The United Arab Emirates will begin mandatory application of its Maritime Pre-load Cargo Information (MPCI) filing requirements on October 1, 2026, according to a CMA CGM customer notice.
The regime applies to containerized maritime cargo destined for the UAE, moving in transit or transshipment through the country, or carried as Freight Remaining on Board (FROB). Shipping lines, freight forwarders and non-vessel-operating common carriers (NVOCCs) must submit shipment information electronically to the National Advance Information Center (NAIC) no later than 24 hours before loading at the final port of loading before the cargo enters the UAE.
CMA CGM said non-compliance, including late, missing, incomplete or inaccurate filings, may be treated as a violation by local authorities. Potential consequences include cargo confiscation, fines and penalties. Consignments lacking an MPCI reference number or other mandatory data may also be rolled to a subsequent vessel.
Operational context
The filing responsibility differs according to the type of bill of lading. For non-consolidated shipments, shipping lines must file the direct bill of lading. For consolidated cargo, they are required to submit the master bill of lading, while freight forwarders and NVOCCs must file the house bills of lading. Shipping lines should not submit house bills for consolidated shipments.
Shipping lines, forwarders and NVOCCs are required to file data with NAIC. Forwarders and NVOCCs must use an NAIC-certified accredited service provider for their submissions. All involved entities, including shipping lines, freight forwarders, NVOCCs and shipping agents, must register with NAIC before starting filings.
The information required is based primarily on bill of lading data. It includes the bill number, issue date and location; port details for receipt, loading, transshipment, discharge and delivery; container and seal information; cargo descriptions; and Harmonized System codes of at least six digits. The filing must also contain details of the shipper, consignee, notify party, forwarders and agents, as well as vessel and voyage details for shipping lines.
Further requirements include an LLI number for individual consignees and a Tax Registration Number for corporate consignees. MPCI Party IDs must be included for consolidating parties, with specific responsibilities set out for shipping lines, master co-loaders, NVOCCs and freight forwarders in consolidated shipments. NAIC assigns each registered shipping line, freight forwarder and NVOCC a unique seven-character alphanumeric MPCI Party ID.
The requirements do not apply to UAE export shipments, non-containerized maritime cargo such as breakbulk, liquid bulk and Ro-Ro cargo, wooden vessels during the current implementation phase, empty containers and crew effects. Mixed bulk and containerized cargo must be filed. Shipper-owned tank containers carrying residue are also subject to filing.
CMA CGM urged customers and logistics partners to ensure compliance with the updated UAE requirements ahead of the October 1 implementation date.