Advisories Tags: Advisory

Mandatory Requirement for Consignee’s Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) while submitting the Import Manifest to Tanzania

Dear Valued customers,

Effective 26th January 2025, the New Tanzania Customs Integrated System (NTANCIS) will require all import manifests classified under “IMPORT” to include the Consignee’s a 9-digit Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN). This requirement is part of an initiative to improve data accuracy, streamline customs processing, and enhance integration between shipping lines and Customs brokers.

Key Points:

  • This requirement is effective from 26th January 2025.
  • The shippers must provide the consignee’s Tax Identification Number (TIN) at the time of sending Shipping Instructions
  • Applicable for shipments where Port of Discharge, Final Place of delivery, and Consignee’s address is Tanzania.
  • Not applicable for shipments where Port of Discharge, Final Place of delivery is Tanzania, but the Consignee’s address is not Tanzania
  • For consignments listed as “To Order,” Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) of the Notify party must be provided.
  • For consignments to banks, Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) of the notify party must be provided.

To ensure compliance and delays in the clearance of the cargo, please provide the valid Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) of the consignee while submitting Shipping Instructions for your shipments to Tanzania.

Thank you for support and partnership.

Notice on List of SOC Banned Prefixes

Update as of 16th January 2025

Prefix added: CAMU, GURU

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, CAMU, CBKU, CGVU, CILU, DAMU, DLRU, FCCU, FESU, FMCU, FURU, GURU, 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. 

Environmental Fuel Surcharge (EFS) Effective 1st February 2025 

Please be informed that an Environmental Fuel Surcharge (EFS) as per below; will be imposed based on the Very Low Sulphur fuel price of between US$500 to US550 per ton with effective from 1st February 2025. 

The Environmental Fuel Surcharge (EFS) will be reviewed monthly for necessary adjustment in line with below Matrix and implemented with an advance notice to customers. 

 Please contact our local Sales and Customer Service team for bookings and any further assistance. 

Revised THC (THL/THD) – effective from 1st January’25 – ALEXANDRIA & SOKHNA 

Please be informed that with effective from 1st January’25 (Sail and Discharge) the quantum of TERMINAL HANDLING CHARGES (Export and Import) at ALEXANDRIA & SOKHNA terminals 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.

New Mandatory Certification Requirements for Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

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

Thank you.

Revised THC (THL/THD) – effective from 10th January’25 – CHENNAI – CCTL TERMINAL 

 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. 

Change of Security Deposit Policy in Saudi Arabia

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.

Thank you!

Shipping Dangerous Goods (DG) to Riyadh – Saudi Railway Organisation Circular

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:

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.

Turkey Customs Advanced Cargo Regulation

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:

DescriptionCharge Amount
Advance Manifest Filing ChargeUS$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.

Shipping Instruction Requirement for Export to Jordan (IMPORTANT)

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.

Global Customer Service
ESL