From 1 September 2025, the United Arab Emirates will roll out its new Advance Cargo Manifest requirements through the Maritime Preload Cargo Information (MPCI) portal, overseen by the National Advance Information Centre (NAIC).
The aim is straightforward: enhance visibility, improve risk management, and align with global best practices for advance cargo reporting.
For shippers, forwarders, and carriers, the changes mean new responsibilities, new timelines, and zero tolerance for errors once enforcement begins.
The scope covers:
At its core, the MPCI system requires shipping lines, freight forwarders, and NVOCCs to submit detailed cargo data before the vessel arrives. This isn’t just a procedural update, it’s a strategic recalibration of how the UAE intends to manage risk, streamline customs, and accelerate cargo clearance.
A critical element of the new process is the correct declaration of whether a shipment is moved under a Direct Bill of Lading or a Master Bill of Lading:
In practice, if a forwarder submits an HBL, they must ensure the corresponding MPCI code is filed with NAIC or an accredited service provider. Shipping lines are not authorised to file HBL data on behalf of customers.
The Shipping Instruction (SI) must now be submitted no later than 72 hours before the vessel’s Estimated Time of Departure (ETD) from the compliance load port.
Missing this deadline has serious consequences:
To ensure compliance, SI submissions must include expanded data fields beyond the standard bill of lading. These include:
Failure to provide this information accurately may result in reclassification of the bill of lading type or outright rejection by NAIC.
For shippers and freight forwarders, compliance is no longer optional. Practical steps include:
By bringing this process the UAE is consolidating its position as a logistics hub. For businesses, the message is clear: adapt now, or risk costly disruptions later.
The transition period provides an opportunity for shippers and forwarders to refine their systems and processes. Those who move early will not only remain compliant but also gain operational efficiency and better cargo visibility across their supply chains.
