The United Arab Emirates will fully enforce its Maritime Pre-load Cargo Information programme from 1 October 2026, demanding stricter data accuracy from shippers and tighter controls on vessel loading to enhance security and regulatory compliance.
The United Arab Emirates is moving to full enforcement of its Maritime Pre-load Cargo Information programme on 1 October 2026, ending the grace period that had allowed shippers time to adapt to the National Advance Information Centre’s filing requirements. Hapag-Lloyd said customers should expect stricter checks from that date, with missing, incomplete or inaccurate data potentially leading to Do Not Load instructions, cargo holds, loading restrictions or regulatory penalties.
Under the rules, shippers must include the relevant MPCI Code or Party ID when submitting shipping instructions. The identifier is issued to registered economic operators such as shipping lines, freight forwarders and agents, while companies without one are required to complete a one-time registration through the NAIC portal. For direct or non-consolidated bills of lading, a six-digit HS code is also required, alongside full names and addresses for the shipper, consignee and notify party, plus accurate container and seal numbers and a clear cargo description.
The programme also places tighter obligations on freight forwarders and non-vessel operating common carriers issuing house bills of lading. Hapag-Lloyd said HBL filings must be completed at least 24 hours before loading at the last foreign port before the UAE, and the carrier’s master bill number must be shown as the parent bill. Those filings must reach Assessment Complete status; otherwise the master bill may remain in Pending Sub-Filing status, which could stop the container from being cleared for loading.
The UAE’s advance cargo information regime has been evolving for more than a year, with carriers giving customers repeated guidance on how to comply. MSC said the MPCI programme applies to cargo discharged in the UAE, transshipped through the country or remaining on board when vessels call at a UAE port. ONE has also said the filing system sits alongside, rather than within, existing customs processes, while Hapag-Lloyd’s earlier guidance noted that the requirement covers import, transit and freight remaining on board cargo.
Source Reference Map
Inspired by headline at: [1]
Sources by paragraph:
– Paragraph 1: [5], [6]
– Paragraph 2: [5], [6], [3]
– Paragraph 3: [5], [3], [7]
– Paragraph 4: [2], [3], [4]
Source: Noah Wire Services
Verification / Sources
- https://container-news.com/uae-to-fully-enforce-maritime-pre-load-cargo-information-rules-from-october/ – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://www.msc.com/en/newsroom/customer-advisories/2026/february/uae-advance-cargo-manifest-implementation – The UAE’s National Advance Information Center (NAIC) is implementing the Maritime Pre-Load Cargo Information (MPCI) Program, requiring advance submission of cargo information for maritime shipments entering or transiting through the UAE. The program becomes fully operational on 1 April 2026, with compliance mandatory from that date. The MPCI program applies to all cargo discharged in the UAE, transshipped via the UAE, or remaining on board when the vessel calls a UAE port. (msc.com)
- https://www.one-line.com/en/newsroom/uae-maritime-pre-load-cargo-information-mpci-update – Ocean Network Express (ONE) provides an update on the UAE’s Maritime Pre-Load Cargo Information (MPCI) program, which mandates a 24-hour advance submission of cargo destinations to the UAE, transshipment, or Freight Remaining on Board (FROB) loading at the origin or transshipment port. The program is independent of existing UAE Customs processes and requires all entities filing cargo data to include the identifiers of the parties involved in the transport chain. ONE’s MPCI Party ID is ONESL00. (one-line.com)
- https://www.hapag-lloyd.com/es/services-information/news/2026/02/here-s-an-update-about-the-uae-s-maritime-preload-cargo-informat.html – Hapag-Lloyd informs customers about the UAE’s Maritime Pre-Load Cargo Information (MPCI) program, which became effective on 31 July 2025. The program requires the electronic submission of Bill of Lading information to the NAIC before loading at the last foreign port of departure to the UAE. The MPCI requirement applies to all containerized maritime cargo destined for import into the UAE, transshipment through the UAE, transit via the UAE, or Freight Remaining on Board (FROB) at UAE ports. (hapag-lloyd.com)
- https://www.hapag-lloyd.com/en/services-information/offices-localinfo/local-news/2026/09/uae–mpci-grace-period-ends-september-30–2026.html – Hapag-Lloyd reminds customers that the grace period for the UAE’s Maritime Pre-Load Cargo Information (MPCI) program ends on 30 September 2026. Effective 1 October 2026, full enforcement of the MPCI program will begin. Customers are required to include the applicable MPCI Code/Party ID when submitting Shipping Instructions. The MPCI Party ID is a unique code issued to registered economic operators, including shipping lines, freight forwarders, and agents. (hapag-lloyd.com)
- https://dmxlogistics.ae/what-is-npci-a-complete-guide-to-uae-maritime-preload-cargo-information-in-2026/ – The UAE’s Maritime Pre-Load Cargo Information (MPCI) program, also known as NPCI, requires detailed shipment information to be submitted electronically before containers are loaded at foreign ports. This program, effective from April 2026, aims to enhance cargo security and enable earlier risk assessments. Non-compliance may result in ‘Do Not Load’ instructions, cargo holds, loading restrictions, or regulatory penalties. (dmxlogistics.ae)
- https://www.oocl.com/eng/aboutoocl/customerservice/Pages/06Mar2026_0001.aspx – OOCL informs customers that the pilot phase of the UAE’s Maritime Pre-Load Cargo Information (MPCI) filing will conclude on 31 March 2026, with full enforcement taking effect from 1 April 2026. The MPCI program requires the electronic submission of Bills of Lading to the NAIC before loading at the last foreign port prior to arrival in the UAE. This requirement applies to all containerized cargo bound for UAE ports, including import shipments, transshipment, transit cargo, and Freight Remaining on Board (FROB). (oocl.com)
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score: 8
Notes: The article was published on 22 September 2026, reporting on the UAE’s full enforcement of the Maritime Pre-load Cargo Information (MPCI) programme starting 1 October 2026. Similar information has been available since earlier in 2026, with official announcements from shipping companies such as Hapag-Lloyd and OOCL. (hapag-lloyd.com) However, the specific date of 1 October 2026 is a recent development, indicating the article’s freshness.
Quotes check
Score: 7
Notes: The article includes direct quotes from Hapag-Lloyd regarding the enforcement of the MPCI programme. (hapag-lloyd.com) These quotes are consistent with information available from Hapag-Lloyd’s official communications. (hapag-lloyd.com) However, the article does not provide direct quotes from other sources, which limits the ability to cross-verify the information.
Source reliability
Score: 6
Notes: The article is published by Container News, a niche publication focusing on the shipping industry. While it provides detailed information, the publication’s reach and reputation are limited compared to major news organisations. The article references official sources such as Hapag-Lloyd and OOCL, but the lack of direct quotes from these sources in the article raises concerns about the independence of the reporting.
Plausibility check
Score: 8
Notes: The claims about the UAE’s enforcement of the MPCI programme align with information from official sources, including Hapag-Lloyd and OOCL. (hapag-lloyd.com) The specific date of 1 October 2026 is a recent development, indicating the article’s relevance. However, the lack of direct quotes from these sources in the article raises concerns about the independence of the reporting.