Alexandria port shipping covers the main gateway for Egypt's sea trade. The Alexandria Port Authority runs two ports, Alexandria and Dekheila, and says they handle about 60% of the volume of Egypt's exports and imports. This guide covers the berths and terminals at both, what cargo they take, the customs rules that apply at the port, and how we ship your cargo there from Dubai. We ship both from Dubai to Alexandria and from Alexandria to Dubai.
Alexandria port guide: key facts at a glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Port authority | Alexandria Port Authority (Alexandria and Dekheila ports) |
| Share of Egypt's trade | About 60% of export and import volume (authority figure) |
| UN/LOCODE | EGALY |
| Location | Egypt's Mediterranean coast, on the western edge of the Nile Delta |
| Alexandria port berths | 55 berths, 14,350 m of quay, depths 5.5 m to 17.5 m |
| Alexandria port terminals | Six: two container terminals, multipurpose, passenger, dry bulk and a petroleum terminal |
| Alexandria maximum ship draft | 16 m |
| Dekheila port berths | 23 berths, 7.8 km of quay, depths 6 m to 20 m |
| Dekheila terminals | Five: two container stations, dry bulk, liquid bulk and a second bulk terminal |
| Dekheila maximum ship draft | 18 m |
| Cargo types | Containers (dry and reefer), general cargo, Ro-Ro, dry bulk, liquid bulk, grain, livestock |
| Pilotage | Compulsory for all vessels arriving and departing |
| Customs | Egyptian Customs Authority, with Advance Cargo Information (ACI) through Nafeza |
| Import VAT | 14% standard rate |
| Alexandria to Dubai | Shipper on the Exporters Register, GOEIC checks and origin certificate; UAE duty 5% of CIF and VAT 5% |
Where is Alexandria port and how does cargo move inland?
The port sits on Egypt's Mediterranean coast at the western edge of the Nile Delta, between the sea and Lake Mariut. It has two harbours separated by a T-shaped peninsula. The East harbour is too shallow for cargo ships, so all commercial shipping uses the West harbour, which is protected by two converging breakwaters with an entrance about 400 m wide.
Dekheila is the second port under the same authority, west of the main harbour. It was built in the 1980s and handles containers and bulk.
The UN Logistics Cluster's assessment says most containers and bulk cargo leave the port by road to the consignee or to other ports, with some cargo moving by rail to Damietta and Port Said. The nearest international airport is Borg El Arab. A simple rule: if your consignee is in Alexandria, the western Delta or an industrial zone near the city, the truck leg is short. For Cairo, price the inland truck against a port closer to your consignee.
Which terminals does Alexandria port have?
The authority lists six terminals at Alexandria and five at Dekheila. The berth and terminal on your booking depend on the carrier and the cargo.
Alexandria port by zone
Egypt's Maritime Transport Sector splits the main port into six zones. Knowing the zone helps you read an arrival notice.
| Zone | Berths | Main use |
|---|---|---|
| First | Quays 1 to 14/16, up to 1,734.9 m | General cargo |
| Second | Berths 16 to 28 | General cargo including Ro-Ro, passenger terminal, containerised bulk, barge discharge |
| Third | Berths 35 to 47, total 5,249 m | General cargo; berth 40 for Ro-Ro ferries |
| Fourth | Berths 49 to 67 | Containers, cement, coal, fertilisers, timber, mineral dust |
| Fifth | Berths 71(a) to 85/2 | Molasses, general cargo, grain and flour, timber; Alexandria International Containers company |
| Sixth (oil dock) | Berths 86 and 87/1 to 87/5 | Edible oil, oil products, bunkering; berth 86 for livestock |
Container terminals at Alexandria and Dekheila
| Item | Alexandria terminal | Dekheila terminal |
|---|---|---|
| Terminal area | 163,000 m² | 406,000 m² |
| Storage capacity | 15,500 TEU | 27,000 TEU |
| Container quay length | 531 m | 1,040 m |
| Water depth | 12 m | 12 m to 16 m |
| Ro-Ro | 164 m Ro-Ro quay | Part of the main quay |
| Reefer connections | 1,050 | 1,500 |
These figures come from the UN Logistics Cluster's port assessment. Dekheila has the bigger yard and deeper water alongside. Check which terminal your carrier uses on the booking before you plan the truck.
Equipment and storage
The same assessment lists 14 dockside cranes (including post-Panamax and super post-Panamax units), 30 container gantries rated at 40 tonnes, 20 mobile cranes, 16 transtainers, 11 reach stackers and 75 Ro-Ro tugmasters. Covered general cargo storage is about 86,136 m² and refrigerated storage about 3,760 m². A container freight station (CFS) and reefer stations are available for 20ft and 40ft boxes.
What cargo can you ship through Alexandria port?
