The UAE’s Maritime Pre-load Cargo Information (MPCI) programme applies to businesses moving containerised cargo into or through the country. Shipping lines, freight forwarders and NVOCCs must submit shipment information to the National Advance Information Centre (NAIC) before cargo is loaded at the last foreign port before entering the UAE. The programme launched in July 2025, and full enforcement began on 1 October 2026. Businesses now need to understand which shipments are covered, who is responsible for filing, what information is required and how submission deadlines affect cargo movement.
What is the UAE MPCI programme?
MPCI is an advance cargo information programme introduced by the UAE to strengthen maritime cargo security and improve visibility over shipments entering, transiting through or transshipping via the country.
Under the programme, shipment details must be electronically submitted to NAIC before cargo is loaded at the last foreign port before entering the UAE. This allows the authorities to assess cargo information in advance rather than waiting until the vessel reaches a UAE port.
The programme is part of the UAE’s wider efforts to strengthen security across its ports, borders and free zones. For detailed filing requirements, responsibilities and submission timelines, refer to the NAIC MPCI Business Specification Document. Businesses should also check the official NAIC MPCI portal for the latest guidance and updates.
Which shipments fall under MPCI?
The current MPCI requirements apply to containerised maritime cargo moving through the following categories:
- Imports: Containerised cargo destined for the UAE
- Transshipments: Cargo transferred between vessels through UAE ports
- Transit shipments: Cargo passing through the UAE without being imported into the country
- Freight remaining on board (FROB): Cargo that remains on the vessel while it calls at a UAE port
Both full container load (FCL) and less than container load (LCL) shipments are included.
The current implementation excludes UAE-origin exports, non-containerised maritime cargo such as breakbulk, liquid bulk and Ro-Ro shipments, empty containers, wooden vessels and crew effects. Shipper-owned tank containers with residue are not treated as empty and still require filing. If you are unsure whether a shipment is covered, confirm with your carrier or freight forwarder before booking.
Who is responsible for MPCI filing?
Filing responsibilities depend on the type of Bill of Lading (B/L) issued and the parties involved in the shipment.
- Shipping lines: Submit Direct Bills of Lading for non-consolidated shipments and Master Bills of Lading for consolidated shipments
- Freight forwarders and NVOCCs: Submit House Bills of Lading for the shipments they consolidate
- Master co-loaders: Submit their respective Master Co-loader Bills in co-loading arrangements
- Sub-co-loaders: Submit the lowest-level House Bills for the cargo they handle
For FROB shipments, the filing responsibility rests with the shipping line.
Freight forwarders and NVOCCs file through an NAIC-accredited service provider. Shipping lines can either use an accredited provider or connect directly to NAIC’s system.
Freight forwarders and NVOCCs must also ensure that their MPCI Party ID and the relevant parent Bill of Lading references are included in the filing. Where multiple parties are involved in a consolidation, the required identifiers must be shared across the filing chain.
What are the MPCI filing deadlines?
MPCI submissions must be completed before cargo is loaded at the last foreign port before entering the UAE. The NAIC specification sets different cut-off times depending on the filing party and document type.
| Filing party | Document | Submission deadline |
| Shipping line | Direct Bill of Lading | 24 hours before loading |
| Shipping line | Master Bill of Lading | 6 hours before loading |
| Freight forwarder or sub-co-loader | Lowest-level House Bill of Lading | 24 hours before loading |
| Master co-loader | Master Co-loader Bill | 6 hours before loading |
These are the specified MPCI deadlines. Shipping lines may have earlier shipping instruction cut-offs, so businesses should confirm the applicable deadlines with their carrier or logistics partner.
What information is required for MPCI filing?
The information submitted must be complete, accurate and consistent with the shipment documentation. Missing or incorrect details can lead to assessment queries or loading restrictions.
The key information generally includes:
- Bill of Lading number, issue date and place of issue
- Port of receipt, loading, transshipment, discharge and delivery details
- Full shipper, consignee and notify party details
- Street addresses for the shipper and consignee. Placeholders such as “Unknown” or a city name alone are not accepted. Where a consignee is declared on an import, its address must be in the UAE
- Cargo description and HS codes, where required
- Gross weight of the goods (including packaging, excluding the container’s tare weight), plus package type and number of packages
- Container and seal numbers
- MPCI Party IDs of the relevant shipping line, freight forwarder, NVOCC or co-loader
- Vessel and voyage details, where applicable
An HS code is required for non-consolidated (direct) bills. Confirm the required format with your carrier. Businesses should also confirm the data requirements for their shipment type before submitting instructions.
