We would like to share the new import regulations in Saudi Arabia effective from 1st January 2025. To avoid cargo rejection, please take note of the following information:
Mandatory Certification Requirements Starting January 1, 2025, all import shipments to Saudi Arabia must be accompanied by two mandatory certificates:
1. Product Certificate of Conformity (PCoC)
Validity: One year
Purpose: Ensures products meet Saudi safety, quality, and environmental standards
2. Shipment Certificate of Conformity (SCoC)
Required for each individual shipment
Validity: 60 days or until customs clearance
Key Points:
These certificates are part of the SABER electronic certification system
Certificates must be obtained before shipment
Shipments without proper certification will be refused entry
Please be informed that with effect from 10th January 2025 (Sail and Discharge) the quantum of TERMINAL HANDLING CHARGES (Export and Import) at CHENNAI – CCTL terminal will be revised as below:
** The effective date for THL to be based on “ETD from POL” and the effective date for THD to be based on “ETA at POD”
If you have any questions or seek further clarification, please contact our local Sales and Customer Service Representatives for details and bookings.
We would like to announce a new policy aimed at enhancing the experience we provide to our valued customers in Saudi Arabia.
Effective January 1, 2025, we will no longer require security deposits from the consignees. Instead, consignees will need to provide a Letter of Indemnity (LOI) duly attested by the Chamber of Commerce.
This change is designed to streamline import release process and provide greater convenience to our customers. The LOI ensures that we continue to safeguard the Line’s interests effectively. In the event of any default or dispute, we will seek assistance from the POL and the shipper to ensure we recover the overdue revenue and/or costs.
We trust that this policy change will be greatly appreciated by our customers, and we look forward to your continued support of ESL.
Attached herewith is a circular from SAUDI RAILWAY ORGANIZATION (SRO) with regards to DG shipments to Riyadh. Below are the key points for your reference and compliance.
1. Prior approval – before loading: Customer needs to obtain a separate approval from SRO before the cargo is loaded from the Port of Loading for any DG shipment to Riyadh.
2. Required MSDS and MMDG: Approval request must be enclosed with MSDS and MMDG documents for the cargo be shipped.
3. Clearance prior arrival: Consignee should obtain clearance / approval from customs at Riyadh prior shipment arrival.
4. Co-loading not acceptable: Due to the risks involved, co-loading more than one HAZARDOUS commodity is not allowed / not acceptable.
Thank you for your support and partnership.
***
Ref: 42-1824 Date: 30/04/1442h Corresponding to: December 15, 2020 Saudi Railways Organization (226) Operation affairs
Sub: further notice to suspend sending joint hazards containers
M/s. Shipping Agents Further to the letter No: 21/93/49 from the organization that comprises suspension of dangerous goods of joint containers effect from 21/6/1442h corresponding to 3rd February 2021 due to the severe risks they may cause with other shipments in the same container and the negative affect to environmental works at the dry port, and since the Saudi Railway Organization is keen to apply the maximum safety measurement in transporting and managing the DG, kindly requested to adhere to the following:
Not to ship DG to the dry port without prior permission according to the stipulation in article Second of importing chemical items regulatory that issued by the royal decree No: (38/m) on 16/6/1427h (29.01.2021) and to provide the dry port with the prior permission before loading such items.
Complete the clearing procedures before the arrival of the DG to the dry port as per article eleven of the royal decree No: 38/m) on 16/6/1427h (29.01.2021), therefore, any shipment without prior customs declaration shall not be transported to the dry port.
To comply attaching safety leaflet (MSDS) with those items and writing the United Nation’s Number and the CAS No: and warning guidance.
Best regards, Vice president for operation affairs. ENG/ BADR Ali A.
This rule requires all ocean carriers to submit a list of customs-defined manifest data to Turkey Customs at least 24 hours prior to cargo loading at Port of Loading. The regulation is applicable to all import and transshipped cargo to/via Turkey.
Freight remaining on Board (FROB cargo) is not covered by this regulation.
Deadlines
The regulation requires the carrier to declare the cargo within specific time limits:
Short sea cargo (ports of Mediterranean and Black Seas): 2 hours before arrival at first port of entry in Turkish Customs Territory. In order to comply with this requirement and handle customs responses and time differences, shippers are required to submit complete and accurate shipping instructions at least 12 hours prior to vessel departure from the port of loading Deep sea cargo: 24 hours prior to loading at Port of loading In order to comply with this requirement and handle customs responses and time differences, shippers are required to submit complete and accurate shipping instructions at least 48 hours prior to vessel departure from the port of loading
Cargo information to be submitted
The mandatory data elements to be included in the transmission are:
Shipper’s full style name and address Consignee ’s full style name and address + VAT registration number Notify party’s full style name and address if the consignee is “to order” + VAT registration number Container number(s) • Seals number(s) • Cargo gross weight (goods + tare) Net weight (goods) Number of packages Package type HS code Goods description UN dangerous goods code for shipments containing hazardous goods
We would like to advise our customers that the following Advanced Manifest Filing charge will be applicable for all shipments with the ETD of 1st Feb 2025:
Description
Charge Amount
Advance Manifest Filing Charge
US$25 per B/L
Should you have any inquiries relating to this regulation, please feel free to contact our local customer service representatives. Thank you.
We would like to draw your immediate attention to a mandatory requirement for shipments to Jordan in accordance with local customs regulations. This requirement pertains specifically to the Consignee details and is crucial for ensuring smooth clearance of goods.
