Dear Valued Customer,
In accordance with the regulatory requirements issued by the National Advance Information Center (NAIC) of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the Maritime Pre-Load Cargo Information (MPCI) program will be implemented to enhance national cargo security and risk assessment.
This regulation applies to all parties handling containerized cargo that is:
- Imported into the UAE
- Transshipped via UAE ports
- In transit through the UAE
- Remaining on board (FROB) at UAE ports
All relevant shipment data must be filed with NAIC at least 24 hours before vessel loading at the last foreign port prior to entering the UAE.
What Are the Requirements?
1. MPCI Submission Deadline
- The 24-hour submission rule applies to all eligible shipments as mentioned above.
2. Entities Required to File
- Ocean Carrier
- Direct Bill of Lading (non-consolidated shipments)
- Master Bill of Lading (consolidated shipments)
- Freight Forwarders / NVOCCs:
- House Bill of Lading (consolidated shipments)
- Must provide their MPCI Party ID to the Shipping Line or overseas partners as applicable.
3. MPCI Party ID Registration
- All entities involved in filing must register with NAIC to obtain a unique MPCI Party ID. This ID must be included in all relevant filings.
4. Scope of Filing
- The MPCI requirement applies to containerized cargo destined for:
- Import
- Transshipment
- Transit
- Freight Remaining on Board (FROB).
5. Implementation Timeline
- Go-Live Date: July 31, 2025
- Grace Period: Until March 31, 2026
- Trial Period: Target for submission on Jan 2026
Reminder: Failure to comply may result in cargo delays, customs penalties, or rejection of shipments by UAE authorities.
What Are Your Next Steps?
To ensure compliance with the upcoming regulation, please take the following steps:
- Register your organization with NAIC and obtain your MPCI Party ID
- Coordinate with your logistics partners to ensure data readiness and filing responsibilities are clearly defined
- Review internal systems and workflows to support timely submission
Should you have any questions, please contact your local OOCL representative or our customer service team.
Thank you for your continued support.
