In the application of the provisions of this Resolution, the following words and expressions shall have the meanings indicated opposite each of them unless the context requires otherwise:
State: United Arab Emirates.
Authority (ICP): Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security.
Chairman: Chairman of the Authority.
Director General: Director General of the Authority.
Concerned Authorities: Any ministry, department, federal or Local Government entity, institutions, operational authorities, or private sector companies operating at ports, borders, free zones, and crossing points to and from the UAE, as the case may be.
Competent Authority: Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure.
Ports: UAE official Land, Air, and Sea Ports, in addition to the Creeks, Fishing and Private Ports.
Land Ports: Specific areas established and approved by the UAE Competent Authorities related to the movement of people, goods and means of transportation within the UAE Land areas or to and from the UAE. Ports include land border points and gates and the borders of the free zones affiliated with the land port facilities.
Sea Ports: Specific areas established and approved by the UAE Competent Authorities related to the entry and exit movement of people, goods and other marine means of transport in the marine areas specified in accordance with the legislation in force. Ports include commercial ports, sea piers, creeks and the borders of free zones affiliated with sea port facilities.
Air Ports: Specific areas established and approved by the UAE Competent Authorities related to the movement of entry and exit of people, goods and other means of air transport, and the landing and take-off of aircraft. Ports include international airports, local sea airports, and the borders of free zones affiliated with air port facilities.
Borders: The borders separating the land areas and territories of the UAE and the land areas and territories of neighbouring countries.
Free Zones: Free zones established in any of the Emirates of the UAE, related to the movement of people, goods and means of transportation within the UAE areas or to and from the UAE.
Decree-Law: Federal Decree-Law No. (14) of 2021 Establishing the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security.
Security Programs: A set of policies, procedures, standards, requirements, or guides issued by ICP, in addition to compliance Inspections, and also includes Security Programmes for land, sea and air ports, free zones, border points and border fences.
Security Plan: A document prepared, implemented and continuously updated by the Relevant Authorities at ports, borders and free zones in order to meet the necessary security measures and procedures to confront potential threats and the level of risk. The Security Programme for the air port is also considered to be a Security Plan.
Code: The International Ship and Port Facility Security Code (ISPS Code) is an integrated system of systems and procedures for the effective security of ships and port facilities, developed to address the threats to ships and ports and to ensure the provision of a standardised and integrated framework for assessing risks and threats and determining appropriate security standards and measures to address them.
Compliant Ports: Ports subject to the Code and for which an international compliance statement has been issued by the UAE Competent Authority.
Non-Compliant Ports: Ports that do not have an international compliance statement issued and do not fall under the provisions of the Code, and are licensed by the Authority.
Statement of Compliance: The written document that includes the port commitment to the provisions of Chapter No. (XI-2) and Part (A) of the Code, issued by the UAE Competent Authority based on the results of monitoring and Inspection of compliance, and is annually renewed in accordance with Authority procedures.
License: A permit issued by Authority concerning issuing or renewing a licence for ports in accordance with the evidence, standards, conditions, procedures and national security requirements approved by the UAE.
Supervision: All Security Inspection and Inspection work, conducting security testing exercises and scenarios (announced and unannounced), review, examination, assessment, monitoring, follow-up, analysis, surveying, and collecting data and information within the scope of Authority jurisdiction in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.
Compliance Inspection/Inspection: A comprehensive systematic process to objectively assess the compliance of ports, borders and free zones with Security Plans, national and international security standards and requirements, and the conditions and procedures contained in Security Programmes or technical manuals contained in accordance with the provisions of this resolution, and to propose the necessary developments and improvements.
Risk and Threat Record: A record created by Authority that shows the risks and threats that the port or free zone may be exposed to, the capabilities that shall be provided to confront them, and the mechanisms for dealing with them.
Working Day(s):    Official working days in the State.
 

1. The provisions of this resolution apply to the ports, borders and free zones in the UAE.
2. The application of the provisions of this resolution shall not prejudice any resolutions issued by the Cabinet prior to the implementation of this resolution, in matters related to the security of ports, borders and free zones of any Emirate of the UAE.
 

