Advisories Tags: Advisory

Mandatory Shipping Instruction (SI) Requirements for Exports to Saudi Arabia

As part of ongoing compliance with the Saudi Customs Authority (ZATCA) and the Saudi Standards, Metrology & Quality Organization (SASO), we would like to remind you of the mandatory requirements for Shipping Instructions (SIs) when exporting cargo to Saudi Arabia.

Accurate and timely submission of SIs is essential, as they are used to prepare the Bill of Lading (BL) and import manifest. Any errors, omissions, or late submissions may result in customs rejection, manifest holds, fines, or shipment delays.

Alignment with Documentation:

 All SI details must match the Commercial Invoice and Bill of Lading, including weights, volumes, and consignor/consignee information.

 Documents must be authenticated by the exporter’s Chamber of Commerce (consular legalization not usually required)

 Importer to ensure SABER certificate are obtained for regulated products. Effective 1st October, Saber Guarantee will not be accepted by Customs. Customs will accept only valid SABER certificates

Product-Specific & Prohibited Items:

 Food Shipments: Must include handling/storage instructions and, where applicable, Halal certification.

 Country of Origin: All cargo packaging must clearly display COO marking (e.g., Made in [Country]).

 Prohibited Imports: Weapons, alcohol, narcotics, pork products, pornography, used tires/clothing, and vehicles older than 5 years.

Non-compliance with these requirements may result in shipment delays, manifest rejection, or customs penalties.

For further guidance, please contact your local representative or our documentation team.

Thank you for your cooperation and continued support.

Customer Service

Emirates Shipping Co. Ltd.

As Agent for ESL Saudi Arabia

Implementation of Container Protection Charge (CPC – Manifested) for all cargo into Aqaba, Jordan

Please note that Container Protection Charge (CPC) will now be implemented for
shipments with effect from ETA Aqaba 30th October 2025.

Container Protection Charge (CPC) will apply to all shipments into Aqaba and provides
customers a container damage coverage of up to USD 100 per container. Other terms
are as per latest CPC guidelines.

Container Protection Charge (CPC) will be charged as follows and will be charged on
collect basis to consignee.

Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact our local customer service
and sales representatives.

Thank you for your support and partnership with ESL.

Changes to Demurrage and Detention Tariff in Thailand – Export Effective Date: 16th October 2025

Please be informed of the upcoming change to the quantum of the Demurrage and Detention
tariff for shipments from Thailand. The revised tariff will take effect on October 16th, 2025, based on the actual departure date of the cargo.

We appreciate your continued support. Should you have any questions, please do not
hesitate to contact us.

Thank you.

Changes to Combined Detention and Demurrage Tariff in South Korea –Effective 25th September 2025

Please be informed of the upcoming change to the quantum of the Combined Detention and Demurrage tariff for shipments to and from South Korea. The revised tariff will take effect on September 25th, 2025, based on the actual arrival or departure date of the cargo.

We appreciate your continued support. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Thank you

Mandatory Trademark Recordation for Goods Imported to Mainland Tanzania

Starting December 1, 2025, all businesses importing branded goods into Mainland Tanzania must comply with a new trademark recordation system mandated by the Fair Competition Commission (FCC).

Customs will require proof that trademarks on imported goods have been officially recorded with the Chief Inspector of Merchandise Marks before allowing clearance.

Noncompliance may lead to delay in customs clearance at Tanzania.

For any enquiries, contact FCC on telephone: +2552221115802 or email: trademark.recordation@fcc.go.tz or visit www.fcc.go.tz

Attached circular from the Government Authorities for reference.

Thank you for your support and partnership with ESL.

REVISED THC (THL/THD) – effective from 1st October ’25 – HAZIRA TERMINAL

Dear Valued Customers
Subject: Changes to Terminal Handling Charges in Hazira – INDIA – effective 1st October’25
Please be informed of the upcoming change to the quantum of the Terminal Handling Charges
(THL for loading and THD for discharge) in HAZIRA- INDIA. The revised tariff will take effect on
October 1st, 2025, based on the actual arrival or departure date of the cargo.

Terminal Handling Charge – Load Port (THL) & Discharge Port (THD)

We appreciate your continued support. Should you have any questions, please do not
hesitate to contact us.

Thank you.

CANCELLED IMPLEMENTATION – THC revision from the Kenya Port Authority at Mombasa (KEMBA)

Please be advised that subsequent to the advisory and broadcast of 18th August 2025, notifying on
the revised Kenya Port Authority (KPA) tariff implementation; the same has been halted and
cancelled on the result of court action from claimants in Kenya.

As such, the THC and tariff will revert to the previous levels for Mombasa.

Thank you.

Africa Trade Management

Environmental Fuel Surcharge (EFS) Effective 1st Oct 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 Oct 2025.

The Environmental Fuel Surcharge (EFS) will be reviewed on monthly basis 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.

Global Customer Service
Emirates Shipping Line

Notice on List of SOC Banned Prefixes

Dear Valued Customers

Update as of 28th August 2025
Prefix added: TRRU

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 the following prefixes

AGIU, AKKU, ALXU, BANU, BGCU, BYTU, CAMU, CBKU, CGVU, CGYU, CILU, DAMU,
DLRU, FCCU, FESU, FMCU, FURU, GURU, HDXU, IRSU, KGNU, KGSU, LCTU, LSLU, MAAU,
MIOU, NMKU, OPRU, PAPU, PARU, PESU, RSPU, RZDU, RZZU, SBAU, SSEU, SSFU, SSGU,
TDIU, TKRU, TPPU, TRRU, 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.

Mandatory Requirement: VAT Number and Customs Code for All Imports to Oman

Dear Valued Customers

Effective immediately, all import shipments to Oman must include the consignee’s VAT number and customs code.

Failure to provide this information may result in customs clearance delays and fines or penalties imposed by the authorities.

To ensure compliance, we have implemented internal procedures requiring shippers to submit all necessary details to POL offices at the time of SI submission.

Please make sure your shippers are aware of this requirement.

Key points to note:

  • Shippers must provide the consignee’s VAT number and customs code.
  • For consignments marked “To Order,” the VAT number and customs code of the notify party must belong to an Omani entity.
  • For shipments consigned to banks, the VAT number and customs code of the notify party must be an Omani entity.

If you have any questions, please contact the ESL Oman documentation team.

Thank you for your continued support and partnership with ESL.