UAE MPCI Filing: Essential for Secure and Compliant Shipments

Starting July 2025, the UAE will implement its Maritime Pre-Load Cargo Information (MPCI) Program, requiring cargo data to be submitted electronically 24 hours before a vessel departs from its final foreign port. This regulation, managed by the National Advance Information Center (NAIC) under the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Ports Security (ICP), ensures adherence to updated cargo security measures for all shipments headed to UAE ports.

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    Ensure Compliance and Security with UAE’s MPCI Filing System

    The UAE’s Maritime Pre-Load Cargo Information (MPCI) Program, effective from July 2025, mandates the electronic submission of containerized cargo details 24 hours before the departure of a vessel from the last foreign port. Administered by NAIC under the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Ports Security (ICP), this program enhances cargo security and streamlines customs procedures.

    Our platform offers a simple and compliant filing process, allowing freight forwarders and carriers to meet these new regulations efficiently, reducing operational challenges and costs.

    Streamline Your UAE MPCI Filings with Trade Tech

    Late or incorrect MPCI filings can lead to “Do Not Load” orders, resulting in shipment delays and potential supply chain disruptions. Many freight forwarders face high filing costs and administrative challenges managing these complex regulations.

    Trade Tech offers an affordable, user-friendly solution for freight forwarders to independently handle their compliance duties, ensuring accuracy and control.

    • Avoid delays and reduce non-compliance risks.
    • Minimize reliance on carrier-managed filings and third-party fees.
    • Confidently meet all UAE security filing obligations.
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    Who Must Obtain the UAE MPCI?

    The UAE MPCI Program applies to all containerized ocean freight shipments to UAE ports, including imports, transshipment, cargo in transit, and Freight Remaining On Board (FROB). The following entities are responsible for filing:

    • Shipping Lines: Required to submit Carrier’s Bill of Lading details.
    • Freight Forwarders & NVOCCs: Responsible for submitting House Bill of Lading details.
    • Master Vessel Operators, Freight Forwarders, Master Loaders, Co-Loaders: Must submit necessary Bill of Lading information.
    • Forwarders: Must clearly identify the actual shipper and consignee.

    Essential Data for UAE MPCI Compliance

    To comply with NAIC’s MPCI regulations, the following information must be submitted electronically prior to the vessel’s departure:

    • Bill of Lading details (number, issue date, ports of loading and discharge)
    • Container and seal numbers
    • Goods description and HS codes
    • Party details (shipper, consignee, notify party, freight forwarders, agents)
    • Vessel and voyage details

    Failure to provide this data may result in a “Do Not Load” status, preventing cargo from being loaded.

    NAIC Filing Approval Process: What to Expect

    Once submitted, the NAIC will review the filing and provide one of the following statuses:

    • ACT (Accepted): Filing approved; cargo is cleared for loading.
    • DNL (Do Not Load): Filing rejected; cargo cannot be loaded.
    • RFI (Request for Information): Additional information needed before approval.

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      UAE Maritime Pre-Load Cargo Information (MPCI) Filing FAQs

      General Information

      No, NAIC (National Advance Information Center) is a separate authority, and MPCI filing is independent of customs filing.

      MPCI applies to maritime cargo, whereas PLACI (Pre-Loading Advance Cargo Information) applies to air cargo.

      • Registration is open starting March 2025.
      • Documents submission begins in July 2025.

      You can contact our skilled team who will guide and assist you.

      You can contact our skilled team who will guide and assist you.

      You can contact our skilled team who will guide and assist you.

      Filing Requirements & Responsibilities

      Filing is required by shipping lines or their delegated shipping agents, as well as freight forwarders and NVOCCs. Each filer is liable for submitting the Bill of Lading (BOL) they issue or, in the case of freight forwarders, the BOL issued by their overseas counterpart, in compliance with NAIC requirements.

      Liability under NAIC applies to freight forwarders and shipping lines for meeting filing requirements in compliance with UAE law, such as submitting on time, providing complete information, and ensuring data quality. NAIC only issues penalties for non-compliance with these requirements. Any other legal violations, such as criminal offenses, are referred to the relevant authorities.