For the purposes of implementing the provisions of this resolution, ICP – in order to exercise the powers assigned to it in the affairs of port, border and free zone security – shall do the following:
1. Prepare and approve Security Programmes, and their related plans and guides, with the aim of implementing and executing them with the Relevant Authorities.
2. Follow up on the implementation of Security Plans by the Relevant Authorities and work to develop them in a way that ensures achieving security integration at ports and free zones.
3. Conduct annual Inspection of seaports and air ports’ compliance with national and international security requirements and for the purposes of issuing or renewing an international compliance statement.
4. Coordinate support and supervision of training matters required by the Relevant Authorities with the aim of maintaining the security of ports, borders and free zones and raising their efficiency and readiness.
5. Receive complaints and suggestions related to port, border and free zone security affairs and taking the necessary measures concerning them.
6. Conduct control and compliance Inspection tests in the Relevant Authorities to determine the effectiveness and enhancement of procedures, conditions and requirements related to security and safety standards in the affairs of ports, borders and free zones security.
7. Issue and follow up on the implementation of corrective measures, improvements and developments by the Relevant Authorities working at ports, borders and free zones with the aim of enhancing security capabilities and raising the efficiency and readiness of ports, borders and free zones.
 

1. The Concerned Authorities shall comply as follows:
    a. Apply the security and safety standards, requirements and procedures contained in this resolution, the approved Security Programmes and the security requirements in the legislation in force in this regard.
    b. Provide ICP with development notes for Security Assessment and improvement of approved Security Programmes.
2. The application of Clause (1) of this Article shall not prevent the Relevant Authorities from applying the standards, requirements and procedures related to security and safety, in accordance with the scope of the jurisdiction assigned to them, and in a manner that does not conflict with the provisions of the Decree-Law and the resolutions issued in implementation thereof.
3. The Relevant Authorities shall establish regulations, systems and plans to achieve their own security in accordance with the laws of their establishment and work to implement them in a manner consistent with the nature of their work, and in a manner that does not conflict with the provisions of the Decree-Law or the resolutions issued in implementation thereof.
 

For the purposes of Security Assessment and determining the current security situation in the field of port, border and free zone security, the Relevant Authorities shall comply as follows:
1. Provide all data and information requested by ICP within the period specified by it at the time and in accordance with the agreed upon communication channels.
2. Provide statistics on the movement of people, vehicles, goods, shipments, means of transportation, etc.
3. Update Security Assessments of ports based on procedural variables in accordance with priority, as well as their level of effectiveness in reducing the impact of threats.
 

1. ICP shall communicate and coordinate effectively with the Relevant Authorities concerning the assessment and development of Security Programmes, plans and assessments, especially the following issues:
a. Periodic review of all legislative tools, programmes, plans, Security Assessments, procedures, policies, agreements, guidelines, statistics, and any other operations related to maintaining the security of ports, borders, and free zones.
b. Identify security threats with the aim of reducing their impact.
c. Unify the security measures and procedures taken and ensuring their delivery to the Relevant Authorities.
2. ICP may conclude cooperation agreements or memoranda of understanding with the Relevant Authorities in the affairs of port, border and free zone security, as required by the work interest.
3. Committees or work teams shall be formed by a resolution of the Chairman to investigate the facts or inspect security gaps or opportunities for improvement necessary in violations occurring at ports, borders or free zones, provided that this resolution determines their jurisdictions, duties and the system of their work mechanism, considering the applicable legislation.
 

The Security Programme shall specify the standards and requirements that shall be implemented by the Relevant Authorities. The Security Programme shall also specify the timelines for the compliance monitoring and Inspection programmes carried out by ICP at ports, borders and free zones.

The Concerned Authorities – each within its jurisdiction – shall comply as follows:
1. Submit all necessary documents, records or plans during the preparation or implementation of the Security Programme.
2. Implement the standards, requirements and conditions specified in the Security Programme assigned to it.
 

The Cabinet may decide to temporarily exempt some of the standards, procedures, conditions or requirements of the Security Programme based on the proposal of the Chairman.

