The United Arab Emirates has begun enforcing its Maritime Pre-Load Cargo Information (MPCI) program, requiring advance filing for all containerized cargo bound for or moving through the country.
In an update, IAMTrusted member Delight International Movers said that MPCI is run by the National Advance Information Center (NAIC), part of the UAE’s Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security, and that the program does not replace customs declarations. It covers FCL and LCL imports, transit and transshipment cargo, and freight remaining on board.
Exports, noncontainerized cargo, empty containers, and crew effects are excluded for now, though NAIC has said some exclusions may be removed in later phases. Each party files the bill it issues: forwarders and NVOCCs file house bills through accredited technology providers, and shipping lines file direct or master bills. House and direct bills are due 24 hours before loading at the last foreign port, and master bills six hours before.
Every filer needs an MPCI Party ID from the NAIC portal. Forwarder IDs aren’t public, so partners must share them directly. NAIC rejects vague goods descriptions such as “General Cargo,” placeholder entries such as “TBD,” and forwarder or carrier details in place of the actual shipper and consignee. A “Do Not Load” ruling on any house bill carries up to the master bill and blocks every house bill beneath it. According to Delight, the first filing must be made before loading, but updates can follow at any point. Emirates Shipping Line has warned that noncompliant cargo can be returned to the port of loading at the customer’s cost.
IAM Member Impact: Members should confirm their MPCI Party ID, share it with consolidation partners, and build the 24-hour deadline into origin cutoffs. Household goods filings should list the actual shipper and consignee, not the mover, and use specific English descriptions. Consolidators should verify every house bill before loading, since one rejected filing can hold the entire container.
Source: Delight International Movers; Emirates Shipping Line