Save time and reduce the risk of moving a restricted commodity with our extensive cargo screening service. We use a combination of cargo screening methods to screen commodity descriptions against HS codes and routing to deliver an effective sanctions screening process.
Cargo screening solutions at your fingertips
Demonstrate ‘best efforts’ in case of regulatory scrutiny with our comprehensive screening solution. We take care of the whole process which includes verifying alerts against different data points to deliver an effective sanctions screening process.
We have developed an extensive database of over 130+ trade restrictions lists, including Dual Items, Military and US/UN/EU lists. This reduces the risk of anything getting missed.
Through our unique processes, we extract unstructured commodity descriptions and data from booking files, flag missing or incorrect HS Codes, and match commodity descriptions with the proper HS Codes.
We also handle second-level screening by gathering related documentation to clear flagged items.
Request a demo now and our team will be in touch with a personalised solution that meets your specific needs.
Cargo screening methods
Our team uses a comprehensive database and a combination of cargo screening methods, which include:
- Screening against 130+ Trade Restriction lists + any customer-specific watchlists
- Reviewing cargo descriptions, including historical data, usage, specifications, etc
- Checking commodity codes, including HS, CAS numbers, HTS, etc.
- Reviewing routing restrictions and UN/LOCODE
- Completing a secondary screening which includes verification of alerts
Maritime compliance: the KYCs of cargo screening
Read this guide for a comprehensive overview of the six KYCs involved in the cargo screening process
Key areas covered in the guide:
- Know Your Controls
- Know Your Codes
- Know Your Countries
- Know Your Counterparties
- Know Your Consignees
- Know Your Caps
Cargo screening FAQs
What is cargo screening?
Cargo and its associated parties undergo a crucial screening process to mitigate risks related to sanctions, trade, export and import controls, including the transportation of dangerous goods. This step is a prerequisite before loading or accepting the cargo, depending on your risk tolerance and specific line of business. Cargo screening complements customs clearance, and addresses port import and export requirements as well as necessary documentation.
MCaaS has established a unique cargo screening process that encompasses data stewardship and validation actions guided by stringent data governance principles. This process effectively manages intricate screening requirements, leverages multiple data sources, and facilitates data enhancements, while actively monitoring 130+ trade control lists and 1,323 sanctions, regulatory and other bodies lists. By undertaking these labour-intensive and time-consuming tasks on behalf of its customers, MCaaS navigates complex regulatory environments. The primary goal of MCaaS is to provide comprehensive screening results and identify potential risks. Ultimately, the decision to accept or deny a trade lies with the customer, based on their risk appetite and due diligence requirements.
Navigating the complexities of trade and commodity controls can be time-consuming and challenging. That’s why MCaaS takes these critical steps on behalf of our customers, ensuring they evidence compliance and adhere to international trade regulations.
At what point should cargo be checked?
In ports, all cargo must be screened before it is loaded onto a ship, aircraft, or any other mode of transport. Advanced scanners are utilised to scan the cargo, thereby reducing the risk of transporting restricted goods. There are stringent restrictions in place, and these can vary from country to country.
MCaaS can aid in clearing flagged items, alerting to potential discrepancies, and identifying sanctioned or restricted counterparties.
What lists should cargo be screened against?
Our unique processes involve extracting unstructured commodity descriptions and data from booking files. We then flag missing or incorrect Harmonised System (“HS”) Codes and match commodity descriptions with the appropriate codes. Additionally, we screen cargo against 130+ trade controls lists in our database. Some commonly used lists can be found:
- Dual-Use Goods Trade Control List (European Union)
- Common Military Trade List (European Union)
- EU Narcotic Drugs Trade Control List
- Internal Repression Goods Trade Control List
- Luxury Goods Trade Control List
- EU Cultural Goods Trade Control List
- EU Timber Regulation Trade Control List
- US Narcotic Drugs Trade Control List
- US Munitions Trade Control List
- Commerce Control List (CCL)
- US EPA – List of Hazardous Air Pollutants Trade Control List
- UN Narcotic Drugs Trade Control List
- UN Dangerous Goods Trade Control List
- (MTCR) Missile Technology Control Regime List
- (CWC) Chemical Weapons Convention Regime List
- (NSG) Nuclear Suppliers Group’s Control List
- The Wassenaar Arrangement
Why is cargo screening important?
