost around 1.000EGP for the first issue and 500EGP for annual renewal. Apply for e-Token at any of the companies authorized to provide the service. You will receive the e-Token device from the service provider. Insert the device in the computer and go to Nafeza online portal. Click on the "Sign Document" icon that will appear on different screens to sign using your own signature.

No, there is no charge for ACI service.

ACID number cannot be issued if the dealer number is suspended.

Yes, it does.

Yes, it will.

The decision to pre-register shipments applies to all shipments inbound at seaports, and there are no exemptions according to the Minister of Finance Decision No. 38 of 2021.

First of all, the exporter does not enter data on the Nafeza System. All data that are entered to the system are via the importer. The importer adds the data of his exporter in the system along with the items listed in the proforma invoice to generate the ACID Number. The Egyptian importer can give authorization to the customs broker or freight broker to carry out pre-registration procedures for shipments. An authorization / power of attorney from the importer must be signed and uploaded on the system to guarantee correctness of procedures.

The text of Article (73) Customs Law No. 207 of 2020 shall be applied.

The Advanced Cargo Information System applies to all industrial goods.

Data and documents are recorded on all shipments, each shipment separately.

The system stores data such as item, description and price.

The customs broker or freight broker can carry out pre-registration procedures for shipments under an authorization / power of attorney from the importer.

Yes

All fees incurred at Cargox must be paid by the exporter.

An ACI envelope is the set of documents that an exporter upload on cargox. This usually includes a draft B / L, invoice, packing list and COO.

Exporters can't choose between these types of blockchain supports because the ACI envelope requires partial support = USD 3 / document. This is pre-set in the ACI envelope, No document of title is part of the ACI envelope as this is mandated by Egyptian customs (and user cannot change that). Please find the link for the explanation of different levels of blockchain involvement with documents: https://help.cargox.digital/en/user-manual/documents-and-pricing/document-types/

We are dealing with the International Trade business and since the world is moving away from using documents and paper environment, accordingly, digitalization is the opportunity. Digitalization is important to secure the transfer of data, documents and the privacy of the companies. This is international trade and there’s competition, so it is important to rely on technology and a secure platform (blockchain) to ensure authenticity of the sender, storage of data and smooth receipt of documents to the importer. Hence, avoid tampering with documents.

Yes, of course.

It’s one payment only that takes it all.

The customs officers have access to the internet and can go online to check on the prices of commodities whenever they arrive for importation. 

CargoX maintains a very strict, GDPR-aligned policy, available at https://cargox.io/privacy-policy/. All personal data is stored in the EU. Cargox do not share any identifiable data on the blockchain (be it personal or content-wise) and do not share any personal information with any outside company without explicit user permission. The content is always encrypted.

The electronic signature is required by the Egyptian government and applies to any user who deals with the Nafeza system, whether it is the importer, customs broker, or government employee. This is for Egyptian citizens or residence in Egypt only.

It certainly does, as pre-registration of shipments and the initiation of pre-clearance procedures will help decision-makers in completing procedures before the shipment arrives. The main idea behind the system is to check shipments prior to arrival to ensure the correctness of the transaction, avoid fraud and smuggling of goods. The ACI system abides by the WTO rules and regulations.

Appendices are executed on pre-entered data.

There is no difference in the components of the number from one sector to another.

Of course, through the Nafeza portal, it is possible to review all the different transactions recorded.

Yes, there is currently a hotline for customer service and respond to all inquiries on 15460.

Yes, the system is applied to all incoming shipments at seaports according to the Minister of Finance Decision 38/2021.

The ACID is issued instant upon request. However, the ACI filing needs to be done 8 hours before the flight.

In this case there will be a master ACID and 3 house ACIDs.

As a foreign company located outside of Egypt, all you need to do is register on the CargoX Platform. As for your buyer - an Egyptian company importing your goods needs to register and use the Nafeza platform. 

Yes, the server has been updated and has been working smoothly for sea freight.

The airline will be responsible for:

• Ensuring that Importer and Exporter IDs and vat numbers are included.
• It shall be included on the messaging system as well to ensure its transmission electronically to the clearance.
• The manifest shall be uploaded upon take off or in two hours if it’s a long flight.
• Issuance of delivery permission via Nafeza.

Express shipment is exempted from the ACI process, express is defined according to the international agreement and definition of express shipments (max. of 50 kilos and not exceeding 2000USD).

Yes, as long as the importer or his agent approved the documents, the shipment is carried out using an electronic signature, and the customs release procedures are carried out according to a certificate of origin received electronically.

Yes, based on the authorization made from the person/company concerned to the clearance company or electronic authorization.

They will go through the procedures of ACI filing.

The ACID is issued instantly after the request.

It is exempted in addition to shipments of private use up to 2000 USD and of 50 kilos weight.

Yes, according to the executive regulations of Customs Law No. 207 of 2.

There is already an electronic connection to the system with each of the General Organization for Import and Export Control, the Food Safety Authority, the National Authority for Regulating Communications, the Drug Control Department, and the Department of Counterfeiting and Forgery, and the link is successively done with all other authorities.

Yes, comparative studies have been conducted prior to launching the system on air freight.

The existing account can be used for both sea and air freight.

The shipment will not be off loaded and will be reshipped on exporter’s expense. The provisions of Customs Law No. 207/2020 will be applied in this case.