The experimental period for the pre-registration of shipment information in the Advance Cargo Information (ACI) system at airports has been extended, a government minister announced on Monday.
The mandatory application of the system has been postponed until local and global economic conditions are stable, Minister of Finance Mohamed Maeet added.
The pre-registration was due to end 31 December 2022, and the application was to start on 1 January 2023.
The move has come in response to the business community dealing with the customs system to streamline procedures amid upheavals experienced by the global economy, the minister said.
The Covid-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine have led to the disruption of supply chains and rising inflation, the minister added.
The decision will give importers, customs brokers, air freight agents, exporters to Egypt more time to register on the new system and give training on its use.
Under the new e-system, which was put into force at seaports in October 2021, importers are required to fully declare information about goods to be shipped to Egypt before actual loading from the country of origin.
As soon as a delivery is planned, the importer must enter the data using a proforma invoice and an ACI number is delivered within 48 hours.
All invoices, certificates of origin and shipping documents must contain the ACI number.
