Nafeza explained: Egypt's single window and what your forwarder files
By Rockit Customs Desk
If you import into Egypt, almost every step of clearance now passes through one platform: Nafeza, the National Single Window for Foreign Trade. Knowing what it does, and which parts your forwarder handles, makes clearance faster and far more predictable.
What Nafeza is
Nafeza (Arabic for "window") is a single electronic entry point for import, export and transit procedures. It connects importers, customs brokers, Egyptian Customs, inspection authorities, banks and the ports, so documents are submitted once and shared between agencies. It is operated for the government by MTS (Misr Technology Services).
What it handles
Registration of importers and exporters, with an electronic signature token for filings
ACI and ACID requests: the advance cargo information every shipment needs before loading
Customs declarations and the documents that support them
Inspection scheduling, with SMS notifications
Electronic payment of duties and fees through banks, on one consolidated bill
A unified release permit once all agencies have approved
Tariff and declaration enquiries, including HS code lookups
What changed in 2026
Air freight joined ACI on 1 January 2026, so air shipments now need an ACID just like sea freight.
Ministerial Decree 262 of 2026, applied by Customs Procedure 9 of 2026 in June, lets clearance begin at the declaration stage before the delivery order is issued. A detailed commercial invoice can now replace the packing list, and documents already filed electronically no longer need to be submitted again.
What you do and what your forwarder does
The importer holds the Nafeza registration and the electronic signature token, and stays legally responsible for the declaration.
A licensed customs broker such as Rockit files the ACI request, prepares and submits the declaration, follows inspection, arranges payment and collects the release.
Most delays happen where the two meet: the exporter's ID that doesn't match, the final invoice that differs from the filing, or an approval for restricted goods that wasn't uploaded. A broker who checks the documents before loading removes most of them.
How long clearance takes
With documents filed in advance and checked, our licensed brokers typically clear air shipments in about two days and ocean shipments in about three. Inspections, restricted goods or missing approvals can add time. We flag those before the cargo arrives, not after.
Importing into Egypt?
Rockit's customs team files on Nafeza for importers every day at Cairo Airport and at Alexandria, Damietta, Port Said and Ain Sokhna. Call +20 2 2690 7601 or email inquiry@rockit.com.eg, or request a quote. For the step-by-step ACID process, read our ACID guide.
Sources: Nafeza; MTS ACI Shipping Lines Guide v1.5; EY Tax News, Egypt amends customs regulations, June 2026. Information correct as of October 2026.
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