      • Shipping Lines: Master Bill of Lading (MBL) for consolidated shipments or Direct Bill of Lading for direct shipments.
      • Freight Forwarders: House Bill of Lading (HBL) for consolidated shipments.

      When a freight forwarder consolidates shipments under another freight forwarder or an NVOCC, this can involve multiple layers of consolidation. Each issuing party must file their own Bill:

      • Shipping lines file the Bill of Lading they issue.
      • NVOCCs file the Bill of Lading they issue.
      • Freight forwarders at each level file the Bill of Lading they issue, with the lowest-level freight forwarder filing the Bill that includes the actual consignee and shipper.

      MPCI filing is required for containerized maritime cargo that is imported, transiting through, transshipped, or Freight Remaining on Board (FROB) in the UAE. FROB and transshipment filings are only required from shipping lines.

      MPCI filing does not apply to export shipments, non-containerized cargo, wooden vessels, empty containers, or crew’s personal effects. These exclusions may be revised in future phases.

      • Import shipments: Cargo with a final place of delivery inside the UAE.
      • Transit shipments: Cargo that is discharged at a UAE seaport and transported by land or air to a final destination outside the UAE.
      • Transshipment shipments: Cargo that is unloaded at one or more UAE seaports and reloaded onto another vessel before reaching its final destination outside the UAE.
      • FROB shipments (Freight Remaining on Board): Cargo that arrives at a UAE seaport but remains on board the vessel without being discharged.

      • If the House Bill of Lading includes the actual consignee and shipper, it must be submitted 24 hours before loading at the last loading port before the UAE.
      • If the Bill of Lading consolidates multiple shipments (where the consignee is another freight forwarder), it must be submitted 6 hours before loading at the last loading port before the UAE.

      • If the Bill of Lading is issued directly to the shipper (no consolidation by a freight forwarder), it must be submitted 24 hours before loading at the last loading port before the UAE.
      • If the Bill of Lading is for a consolidated shipment, it must be submitted 6 hours before loading at the last loading port before the UAE.

      The last loading port before the UAE is the final port where the cargo is physically loaded onto a vessel before its journey to the UAE. If a vessel stops at a port but the cargo remains on board without being unloaded and reloaded, that port does not count as a loading port for filing purposes.

      • Example 1: A shipment is loaded in China and the vessel stops in Sri Lanka before heading to the UAE. Since the cargo was not unloaded and reloaded in Sri Lanka, the last loading port remains China, and filing should be submitted 24 hours before loading in China.
      • Example 2: A shipment is loaded in China, unloaded in Sri Lanka, and then reloaded onto another vessel for the UAE. Since the cargo was physically reloaded in Sri Lanka, that becomes the last loading port, and filing should be submitted 24 hours before loading in Sri Lanka.

      No, the deadlines apply only to the initial filing, which must be submitted within the required timeframe before loading. Updates can be made at any point during the shipment’s journey or even after arrival, as long as they are reasonable and aligned with operational practices.

      Filers can submit filings through one of the following methods:

      • Direct integration with NAIC (for shipping lines only).
      • Through an accredited service provider (for all filers).

      Yes, all filings must be submitted in EDIFACT CUSCAR 23A format to ensure standardization and compatibility with NAIC’s system. For filers using a certified service provider, the provider will manage all technical aspects of the submission, ensuring the correct format is applied.

      You can submit through one of NAIC’s certified service providers. They will provide an interface where you can manually enter the required details or upload documents, and they will handle the conversion and submission of the data to NAIC in the required format.

      If you are using a TMS, check if your TMS provider is one of NAIC’s certified service providers. If they are certified, your existing system should handle the filing seamlessly, without the need for additional data entry or separate filing. The service provider may enable a new functionality within your TMS to submit filings to NAIC automatically.

      If a filer’s system is down, they must notify NAIC so that the filing can be temporarily waived until their system is restored. If NAIC’s system is down, filers will be notified, and filings will also be waived for the duration of the outage. All system downtimes will be monitored and reported by NAIC to prevent misuse or non-compliance.

