The MPCI programme—also referred to as the Advance Manifest Filing requirement—mandates that ocean carriers electronically submit comprehensive import cargo manifest data to UAE Customs prior to vessel departure from the last foreign port preceding arrival in the UAE.

Scope of applicability  

The filing obligation applies uniformly to all containerised maritime cargo entering, transiting through, or transshipped via UAE ports, including:  

• Import shipments destined for customs clearance within the UAE;  

• Transshipment cargo discharged in UAE ports for onward carriage;  

• Transit cargo and Freight Remaining on Board (FROB) passing through UAE ports without discharge.

Submission deadline for shipping instructions  

Customers are required to submit complete and accurate Shipping Instructions—or draft Bills of Lading—at least 48 hours prior to the vessel’s estimated time of arrival (ETA) at the port of loading. Late or incomplete submissions may result in cargo roll-over or issuance of a “Do Not Load” directive by UAE Customs.

Advance Filing Surcharge details  

The surcharge, applicable per Bill of Lading, is structured as follows:  

• Charge Code: 42910  

• Charge Name: Advance Filing Surcharge  

• Applicable Cargo Types: Imports, transshipments, transit cargo, and FROB  

• Currency: USD  

• Amount: USD 17.00  

• Basis: Per Bill of Lading  

RCL confirms that this charge reflects the incremental operational costs associated with the preparation, validation, electronic submission, and regulatory compliance verification of mandatory pre-load cargo data under the MPCI framework.

Resource.: https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/bbkDPJI_l1-TpBtyvS9tLQ