UAE Fully Enforces Maritime Pre-Load Cargo Information Shipping Regulation

The UAE's Maritime Pre-load Cargo Information (MPCI) program has taken full effect as of October 1, 2026, ending the transitional grace period for ocean carriers, freight forwarders, and non-vessel operating common carriers (NVOCCs), according to reports from The National and maritime industry notices.

Administered by the National Advance Information Centre (NAIC)—a body operating under the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security—the MPCI regime applies to all containerized maritime freight arriving at UAE ports. This covers direct imports, transshipments, transit cargo, and freight remaining on board (FROB).

Under the enforced rules, carriers and forwarders must electronically submit detailed cargo information to the NAIC at least 24 hours prior to loading at the vessel's last foreign port of call bound for the Emirates. Filings require complete details of the shipper, consignee, notify parties, six-digit HS codes, container and seal numbers, and a mandatory MPCI Party ID issued through the NAIC portal.

The NAIC issues one of three response statuses upon submission: acceptance (ACT), requests for additional information, or a 'Do Not Load' (DNL) directive. Shipments that fail to secure accepted clearance are physically prohibited from being loaded onto vessels at foreign ports, and non-compliant or missing filings face cargo holds, loading bans, and statutory penalties.