UAE - NAIC

As of February 29th, 2024, the NAIC Advance Cargo Information system requires the submission of cargo information, including HS codes, as early as possible before Arrival at the first UAE airport for inbound and transit shipment. For outbound shipments, submission must take place as early as possible before Departure from the last UAE airport.

As a minimum requirement, the 6-digit HS code is required and will be validated (i.e., Chapter, heading and sub-heading) against the World Customs Organization (WCO) HS code list. 8- and 10-digit codes will also be accepted, but validation will only take place against the first 6 digits. If an ACI filing does not include the 6-digit HS codes, or if the filing includes invalid HS codes, such filing will be automatically rejected by the ACI system. HS codes submitted by operators are recommended to match the accurate nature of goods submitted in the AWB documents and not describe a false nature of goods.

What is NAIC

The UAE´s Advance Cargo Information Program (ACI), developed by the National Advance Information Center (NAIC), requires the advance filing of cargo information for goods being imported into, exported from, or transiting through the UAE. As part of NAIC´s ACI new filing requirement, The Harmonized Systems Code (HS Codes) must be specified for all goods items in a waybill.

HS code

As part of the new filing requirement, the first six digits of the HS Code must be specified for all items in an Air Waybill. Optionally eight-digit HS codes may also be used. If an ACI filing does not include the 6-digit HS codes, or if the filing includes invalid HS codes, such filing will be automatically rejected by the ACI system.

How to Comply

HS Codes will be either submitted using FWB or FHL messages depending on the shipment type:

For Consolidated Shipments, in which the shipment is associated with more than one house Waybill; operators must submit the HS code on the House Waybill level (See Section 2.2).
For Direct Shipments, in which the shipment is associated with one Master Waybill; the operator must submit the HS code on the Master Waybill level (See Section 2.1).
For Direct Back-to-Back Shipments, in which one master Waybill associated with one house air waybill is to be submitted, operator must submit the HS code on the House Waybill level (See Section 2.2).

UAE Advance Cargo Information - Frequently asked questions

Is HS code requested on all modes of transport Import/Export/Transit?

Import and Transit and Export

What is the date of compliance from the carriers to the HS code regarding shipments to the UAE?

NAIC plans to introduce a mandated requirement once we have ensured with NAIC´s partners that the process is working smoothly and efficiently without any interruption in the supply chain.

How many digits of the HS code are required?

6 digits.

The HS code should be reported in the house and master?

HS code to be reported on the house airwaybill level. The HS code is to be reported on the AWB level for direct shipment.

How does NAIC expect the HS code reporting on consolidated shipments?

Regarding Consolidation shipment, the HS code will be reported on the house air waybill.

There is a limitation in the CIMP for the HS code section, how does NAIC expect the carrier to handle it?

C-IMP limitation is accepted for the current phase and any future requirements will be communicated to the operators.

Goods Description Text in the master should include?

For AWB handling consolidation shipments, the goods description must include “Consolidation”.
For AWB handling Direct shipments, the actual goods description must be mentioned in the AWB.

At what stage of the freight forwarding process does SWISS transmit the HS Code to UAE customs?

SWISS forwards the HS Codes to UAE customs as soon as the data has been received from the customer.

At what point in time should the customer transmit the electronic shipment data (FHL/FWB)?

The sooner the better – in any case data must be transmitted before hand-over to the airline.

Can a customer send messages in CXML standard to SWISS?

Yes, CXML can be sent. The respective EDI-provider will take care of the conversion from CXML to IATA CIMP as SWISS can only process CIMP-messages.

What are the new data elements required for ICS2 to be provided by the customer?

Additionally, to the correct and descriptive goods description the corresponding valid 6-digit HS code is mandatory for each item in the consignment.

Are HS Codes required on master level for consolidations?

No. HS Codes for consolidations are only required on house level. HS Codes on master level are only required for direct shipments without house AWBs.

Does the HS Code requirement also apply to postal consignments?

No. The HS Code is only required for shipments transported covered under a Cargo AWB.

Please note this is not a comprehensive overview of laws and regulations that may apply to air transport. Air France KLM Martinair Cargo cannot be held responsible for the correctness, nor completeness, of the information provided.