Scottish businesses who are sending goods by sea to Egypt must use the new CargoX block-chain system as of the 1st October 2021.
CargoX is a block-chain document transfer system used to streamline the inward customs procedure for goods entering the Egyptian market. Traders must register on the CargoX system, at which point they will receive an ACID number and can then proceed to upload their trade documents such as bill of lading, certificate of origin etc.. directly into the Nafeza system.
Nafeza is an integrated information platform. The system was built to integrate and coordinate procedures and information exchange within Egypt’s foreign trade system. It allows the business and the trade community to submit all documents and transactions for customs, control authorities, and ports into a single system.
The data is submitted only once through an online portal to fulfill all regulatory requirements related to the release of goods. The platform operates in accordance with the international standards of trade-related procedures and customs requirements for the clearance of goods, to convert Egypt into “One Logistical Area”. ACI filing is just one of the numerous services provided by NAFEZA.
- This change does not currently affect Fast Parcel Operators and for these shipments, you must continue to provide documentation in the usual way.
- To lodge a shipment, you must have the importer details, bill of lading, and your certificate of origin to hand.
- Your documents must be uploaded to the CargoX system prior to shipping but at the latest, 48 hours prior to arrival.
- You can make adjustments to the cargox envelope after submission. You should open a new envelope and enter the updated files and enter same ACID number.
- CargoX process applies to shipments from 1st October 2021 - the date is that of the Bill of Lading. Shipments sent prior to 1st October 2021 and arrive after this date are not subject to this new process.
Brief overview of process for importer and exporter
Egyptian Importer
- Register with Nafeza
- Create an account on CargoX
- Fill out pre-import shipping information for each shipment (this includes information about the Egyptian importer, the overseas exporter and the shipment itself)
- The import is approved within 48 hours, before physical shipment of the goods
- A unique ACID number is issued for the import which is automatically sent to the Egyptian importer and overseas exporter
- When the shipment arrives in Egypt, goods are released immediately without delay
Overseas Exporter
- The overseas exporter needs to create an account on CargoX (if the exporter opts to use a freight forwarder or broker to handle their shipping documents, please note that they can handle arrangements on behalf of the exporter)
- The overseas exporter automatically receives a unique ACID number after the pre-import shipping request submitted by the Egyptian importer is approved
- The overseas exporter needs to include this ACID number on all required shipping documentation (these include a Certificate of Origin, Invoice, Bill of Lading and Packing List and any other documents requested by the importer)
- The overseas exporter needs to upload all required shipping documents onto the CargoX platform, digitally sign and transfer the documents to the recipients
