United Arab Emirates Introduce mandatory Harmonized System Codes

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.

Introduction of Harmonized System 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.

Harmonized System Code Requirement

For inbound and transit shipments, the submission of cargo information and HS codes must take place as early possible and before loading. Goods must be approved to load before entry to any UAE airport.

Outbound shipments must include submission of HS codes as early possible before departure from the last UAE airport.

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 to more than one house Waybill; operators must submit the HS code on the House Waybill level
• For Direct Shipments, in which the shipment is associated to one Master Waybill; operator must submit the HS code on the Master Waybill level 
• 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

How to comply with the Harmonized System Code with Traxon Global Security?  

CHAMP's regulatory solution, Traxon Global Security (TGS), is ready for compliance with the Harmonized System Code requirements introduced by NAIC and the UAE. Contact your sales or account manager or submit the form on the right to find out more.