Advisories Tags: Advisory

Notice on List of SOC Banned Prefixes

Update as of 1st July 2024

ESL complies with Economic Sanctions and International Trade Controls (“Sanctions”) adopted, administered or enforced by the United Nations Security Council, the European Union, the United States of America, or any other applicable competent authority or government (the “Sanctioning Authority”) including the OFAC (Office of Foreign Assets Control) Regulations https://ofac.treasury.gov/.  

To safeguard the integrity of our services, ESL stands firm in the non-acceptance of the containers that are owned by any entity subject to Sanctions by any Sanctioning Authority and the containers bearing following prefixes: 

AGIU, AKKU, ALXU, BANU, BGCU, BYTU, CBKU, CGVU, CILU, DAMU, DLRU, FCCU, FESU, FMCU, FURU, HDXU, IRSU, KGNU, KGSU, LCTU, LSLU, MAAU, MIOU, NMKU, PAPU, PARU, PESU, RSPU, RZDU, RZZU, SBAU, SSFU, SSGU, TDIU, TKRU, TPPU, TRZU, VDXU, WOSU, XANU, XBIU, XNIU

In compliance with the recent directive issued by the Malaysian Government, ESL requests its shippers that containers with the following prefixes – ZCLU, ZCSU, ZIMU, ZMOU, and ZWFU are not to be loaded onboard ESL operated vessels, with immediate effect to/from Malaysian ports.

If any containers bearing the aforementioned prefixes are found on board vessels owned or operated by ESL, we will take immediate action to have them discharged. 

Any damages, fines, costs, claims, expenses and any consequences resulted therefrom or caused through the handling of such container/s with said prefix will be solely on the slot user/ container operator’s account and full responsibility. 

Throughout this process, we aim to give as much clarity and notice as possible, but please continue to visit ESL’s website for all the latest updates. Should you have any questions or concerns, please contact your local customer service representative.  Thank you for your full attention and compliance. 

India Sea Cargo Manifest and Transshipment Regulations (SCMTR) – Update 

 Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) has recently announced the execution of parallel run Sea Cargo Manifest and Transshipment (SCMTR) with current manifest process effective 1st June 2024.

Starting from 1st July 2024, parallel testing must be strictly conducted for all filed manifests and any incompliance or deviation may result customs delay and penalties. Therefore, we need your immediate attention and cooperation to provide timely and accurate Shipping Instruction per below requirement with immediate effect.

Scope of SCMTR

  1. Apply to all cargoes intended for discharge, loading or transshipment at any Indian ports, and to the cargoes transiting through any Indian ports (i.e., foreign cargoes remaining on board). 
  2. Customs filings as per SCMTR regulation will also apply to any Shipping Line cargoes transiting via Indian ports on vessels without any loading or discharge in Indian Ports. Therefore, all requirements applicable in this scenario must be fulfilled, including the filing of the manifest for foreign cargo remaining on board in such cases. 

Sea Arrival Manifest (SAM) – For all containers into India:

  1. SAM must be filed in customs before vessel getting departed from Last Foreign Port of call. Example of last foreign port call per proforma schedule: Port Klang for KCIS westbound / Dar Es Salaam for GIA northbound / Dammam for SGI northbound. 
  2. In any circumstances where omission of proforma last foreign port of call, the previous port of call becomes the last foreign port of call. 
  3. Shipping Instruction must be provided at least 72 hours before departure of last foreign port of call, or the SI Cut off time provided by our POL office per local practice. 
  4. For ALL containers discharging for local or transhipment or retain on board at any Indian Ports. 
  5. Harmonized (HS) Code of 6 digits is mandatory. Only one major HS code per container is required. 
  6. Consignee and Notify Party’s IEC Code (10 digits) is mandatory for Indian actual importer (not applicable for Forwarder or NVOCC), to be shown on BL Body. 
  7. Consignee and Notify Party’s Permanent Account Number (PAN with 10 digits) is mandatory for Indian actual importer, Indian Forwarder and NVOCC, to be shown on BL Body. 
  8. The local legal identification is required wherever an Indian party is involved (as Shipper, Consignee or Notify party). 
  9. For personal goods, consignee’s Passport number instead of IEC is mandatory. 
  10. Cargo Invoice value is currently OPTIONAL on Manifest and NOT NEEDED ON OBL. 