The authority lists container ships, general cargo ships, bulk carriers, Ro-Ro ships, cruise ships and liquid bulk vessels at Alexandria, and container, bulk, multi-cargo and Ro-Ro ships at Dekheila. Here is how each cargo type usually moves.
| Cargo type | Where it usually moves | What to plan |
|---|---|---|
| General goods in containers | Container terminals at Alexandria or Dekheila | Terminal on the booking, ACID on documents, free time |
| Chilled and frozen food | Reefer plugs at either container terminal | Set temperature, health certificates, fast clearance |
| Vehicles and rolling cargo | Ro-Ro berths (second and third zones, Ro-Ro quay) | Vehicle documents, high duty rates on cars |
| Steel, machinery, timber | Conventional general cargo berths | Lifting points, lashing, piece-by-piece packing list |
| Grain, coal, cement, fertilisers | Dry bulk and silo berths | Discharge rate, receiving facility, surveys |
| Oils and liquid products | Oil dock and liquid bulk terminal | Receiving pipeline or tank, product approvals |
| Chemicals and other DG | Container terminals, subject to carrier and port acceptance | IMDG paperwork, SDS, product approvals |
FCL and LCL shipping to Alexandria port
Most cargo from Dubai to Alexandria moves in containers, either FCL or LCL.
- FCL (full container load). You book a whole 20ft or 40ft box for one consignee. It suits heavy goods and anything close to a full container.
- LCL (less than container load). Your cargo shares a box and is unpacked at a CFS in Egypt. It suits a few pallets but adds handling, and release depends on every file in the box clearing.
Under Egypt's ACI rules, each shipment needs its own ACID number, and an LCL consolidation also needs a master ACID on the consolidator's bill of lading. Send documents early and make sure carton marks match the packing list. Our guide to FCL vs LCL costs shows where the break-even usually sits.
For reefer cargo, both container terminals have plug points (1,050 at Alexandria and 1,500 at Dekheila). Tell us the set temperature and ventilation at booking.
Breakbulk and project cargo at Alexandria
Alexandria handles a lot of non-container cargo. The UN Logistics Cluster reports about 4.27 million tonnes of inbound general goods and 23 million tonnes of inbound dry bulk in 2022. The Maritime Transport Sector lists a design capacity of 18.4 million tonnes a year for general cargo at the main port.
When you ship project cargo to Alexandria with us, we plan it in this order:
- Collect drawings, dimensions, weights and centre of gravity for each piece.
- Choose the vessel type: flat rack on a container service, or conventional breakbulk or heavy-lift tonnage.
- Agree lifting and lashing with the carrier, and check the consignee's agent can book the right cranes or mobile cranes at the berth.
- Make sure every piece appears on the packing list and the ACI file, so customs can match cargo to documents.
- Line up clearance and the road move so the cargo leaves the quay quickly.
A useful decision rule: if a piece fits a 40ft flat rack by size and weight, a container service usually gives you more sailings. If not, the breakbulk vessel date drives the whole plan. Read about flat rack, open top and out-of-gauge cargo or see our break bulk and project cargo service.
Dangerous goods to Alexandria port
We did not find published Alexandria Port Authority rules on dangerous goods storage times or class limits that we could cite. Acceptance is decided by the carrier and confirmed with the terminal for each booking. The IMDG Code applies at sea, and the ACI file for a DG shipment should include the material safety data sheet, which Nafeza lists among the extra documents an ACI file may need.
What you need to provide for any DG booking:
- UN number, proper shipping name, class and packing group.
- A Safety Data Sheet for each product.
- A dangerous goods declaration signed by a trained person.
- UN-approved packaging, labels and placards.
- Any Egyptian approval the product needs, confirmed by the consignee before loading.
Our dangerous goods shipping team checks the paperwork and carrier acceptance before you commit to a sailing. Our guide to dangerous goods classes explains what each class means.
Customs clearance at Alexandria port: ACI, documents and duty
Customs at Alexandria follows Egypt's national rules under Customs Law No. 207 of 2020. The US Commerce Department notes that the ACI pilot started at the Port of Alexandria in April 2021 before it became mandatory in October 2021.
ACI and the ACID number
Every shipment to Alexandria must be registered before it ships. The Egyptian importer registers the shipment on the Nafeza platform and receives an ACID number. The exporter then sends the documents through CargoX. Nafeza asks for the cargo data at least 48 hours before the cargo ships from the export country. Shipments without an ACID are refused entry and must be re-exported at the shipper's expense.