1. The Concerned Authorities at the ports, borders and free zones shall form a Security Committee for each port, by a resolution from the Chairman or Director of the Concerned Authority, including the tasks and responsibilities of the Committee, and a copy of the resolution shall be sent to ICP.
2. The Security Committee shall hold no less than (4) four meetings during the year as a minimum.
 

The Concerned Authorities shall comply as follows:
1. Prepare the Security Plan in coordination with the Security Committees in accordance with the approved models and frameworks.
2. Submit the Security Plan for assessment by ICP and its approval.
3. Implement security procedures, requirements and measures in accordance with the security situations and levels approved in the Security Plan.
4. Making the necessary updates to the Security Plan in line with the changes and amendments that occur at ports, borders and free zones, in accordance with the following procedures:
    a. Submit a request for amendment or update to ICP in accordance with the forms approved in the Security Plan, attaching the Security Assessment of the updates.
    b. ICP shall study the request for amendment or update in light of the requirements and conditions of the plan and the approved Security Assessment.
    c. ICP shall submit recommendations to the Relevant Authorities concerning approval or rejection of the application.
5. Inform ICP within the period it specifies of any amendments or updates to the Security Plans for ports and free zones.
 

1. The Compliant Ports Security Programme shall apply to ports subject to the provisions of the Code.
2. The Non-Compliant Ports Security Programme shall apply to ports subject to the provisions of the Code.
 

The Competent Authority shall issue and renew a compliance statement for Compliant Ports subject to the provisions of the Code after passing the Security Inspection by ICP.

The Responsible Authorities for the free zones shall comply with the companies operating therein to adhere to the security and safety standards, requirements and procedures approved by the free zone authorities.

The Concerned Authorities shall obtain ICP initial approval when establishing new ports or free zones.

ICP shall grant a licence to establish ports and free zones, after completing the following procedures:
1. ICP receives application to establish the port or free zone from the Local Government.
2. ICP reviews the application in coordination with the Relevant Authorities.
3. Conduct the security survey, assessment and Inspection by ICP.
4. ICP shall issue the initial approval to begin implementation and inform the Local Government and other Relevant Authorities.
5. Conduct periodic monitoring, Inspection and Security Inspection by ICP after (6) six months from the date of notification of the initial approval.
6. ICP shall submit a report on the results of the trial operation to the Relevant Authorities, accompanied by the necessary recommendations.
7. Submit the final recommendation by ICP to approve the official port to the Cabinet.
8. Submit the final recommendation by ICP to license the free zone to the Relevant Authorities.
 

ICP shall renew a licence to establish ports and free zones, after completing the following procedures:
1. ICP receives application to renew the licence of the port or free zone from the Local Government.
2. ICP reviews the renewal application, assessment and Security Plan for the port or free zone.
3. Conduct Security Inspection at the port or free zone by ICP based on the Security Plan approved by ICP.
4. ICP shall send the Inspection results and observations to the concerned port or free zone for renewal to fulfil the observations with the required corrective and improvement measures.
5. Based on the results of the Security Assessment and Inspection, ICP issues a renewal of the licence for the port or free zone.
 

A new international statement of compliance is issued to port facilities that comply with the provisions of the Code, after completing the following procedures:
1. Receive application to issue a new compliance statement from the port authority to ICP, accompanied by the Security Assessment and Security Plan for the port facility in accordance with the approved security measures, standards and procedures.
2. ICP reviews the application in coordination with the Relevant Authorities.
3. ICP reviews the Assessment and Security Plan for the port facility for approval.
4. ICP shall conduct a Security Inspection of the port facility based on the approved Security Plan.
5. ICP shall send the Inspection results and observations to the port authority or free zone to fulfil the observations with the required corrective and improvement measures.
6. Based on the results of the Security Assessment and Inspection, ICP shall submit the final recommendation to the Competent Authority in accordance with the following conditions:
    a. Approval to issue a compliance statement.
    b. Not agreeing to issue a compliance statement accompanied by reasons and justifications.