Permission for Amendments:

General Amendments: 

  1. All amendments related to an import shipment must be received prior to 48 hours before the departure of the vessel from the last foreign port of call. 
  2. Any changes in the bill of lading information after the filing of the Import manifest with Indian customs would necessitate an amendment to the manifest and subject to approval from the Customs authorities. Such manifest amendments attract customs fines and penalties. 

Switch B/L:
The issuance of Switch B/L is permitted, but it must be completed before 72 hours of the vessel’s sailing from the last foreign port of loading before India. However, it is important to note that the Switch B/L is not feasible for containers loaded from the last foreign port of call before India due to time constraints. 

Change of destination (COD): 

  1. Change of destination (COD) will be allowed only 72 hours before the vessel departs from the last port of call. 
  2. Any changes in the bill of lading information after this deadline will lead to discrepancies in the arrival manifest. 
  3. In such cases, customs manifest amendment is inevitable, and it attracts customs fines and penalties. 
  4. Therefore, it is crucial to ensure that any change of destination requests must be made within the specified timeframe to avoid complications and penalties 

Remark: Above timelines are to Indian customs. All requests are subject to the acceptance of ESL by evaluating the internal and external amendment process with customs approval. Customs amendment charge is subject to final decision by customs. 

House BL (HBL) Filing arrangement 

  1. Deadline for submission of house BLs by forwarders in India should be 72 hours prior departure of the vessel at last foreign port. 
  2. DPD, DPD/CFS, switch details to be informed to the carrier by local forwarders or consignees prior departure of the vessel at last foreign port. 

For ensuring smooth process, we will keep close liaison with concerned parties for system and process integration. We are looking forward to your kind support and get familiarized with the Regulations. Please contact our local agencies if any assistance is required.

Shipping Instruction Requirement for Export to Saudi Arabia

Referring to our previous notice of the importance of Shipping Instruction for manifesting at destination, we would like to draw your immediate attention on below mandatory requirement especially on Consignee for shipments to Saudi Arabia per customs regulations. Any non-compliance will lead to heavy penalty with multiplying tiers and clearance delay. Therefore, we sincerely request your full support and execution for accurate and complete shipping instruction to us.


Consignee: Local Consignee’s full detail of registered company name, address, email address and telephone number must be shown on BL Consignee or Notify Party Address Field for Manifest, Arrival Notice and any Emergency incidents. Any overflown content to BL Body will be rejected by Saudi Arabia Customs and counted as invalid record.


Commodity: Cargo description / quantity / package / weight must be clearly and properly provided


HS code: at least 6 digits HS code or per customs requirement


Timeliness: Shipping Instruction should be submitted at least 24 hours before vessel arriving POL or local SI Cut off time whichever earlier. BL Confirmation is also simultaneously important for meeting import manifest per regulations at destination countries.


Other requirement: based on regulations of destination countries
Incomplete or Late Shipping Instruction: Manifest will be rejected by customs. Any ROB (retain on board), penalties and administration charge will be on cargo owner’s account


We are looking forward to your collaboration for expediting import manifest and cargo delivery at destination. Please feel free to contact our local agencies if you have any queries or visit our website https://www.emiratesline.com for more information.

Global Customer Service

Emirates Shipping Line

Port of Discharge Additional (PAD) and Equipment Imbalance Surcharge (EIS) to be Collect

Please note that effective 6th May 2024, the Port of Discharge Additional (PAD) and Equipment Imbalance Surcharge (EIS) will be charged on “Collect” basis.

The quantum of the charges can be found here on the ESL Website – https://www.emiratesline.com > Services & Information > Carrier Charge finder (Carrier Charge Finder – Emirates Shipping Line – ESL)

For any questions or further clarification, please do not hesitate to contact our local Sales and Customer Service Representatives. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

Saudi Arabia – Mandatory Usage of Pallets for Import Containers

In order to increase the efficiency and productivity of port operations in line with international standards, the Saudi Ports Authority has issued a Circular No: (31) of 2021 regulating cargo owners to stow goods imported in containers into Saudi Arabia with the use of PALLETS.

According to the circular, effective 1st March 2022, per discharge, all Customers shall pack their goods in a (pallets) for all import containers as Mandatory, with following exception:

  1. Bulk items, Dry or liquid that carried directly the special means such as (wheat, grains, cement, Gypsum, and petroleum items etc.)
  2. Raw materials in Jumbo in big weighs that hardly to be put in pallet
  3. Heavy equipment and producing lines, electric generators and mechanics
  4. Metallic productions that come in big rolls and other items that hardly to be put in pallets such as (cartons, carpet and relevant)
  5. Iron skewer & big pipes and scaffoldings
  6. General Furniture
  7. Pneumatic outer tires
  8. Marble, granite and stones

Any incompliance may cause discharge problem leading to extra operational costs, customs penalty, local charges and our Line Administration Fee which will be on cargo owner’s account.

