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Quick answer
There is no single document pack that fits every import shipment in Egypt. The core documents are usually the commercial invoice, packing list and transport document, while origin, inspection, health, technical or product certificates depend on the cargo and the applicable controls.
Nafeza's published ACI document guidance lists the commercial invoice, packing list, copy of the Bill of Lading and certificate of origin among the common documents for an ACI file, with additional documents depending on the shipment.
Core commercial and transport documents
Commercial invoice
The invoice should clearly identify the seller, buyer, invoice number/date, goods, quantities, prices, currency and commercial terms. Product descriptions should be specific enough to support customs classification and valuation.
Packing list
The packing list should explain how the cargo is packed: package count, package type, marks/numbers, net/gross weights and dimensions where relevant.
Bill of Lading or Air Waybill
Sea shipments normally use a Bill of Lading, while air shipments use an Air Waybill. Confirm the shipper, consignee, routing, transport reference, weight and cargo details.
Read the PBL Bill of Lading guide for the most important B/L fields and common mistakes.
Certificate of origin
A certificate of origin may be required to support the declared origin or a preferential treatment claim, depending on the shipment and applicable agreement/rules.
ACI-related document preparation
Nafeza identifies the following as common documents when creating an ACI file:
- Commercial invoice
- Packing list
- B/L copy
- Certificate of origin
It also lists examples of documents that may be required depending on the shipment, including:
- Bill of materials
- Certificate of analysis
- Fumigation certificate
- Inspection certificate
- Insurance certificate
- EUR.1 movement certificate
- Halal certificate
- Health certificate
- Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS/SDS)
- Phytosanitary certificate
- Veterinary certificate
Use the current Nafeza ACI document page to verify the live requirement and file-format rules.
Product and regulatory documents
Depending on the commodity, additional evidence may be needed from competent authorities. Examples can include sanitary, veterinary, phytosanitary, standards, safety or technical documentation.
Do not order every certificate on a generic checklist. First determine the correct HS classification and the actual regulatory controls for the commodity.
Five consistency checks before submission
- Company names and addresses are consistent across invoice, B/L/AWB and certificates.
- Product descriptions are compatible across the documents.
- Package counts and weights reconcile between invoice, packing list and transport document.
- Country-of-origin statements match the supporting origin evidence.
- Shipment references, including ACID where applicable, are shown where required.
Common documentation problems
- Invoice description is too generic to classify the product
- Different quantities or weights appear on different documents
- B/L consignee details do not match the clearance instructions
- Certificate refers to a different invoice, batch or shipment
- Required certificate is obtained after shipment when it was needed before shipment
- Scanned documents are incomplete or unreadable
Useful PBL resources
Official source
Nafeza — Documents required to create an ACI file is the main official reference used for the ACI document examples above.