Egypt’s Minister of Finance Mohamed Maait has confirmed that 400 major import companies have joined the country’s new Advanced Cargo Information (ACI) customs system since it was launched tentatively on 1 April.
Maait said that requests to import any shipment made through the ACI system have not been rejected. This reflects the keenness of importers and customs agents to import goods and products permitted in the Egyptian market in a manner consistent with efforts to halt goods of unknown source entering the country, and violating shipments.
The minister also said that the Egyptian government aims to transform the country into a developed global logistical area. This will take place by continuing the implementation of the national project to modernise and automate the customs administration system.
This is based on connecting all ports electronically through a “Nafeza” platform that will implement the provisions of Customs Law No 207 of the year 2020.
Moreover, in order to eliminate harmful practices in international trade, the mandatory application of the ACI pre-registration system for shipments in seaports will be launched on 1 July.
From this date, any goods shipped from abroad will be prohibited from entering Egyptian ports except through the ACI system. Consequently, importers and customs brokers should expedite registration in this new system, in a way that helps increase rates of pre-clearance of procedures before the arrival of goods and customs at ports.
This can improve Egypt’s ranking in international indicators, stimulate the investment climate, and maximise the competitiveness of the country’s exports.
Al-Shahat Ghattoury, Head of the Egyptian Customs Authority (ECA), affirmed his keenness to educate those dealing with the system to promote positive communication with importers and their agents.
Virtual seminars and training workshops will take place in cooperation with the Misr Technology Services (MTS), prior to the mandatory implementation of the ACI system through seaports on 1 July.
A total of 40 introductory seminars were held via video conference, in which about 3,500 people participated, and 1,000 companies were trained to use the pre-registration system for shipments.
The hotline 15460 and e-mail [email protected] are dedicated to directly answering any questions related to the new system.
Ghattoury called on importers and their agents to join the ACI system and create accounts on the electronic platform Nafeza (www.nafeza.gov.eg) and obtain an electronic signature, which is issued through the two companies MCDR or Egy Trust.
