How do CargoX and ACI work when you export to Egypt?
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Every shipment to Egypt needs an ACID number: the Egyptian importer registers the shipment in NAFEZA using the pro-forma invoice and receives the ACID within 48 hours, then the foreign exporter sends the invoice, certificate of origin and transport document to the importer through CargoX at least 48 hours before arrival. ACI has been mandatory for sea freight since 1 October 2021 and for air freight since 1 January 2026; each exporter registers on CargoX once and pays a USD 15 verification fee (Switzerland Global Enterprise).
What are the ACI and CargoX facts every exporter needs?
| Fact | Value | Source | As of |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sea freight | ACI mandatory since 1 October 2021 | cargox.io | 2026 |
| Air freight | Test phase from September 2025; mandatory from 1 January 2026 | s-ge.com | 2025 |
| Exporter registration | Register once on CargoX; company verification costs USD 15 | s-ge.com | 2025 |
| ACID number | Generated within 48 hours after the importer files the shipment in NAFEZA | s-ge.com | 2025 |
| Upload deadline | Shipping documents uploaded via CargoX at least 48 hours before the goods arrive in Egypt | s-ge.com | 2025 |
| Documents uploaded | Commercial invoice (PDF and structured Excel), packing list, certificate of origin, transport document | cargox.io | 2026 |
| CargoX charges | 160 units per ACID (sea); 80 units per ACID (air, reduced rate 1 Jan – 30 Jun 2026); 3 units per document, maximum 15 per ACID | cargox.io | 2026 |
| Medical devices: EDA first | The EDA import approval is issued on the pro-forma invoice and must exist before the goods ship | edaegypt.gov.eg | |
| Invoice consistency | The release file needs a commercial invoice stamped by the factory and identical to the one uploaded for ACI | edaegypt.gov.eg | |
| Under-declaration | Declaring a value that cuts customs tax by more than 20% triggers a fine of half the tax at risk | kadmar.com | 2020 |
| Search demand we measured | 'cargox egypt' 590 a month; 'aci egypt' 110 a month; 'nafeza' 60,500 a month, worldwide (Google Keyword Planner, UltraTeb measurement) | ads.google.com |
CargoX 'units' are platform credits bought in advance; their price is set by CargoX. Last verified 2026-09-25.
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What happens, in order, for a medical-device shipment?
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Agree the pro-forma invoice
Prices per SKU on the pro-forma become the EDA value, the ACI value and the customs value — they must match.
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EDA import approval
The importer files it on the pro-forma; EDA replies within 2 working days.
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ACID from NAFEZA
The importer registers the shipment in NAFEZA and receives the ACID within 48 hours, then sends you the ACID and its tax ID.
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Verify your CargoX account (once)
Register your company on CargoX and complete the USD 15 verification.
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Put the ACID on your documents and ship
The ACID goes on the invoice, certificate of origin and bill of lading or air waybill.
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Upload through CargoX
At least 48 hours before arrival; the importer accepts the documents in NAFEZA.
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Arrival and release
Customs declaration, duty and VAT payment, and the EDA release inspection.
Which mistakes stop shipments at the port?
- Different values on the pro-forma, the ACI invoice and the customs declaration.
- Shipping medical devices before the EDA import approval is issued.
- No ACID on the invoice, certificate of origin or transport document.
- An unverified CargoX account when the documents are due.
- A commercial invoice without the factory's stamp, or not identical to the ACI invoice.
- Uploading later than 48 hours before arrival.
Who pays for CargoX, the exporter or the importer?
The exporter holds the CargoX account, completes the one-time verification and uploads the documents, so the CargoX document credits are normally on the exporter's side. NAFEZA filing and the ACID request are done by the Egyptian importer.
Do I need ACI for samples or small air parcels?
Air freight has been inside ACI since 1 January 2026. For medical devices, samples have their own EDA rules: only scientific offices may import promotional samples, and importers may import up to 10 evaluation samples per code, once (EDA import guideline).
“The pro-forma is the anchor: EDA, NAFEZA, CargoX and customs all read the same invoice, so get it right the first time.” — Mohamed Dabees, founder, UltraTeb
UltraTeb Market Access is a zero-upfront-fee route into Egypt's medical market: UltraTeb registers, imports, markets, stores and sells your product, shares the risk, and pays you when it sells.
What does UltraTeb Market Access do for your shipments?
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EDA approval and ACID
We obtain the import approval and the ACID, then send you exact document instructions.
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Document check before upload
We check that invoice values, SKUs and stamps match across EDA, ACI and customs.
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Clearance, duty and VAT
We clear the goods and pay the duty and VAT on arrival.
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Storage and selling
Your goods go into our warehouse and on sale — you're paid when they sell.
Frequently asked questions
What is CargoX in Egypt?
The digital document platform foreign exporters use to send shipping documents to Egyptian importers under Egypt's Advance Cargo Information (ACI) system.
What is an ACID number?
The Advance Cargo Information Declaration number the Egyptian importer obtains in NAFEZA for each shipment. It must appear on the invoice, certificate of origin and transport document.
How much does CargoX cost?
Is ACI required for air freight?
Yes, since 1 January 2026, after a test phase that began in September 2025.
When must documents be uploaded?
At least 48 hours before the goods arrive in Egypt.
What is NAFEZA?
Egypt's national single window for foreign trade, where the importer registers the shipment and receives the ACID (NAFEZA).
What happens if a shipment arrives without an ACID?
It is refused. Plan the ACID and the upload before the goods leave.
Does ACI replace the EDA import approval?
No. Medical devices need both: the EDA approval before shipping and the ACID for customs.
We handle the ACID, EDA approval and clearance.
You register on CargoX once and ship. Zero upfront fees — you're paid when we sell.