By: OrePulse

The United Arab Emirates' new Maritime Pre-Load Cargo Information (MPCI) program took effect on October 1, requiring shipping lines and freight forwarders to submit cargo details to the National Advance Information Centre (NAIC) before vessels depart their loading ports, rather than the previous requirement to file with port customs authorities within 48 hours of arrival.

The program covers cargo destined for the UAE as well as goods in transit, transhipment cargo and freight that remains aboard vessels calling at UAE ports. Carriers and forwarders must supply shipper and consignee details and other cargo information to the NAIC before departure. The centre then issues one of three determinations: acceptance, a request for more information, or a do-not-load instruction. Cargo that receives a do-not-load instruction cannot be loaded.

Filing can be made either through direct integration with the NAIC, which is open to shipping lines, or through accredited third-party service providers, drawing on bill-of-lading information that carriers and forwarders already hold. The NAIC does not charge a filing fee, though accredited providers may charge for their services. Binai Thoppil of accredited provider ODeX said "Each filing may cost a few dollars as compared to thousands of dollars in freight cost."

The 48-hour port-customs filing requirement that predates the MPCI program remains in place alongside the new system.

The program had originally been scheduled to take effect March 31 but was delayed, with reports citing regional conflicts as the reason. The NAIC said enforcement would be phased in to give stakeholders additional time to adjust. Officials said they would address initial non-compliance through formal communications and warning notices before escalating to fines.

Shipping line CMA CGM said it could defer cargo shipped without an MPCI reference number or required data to a later sailing. Maersk said requests for additional information and do-not-load notices would be introduced in phases as the program begins.

Comparable advance-filing regimes for cargo security have been in place in the United States since 2004, and several European countries have adopted similar rules more recently.