ACI System

What Everyone Must Know About the ACID Number

By Alaa Kalash
Import Manager for Arab Spanish Maritime Company

What Is ACI And Its Advantages?

There has been much uncertainty around the new customs system being implemented in Egypt and whether it will work well or not, even though this system has already been implemented in many advanced countries such as Japan.
It is being implemented by the World Cargo Organizations SAFE Framework of Standards to Secure and Facilitate Global Trade. Basically, this will help Egypt help identify high-risk cargo before loading and/or arrival. It will also help strengthen supply chain security and mitigate potential security threats.
The Advance Cargo Information (ACI) will require cargo data and documents (the commercial invoice and final or initial bill of lading) to be submitted at least 48 hours before the export country’s cargo ships. This allows the customs to identify any risk using their Risk Management System (RMS).
Egypt aims to reduce potential risks and prevent the arrival of goods of unknown origin or identity and reduce the number of paper documents of the shipment. Alongside that, Egypt aims to initiate clearance procedures before the arrival of shipments, allowing for release immediately after the arrival and unloading of the goods (just in time).
The ACI system will be implemented in all ports as part of the overall Nafaza (one-window system). This allows simple procedures when shipments arrive without additional or repetitive steps. The implementation requires that all incoming shipments be issued an ACID NUMBER.

Advantages of ACI:

• Facilitate procedures electronically through the digital portal
• Reduction in the number of paper documents (perfect for the covid crisis)
• Reduction of the time it takes to release cargo
• Reduction of the cost of releasing the goods

What Is Required To Obtain An ACID Number?

There are steps you must take to obtain the ACID number and send it to the foreign exporter. They will need the ACID number to insert on all electronic documentation.

• You will need to open an account on Nafeza.
• You will need to register all cargo data from the purchase invoice, proforma invoice, or purchase order.

Below is the required data that you must have:

• Invoice / Proforma Number / Purchase Order:
  • Date of issue
  • Terms (DDP, EXW)
  • Value
  • Currency

• Exporter Information:
  • TIN (Trade identification number)
  • Email
  • Address
  • Telephone

• Exporter Information:
  • Email
  • Address
  • Telephone
  • TAX ID and register number

• Cargo Information:
  • Cargo description (Type, IMO or Non_IMO)
  • Item number
  • HS CODE (10 Digits)

• Port of loading Code

How Long Does It Take To Obtain An ACID Number? 

The Egyptian Authority aims to help facilitate world trade so that it will be a straightforward process. It is expected to take up to 48hrs from the time that all the data is input into the electronic system. Afterward, the system will inform whether your cargo is accepted or rejected. If it is accepted, you will be given a code of 19 digits. If it is rejected, you will be informed and given the reason for the rejection. There may be missing data or a special requirement from Egyptian Authorities.

What Will Happen If I Don’t Obtain An ACID Number?

Customs will begin the trial period starting April 1st, 2021. The trial will continue until June 30th, 2021. During this period, it is not obligatory to obtain an ACID number, but it is better to start as soon as possible to take advantage of the trial period. We all know there will be issues and questions arising, which is an excellent chance to work through the challenges. Starting from July 1st, 2021, if you do not have an ACID number, your cargo will not be discharged at any Egyptian ports!

We have received many questions, especially from our Chinese partners asking if ACID is mandatory for shipments starting from April 1st. According to the customs publications, it will be required starting from July 1st, 2021.

Be aware that if you ship your cargo in the middle of June (during the trial period,) considering the transit time of approximately 30 days, the cargo will arrive in the middle of July. For this case, you must have obtained an ACID number since the cargo will arrive after July 1st.

On The Horizon

We feel optimistic that the new system will reduce the customs clearance duration, reducing the time cargo will stay in the port. This will have a tremendous impact on the final cost of cargo, reducing one of the highest expenses to local importers, demurrage, and storage. Furthermore, the data collected by the Egyptian Customs will allow them to identify and measure top importers. These importers will have an advantage by being considered an economic operator, which will have its own set of benefits in its dealing with the Egyptian customs.

We will provide you articles about how to become an economic operator very soon including the conditions, advantages, and criteria needed.

If you need guidance navigating the new customs requirements, you can DM us here or send a request on our website www.arabspanishmaritime.com

Resources:
World Cargo Organization: http://www.wcoomd.org/

Egyptian Customs Authority: https://www.customs.gov.eg/

FIATA: https://fiata.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/what-everyone-must-know-acid-number-alaa-kalash/?published=t