CargoX is a blockchain document-transfer platform: a way to issue, sign and hand over an electronic Bill of Lading and other trade documents digitally. For most lanes that's a convenience. For Egypt it is the law: since 1 October 2021 you cannot import into Egypt without filing Advance Cargo Information (ACI) and putting a valid ACID number on the Bill of Lading. Get it wrong and the cargo is refused. Nexport Logistics handles the ACI filing and the ACID on your documents through the Nexportal platform.
What CargoX is
CargoX runs on public blockchain technology (built on Ethereum, powered by Polygon) and supports 60+ trade-document types. It was the first platform in the world to transfer an electronic Bill of Lading on blockchain (2018). It issues several eBL variants: a generic House eBL, plus carrier and industry eBLs including the HMM eBL (Hyundai Merchant Marine), the BIMCO eBL, and the FIATA eBL — the electronic version of the FIATA forwarder's Bill of Lading (the FBL) from the global freight-forwarders' federation. So whether you issue a Hyundai Merchant Marine eBL or register a FIATA FBL, it's created and transferred on CargoX.
Egypt's ACI: two platforms, one system
Egypt's Advance Cargo Information system runs on two interlinked platforms:
- Nafeza, the Egyptian single-window, used by the Egyptian importer (consignee).
- CargoX, the Blockchain Document Transfer platform, used by the foreign exporter (shipper) to submit the trade documents.
It became mandatory for sea freight on 1 October 2021, and since 1 January 2026 for air freight too (filed before departure). No ACI, no clearance.
The ACID number: the 19-digit key
The ACID (Advance Cargo Information Declaration) is a unique 19-digit number that ties the shipment to its parties. The flow:
- The Egyptian importer (consignee) pre-registers the cargo on Nafeza and obtains the ACID number.
- The importer passes the ACID to the exporter (shipper).
- The shipper registers and submits the documents via CargoX against that ACID, registering the shipper and consignee of the Bill of Lading.
Because each ACID registers the shipper and consignee of a specific B/L, you need an ACID per Bill of Lading: a separate ACID for the HBL and the MBL where both exist.
It MUST be on the Bill of Lading
This is the part that trips people up: the ACID number must be stated on the Bill of Lading (and on the commercial invoice and packing list), together with the identification numbers of the parties to the B/L. If the ACID is missing or wrong on the B/L, Egypt does not accept it, and the cargo can be held, refused or returned at the shipper's cost. The ACID has to be requested before shipment, not after.
How Nexport Logistics handles it
We make sure the ACID is obtained in time, that the documents are filed through CargoX correctly, and that the ACID and the parties' details are printed on the Bill of Lading (HBL and MBL) and the supporting documents, so your shipment to Egypt clears instead of stranding. It runs alongside your B/L, Customs and booking in Nexportal.
Shipping to Egypt? Email info@nexportlogistics.nl and we'll set up the ACI and the ACID.
Official sources: CargoX — ACI Egypt · Nafeza — Advance Cargo Information. Related: Ebl · Bill Of Lading · Customs · Shipping Documents