Which documents do you need?
| Document | Notes |
|---|---|
| Commercial invoice | PDF and the Nafeza Excel template, with the ACID |
| Packing list | Matches the invoice weights and piece counts |
| Bill of lading | Copy uploaded to ACI, never the original; ACID on the bill |
| Certificate of origin | Shows the real country of manufacture |
| Extra documents by cargo | Health, phytosanitary or veterinary certificate, fumigation certificate, halal certificate, MSDS, insurance certificate |
Inspection and release
After discharge, a joint port committee inspects shipments that are selected, and customs then releases the cargo. Inspection is risk-based, and green-lane shipments skip sampling and physical inspection. The General Organization for Export and Import Control (GOEIC) inspects goods, and some consumer products need the foreign factory registered with GOEIC before they can be released.
Duty and VAT
Customs duty depends on the HS code. PwC reports most rates between 0% and 60% of CIF value, with up to 135% on passenger cars and luxury goods. Import VAT is 14%. Duties are paid in Egyptian pounds by the importer or its licensed customs broker. We prepare the UAE side and work with your consignee's clearing agent in Alexandria.
How to ship from Dubai to Alexandria port: step by step
This is how we handle a typical shipment from Dubai to Alexandria. We book space, prepare documents and handle the UAE export. Your consignee's agent clears and delivers in Egypt.
- Tell us about the cargo. Commodity, HS code, weight, volume or dimensions, and the Incoterm.
- Get the ACID. Your Egyptian buyer registers the shipment on Nafeza and sends you the ACID.
- Check the exporter set-up. The exporter needs a verified CargoX account; we register as the forwarder.
- Book space. We book a sailing from Jebel Ali Port to Alexandria or Dekheila, with carrier acceptance first for DG, reefer or out-of-gauge cargo.
- Prepare documents. Invoice, packing list, certificate of origin and bill of lading instructions, all with the ACID.
- File the ACI documents through CargoX at least 48 hours before the cargo ships.
- Export from Dubai. We arrange trucking, stuffing, the UAE export or re-export declaration and gate-in before the cut-off.
- Arrival and clearance. The consignee's broker pays duty and VAT, the port committee inspects if selected, and the cargo is released for delivery.
[AMIR-FACT: the carriers we use from Jebel Ali to Alexandria or Dekheila and our typical port-to-port days]
See our sea freight service from Dubai for FCL and LCL bookings.
How to ship from Alexandria port to Dubai
We also handle the other direction: shipping from Alexandria or Dekheila to Dubai, with arrival at Jebel Ali, Khalifa Port or Sharjah port. We book the space and run the UAE side. The Egyptian export papers stay with the shipper or its Egyptian agent.
The Egypt export side
- Only companies on Egypt's Exporters Register may export, whether the goods were made in Egypt or imported first. The rule sits in Article 39 of the Import and Export Regulation 770/2005, and GOEIC keeps the register.
- GOEIC inspects and licenses export consignments at its port branches. Goods such as leather, marble, furniture and paints are checked under the ministerial decree for each product.
- GOEIC issues certificates of origin for Egyptian goods, including those under preferential agreements, and keeps the right to verify origin later.
- The shipper or its Egyptian agent clears the export with Egyptian Customs and delivers the box to the Alexandria or Dekheila terminal before the cut-off.
The UAE import side
On arrival, the declaration goes to Dubai Customs with the commercial invoice, the packing list, the certificate of origin and any permit for restricted goods. For sea cargo the GCC customs guide also lists the bill of lading and the delivery order. Customs duty in Dubai is 5% of the CIF value for most goods, with 50% on alcohol and 100% on cigarettes. Import VAT is 5%. A VAT-registered importer accounts for it on its VAT return, while an importer that is not registered pays it before Customs releases the goods.
- Send us the shipper's details in Egypt, the cargo, the HS code and the UAE delivery address.
- We book space from Alexandria or Dekheila and send the booking and cut-off to the shipper.
- The shipper or its trucker collects the empty, loads it and delivers it to the terminal.
- The shipper or its Egyptian agent completes the GOEIC steps and the export declaration.
- We check the draft bill of lading against the invoice and packing list.
- We file the UAE declaration before the vessel arrives.
- We arrange payment of the duty and VAT and collect the delivery order.
- We truck the box to your site and return the empty inside free time.
[AMIR-FACT: the carriers we actually use from Alexandria or Dekheila to Jebel Ali, Khalifa or Sharjah and our real transit days in this direction]
Free time, demurrage and storage at Alexandria
Shipping lines give free days for their containers. After that, demurrage runs while the full container stays in the port and detention while you keep it outside. Carriers publish separate Egypt import tariffs for demurrage, detention and storage, and they change, so read them on your quote and arrival notice.
Three things keep these costs down at Alexandria: get the ACID and GOEIC registration sorted before loading, send final documents early, and book delivery and empty return before free time starts. Our article on demurrage and detention shows how the charges are calculated.
Checklist before you ship to Alexandria
- ACID received from the Egyptian buyer and copied to every document.
- Exporter account on CargoX open and verified.
- Invoice matches the Nafeza data and is in the Nafeza Excel template.