      Failure to comply with MPCI filing requirements—including late submissions, missing filings, or incorrect data—will be considered a violation and may result in fines.

      NAIC Response & Referrals

      • ACT (Assessment Complete): Cargo is approved for loading.
      • ACW (Assessment Complete with Warning): Approved with non-critical issues.
      • RFI (Request for Information): Additional details are required.
      • DNL (Do Not Load): Cargo cannot be loaded.
      • PSF (Pending Sub-Filing): Indicates missing sub-filings, such as required House Bills of Lading in consolidation shipments.
      • EXP (Filing Expiry): The filing expired due to inaction.

      In most cases, NAIC processes filings automatically and promptly, providing swift responses. However, certain submissions may require manual assessment by NAIC officers, which can extend the response time. To minimize potential delays, filers are encouraged to submit their filings as early as possible.

      If all requests experience a delayed response, it may indicate a technical issue. Filers should contact NAIC support for assistance. If an outage or technical problem is confirmed, the filing may be waived, allowing the shipment to proceed. For delays related to a specific shipment, the cause might be a manual assessment; in such cases, contacting NAIC support is recommended to obtain clarification and guidance.

      Loading cargo without ACT approval is a violation that may result in fines and other enforcement actions. The shipment may also be subject to interception upon arrival.

      Yes, cargo can be loaded. However, an ACW (Accepted with Warnings) indicates an issue with the submitted data that should be corrected in future filings (e.g., data quality issues).

      No, an ACW does not require an update, as it does not prevent the assessment decision. However, the filer should address the issue to avoid similar warnings in future submissions.

      Filers must provide the requested information via an updated filing submission. Depending on the nature of the RFI, this may involve updating the filing with the necessary details or attaching additional documents, such as invoices or packing lists, as specified in the request.

      No, RFIs must be addressed through updated electronic filing in the NAIC system.

      Not necessarily. Electronic updates in the NAIC system made in response to a Request for Information (RFI) do not require amendments to the physical Bill of Lading unless mandated by other authorities.

      Cargo loading is allowed only after receiving an updated ACT or ACW response following the submission of the RFI response.

      If a Do Not Load (DNL) referral is received, the shipment must not be loaded onto the vessel. To avoid potential delays and extra handling, it is recommended to get approvals for individual house bills of lading before consolidation.

      A PSF referral indicates that one or more House Bills of Lading (HBLs) in a consolidated shipment have not been filed by the responsible party. For example, when a shipping line files a Master Bill of Lading (MBL) for a consolidated shipment, the freight forwarder is responsible for filing the underlying house bills separately. If any of these house bills are missing, the shipping line will receive a PSF notification, indicating that some required filings have not yet been completed.

      The shipping line is not required to take any action, but they may choose to follow up with the freight forwarder to expedite the filing.

      An EXP (Filing Expiry) referral is issued when a filer receives a Request for Information (RFI) from NAIC but fails to respond within the 200-day timeframe specified in the NAIC guidelines. Once an EXP is received, the filer must restart the filing process from the beginning to proceed.

      Updates & Corrections

      Any updates to the Bill of Lading must be submitted to NAIC. This includes, but is not limited to, corrections, route changes, shipment splits, switch bills, or updates in response to an RFI from NAIC. Filers are expected to submit amendments whenever there are changes to the original filing.

      Yes, a response will be issued for every filing, including amendments.

      Yes, amendments can still be submitted after receiving an ACT response. Filers should ensure that any updates are accurate and aligned with operational requirements.

      Yes, RFIs (Requests for Information) may still be issued after loading, and the filer is required to respond.

      Yes, updating core elements after loading may lead to a re-assessment, which in rare cases could result in a shipment that was previously approved for loading receiving a DNL (Do Not Load) referral. While DNL cases are uncommon, if issued, relevant authorities may be notified to take necessary action upon arrival.

      A filing must be canceled if the shipment is no longer coming to the UAE due to a shipment cancellation or a route change. In this case, the filer must submit an update to the original filing to reflect the cancellation.