For import manifest, actual packing type (such as carton, bag etc) is still required as current. If you want to also include number of pallets on BL, please clearly specify on Shipping Instruction (such as 1,000 cartons on 50 pallets).

We look forward to your continuous cooperation and support. Should you have any queries, please feel free to contact our local office for details.

Thank you.

Full implementation of Integrated Customs Management System (iCMS) – Effective 22nd October 2021

We would like to reiterate the mandatory regulations levied by Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) on manifests as shared by us 26 October 2021. Request your co-operation by giving timely and complete Shipping Instruction to us for manifest submission via iCMS.

Highlights of iCMS Specific Requirements:

1. Effective date of iCMS: For imports discharged on / after 22nd October 2021

2. Applied to: Sea manifest of Import / Export / Through bill of lading (TBL) and In Transit via Mombasa

3. Manifest submission: through iCMS at least 48 hours before vessel arrival for import.

4. Consignment with vehicles: Shipper must include Chassis No, Engine No, Weight, CBM, HS codes and detailed breakdown per container on BL Body.

    Example:
    TOTAL 6 PACKAGES
    MAHINDRA HAULMASTER 4WD TRACTOR FOR AGRICULTURE PURPOSE
    HS CODE: 87012090

    1×40 DRYU9886905

    PIN / Chassis No.Engine No.Weight (kg)CBMHS Code
    MDZRB4GGJM6H50106NME5WEE000710,11315.0087012090
    MDZRB4GGHM6J50125NME5WEE000510,11315.0087012090
    MDZRB4GGAM6J50140NME5WEE000310,11315.0087012090

    1×40 FCIU8739954

    PIN / Chassis No.Engine No.Weight (kg)CBMHS Code
    MDZRB4GGVM6G50008NMD5WEE000410,11315.0087012090
    MDZRB4GGCM6G50010NMD5WEE000210,11315.0087012090
    MDZRB4GGAM6H50028NME5WEE000310,11315.0087012090

    5. General cargo shipment: predominant HS code per container is a must.

    6. 10-digit HS code is mandatory. If only 6 or 8 digits are identified, please add zero (0) to the end to make it exactly 10-digit for iCMS.

    7. HS code is mandatory for manifest but optional on BL Body for general cargo. Please specify in the Shipping Instructions if HS code is expected on BL Body.

    8. Part Lot BLs (i.e. Multiple BLs for single container): Restricted with immediate e ect for Kenya Import and In transit due to KPA regulation.

    9. DG Class / UNNO on BL Body: mandatory on BL Body for iCMS

    Please coordinate with your counterparts for full adherence. Any failure may cause loading / discharge problem and customs penalty which will be on cargo owner’s account.

    Please contact our local agencies if any assistance is required. Thank you for your continued trust and partnership.

    VGM vs BL Container Gross Weight Mandatory Match

    In compliance with IMO’s SOLAS VGM regulations and various countries’ customs requirements, we would like to draw your attention to the necessary matching between VGM vs BL Container Gross Weight.

    For all locations:

    • BL & Manifest Container Gross Weight MUST match with VGM
    • General tolerance level is +/- 5% or one metric ton whichever smaller
    • Different countries / terminals may have different tolerance index
    • VGM and Container Gross Weight should not exceed Maximum Gross Weight per CSC
      Plate bolted to Container Door
    • Any incompliance may lead to extra operational costs, customs penalties, local
      charges and our Line Administration Fee of USD300 per box

    We look forward to your continuous cooperation. Please contact our local Customer Service team if any assistance is needed.

    Global Customer Service
    Emirates Shipping Line

    SCT Single Customs Territory and New Requirement for TBL UGANDA

    Thanks for your support to our EAFA service. Regarding our previous notice on Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) Single Customs Territory System for ALL cargoes to Uganda via Mombasa, Kenya effective in 2017, local authority is recently imposing further requirement per below in yellow. We appreciate your cooperation for Through Bill of Lading shipments to Kampala, Uganda.

    • All cargoes coming to Uganda will now be cleared under SCT through URA
    • Final clearance for Uganda-bound cargo will be done in Mombasa port (including verification, duty payment etc.)
    • It may take longer time to clear at Mombasa because of all extra steps for final clearance
    • Smoother movement at the border
    • Processing time will be improved in long run
    • Original documents scanned individually in PDF form, in a size not more than 450kb, to KEMBA office at least 7 days prior to vessel arrival.

