UAE Advance Cargo Manifest implementation- Operational Guidelines

We would like to inform you that Maersk will be Implementing the new regulatory framework by National Advance Information Centre (NAIC) in UAE to declare the Advance Manifest Cargo information through the “Maritime Preload Cargo Information” (MPCI) portal.

This is an update on the upcoming changes expected in the process and cut-off timelines. The scope of this change is Imports cargo into UAE, Transshipment cargo through UAE Ports and FROB into UAE.

Based on the new regulations there are necessary changes to the “Shipping instructions-SI” submission process for cargo destined or transiting through UAE and the responsibilities for shippers and forwarding agents. The effective date for this new process is 1st of September 2025.

A. Applicability of “Direct or Master Bill of Lading” Declaration in Shipping Instruction submission.

• Imports into UAE - MUST mandatorily declare “Direct or Master Bill of Lading”
• Transhipment and FROB through UAE – As guided by NAIC, all bills of ladings transhipping or transiting through UAE will be declared as “Direct Bill of Lading”.

B. Declaration of “Direct or Master Bill of Lading” for Shipping Instruction submitted via Maersk.com (Feature expected to be available on Maersk.com by 28 August 2025)

1. Direct Customers – In case you are a BCO customer, and no House Bill of Lading (HBL) is involved, during the SI submission process you will be asked below question.



Question: Does this shipment have a House Bill of Lading (Is this a Master Bill of Lading)? Yes/No
You can select “No”, we will declare the shipment to NAIC as “Direct Bill of Lading”

2. Forwarders – In case you are a NVOCC, SCAC, HBL customer and HBL is involved, during the SI submission process you will be asked below question.

Question: Does this shipment have a House Bill of Lading (Is this a Master Bill of Lading)? Yes/No
You can select a “Yes”
Subsequently you will need to specify the 7-digit Alpha numeric code, e.g.: MPCI123 Maritime Preload Cargo Information (MPCI) code.
We will declare the shipment to NAIC as “Master Bill of Lading”

C. Declaration of “Direct or Master Bill of Lading” for Shipping Instruction submitted via EDI and INTTRA

i .For Shipping Instructions through EDI:
Shippers should provide details in ‘Notes to Carriers’ or ‘Shipper’s memoranda’ or similar specific free text field

1. For BCO – Customer should specify ‘No HBL’, ‘Non SCAC’ or ‘House Bill included (N) so that it can be identified as “Direct Bill of Lading”, and we shall accordingly declare it to NAIC
2. For Forwarders – Customer should specify ‘HBL’, ‘SCAC’, ‘NVOCC’ or ‘House Bill included (Y)’, so that it can be identified as BL that involves HBL/s. For such, we shall require 7-digit Alpha numeric MPCI code to declare it to NAIC as ‘Master Bill of Lading’

Please note, in absence of the required key word/s, the bill of lading will be declared as ‘Direct Bill of Lading’ to NAIC.

ii .For Shipping Instructions through INTTRA:
The new SI submission features for the UAE Advance Manifest are already enabled for EDI and INTTRA customers. We kindly request all INTTRA customers to submit their Shipping Instructions in line with the updated process outlined below.

1. For BCO – customer should specify ‘No HBL’, ‘Non SCAC’ or ‘House Bill included (N)’ under ‘Shipper’s memoranda’ or ‘B/l comment’ so that it can be identified as ‘Direct Bill of Lading’, and we shall accordingly declare it to NAIC
2. For Forwarders – Customer should specify ‘HBL’, ‘SCAC’, ‘NVOCC’ or ‘House Bill included (Y)’ under ‘Shipper’s memoranda’ or ‘B/l comment’, so that it can be identified as BL that involves HBL/s. For such, we shall require the 7-digit Alpha numeric MPCI code to declare to NAIC as ‘Master Bill of Lading’

Please note, in absence of the required key word/s, the bill of lading will be declared as ‘Direct Bill of Lading’ to NAIC.

D. Forwarders responsibility:
In all the above SI submission process, the forwarders/filing party are supposed to do a onetime registration with NAIC NAIC Website and receive the MPCI code. This code is Mandatory as per the guidelines of NAIC as Forwarders submitting House Bill must share this information during the SI submission.
Maersk will declare this to NAIC as “Master Bill of Lading” and share the MPCI code during Advance cargo manifest filing.

In addition, the Forwarders/Filing party MUST submit the HBL filing with NAIC or through Accredited Service Provider following the proposed timeline. For more information on how to do this please refer to the official NAIC Website .

NOTE: Maersk as a Shipping Agent is not authorized to do HBL filing to NAIC on behalf of customers.

E. Cut off Timelines for Shipping Instruction Submission:
To comply with NAIC regulations, Shipping Instructions must be submitted 72 hours prior to the Vessel Departure (ETD) at the Compliance Load Port.

This requirement applies to all cargo moving into or via the UAE, including:

• Imports into the UAE
• Transshipments
• Freight Remaining on Board (FROB)

What is Compliance Load Port?
The compliance load port is the loading port for the vessel carrying your container on the last leg approaching into UAE port.

Example Scenario:
Place of receipt/load: Cape town, South Africa
Place of delivery/final discharge: Jebel Ali, UAE
Compliance load port: Cape town, South Africa
Vessel Estimated Time of Departure: 30 July 2025 at 11:30
Shipping Instruction Deadline: 27 July 2025 at 11:30 (-72 hours prior to vessel ETD)

Service - MW1

F. Soft Launch and Implementation Timeline

• Soft Launch: From 1 September 2025, customers are requested to submit Shipping Instructions in line with the new deadlines. During this period, Maersk will test compliance across customer submissions.
• Go-Live: Effective 15 September 2025, Maersk will commence “live” Advance Cargo Information submission to NAIC.
• N.B. During this phase, non-compliant containers will not be denied loading, rolled to the next vessel, or retained on board (ROB). The “No Doc, No Load” policy is expected to be implemented by NAIC in the first quarter of 2026, and we will keep you updated on the confirmed implementation date.

G. Mandatory Information for SI Submission
To ensure compliance, the following data must be included in your Shipping Instruction (in addition to standard Bill of Lading details):

• Bill Number
• Issue Date and Location
• Ports (Loading, Discharge, Transshipment, Receipt, and Delivery)
• Container Details and Seal Numbers
• Cargo Details and HS Code
• Involved Parties (Shipper, Consignee, Notify Party, Freight Forwarders and Agents)
• Vessel & Voyage Information: Mandatory for shipping lines.
• Identifiers:
1. Shipping lines and freight forwarders must provide their own identifiers: MPCI Party ID (Link to next section).
2. Additionally, freight forwarders must include identifiers for the master co-loader or shipping line.
3. Shipping lines or master co-loaders must include identifiers for any consolidating(child) freight forwarders in cases of consolidation.
• Other Standard Information: Any additional standard information typically included in the BOL.

For more details, please refer to the National Advance Information Center link.

Consequences of Missing the SI Deadline
Failure to meet the required SI submission deadline may result in:

• Cargo being returned to South Africa (FROB), with all related logistical costs charged to the customer.
• Change of Destination (COD), with all related logistical costs charged to the customer.
• Penalties imposed by UAE Customs (NAIC)

At Maersk, your business is our priority. We remain committed to supporting your logistics needs with the highest levels of service and compliance. We kindly request your cooperation in ensuring that complete Shipping Instructions are submitted no later than 72 hours prior to vessel departure at the Compliance Load Port.

Should you have any questions or require support regarding these new regulations, please contact your local Customer Experience Consultant or your Maersk Sales Representative.