Change in Lufthansa Cargo process

Air carriers and express couriers bringing cargo into the UAE are required to file shipment data with the UAE National Advance Information Center (NAIC).

The NAIC’s Pre-Loading Advance Cargo Information (PLACI) program performs risk analysis to identify potential threats from cargo moved through any of the UAE borders (import or transit in UAE). The program covers air cargo and aims to increase borders security level while facilitating legitimate trade.

NAIC is entitled to issue referrals (Request For Information, Request For Screening or Do Not Load) should they require more information to conduct a risk analysis. Until such a referral is closed, shipments may not be transported.

The program will be effective starting as of April 2, 2025.

The postal operator and postal cargo filing is out of UAE PLACI Scope.

Please ensure that data is complete and accurate.

Especially, please ensure that clear and concise commodity descriptions are transmitted in the FWB (XFWB) message and/ or FHL (XFZB) prior to cargo acceptance.

Providing placeholder values in mandatory fields of the transmitted messages should be avoided since they will lead to unnecessary referral (RFI/RFS) messages being sent by the NAIC system to the air carrier as filer, which will cause delays to the whole cargo movement process, in addition to non-compliance with NAIC requirements.

Lufthansa Cargo reminds of mandatory provision of 6-digit Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) for all import, transit and export UAE shipments: UAE customs: HS code mandatory for UAE import, transit and export as of 29. February 2024 - Lufthansa Cargo  

• Increased waiting times in the export acceptance process
• No acceptance of shipments
• Potential delay
• Shipment cannot be transported