A new international statement of compliance is renewed to port facilities that comply with the provisions of the Code, after completing the following procedures:
1. The Concerned Authorities shall address the Competent Authority with a request to renew the compliance statement for the port facility.
2. The Competent Authority shall contact ICP to obtain security approval to renew the compliance statement.
3. ICP responds to the application based on the results of the Security Assessment and Inspection of the port facility.
 

1. ICP shall issue licences for ports related to the movement of entry and exit of persons, goods and means of transportation, which are renewable in accordance with the period determined by ICP, based on the evidence, standards, conditions, procedures and national security requirements approved by the UAE.
2. ICP shall coordinate with the Competent Authorities in the UAE for taking the necessary measures and procedures concerning the suspension of the issuance/renewal of licences falling within its jurisdiction until the requirements imposed by ICP are met.
 

1. ICP shall monitor and Inspect compliance at the ports, borders and free zones to which the provisions of this resolution apply, and the Relevant Authorities shall cooperate with ICP and facilitate its work.
2. ICP commitment to the duty of monitoring and Inspection the commitment referred to in Clause (1) of this Article shall not prejudice the commitment of the Relevant Authorities to carry out the monitoring, Inspection, supervision and verification activities that they shall carry out.
 

1. ICP shall prepare the scenarios and work mechanisms necessary to implement security testing exercises at ports, borders and free zones with the aim of confirming the security readiness of the Relevant Authorities and the efficiency of their employees and the transit areas of transportation means from one port in the UAE to another port in another country and the equipment that assists them with the aim of enhancing the UAE security capabilities.
2. The Concerned Authorities shall facilitate the security testing programmes implemented by ICP for assessing the Security Plans, knowing the readiness and preparedness of the Concerned Authorities, identifying the strengths and weaknesses and opportunities for improvement in the procedures applied by them within the scope of jurisdiction, and ensuring the full implementation of the necessary corrective measures to close the security gaps.
3. The Chairman or his delegate may grant approval for the use of camouflage methods or the alteration of facts in documents, papers or objects, or the possession, transfer or use of weapons, ammunition, explosives, materials, goods or prohibited, infringing or prohibited items to carry out security tests, in accordance with the need and nature of each exercise.
4. The Chairman or his delegate may grant approval to employ individuals who are not employees of ICP, whether citizens of the UAE or foreigners, and assign them to participate in security tests.
5. ICP shall coordinate with the Relevant Authorities to provide data, information, documents, or borrow materials, documents, weapons, explosives, or fireworks for use in implementing security tests.
6. The Concerned Authorities shall not to obstruct the security test and include the names of the security test team to identify them later or photograph any stage of the security tests by any means or gather.
7. In the event that any of those charged with implementing the security test are brought before the Judicial Authorities as a result of an accident or action that occurs during the implementation of the exercise assigned, ICP shall bear the costs of the necessary legal support services.
 

1. The results of the monitoring and Inspection of compliance shall be subject to analysis and assessment. ICP may request any additional data or information from the Relevant Authorities if necessary.
2. ICP shall prepare the initial report of the field visit to the ports, borders and free zones, and it shall be presented to the ICP Competent Officials in accordance with the geographical location of the scope of responsibility for review and opinion.
3. Corrective measures shall be included in the initial report in coordination with the relevant officials in accordance with the powers and available capabilities, and a time period is specified for them. After the end of the specified time period, ICP shall repeat monitoring and Inspection of compliance with the corrective measures.
4. ICP shall submit the final report, including the observations and recommendations for taking the necessary corrective measures by the Relevant Authorities, to the President or his delegate.
5. The Concerned Authorities shall prepare a time plan for corrective measures on the observations contained in the compliance control and Inspection report, within (14) fourteen working days of receiving the final report.
6. 6.The concerned party may object, with reasons, to the final report issued by ICP within (14) fourteen working days from the date of receipt. It shall be supported by the necessary evidence, documents and legal basis, with the proposal of new corrective procedures and plans and discussing them with ICP to reach a joint agreement within a period of time that is consistent with the standards of oversight and Inspection of compliance.
7. ICP may repeat the process of monitoring and Inspection the corrective measures and the procedures associated with them to ensure compliance with the corrective measures.
8. ICP shall include the results of the annual report on monitoring and Inspection compliance and the corrective measures taken by the Relevant Authorities in the ports and free zones in its annual performance report when it is submitted to the Cabinet.
 

