Egypt Customs Circular No. 9 of 2026: Key Changes to Import Declaration Documents

The Egyptian Customs Authority has issued Procedures Circular No. 9 of 2026, implementing Minister of Finance Decision No. 363 of 2026. Effective from June 3rd, 2026, this circular introduces significant amendments to the documents required when submitting customs declarations for imported goods into Egypt.

At Blue Ocean Marine, we are already fully aligned with these changes to ensure seamless, compliant customs clearance for all our clients.

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Background: What Is Procedures Circular No. 9 of 2026?
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This circular is an operational directive issued by the Egyptian Customs Authority to clarify the practical implementation of Minister of Finance Decision No. 363/2026. It focuses specifically on amending the documentary requirements for import customs declarations.

Legal Basis: Minister of Finance Decision No. 363 of 2026
Effective Date: June 3rd, 2026
Issuing Authority: Egyptian Customs Authority

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The 6 Key Amendments Explained
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Amendment 1: Mandatory Electronic Submission of All Documents

All import documents must now be uploaded electronically via the Nafeza platform simultaneously with the customs declaration submission. This is no longer optional in any case.

Practical impact:

• • Physical/paper documents alone are no longer accepted

• • All documents must be scanned clearly in legible PDF format

• • Any missing or illegible document will delay the entire customs declaration

Amendment 2: Electronic Submission of the Bill of Lading

The Bill of Lading (B/L) must now be submitted electronically regardless of type:

• • Original Bill of Lading

• • Telex Release

• • Sea Waybill (Non-negotiable)

Pro tip: Requesting a Telex Release or Sea Waybill from your supplier instead of an Original B/L significantly accelerates the clearance process, especially for T/T payment transactions.

Amendment 3: Delivery Order Required for “To Order” Bills of Lading

For negotiable “To Order” Bills of Lading — commonly used with Letters of Credit (L/C) — the Delivery Order (DO) must now be submitted together with the customs declaration, rather than separately later.

Implication: Importers using L/C arrangements must coordinate early with their banks to obtain the DO before vessel arrival to avoid delays.

Amendment 4: Undertaking Declaration Required for Straight Bills of Lading

For Straight Bills of Lading (where the consignee is named directly), importers must now submit an Undertaking Declaration confirming their legal right to the cargo before final release is granted.

This measure protects against ownership disputes and adds a layer of identity verification to the clearance process.

Amendment 5: Detailed Commercial Invoice Can Replace the Packing List

This is a significant simplification: if the Commercial Invoice contains all the data typically found in a Packing List, a separate Packing List is no longer required.

For the invoice to qualify, it must include:

• • Detailed description of each item

• • Gross and net weight per package

• • Dimensions of each package (L × W × H)

• • Number of packages and type of packaging

• • Container number (if applicable)

Important note: If the invoice does not include all these details, a separate Packing List remains mandatory.

Amendment 6: Certificate of Origin Only Required for Preferential Treatment

The Certificate of Origin is no longer a mandatory document for every shipment. It is now required only when:

• • Requesting a customs duty exemption under a free trade agreement

• • Applying for preferential tariff treatment

• • Claiming any special customs arrangement

For importers paying standard customs duties without requesting preferential treatment, the Certificate of Origin is no longer required per shipment — saving time and documentation costs.

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Summary Table: Before vs. After Circular No. 9/2026
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Document | Before | After
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Document submission | Sometimes optional | Electronic – Mandatory
Bill of Lading | Paper or electronic| Electronic – Mandatory
DO (To Order B/L) | Upon cargo pickup | With customs declaration
Undertaking (Straight B/L)| Not required | Required before release
Packing List | Always mandatory | Optional if invoice covers it
Certificate of Origin | Always mandatory | Only for preferential treatment

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What This Means for Your Import Operations
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The shift to mandatory electronic submission has real operational implications:

For Importers:

• • Request all documents in clear PDF format from your supplier immediately after shipment

• • Do not wait for physical documents to arrive — start collecting digital copies the moment goods are shipped

• • Coordinate with your bank early for the DO if using L/C payment terms

For Customs Brokers:

• • Pre-screen every document for quality and completeness before submission

• • Maintain organized digital archives for each declaration

• • Familiarize teams with the new Undertaking Declaration format

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Frequently Asked Questions
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Can I submit a customs declaration without a Certificate of Origin?
Yes — if you are not requesting any customs duty exemption or preferential tariff treatment.

Is a Packing List always still required?
No — provided that your Commercial Invoice contains all the detailed information typically found in a Packing List.

What exactly is the Undertaking Declaration for Straight B/Ls?
It is a formal declaration submitted by the consignee confirming their legal entitlement to receive the cargo, submitted prior to final customs release.

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How Blue Ocean Marine Ensures Your Compliance
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Our team of 30+ licensed customs brokers is fully updated on Circular No. 9/2026 and ready to ensure your shipments are cleared efficiently and compliantly.

We provide:
✓ Pre-arrival document review against all new requirements
✓ Professional electronic submission via Nafeza platform
✓ Immediate alerts for any missing or non-compliant document
✓ Preparation of Undertaking Declarations and all supplementary paperwork
✓ Free advisory on when a Certificate of Origin is needed for your specific goods