Cargo moving into or through the United Arab Emirates will have to meet a 72-hour shipping instruction deadline from June 15, when the UAE’s ‘No Manifest, No Load’ policy takes effect for cargo loaded from compliance load ports.
The requirement applies to all import, transhipment and Freight Remaining on Board (FROB) shipments destined for or transiting through the UAE, according to a Maersk operational advisory released on May 27.
The hard launch follows a phased implementation process that began with a soft launch on September 1, 2025.
“From this date [June 15] onwards, all Import, Transshipment and FROB shipments destined for or transiting through the UAE will be required to obtain mandatory approval from the National Advance Information Centre (NAIC) UAE Customs prior to loading. Shipments that do not receive the required approval will not be permitted to be loaded onto the vessel or enter UAE waters,” the advisory said.
Shipping instructions must be submitted 72 hours before the vessel’s estimated time of departure at the compliance load port. This is the loading port for the vessel carrying the container on the last leg into a UAE port.
“Failure to comply may result in cargo being returned to South Africa (FROB), a Change of Destination (COD) being applied, and/or penalties issued by UAE Customs (NAIC),” Maersk said, adding that all associated logistical costs would be for the customer’s account.
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