Cargo screening is of critical importance as it serves multiple critical functions. Firstly, it thwarts the illicit transportation of restricted items like dual-use goods, military use goods, hazardous materials, weapons, contraband, and controlled substances. Secondly, it safeguards the entire transportation chain, from exporters to shippers and importers, ensuring compliance with international trade laws and averting potential fines or penalties. Equally significant, cargo screening prioritises the safety of individuals involved in the transaction process and the environment.
To underscore the gravity of this task, international regulations like the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) and the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) code are firmly in place to guarantee the security of merchant ships. Consequently, cargo screening is indispensable in confirming that industry standards are met, and ships successfully clear the requisite assessments while docked at ports. This encompasses a meticulous examination to verify whether goods are securely packaged and conform to health and safety regulations.
Screening cargo against Trade Control Lists is crucial for several key reasons:
- To restrict exports of goods and technology that could contribute to the military capabilities of adversaries
- To ensure compliance with international regulations
- To prevent illegal trade of certain goods, terrorism and the circulation of dual use items with both civilian and military applications
- To inhibit the rapid proliferation of weapons of mass destruction
- To safeguard against civil or criminal penalties
- To protect national security interests, safeguarding sensitive technologies, equipment, and military hardware from falling into the wrong hands
- To mitigate business risk for the company
What regulatory requirements exist for associated parties’ due diligence and cargo screening?
The regulatory environment is complex and subject to recurring changes. It is crucial to conduct due diligence and screening to mitigate risks for both the organisation and personal liability. For more details, please refer to our comprehensive guide Maritime compliance: key regulations and best practices.
What is the difference between cargo screening and cargo inspection?
Cargo screening involves gathering information about the goods being transferred, including details about locations and trading parties, as outlined above. On the other hand, cargo inspection entails physically examining the goods and containers. Considering the large number of containers crossing international borders daily, it is impractical to inspect each one. However, with MCaaS, our customers can ensure that all goods undergo comprehensive screening.
Who is responsible for cargo inspection and screening?
Marine inspectors, also referred to as marine surveyors, play a pivotal role in evaluating cargo. They issue certificates for goods that successfully pass inspection.
In terms of cargo screening, maritime compliance specialists meticulously examine cargo descriptions, ports, and trading parties. They screen the data against trade control and sanctions lists to ensure compliance with country-specific regulations. MCaaS employs trained compliance professionals, implements robust screening checks and procedures, and leverages technological solutions to ensure the accuracy of the screened information.
MCaaS roles:
- Maintain an extensive database and employ an advanced validation process for trade compliance – this helps mitigate counterparty, location, and cargo-related risks
- Take on administrative tasks for our customers, reducing their workload and invested time – this further alleviates the challenges posed by complex, manual, and detailed screening requirements
- Utilise multiple sources to clean, validate, enhance and update information
- Monitor the database, including regulatory bodies, RSS, open domain information, and feeds identified through traction data analysis
- Ensure that the cargo screening process addresses knowing counterparty names, controls, codes and countries
- Provide factual due diligence reporting and screening results
- Present screening facts based on business rules
How is cargo screened?
At MCaaS, we understand the significance of cargo screening, and over time, we have developed an extensive database, platform, and enhanced validation process for trade compliance.
Our export and trade control list database encompasses all major regulatory bodies and country-specific restrictions. Our primary objective is to provide an end-to-end service and digital platform that alleviates the challenges posed by complex, manual, and detailed screening requirements.
The team utilises multiple sources to monitor the database, including regulatory bodies, RSS feeds, open domain information, and feeds identified through transaction data analysis. The process of cargo screening includes data cleansing, data validation and screening against commodities and counterparties involved in the booking files. This entails cross-referencing information obtained from various sources, including bills of lading, packing lists, commercial invoices, and purchase orders. This process helps validate that the information is accurate and complete.
To maintain the integrity of the master data, MCaaS maintains a robust data governance programme. Before uploading data to the database, the team meticulously conducts data stewardship, validation, and other necessary procedures.
What is a Trade Control List?
Trade Control Lists refer to export control regulations imposed and maintained by various regulatory bodies, including the EU, US, UN, Export Control Regimes, and other country-specific regulators. During the cargo screening process, MCaaS uses 130 such trade control lists.
