Head of the Customs Authority Ahmed Amouy announced a major initiative to build an advanced customs system anchored in automation and artificial intelligence (AI).
This modernization effort is crucial for significantly boosting the efficiency of customs procedures, shortening clearance times, and, ultimately, improving the investment climate. The goal is to encourage local industry and amplify the competitiveness of Egyptian exports in regional and global markets.
The “Nafeza” electronic platform has successfully been expanded to encompass all trade flows. A key development is the mandatory roll-out of the Air Cargo Pre-Registration (ACI) system for air shipments, beginning next January.
Amouy explained that ACI is instrumental in automating and accelerating procedures before goods arrive at ports, thereby ensuring the highest levels of governance and transparency are maintained throughout the process.
The Authority is aggressively targeting a substantial reduction in clearance times. The average time had already decreased to approximately five days by 2025, but the target is to achieve clearance in just two days in the coming period, especially for essential commodities like food and medicine.
To facilitate smooth trade for trusted partners, the Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) program grants priority clearance to compliant companies—the “white list”—which benefit from streamlined procedures and reduced need for full inspection of every shipment.
Furthermore, the Customs Authority is implementing automated classification and valuation utilizing AI to enhance the accuracy of customs estimates, strengthen governance, and minimize manual analysis.
Finally, Amouy emphasized the Authority’s commitment to maintaining continuous, open communication with customs brokers.
This ongoing dialogue is vital for keeping them informed of all procedural updates and amendments on a regular basis, which is essential for ensuring smooth and effective implementation of the new, modern customs framework.
