Mohamed Maait, Minister of Finance, said that the trial period of the ACI system for pre-registration of shipments at airports, which was scheduled to end on 31 December, has been extended, and the mandatory application, which was scheduled to start on 1 January 2023, has been postponed until economic conditions stabilise.
Maait explained, in a statement today, that this comes in response to the business community and those dealing with the customs system. It aims to facilitate the procedures for them in light of the severe turbulence and unprecedented changes that the global economy is witnessing.
Maait stressed the government’s keenness on providing the longest possible period of time for importers, customs brokers, air freight agents, companies exporting to Egypt and international multinational companies to complete their preparations to deal with the new system.
For her part, Mona Nasser, Assistant Minister for Follow-up and Customs Development Projects, said that the ministry will continue to gradually move to electronic systems to ensure the desired goals are reached, in a way that helps reduce customs release time, as well as reduce the cost of the import and export process, and encourage Egyptian exports. It also aims to simplify procedures, especially with regard to imports of production requirements, services, and strategic commodities.
Al-Shahat Ghaturi, head of the Customs Authority, called on those dealing with the customs system to quickly join the system, through the electronic portal, ‘Nafeza’ platform, and benefit from the facilities provided by the new system. He stressed the authority’s keenness to overcome any obstacles that importers and their agents face and provide them with all means of technical support in order to facilitate their accession to the registration system.