What are Dual-Use Goods?
Dual-use goods refer to items, technology, or materials initially designed for commercial or civilian applications but with the potential for military use or as components for weapons of mass destruction. Examples encompass advanced materials, chemicals and biological agents, electronics and telecommunication equipment, nuclear materials and technology, and certain advanced manufacturing technologies like 3D printing. Due to their potential for misuse or diversion, numerous jurisdictions have implemented export control and trade regulations on dual-use goods.
Why do you need to know your ‘Cs'?
Every organisation should prioritise their Cs: Customers, Codes, Controls, and Countries. For more details, please refer to our detailed guide on the KYCs of cargo screening.
Why does MCaaS cleanse and enhance data?
MCaaS has developed an extensive database and an enhanced validation process for trade compliance, aiming to reduce risks and minimise false positives.
In the validation of cargo descriptions, MCaaS employs various identifiers such as the HS code, CAS Number, TARIC code, etc., in conjunction with the UN/LOCODE to verify routes. Through this process, MCaaS can extract unstructured commodity descriptions and data from booking files. It identifies and addresses missing or incorrect HS codes and accurately matches commodity descriptions with the appropriate HS codes.
Once the cargo description is appropriately matched with the corresponding HS code, MCaaS subjects it to screening against 130+ trade control and regulatory lists. This rigorous screening identifies dual-use, military, or high-risk goods. To ensure proper export and import control, master data is regularly updated to pinpoint any routing restriction.
How does MCaaS highlight risk through its cargo screening process?
Upon receiving booking files from the customer, MCaaS conducts a thorough review, followed by data cleansing, enhancement, and validation. This is followed by screening relevant information using multiple data sources. Subsequently, MCaaS provides the customer with a screening output file containing a comprehensive screening summary.
The screening summary utilises an alert system with associated descriptions:
Alert red:
- HS code, cargo description, or counterparties are restricted
Alert orange:
- Commodity is missing or ambiguous
- HS code is missing or invalid
- Only generic name or cargo are available
- Counterparty is missing, unclear, partially matching with sanction entity
- Counterparty is listed under other official lists (not sanction lists)
- Address is missing, incomplete, or invalid
- Route is missing
- Marked as “may be restricted” due to lack details to review false positive hit
This reporting process empowers MCaaS customers to define their action points during the alert review phase and decide on the subsequent course of action.
Our services
Apart from cargo screening, MCaaS can also help you with vessel screening and third-party screening. Find out more by clicking on the links below.
Some of our MCaaS customers
Customer testimonials
I’ve tested many of Marcura’s competitors and haven’t found one that was comparable.
MCaaS customer
General Counsel, top 20 container line
The service is very good at providing the necessary information in a timely manner.
MCaaS customer
Senior Adviser – Group Ethics, major bulk charterer
They are very responsive and have been really meticulous with their work to date.
MCaaS customer
Operations Specialist, major bulk charterer
Overall we are really satisfied with the solution. Satisfying results, and it’s rare that we hear anything to the contrary.
MCaaS customer
General Counsel, top 20 container line
I get approached every week with the latest software, but even today you can’t compare the software to the more manual service that Marcura offers. We review Marcura on a monthly basis but we haven’t found anything better.
MCaaS customer
General Counsel, top 20 container line
Compliance services have been a central part of the Marcura Group for 21 years
53
Countries
60-strong
Compliance team
800
Customers
1000+
Global team members
2001
Established
How important is it to work with a partner that provides strong protective layers from a compliance perspective?
Marcura is uniquely positioned to address many of our customers’ pressing compliance concerns by leveraging our scale advantages, extensive operational experience and access to professional advice.
Watch Christian Vinther Christensen, Chief Operating Officer at Norden and Hans-Christian Mordhorst, Group Chief Commercial Officer at Marcura, as they discuss the importance of compliance when working with partners.
Get a personalised demo or free trial
Hi there 👋
My name is Manni Sasani and I’m the Commercial Manager at MCaaS.
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Contact
Marcura Platform Solutions FZE
E7-701-710,
DSO Headquarters Building,
Dubai Silicon Oasis,
Dubai, UAE