    List of Requirements (Additional effective from 17 June 2020)

    • Bill of lading,
      • Commercial invoice,

      • Packing list, (with supplementary units i.e. pcs/ Liters etc. packages/cartons, Gross & Net weight per Carton/Item)

      • (PVOC) Certificate of Conformity COC

      • Proof of payment (T/T, Letter of credit, sales agreement)

      • Freight Certificate & insurance values / Certificate (if not included on the invoice)

      • Online appointment. (By Consignee or his agent in Uganda)

      • ICD allocation (By Consignee or his agent in Uganda)

      • Fumigation certificate (For used clothing)

      • Phytosanitary/Health certificates (for rice, wheat & food products)

      • Vehicle export certificate (for vehicles, tractors and engineering plants)
    • Shippers to engage consignees for maximum cooperation and timely action as
      consignees will play a bigger sensitive part once all documents are received and in order.
    • Online appointments to respective TBL Vendor’s TIN and nomination of the ICD timely done by consignee or their agents (By Consignee or his agent in Uganda).
    • For motor vehicles; Additional documents including Motor vehicle export logbook + Certificate Of Conformity and vehicle details including: Make, Model, chassis Numbers, Engine Numbers, Year of manufacture, Color, CC, Size of Tires, Fuel Type, Gross weight, Net Weight, seating capacity.
    • Transit cargo is allowed up to a maximum of 9 days free of storage days by KPA & hence any delays in adhering to SCT requirements will result into storage and other related charges, to the account of customers.
    • Attached list of Service Providers is only for reference and final version must be based on official website of URA. https://unbs.go.ug/

    If you have any queries, please feel free to contact our local Sales and CS representatives for assistance.
    Thank you.

    Tanzania – Empty Container Return in Clean Condition

    With reference to the circular from TASAC (Tanzania Shipping Agencies Corporation), it is regulated that shipping lines cannot impose container cleaning charge for empty boxes returned by customers. The local authority has given below directives with effective 31st October 2019. We highly appreciate the full support of your good company for the strict compliance with immediate effect.

    Clearing and forwarding agents shall return empty containers to ECD (depots) in clean condition in order to safeguard export cargo from Tanzania and any cleaning activity shall be arranged by individual clearing and forwarding agent or cargo owner;
    ECDs shall ensure containers are returned in clean condition before accepting them into the yard; and
    Shipping agents and ECDs shall not collect container cleaning charges from clearing and forwarding agents or cargo owners in the absence of Board Order to approve tariff for container cleaning or any similar services

    For your best reference and arrangement per the basic standard of our company, a container shall be considered clean if there is no presence of:

    • Labels, marks or signs related to previous cargo, including hazardous cargo labels
    • Loose soil, sand, mud, dirt, cargo residue, animals, insects, dunnage or other general rubbish
    • Infestation by animals, insects, fungi or another living organism
    • Cargo securing devices such as metal or wire straps, cables, chains, string, rope, etc.
    • Tape plastic and/or any other material
    • Glue or adhesive or any other sticky material on walls, floor, ceilings, etc.
    • Nails, bolts or any other fixing devices protruding above the level of the floor
    • Any persistent, obnoxious or unpleasant odours in the container
    • Marks, stains or contaminations, including hydraulic fluid from cargo handling equipment & potentially hazardous contaminations
    • Loose sealant, internally in reefers

    Please coordinate with your clearing and forwarding agents for the necessary arrangement and ensure the empty container return in clean and sound condition so as to avoid any delay in process. If you have any queries, please contact our local Customer Service and Sales for assistance.

    Fine for Amendments for Imports to Saudi Arabia

    Full Consignee address with complete contact details is crucial for seamless manifest filing, facilitating all import formalities and avoiding delays.

    Saudi Arabia Customs has imposed strict regulations which require the following information to be filed in the import manifest:

    1. Full style address of the consignee/Notify party in Saudi Arabia (including telephone/mobile & Fax number).
    2. Full name of the Consignee/Notify party (no abbreviations).

    Any change or amendment request made after the manifest filing may lead to a penalty of SR 500 to SR 1000 depending on the situation, except cargo description.

    Thus, request you to submit your shipping instructions with complete consignee details (as per above) within the stipulated timeline.

    Thank you for your support and partnership.