MIDTRANS SHIPPING AND SERVICES · Established 1998Syria, UAE, Dubai, Jebel Ali, China, Turkey, Europe
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Egypt

Egypt shipping and customs FAQ

The questions that decide whether an Egyptian import goes smoothly are nearly always asked too late. These are the ones worth settling at booking rather than at the quay.

Filing and ACIDPorts and examinationCosts and timing
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Reviewed · MIDTRANS SHIPPING AND SERVICES

MIDTRANS operations deskCommon Egypt questions

Egypt shipping and customs FAQ

Freight forwarding EgyptEgypt customsACI for air freight
Three things worth settling early

Each of these is cheap to decide at booking and expensive to discover on arrival.

Do I need an ACID number to import into Egypt?

Yes, for both sea and air.

When exactly must the ACID exist?

Before loading, not before arrival.

Who registers the ACID, me or my supplier?

Both take part.

Syria, United States, Saudi Arabia, European Union, United Arab Emirates, China

Before you book

Three things worth settling early

Each of these is cheap to decide at booking and expensive to discover on arrival.

First, whether the ACID exists. Not whether the documents exist — whether the number has been registered on Nafeza and accepted. Second, which port, decided from the liner service, the cargo character and the inland destination rather than from the map. Third, who clears: in Egypt that is a licensed Egyptian broker, and knowing which one is appointed matters when an examination is called.

Everything below follows from those three.

  • Confirm the ACID, not just the documents
  • Choose the port from the service and the destination
  • Know which licensed broker is appointed
  • Settle all three at booking

FAQ

Egypt shipping questions

Do I need an ACID number to import into Egypt?

Yes, for both sea and air. The ACID is registered on the Nafeza platform before the goods depart, and the documents are transmitted from the origin country through CargoX. Sea has required it since October 2021 and air since 1 January 2026.

When exactly must the ACID exist?

Before loading, not before arrival. For air that means before the consignment is loaded onto the aircraft; for sea, before the vessel sails. An ACID obtained after departure does not regularise a shipment that has already moved.

Who registers the ACID, me or my supplier?

Both take part. The Egyptian importer registers on Nafeza and obtains the number. The foreign exporter transmits the supporting documents from the origin country through CargoX.

Why was my filing rejected when the goods are fine?

Most rejections are about form rather than substance: a commercial invoice that does not follow the structured Nafeza template, or a goods description, HS classification or consignee detail that disagrees between the invoice, the transport document and the filing.

Which Egyptian port should I use?

Alexandria carries the widest liner coverage, Port Said takes Suez Canal transhipment, Damietta handles containers and the Syria lane, and Ain Sokhna serves Red Sea, Gulf and Asian routings. The choice follows the liner service, the cargo and the inland destination, and it is made at booking.

Can MIDTRANS clear my goods in Egypt?

MIDTRANS coordinates routing and documentation from its own operations desk. Customs clearance inside Egypt is carried out by licensed Egyptian brokers that MIDTRANS appoints and supervises. MIDTRANS does not hold its own customs licence in Egypt and does not present partner capacity as its own.

Does MIDTRANS have an office in Egypt?

No. MIDTRANS has offices in Dubai (head office), Jebel Ali and Damascus, operating locations in Tartous and Latakia, and a partner office in Guangzhou and Hong Kong. An Egypt office opened in 2024 and has since closed. Egypt is served as a coordinating forwarder through appointed local partners and licensed brokers.

What happens at examination?

The consignment is presented against the filing, the authority reviews the documents, and the goods may be selected for documentary or physical examination. Our appointed broker attends in person rather than sending papers, with our operations desk on the call.

When does demurrage start?

On arrival, not on the day your paperwork becomes ready. That is the practical reason the customs file is completed before the vessel berths or the aircraft lands rather than afterwards.

Can I ship from Egypt onward to Syria?

Yes. MIDTRANS publishes both directions between Egypt and Syria and pairs its Damascus office with licensed partners in Egypt, so a consignment discharging in Egypt and continuing to Latakia or Tartous stays with one operations desk.

Do you handle dangerous goods through Egyptian ports?

Yes, as a separate discipline rather than as heavier general cargo. The classification in the ACID filing must match the classification on the transport documents.

Can I get a fixed rate and transit time up front?

We quote against a specific shipment rather than publishing fixed figures, because rate and transit depend on the service, the season and the space available. Indicative ranges are on the shipping rates page and are confirmed at booking.

Ask about your own shipment

Commodity, origin, Egyptian port and consignee are enough for a specific answer rather than a general one.

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