Egypt ACI Now Mandatory for Air Shipments from 1 January 2026

The Egyptian Customs Authority, working alongside the Ministry of Finance, has announced that the Advance Cargo Information (ACI) system will become mandatory for all air freight shipments to Egypt from 1 January 2026.

This is a significant step in Egypt’s ongoing effort to modernise its customs infrastructure and improve advance visibility into incoming air cargo. If you’re regularly shipping goods to Egypt by air, it’s worth preparing now rather than waiting until January.

What Is the Egypt ACI?

ACI (Advance Cargo Information) is a pre-arrival declaration system that requires shippers and freight forwarders to submit key cargo details to Egyptian customs before the aircraft departs from the port of origin. Information typically includes:

• Cargo description and HS codes
• Shipper and consignee details
• Airway bill number
• Weight and dimensions
• Freight value

The idea is to give customs authorities time to assess each shipment before it arrives, rather than processing everything on arrival — which speeds up clearance and makes the system more secure.

Who Does This Affect?

If you’re shipping via air freight into any Egyptian airport — Cairo, Alexandria, Hurghada, Luxor — this requirement will apply to you. The mandate covers all cargo types arriving by air.

It’s worth noting that Egypt already has an ACI-type system in place for sea freight (the ACID number requirement). The January 2026 mandate extends similar pre-declaration requirements to the air freight sector.

What Should Shippers Do Now?

• Confirm with your freight forwarder or agent that they are aware of the 1 January 2026 deadline and have a process in place
• Ensure you can provide the necessary cargo details in advance for all Egypt-bound air shipments
• Contact us if you need help navigating the ACI process

Our team handles Egyptian customs documentation across both sea and air freight. Reach out with any questions.

Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +971 56 470 4833