Mandatory Requirement:
The Consignee’s Tax Identification Number (TAX ID) must be clearly listed in the Consignee or Notify Party Address field on the BL. This information is essential for proper manifest processing.
Any overflow of information into the BL Body will result in the rejection of the manifest by Jordan Customs, and the shipment will be considered an invalid record.
Non-compliance with this regulation will lead to severe penalties, including multiplying fines and delays in the clearance process.
To avoid such issues, we kindly ask for your immediate attention and full support in ensuring that all shipping instructions are complete and accurate. This will help ensure the smooth processing of your shipments and avoid any unnecessary complications.
Should you have any questions or require further clarification, feel free to contact our local offices.
Thank you for your prompt attention and continued partnership.
The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) – India, has extended the implementation of Sea Cargo Manifest and Transshipment (SCMTR) till following dates for below ports. Till then, all SCMTR activities will be under parallel run
Extension for Tuticorin & Vishakhapatnam till 15/11/2024
Extension for Ennore/ Katupalli/ Cochin till 30/11/2024
Extension for NSA/Mundra/Hazira/Pipavav & Mangalore till 15/01/2025
Starting from the above specified dates, any non-compliance or deviation may result in customs delay and penalties. Therefore, we need your attention and cooperation to provide timely and accurate Shipping Instructions within the stipulated timeline.
Scope of SCMTR
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).
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:
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.
In any circumstances where omission of proforma last foreign port of call, the previous port of call becomes the last foreign port of call.
Shipping Instructions 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.
For ALL containers discharging for local or transhipment or retain on board at any Indian Ports.
Harmonized (HS) Code of 6 digits is mandatory. Only one major HS code per container is required.
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.
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.
The local legal identification is required wherever an Indian party is involved (as Shipper, Consignee or Notify party).
For personal goods, consignee’s Passport number instead of IEC is mandatory.
Cargo Invoice value is currently OPTIONAL on Manifest and NOT NEEDED ON OBL.
Permission for Amendments General Amendments:
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.
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):
Change of destination (COD) will be allowed only 72 hours before the vessel departs from the last port of call.
Any changes in the bill of lading information after this deadline will lead to discrepancies in the arrival manifest.
In such cases, customs manifest amendment is inevitable, and it attracts customs fines and penalties.
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
Deadline for submission of house BLs by forwarders in India should be 72 hours prior departure of the vessel at last foreign port.
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. You may also visit our website https://www.emiratesline.com for more details.
We are pleased to announce the launch of a new service – the India East Mediterranean Express (IEX) – the first in the market connecting India directly with North Egypt and South Türkiye.
Committed to creating innovative network solutions on underserved lanes, ESL has launched the IEX to connect India directly to the East Mediterranean. Customers in the Far East, Southeast Asia and other parts of India can tap into this service via Mundra, and customers in the Middle East via Jeddah.
With the launch of IEX, ESL’s GRC service rotation has also been slightly modified to ensure optimal coverage and service frequency.
GRC service rotation: Jebel Ali – Jeddah – Aqaba – Sokhna – Jeddah – Jebel Ali
The IEX service will commence from Mundra, and the revamped GRC service will depart from Jebel Ali, both in early November.
Please refer to the attached brochure for more information about the IEX service. Should you require further information, please visit our website (https://www.emiratesline.com) or contact your local customer service representative.
We are pleased to announce the launch of a new service – the India East Mediterranean Express (IEX) – the first in the market connecting India directly with North Egypt and South Türkiye.
Committed to creating innovative network solutions on underserved lanes, ESL has launched the IEX to connect India directly to the East Mediterranean. Customers in the Far East, Southeast Asia and other parts of India can tap into this service via Mundra, and customers in the Middle East via Jeddah.
With the launch of IEX, ESL’s GRC service rotation has also been slightly modified to ensure optimal coverage and service frequency.
GRC service rotation: Jebel Ali – Jeddah – Aqaba – Sokhna – Jeddah – Jebel Ali
The IEX service will commence from Mundra, and the revamped GRC service will depart from Jebel Ali, both in early November.
Please refer to the attached brochure for more information about the IEX service. Should you require further information, please visit our website (https://www.emiratesline.com) or contact your local customer service representative.
We are pleased to announce the launch of two new services – the Fahari (FHX) service and the Fanaka (FNX) service – which evolved from our previous Far East Africa Express (FAX).
Both services provide seamless connectivity from Chinese markets to East Africa. Our Fahari (FHX) service will have Mombasa, Kenya as its sole East African call, while our Fanaka (FNX) service has Dar es Salaam, Tanzania as its focus East African market.
Both service names – Fahari (Pride or Splendor in Swahili) and Fanaka (Prosperity or Success in Swahili) – were chosen as a reminder of our commitment to the region: to create splendour through taking pride in our service to the East African market, while continuously driving prosperity for and delivering success to our customers.
These service names aren’t just words; they’re our commitment to you – our customers. We are committed to enhancing service reliability to the region with these direct and consistent weekly services.
FHX service rotation: Qingdao – Shanghai – Ningbo – Nansha – Port Klang – Mombasa – Port Klang – Qingdao
FNX service rotation: Qingdao – Shanghai – Ningbo – Nansha – Shekou – Port Klang – Dar es Salaam – Port Klang – Qingdao
The FNX service will commence on 20th October, while the FHX service will commence on 21st October, both departing from Qingdao
Please refer to the attached brochures for more information about the FHX and FHX services. Should you require further information, please visit our website (https://www.emiratesline.com) or contact your local customer service representative.
