The essential Customs Clearance Guide for shipping enterprises: The MPCI Declaration Strategy for the United Arab Emirates

The essential "Customs Clearance Guide" for shipping enterprises: The MPCI Declaration Strategy for the United Arab Emirates

 

To enhance international supply chain security and combat terrorist financing, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has continuously advanced the implementation of the MPCI Multiple Principal Contingent Insurance Cargo Manifest System in recent years. The plan officially came into effect on July 31, 2025.

 

 

Part 01

What is MPCI anti-terrorism manifest declaration?

 

MPCI: Maritime Pre-Load Cargo Information is an import pre-declaration system developed by the National Pre-Declaration Information Center, which is used for the data declaration of all containerized goods imported by sea into the territory of the United Arab Emirates before arrival.

 

This system integrates insurance mechanisms with requirements for goods data declaration, aiming to enhance the transparency and security of imported and exported goods through multi-departmental collaboration, while providing risk protection for enterprises.

 

Part 02

Who are the applicants for MPCI?

 

The involved declarants are as follows:

 

1. Ocean shipping companies (the entities that issue MBL)

 

2. The multi-level division of orders by sea freight forwarders (the entities that issue HBL) needs to be related layer by layer

 

3. Uae Overseas Agent (Importer of goods)

 

Involved countries:

 

All the emirates of the United Arab Emirates: ABU Dhabi, Sharjah, Dubai, Ajman, Fujairah, Umm Al Quwan and Al Khaimah.

 

 

Part 03

The application elements of MPCI

 

1. The MPCI ID of the declarant and the handler of the imported goods;

 

2.[Bill of Lading Information] Vessel name, voyage, bill of lading number, place of issue, date

 

3.[Port Information] Loading port, unloading port, transshipment port, shipowner's place of receipt, place of delivery

 

4.[Container Information] Container number + Seal Number

 

5.[Goods Information] Product name, HSCODE

 

6.[Address Information] Transceiver Pass

Part 04

When should MPCI be declared?

 

The declaration time of shipping companies

 

·Direct BL (No downstream HBL) : Submit 24 hours before loading at the last loading port;

 

·Master BL (HBL downstream) : Submit 6 hours before loading at the last loading port.

 

The time for freight forwarder declaration

 

· The last layer of HBL issuer: Submit 24 hours before loading;

 

· Intermediate layer declarant (if the bill of lading is combined with multiple batches of goods) : Submit 6 hours before loading.

Part 05

How to apply for MPCI?

 

Declared type of goods:

 

Only the following two types of goods need to be declared.

 

- Unloading of sea imports to the United Arab Emirates;

 

The goods are unloaded in the United Arab Emirates by sea and then transited through the UAE to other countries.

 

Goods that do not require declaration

 

• Export goods: Goods exported from the United Arab Emirates.

 

• Non-containerized sea freight: bulk cargo (general cargo, liquid bulk cargo), roll-on/roll-off cargo, etc.

 

• Wooden boats: Currently not included in the implementation stage of MPCI.

 

• Empty container: A container with no goods inside.

 

• Crew items: Personal belongings of ship crew members.

 

Before sending the MPCI, you must hold the MPCI party ID and make an online declaration through the overseas manifest sending system jointly developed by Linghang and Junri. (It will be launched later. Currently, you can apply for the MPCI party ID first.

 

 

How to conduct multi-level declaration?

 

When a freight forwarder consoles goods under the name of another freight forwarder or non-vessel operating common carrier, it may involve multiple levels of consolidation. Each issuer must submit its own bill of lading:

 

The shipping company submits the bill of lading issued by the company

 

· NVOCC submits the bill of lading it has issued

 

All levels of freight forwarders submit the bills of lading they have issued, among which the lowest-level freight forwarder submits the bill of lading including the actual consignee and the shipper.

 

The declaration trial operation window period for freight forwarders

 

2025/7/31 ~ 2026/3/31

 

Seize the window period to handle the MPCI party ID in advance

 

Adapt to the declaration process in advance to ensure the normal loading of goods onto the ship