What is detention?

Detention is the charge applicable, after the free time expires, for the use of the carrier’s full container inside the marine terminal, railroad facilities or container yard. This charge can also apply while the container is undergoing Egypt customs inspections, or while the cargo inside the container is being reworked for safety reasons.  

What are storage charges?

A storage charge is applicable, after the free time expires, for containers left inside the rail ramp or container yard (for the use of the land).

What is demurrage?

Demurrage is the charge applicable, after the free time expires, inside and outside the terminal for the use of the land. 
In case of a demurrage dispute, email eg195-demurrage@msc.com (email subjectable  B/L number.), describing the reasons for your dispute. 

What is Per Diem?

In case of Per Diem disputes, email eg195-demurrage@msc.com , mentioning the b/l number in the email subject. Please describe the reasons for your dispute 
Our dispute team will come back to you within 48 business hours.

What is VGM?

Verified Gross Mass or VGM refers to the exact, verified weight of a packed container. For safety reasons, vessel operators can only load a container if its weight has been verified.

What do I need to include in my VGM instructions?

You must include the following on all VGM instructions:

• Booking or Bill of Lading (BL) number
• Container number
• VGM + weight measurement unit (lbs. or kgs.)
• Responsible Party Name
• Digital signature of the authorised signatory in all CAPITAL LETTERS.

How can I submit my VGM instructions?

• myMSC (Free of Charge) 
• EDI (via INTTRA; GT NEXUS; Cargo Smart)
• Manually (via INTTRA; GT NEXUS; Cargo Smart)

 

It is illegal to bring the following items into or out of Egypt
 
Imports

• Articles containing dog or cat fur 
• Designated plants 
• Absinthe (if not compliant with specific regulations) 
• Matches containing white phosphorus 
• Ceramic tableware the lead content in the glaze of which exceeds a certain limit 
• Jadeites or rubies (whether contained in jewellery or not) mined in Myanmar 
• Gold coins if originating in specific countries (e.g. Cuba, Iran, Myanmar, Sudan) 
• Counterfeit money 
• Certain weapons, e.g. specific switchblade knives 
• Media with immoral or seditious content, such as child pornography
• Goods prohibited in the scope of economic sanctions, e.g. all Cuban-made articles or merchandise from Iran, Myanmar or Sudan 

 View the full list of prohibited and restricted goods.
 
Exports 

• Narcotics and some medication containing prohibited substances 
• Absinthe (or other alcohols containing Artemisia absinthium) 
• Endangered species that have not been outlined by CITES. To view the full list, visit the dedicated CITES page. 
• Items infringing trade and copyright regulations 

View the full list of prohibited and restricted goods.

 

Ports and terminals
MSC operates services to and from the following ports and terminals in Egypt. with local teams in each location to support our customers.

Alexandria (EGALY) - Dekheila Container Terminal, Old Port Container Terminal
Damietta (EGDAM) - Damietta Container Terminal
Port Said (EGPSD) - Port Said Container West Terminal
Sokhna (EGSOK) - Sokhna Container Terminal

 

Cargo will be released to the consignee named in the bill of lading or its authorized agent upon presentation of the original bill of lading, and release against a Sea Waybill is also accepted. For Telex Release, particularly on freight prepaid bills, delivery requires the shipper to surrender all three original bills of lading at MSC at the port of loading, along with explicit written instructions authorizing MSC to release the goods to the named consignee. Additionally, for Telex Release shipments, the consignee must sign and return a Letter of Acknowledgement (LOA) before shipment release; for more details, contact EG195-Import-Cs@msc.com. In cases where the manifested consignee on the bill of lading is a freight forwarder, a release letter from the manifested consignee is required along with a copy of the bill of lading. Supporting documents include copies of the company’s Tax ID and commercial registration, as well as a broker delegation or authorization letter with bank-verified signature

Protecting Egyptian citizens from unidentified goods or goods of unknown origin is a top priority, while also reducing cargo release time and costs through the use of electronic data and documents instead of paper. To comply with ACI requirements, importers and exporters must follow these steps:

Register on the Nafeza portal: http://www.nafeza.gov.eg
Obtain an electronic signature pad from competent authorities to access Nafeza.
List advance cargo data and acquire the ACID before starting import operations.
Submit cargo data and documents (commercial invoice and initial/final bill of lading) prior to shipment.
Notify overseas exporters (shippers) at least 48 hours before shipment to connect with Nafeza via blockchain technology (CargoX).
Shipper process: Sign up, log in, and upload required documents.

When should the consignee get the ACID?

Importer must provide the ACID number at the booking stage, and it must appear on all shipping documents thereafter.
All shipping documents should include the ACID number for cargo to Egypt and identification numbers (Tax ID) of all parties on the bill of lading.
A 10-digit HS code must be manifested.

Mandatory Data Elements in the Manifest:

ACID Number: 19-digit number identifying the ACI shipment (e.g., 4988470982020120017).
Exporter Registration Number: Includes ISO country code, type of ID (VAT or registration), and exporter ID issued by the relevant authority.
Egyptian Importer VAT Number (Tax ID): 9-digit number for companies registered in Egypt.

What is detention?

Detention is the charge applicable, after the free time expires, for the use of the carrier’s full container inside the marine terminal, railroad facilities or container yard. This charge can also apply while the container is undergoing Egypt customs inspections, or while the cargo inside the container is being reworked for safety reasons.  

What are storage charges?

A storage charge is applicable, after the free time expires, for containers left inside the rail ramp or container yard (for the use of the land).

What is demurrage?

Demurrage is the charge applicable, after the free time expires, inside and outside the terminal for the use of the land. 
In case of a demurrage dispute, email eg195-demurrage@msc.com (email subjectable  B/L number.), describing the reasons for your dispute. 

What is Per Diem?

In case of Per Diem disputes, email eg195-demurrage@msc.com , mentioning the b/l number in the email subject. Please describe the reasons for your dispute 
Our dispute team will come back to you within 48 business hours.

It is illegal to bring the following items into or out of Egypt
 
Imports

Articles containing dog or cat fur 
Designated plants 
Absinthe (if not compliant with specific regulations) 
Matches containing white phosphorus 
Ceramic tableware the lead content in the glaze of which exceeds a certain limit 
Jadeites or rubies (whether contained in jewellery or not) mined in Myanmar 
Gold coins if originating in specific countries (e.g. Cuba, Iran, Myanmar, Sudan) 
Counterfeit money 
Certain weapons, e.g. specific switchblade knives 
Media with immoral or seditious content, such as child pornography
Goods prohibited in the scope of economic sanctions, e.g. all Cuban-made articles or merchandise from Iran, Myanmar or Sudan 

Exports 

• Narcotics and some medication containing prohibited substances 
• Absinthe (or other alcohols containing Artemisia absinthium) 
• Endangered species that have not been outlined by CITES. To view the full list, visit the dedicated CITES page. 
• Items infringing trade and copyright regulations 

What is VGM?

Verified Gross Mass or VGM refers to the exact, verified weight of a packed container. For safety reasons, vessel operators can only load a container if its weight has been verified.

What do I need to include in my VGM instructions?

You must include the following on all VGM instructions:

• Booking or Bill of Lading (BL) number
• Container number
• VGM + weight measurement unit (lbs. or kgs.)
• Responsible Party Name
• Digital signature of the authorised signatory in all CAPITAL LETTERS.

How can I submit my VGM instructions?

• myMSC (Free of Charge) 
• EDI (via INTTRA; GT NEXUS; Cargo Smart)
• Manually (via INTTRA; GT NEXUS; Cargo Smart)