UAE’s Maritime Pre-load Cargo Information program from July 31

 

Effective 31st July 2025, the Maritime Preload Cargo Information (MPCI) program, led by the UAE’s National Advance Information Centre (NAIC), requires that shipping lines and freight forwarders submit Bills of Lading electronically to NAIC before loading at the last foreign departure port outside the UAE. This requirement applies to all containerised maritime cargo destined for import, transhipment, transit, or Freight Remaining on Board (FROB) in the UAE.

 

This regulation will be in full force from 31st March 2026. 

The MPCI is a government initiative designed to enhance cargo security. NAIC, a federal entity dedicated to collecting cargo and passenger information for risk evaluation and security screening, manages this program.

Note: The MPCI filing process is separate from Customs filing and does not replace or impact existing Customs requirements.

 

Scope

* Shipping Lines: Responsible for filing the carrier’s Bill of Lading.

* Freight Forwarders or Non-Vessel Operating Common Carriers (NVOCCs): Responsible for filing the House Bill of Lading (HBL).

In cases where the Carrier Bill of Lading is consigned to a Forwarder or NVOCC, both the Carrier and the NVOCC are required to file their respective documents: the Carrier Bill of Lading and the corresponding House Bill of Lading.

 

How to file?

Shipping Lines: File directly with NAIC or through certified service providers.

Freight Forwarders: File through certified service providers.

 

What data is required for filing?

The following standard Bill of Lading (BOL) data must be submitted:

* Bill Number

* Issue Date and Location

* Ports (Loading, Discharge, Transhipment, Receipt and Delivery)

* Container Details & Seal Numbers

* Goods Details & HS Code

* Involved Parties (Shipper, Consignee, Notify Party, Freight Forwarders and Agents)

* Vessel and Voyage Information: Mandatory for shipping lines

* Identifiers: Shipping lines and freight forwarders must provide their own identifiers (MPCI Party ID). Additionally, freight forwarders must include identifiers for the master co-loader or shipping line. Shipping lines or master co-loaders must include identifiers for any consolidating (child) freight forwarders in cases of consolidation.

*Other Standard Information: Any additional standard information typically included in the BOL.

 

How will NAIC respond?

After filing, NAIC will respond with one of the following main status codes:

* ACT (Accepted): Approved to proceed with loading

* DNL (Do Not Load): Loading is not permitted

* RFI (Request for Information): Additional information is needed for approval

 

Can local freight forwarders delegate the filing?

Local freight forwarders can delegate the filing responsibility to their overseas partners. However, the liability remains on the local freight forwarder (for Bills issued by a freight forwarder or NVOCC), informed a communique.

 

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