Yemen ACD Certificate

Yemen ACD — What It Is and Why It’s Required

As of January 1, 2025, the ACD (Advanced Cargo Declaration) is mandatory for all containerised shipments destined for Yemen. The requirement was implemented by Yemen’s Ministry of Transport and applies to all container cargo without exception. The ACD number must appear on the Bill of Lading before the vessel departs.

Yemen’s primary commercial ports are:

• Aden — the main southern port and the most commercially active
• Hodeidah — the main Red Sea port in the northwest
• Al Mukalla — eastern Yemen’s main port

Given Yemen’s complex operational environment, it is important to confirm current port access and operational status before booking. Aden is the most consistently accessible commercial port.

Required Documents

To obtain a Yemen ACD, submit clear PDF copies of:

• Bill of Lading — must be final or near-final; the ACD number goes onto the B/L
• Commercial Invoice — must show accurate cargo value
• Freight Invoice — required if freight cost is not shown on the commercial invoice

Documents must be consistent and coherent. All three documents are required — submissions with missing documents will not be processed.

Processing Time

Draft certificate: typically issued within one working day if all documents are complete and consistent. Final validation: usually received the same day or next day after payment confirmation. However, the overall process can take up to one week, particularly for complex cargo or if document revisions are needed.

Allow at least 5 working days before your vessel’s departure to ensure the ACD is in place with time to spare.

ACD Number on the Bill of Lading

The ACD number must be written on the Bill of Lading before the vessel sails. This is a hard requirement — cargo arriving without the ACD number on the B/L faces financial penalties at the destination port.

The shipper, exporter, or freight forwarder is responsible for obtaining the ACD and ensuring it appears on the B/L. This responsibility rests entirely on the exporting side — your Yemeni consignee cannot apply on your behalf.

Penalties for Non-Compliance

Cargo arriving without a valid ACD faces:

• Financial penalties at the port of discharge
• Cargo detention until documentation is resolved
• Demurrage and storage charges accumulating during any hold period

Operational Considerations for Yemen

Yemen’s shipping environment requires special attention:

• War Risk insurance is required for Yemen-bound shipments — ensure your cargo is properly insured
• Port accessibility varies — Aden is the most consistently active; Hodeidah and other northern ports have been affected by the conflict
• Transit options — some Yemen cargo moves via Oman’s Salalah or via other regional hubs; routing should reflect current security assessments
• Payment and banking — certain international payment channels may be restricted; confirm with your buyer how payment will be handled

Our team has direct experience with Yemen documentation and can advise on current port access, routing, and insurance requirements.

What Products Cannot Be Imported Into Yemen?

The following are prohibited under Yemeni law and Islamic tradition:

• Alcohol and alcoholic beverages
• Pork and pork products
• Pornographic materials
• Goods subject to applicable international sanctions and arms embargoes

We do not issue ACD certificates for prohibited goods.

Yemen Trade — Key Figures

Yemen’s commercial import activity continues despite the ongoing conflict, concentrated primarily through Aden and, to a lesser extent, Hodeidah. Import volume runs at approximately 4 billion USD annually, with the UAE, Oman, China, India, and Turkey as major suppliers. Key imports include food products (Yemen is heavily import-dependent for food), fuel, construction materials, and consumer goods. Aden’s port handles the majority of commercially viable imports under current conditions.

FAQ

When did the Yemen ACD requirement start? The ACD became mandatory for all containerised shipments effective January 1, 2025.

Which Yemen port is the safest to ship to? Aden is currently the most commercially active and accessible port. We recommend confirming current port status before booking — conditions can change. Contact us for an up-to-date assessment.

Does the ACD apply to all container shipments, or only some? All containerised shipments. There are no exceptions by cargo type or value.

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