UAE pre-load cargo filing (MPCI) now mandatory — no filing, no loading

The UAE's Maritime Pre-load Cargo Information (MPCI) programme, run by the National Advance Information Centre (NAIC), became mandatory on October 1. Launched on July 31, 2025, its enforcement date was pushed from March 31 to September 30 this year before taking full effect.

● Scope: containerised sea cargo imported into the UAE, transshipped or transiting through UAE ports, and freight remaining on board at UAE ports ● When: before loading at the last foreign port of loading before the UAE (for a direct sailing from Korea, before departure from Korea) ● Who: carriers file master B/L data and forwarders file house B/L data with NAIC, directly or through an accredited service provider ● What: B/L number and issue date, loading, discharge and transshipment ports, container and seal numbers, goods description and HS code, shipper and consignee, and other standard B/L data

NAIC answers each filing with Accept (ACT), Request for Information (RFI) or Do Not Load (DNL). Late, missing or incorrect filings are treated as violations and may be fined, and some carriers say cargo without an MPCI reference may be rolled to the next vessel. Carriers and consolidators in Korea are also starting to charge a separate filing fee for Middle East cargo.

For shipments to the UAE (Jebel Ali, Abu Dhabi and other ports), please send an accurate goods description, HS code and shipper/consignee details by the document cut-off. Late documents mean a late filing and can delay loading, so allow extra time.

KALTSTART handles bookings and shipping documents for sea exports to the Middle East. Contact our operations team at +82-2-2135-3351.

Sources: Hapag-Lloyd, UAE MPCI Filing Requirement (Feb 2026) https://www.hapag-lloyd.com/en/services-information/news/2026/02/here-s-an-update-about-the-uae-s-maritime-preload-cargo-informat.html · The National, New UAE shipping regulation takes full effect (Oct 1, 2026) https://www.thenationalnews.com/business/2026/10/01/new-uae-shipping-regulation-takes-full-effect-with-security-in-focus/