Dear Valued Customer,
Further to our customer advisory dated 16 October 2025, OOCL has implemented the Maritime Pre-Load Cargo Information (MPCI) filing in full compliance with the requirements of the National Advance Information Center (NAIC) of the United Arab Emirates(UAE).
Please be advised that the current pilot phase will conclude on 31 March 2026. Full enforcement of the MPCI regulation will take effect from 1 April 2026.
MPCI is a mandatory advance cargo manifest filing all containerized cargo bound for UAE ports. This includes import shipments, transshipment, transit cargo, and Freight Remaining on Board (FROB).
Submission Requirement
To avoid any “Do Not Load” (DNL) instructions and ensure smooth operations, Your Shipping Instructions (SI) containing complete MPCI data must be submitted to OOCL at least 24 hours prior to loading at the last foreign port before vessel proceeds to the UAE.
Mandatory Data Elements for SI
The following information is required in your SI:
- Bill of Lading details: (BL number, issue date, and place of issue)
- Full routing details: (Place of Receipt, Port of Loading, Transshipment Port(s), Port of Discharge, and Place of Delivery)
- Container and seal numbers (Accurate)
- Cargo details: clear description and a minimum 6‑digit HS code
- Parties: full names and addresses of Shipper, Consignee, and Notify Party
- MPCI Party Identifiers (MPCI ID):
- Shipping lines and freight forwarders must provide their own MPCI IDs;
- Freight forwarders must also include the MPCI ID of the master co‑loader or shipping line;
- Shipping lines or master co‑loaders must include MPCI IDs for any consolidating (child) forwarders in consolidation scenarios.
Filing Responsibilities
- Freight Forwarder / NVOCC: Responsible for filing House Bill of Lading data via an accredited service provider or the NAIC portal.
Important Note on Non-Compliance
Failure to submit complete and timely MPCI data may result in the NAIC issuing a “Do Not Load” (DNL) or “Request for Information” (RFI) status. Cargo under DNL status will not be loaded until resolved, which may lead to additional costs including storage, demurrage, and rebooking fees.
