Egypt reduces inbound air cargo fees by US$80 per shipment after ACI

Egypt has reduced inbound air cargo processing and auditing fees by US$80 per shipment from 1 January 2026, lowering charges to US$95 per consignment for a six-month transition period as Advance Cargo Information (ACI) becomes mandatory for air imports. While presented as a temporary administrative adjustment, the move is more accurately understood as a competitiveness hedge, designed to prevent compliance-driven cost pressure from diverting price-sensitive cargo to rival regional gateways. The fee reduction is targeted at precisely those cargo flows that arrive frequently and in smaller lots. Spare parts, electronics consignments, apparel samples, healthcare items and express shipments dominate this segment of airfreight imports. These are time-sensitive movements, but they remain cost-visible and commercially scrutinised. Cutting US$80 per inbound shipment provides a tangible offset at the point when importers must invest in readiness by integrating systems, updating documentation routines, aligning brokers and training staff, as per a report.