- Products checked against the GOEIC factory registration list.
- Terminal confirmed: Alexandria or Dekheila.
- Certificates ready for food, plants, animal products or chemicals.
- HS code, duty and 14% VAT agreed with the buyer.
- For DG: SDS, DG declaration, packaging and carrier acceptance.
- For project cargo: drawings, weights and a lifting plan.
- Free time agreed with the carrier and cargo insurance arranged.
Common mistakes at Alexandria port
- Loading without an ACID. The cargo is refused entry and sent back at the shipper's cost.
- Uploading the original bill of lading to CargoX. Nafeza asks for a copy only.
- Data mismatches. A value or weight that differs between the invoice, packing list and Nafeza entry causes holds.
- Planning the truck for the wrong port. Alexandria and Dekheila are different gates.
- Forgetting GOEIC registration for listed consumer goods.
- Waiting for the vessel to arrive before arranging certificates. Storage and demurrage run while you wait.
Frequently asked questions
Who runs Alexandria port?
The Alexandria Port Authority runs both Alexandria port and Dekheila port. It says the two handle about 60% of the volume of Egypt's exports and imports.
What is the port code for Alexandria?
The UN/LOCODE for Alexandria is EGALY. You will see it on bookings, bills of lading and tracking systems.
How many berths does Alexandria port have?
The authority lists 55 berths with 14,350 m of quay at Alexandria, and 23 berths with 7.8 km of quay at Dekheila.
How deep is Alexandria port?
Berth depths at Alexandria range from 5.5 m to 17.5 m, with a maximum ship draft of 16 m. Dekheila ranges from 6 m to 20 m, with a maximum draft of 18 m.
What is the difference between Alexandria and Dekheila?
They are two ports under the same authority. Alexandria is the older main harbour with general cargo, Ro-Ro, passenger and container terminals. Dekheila, west of it, has a larger container yard and deeper water.
Do I need an ACID to ship to Alexandria?
Yes. Every shipment to Egypt needs an ACID issued to the importer through Nafeza, shown on every document. Cargo without one is refused entry.
Can I ship reefer cargo to Alexandria?
Yes. The UN Logistics Cluster lists 1,050 reefer connections at the Alexandria container terminal and 1,500 at Dekheila. Food also needs the right health certificates in the ACI file.
How do I ship from Dubai to Alexandria?
Your Egyptian buyer registers the shipment on Nafeza and sends you the ACID, and the ACI documents go through CargoX at least 48 hours before the cargo ships. We book space from Jebel Ali, handle the UAE export declaration, and the consignee's broker clears the cargo in Egypt.
How do I ship from Alexandria to Dubai?
The shipper must be on Egypt's Exporters Register and clears the export with its Egyptian agent, including any GOEIC inspection. We book the space, file the Dubai Customs declaration before arrival and arrange payment of the 5% duty on the CIF value and the 5% import VAT, then deliver.
Get a quote for Alexandria port shipping
Send us your cargo details and we will come back with a routing and a price for shipping from Dubai to Alexandria. Use our freight rate inquiry form, or contact our team to talk through a breakbulk, reefer or DG shipment. You can also read more about our Dubai freight forwarding team.
Sources
- Alexandria Port Authority: About the port (share of trade, two ports)
- Alexandria Port Authority: Alexandria port details (berths, depths, terminals, draft, pilotage)
- Alexandria Port Authority: Dekheila port details (berths, depths, terminals, draft)
- Egypt Maritime Transport Sector: Alexandria port (zones, capacity)
- UN Logistics Cluster: Egypt Port of Alexandria assessment (terminals, equipment, throughput, hinterland)
- MarineLink: Alexandria port directory (El Dekheila harbour to the west)
- Wikipedia: Alexandria Port (UN/LOCODE, Dekheila history)
- Nafeza: Advance Cargo Information system
- Nafeza: Documents required to create an ACI file
- US International Trade Administration: Egypt import requirements and documentation
- US International Trade Administration: Egypt customs regulations
- PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries: Egypt, other taxes
- AHK Egypt: Registration of manufacturers with GOEIC
- Maersk: Egypt import local information (demurrage, detention and storage tariffs)
- GOEIC: Exporters register (Article 39, Regulation 770/2005)
- GOEIC: Exports and origin (export inspection, certificates of origin)
- Dubai Customs: Submit customs declaration (import, export and re-export documents)
- Dubai Customs: FAQ (duty of 5% of CIF value, CIF definition)
- UAE Government portal: Clearing customs and paying customs duty
- Federal Tax Authority: VAT (5% rate)
- Federal Tax Authority: VAT guide (import VAT, reverse charge and payment before release)
- GCC Unified Guide for Customs Procedures at First Points of Entry (import and export documents)
Reviewed: 10 November 2026