UAE Maritime Pre-Load Cargo Information (MPCI): filing requirements and compliance 

If you ship containerized cargo by sea to, through, or via the United Arab Emirates (UAE), you must file UAE Maritime Pre-Load Cargo Information (MPCI) before the cargo is loaded at its last foreign port bound for the UAE.

Filing is mandatory with a grace period until 30 September 2026, during which late filings are not penalized and only Acceptance (ACT) responses are issued. However, the obligation to file is already in force. (Exact deadlines can be found below)

UAE MPCI is a mandatory advanced cargo reporting requirement for applicable containerized maritime shipments that enter, transship, transit, or remain on board (Freight Remaining on Board, or FROB) at UAE seaports. It is administered by the National Advance Information Centre (NAIC) under the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security (ICP).

When UAE MPCI filing is due

The UAE launched the MPCI program on 31 July 2025. Cargo information must be submitted before loading at the last foreign port bound for the UAE, with the deadline set by document type:

• Direct Bills of Lading and lowest-level House Bills of Lading: at least 24 hours before loading.
• Master Bills of Lading and Master Co-loader Bills: no later than 6 hours before loading.

While the grace period running to 30 September 2026 eases how late filing is handled, these filing deadlines are still in force.

Which cargo is subject to UAE MPCI

The requirement applies to all containerized maritime cargo moved by sea that is:

• Imported into the UAE
• Transshipped through the UAE
• In transit through the UAE
• Freight Remaining on Board (FROB) at UAE seaports — these filings are submitted by the shipping lines. It does not apply to export shipments, non-containerized cargo (such as bulk, breakbulk and Ro-Ro), wooden vessels, empty containers, or crew's personal effects.

These exclusions may change in later phases of the program.

How to comply with UAE MPCI

1. Register with NAIC and obtain an MPCI Party ID through the NAIC Portal.
2. Choose a filing method: submit directly through the NAIC Portal, or through a certified Technology Service Provider (TSP). CrimsonLogic is a certified TSP.
3. Submit the required shipment data before loading at the last foreign port bound for the UAE (at least 24 hours before loading for Direct and House Bills; 6 hours for Master and Master Co-loader Bills).
4. The required data includes Bill of Lading details, importer and exporter information, vessel and voyage details, port information, container numbers, seal numbers, cargo weight, and other prescribed shipment data.
5. Monitor the filing response. During the grace period ending 30 September 2026, NAIC issues Acceptance (ACT, "OK to Load") responses only; Request for Information (RFI) and Do Not Load (DNL) responses are suspended.
6. Keep shipment data accurate. Data quality issues are resolved with NAIC through engagement and corrective action.

What the grace period to 30 September 2026 means

NAIC has extended the grace period for certain enforcement measures to 30 September 2026 to support industry readiness.

Filing remains required throughout this period and the interim enforcement approach is:

• MPCI filing remains required for all applicable shipments, in line with the published requirements.
• NAIC continues to issue Acceptance (ACT, "OK to Load") responses; RFI and DNL responses remain suspended.
• No violations, penalties, or enforcement actions are applied for late MPCI filings.
• Data quality and accuracy issues are addressed directly with the relevant entities through engagement and corrective action, rather than through violations.
• The same interim approach applies where vessel routes are amended, or where shipments are later identified as destined for, transiting through, or transshipping via the UAE.

Information current as of 26 June 2026, reflecting NAIC's grace-period extension notice dated 25 June 2026. The grace period was previously set to end 31 March 2026; check NAIC for the latest position before relying on these dates.