The MPCI Party ID is a unique identifier issued by NAIC to registered economic operators, including shipping lines, freight forwarders and NVOCCs. Relevant parties must complete registration through the NAIC portal before filing.
What happens if MPCI requirements are not met?
Once shipment information is submitted, NAIC assesses the filing and returns one of the following responses:
- Assessment Complete (ACT): The filing has been reviewed and the shipment is approved for loading.
- Assessment Complete with Warnings (ACW): The shipment is approved for loading, but NAIC has added comments on non-critical issues, such as data quality, that should be corrected in future filings.
- Request for Information (RFI): NAIC needs more information or a supporting document, such as an invoice or packing list. The shipment cannot proceed until the filer provides it and NAIC reassesses.
- Do Not Load (DNL): The shipment is not approved for loading to the UAE, and the shipping line must not load it. NAIC issues it for significant concerns such as security risks, incorrect or incomplete documentation or legal violations. It is a risk-assessment decision, not a routine request to fix data.
- Pending Sub-filing (PSF): In consolidation scenarios, the Master Bill is held because the required House Bill filings are missing. It stays on hold until they are submitted.
- Filing Expiry (EXP): The filing has expired because required actions, such as answering an RFI or completing a sub-filing, were not finished in time, typically 200 days. The shipment data must be resubmitted.
Missing filings, incomplete information or late submissions can also lead to shipment delays, rollover to a later vessel, fines or other regulatory action.
The MPCI filing is separate from customs declarations. Businesses must continue to meet the relevant customs and port requirements in addition to the advance cargo information submission.
Full enforcement began on 1 October 2026, but NAIC has said certain enforcement measures will continue to be introduced progressively. The National reported this update. Businesses should continue to follow the mandatory filing requirements and monitor official and carrier updates.
How can businesses prepare for MPCI compliance?
For importers and growing businesses, MPCI readiness starts with accurate shipment information and clear coordination with logistics partners. A few practical steps can help reduce avoidable issues:
- Confirm registration: Check that the relevant shipping line, freight forwarder or NVOCC has completed NAIC registration and obtained its MPCI Party ID. Forwarders and NVOCCs should also confirm they file through an NAIC-accredited service provider.
- Prepare documentation early: Share accurate shipper, consignee, cargo, container and Bill of Lading details with the responsible filing party well before the carrier’s cut-off.
- Clarify filing responsibilities: For consolidated shipments, confirm who is submitting the Master and House Bills and ensure the required parent references and Party IDs are available.
- Track assessment responses: Check that filings have reached the required assessment status and address any RFI or warning promptly.
- Allow time for corrections: Avoid leaving documentation and filing checks until the final loading window. Late changes can affect submission and loading readiness.
Importers should also establish a clear communication process with their freight forwarders so that missing information, filing queries and changes to shipment details can be addressed without unnecessary delays.
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Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is MPCI mandatory for all shipments entering the UAE?
No. MPCI applies only to sea cargo, not air or road cargo. Within sea cargo, it covers containerised cargo imported into the UAE, transshipped through UAE ports, moving in transit through the country and freight remaining on board at UAE ports. UAE-origin exports and specified non-containerised cargo are outside the current implementation scope.
2. Who needs to register with NAIC?
Shipping lines, freight forwarders, NVOCCs and other relevant economic operators involved in the filing process must register with NAIC and obtain the applicable MPCI Party ID.
3. Does MPCI replace the UAE customs declaration?
No. MPCI is an advance cargo information requirement and is separate from customs procedures. Businesses must continue to complete the applicable customs declarations and other regulatory formalities.
4. What happens if a House Bill of Lading is not filed on time?
A missing or incomplete House Bill filing can leave the related Master Bill in Pending Sub-filing status. This may prevent the cargo from receiving loading approval and can result in shipment delays.
5. When did full MPCI enforcement begin in the UAE?
The industry transition period ended on 30 September 2026, and full enforcement began on 1 October 2026. Certain enforcement measures are being introduced progressively, but the filing requirements remain mandatory.
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