      Registration

      No, all filers must register with NAIC before submitting any filings. The MPCI Party ID assigned during registration must be included in all submissions.

      An MPCI Party ID is a unique identifier issued by NAIC to registered filers. Shipping lines and freight forwarders must register via the NAIC portal to obtain their MPCI Party ID.

      The MPCI Party ID is used to identify the filer in every submission. If a filer is submitting on behalf of another party, they must include both their own MPCI Party ID and the MPCI Party ID of the party they are filing for. In addition, for consolidated shipments, the consolidator must provide the MPCI Party ID of the party filing the Master Bill of Lading (whether a shipping line or NVOCC), and the master filer must provide the MPCI Party ID of the consolidator responsible for filing the related House Bills. This ensures that all filings are correctly linked. .

      A list of all shipping lines’ MPCI Party IDs is published on the NAIC portal, where you can look up the required ID.

      The freight forwarder’s MPCI Party ID is not publicly available, so you must obtain it directly from the freight forwarder.

      You have two options:

      • Register once and use a single MPCI Party ID for all offices.
      • Register separately for each office and obtain separate MPCI Party IDs.

      Yes, even if you have already obtained your MPCI Party ID from the published list, you are still required to complete the registration process on the NAIC portal.

      No, shipping lines must register once, and each shipping line is assigned one MPCI Party ID for all offices.

      Freight Forwarders: Can delegate filing to another local or overseas freight forwarder but remain legally liable for compliance. Shipping Lines:

      • Can delegate filing to local or overseas shipping agents.
      • If the shipping line does not have legal representation in the UAE, it can delegate both filing and legal liability to a local shipping agent.

      During registration, you must enable delegation. Then, provide your MPCI Party ID to the delegated freight forwarder offline. When filing, the delegated freight forwarder must submit both their own MPCI Party ID and yours to ensure the filing is correctly linked.

      You can enable or disable delegation at any time through the NAIC portal:

      • Enable all freight forwarders to file on your behalf.
      • Allow only specific freight forwarders to file for you.
      • Disable delegation entirely, which will result in any filing submitted on your behalf being rejected.

      The shipping agent must register with NAIC and specify the shipping lines they will be filing for during registration. When submitting filings, the shipping agent must include both their own MPCI Party ID and the shipping line’s MPCI Party ID to confirm authorization.

      You can either obtain it directly from the shipping line or access it from the NAIC portal, where all shipping lines’ MPCI Party IDs are listed.

      Yes, shipping agents must register separately and specify the shipping lines they will be filing on behalf of during registration.

      Yes, shipping lines must register, even if they delegate filing to a shipping agent.

      No, if you are not responsible for filing as a shipping agent or freight forwarder, you do not need to register.

      Yes, local freight forwarders must register with NAIC, even if they delegate filing to their overseas counterparts.

      No, overseas freight forwarders do not need to register unless they are directly filing with NAIC.

      No, you can register once and use the same MPCI Party ID for both roles:

      • As a freight forwarder, you will only provide your own MPCI Party ID.
      • As a shipping agent filing for a shipping line, you must provide both your own MPCI Party ID and the shipping line’s MPCI Party ID.

      Special Scenarios & Other Questions

      Currently, MPCI filing is required only for maritime shipments. Air cargo filing falls under the PLACI program, and separate filing will be required for each mode of transport.

      Feeder vessels do not need a separate filing unless they are entering the UAE as the first point of arrival and operating under their own Bill of Lading. If the cargo is moving under a single Bill of Lading that covers the entire journey (including transshipment on a feeder vessel before reaching the UAE), then the filing should be completed for the main vessel, and no additional filing is needed for the feeder.

      A filing must be submitted as soon as it is confirmed that the vessel will be arriving at a UAE port, even if this was not originally planned.

      NAIC does not charge fees for filing. However, third-party service providers may apply charges, depending on their pricing model.

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      Our expert team is ready to assist you 24/7. Please fill out the form, and we will be in touch with you shortly.