1. The Concerned Authorities with ports and free zones are committed to determining the mechanisms for dealing with risks and threats in accordance with the model prepared by ICP for this purpose, and to updating them periodically whenever necessary.
2. ICP shall prepare a risk and threat record in accordance with the following procedures:
    a. Identify potential risks and threats to ports and free zones.
    b. Assess mechanisms for dealing with risks and threats.
    c. ICP shall submit reports and recommendations concerning the assessment of risks and threats and mechanisms for dealing with them to the Relevant Authorities.
    d. The entity shall exchange data and information with the Relevant Authorities with the aim of unifying the mechanisms for dealing with risks and threats.
 

Risks or non-conformities in relation to ICP practice of compliance control and Inspection work and the procedures associated with them shall be classified as follows:
1. High-risk non-conformities or risks that require immediate correction action.
2. Risks or non-conformities of medium severity, requiring correction actions within a medium and appropriate period of time.
3. Risks or non-conformities of medium severity, requiring correction actions within scheduled and reasonable periods of time.
 

1. Without prejudice to the powers of the Relevant Authorities to develop their own training programmes, ICP may develop a plan to support training and qualification programmes for employees of the Relevant Authorities in light of the results of monitoring and Inspection of compliance, the security situation, the implementation of security tests or Security Assessment processes.
2. The Relevant Authorities shall send the annual training needs of their employees to be included in ICP training and qualification programmes support plan.
 

1. Subject to the provisions of Article (23) of this resolution, ICP shall send correction actions to the Relevant Authorities to correct the aspects of each violation in accordance with the following procedures:
    a. ICP shall send to the relevant violating party a letter from the Director General or his delegate specifying the type of violation committed and the period specified for correcting the violation, provided that it does not exceed (90) ninety days.
    b. If the period mentioned in Paragraph (A) of Clause (1) of this Article expires without completing the corrective measures, ICP shall send a written notification by the Director General or his delegate specifying a period not exceeding (30) thirty additional days to complete the corrective measures stipulated in Paragraph (A) of Clause (1) of this Article.
    c. If the notification period expires without completing the corrective measures, ICP shall recommend imposing Administrative Penalties in accordance with the schedule of violations and Administrative Penalties attached to this resolution and in accordance with Article (30) of this resolution.
2. Subject to the procedures set forth in Clause (1) of this Article, the Director General or his delegate may approve an extension of the period for correcting the violation based on the request of the Relevant Authorities at the time or in accordance with the requirements of the public interest.
3. ICP shall send correction actions to the Relevant Authorities in light of the results of the monitoring and Inspection of compliance or security tests in accordance with the form prepared for this purpose.
4. The Concerned Authorities shall implement the corrective and improvement measures issued by ICP in light of the results of monitoring and Inspection the compliance or security status or implementing security tests or Security Assessment operations.
 

In accordance with the urgent public interest and as exception to the provisions of Article (27) of this resolution, the President or his delegate may issue an immediate correction action to the Relevant Authorities. These authorities shall begin immediate implementation and inform ICP of the measures taken in this regard.

ICP may study the possibility of providing the necessary and appropriate support to all or some of the Concerned Authorities to complete the corrective measures or submit a memorandum to the Cabinet with possible solutions for this in the event that the corrective measures for cases of risk or non-conformity exceed the limits of the capabilities and capacities of the Concerned Authorities or are not subject to change based on the report of the Concerned Authorities submitted to ICP.

1. Administrative Penalties attached to this resolution shall be imposed by a resolution of the Cabinet based on the President proposal, when the Concerned Authorities commit or repeatedly commit any of the administrative violations listed in the table in this resolution.
2. Administrative Penalties shall be applied to the Concerned Authorities in the field of port, border and free zone security, without the natural persons affiliated with these authorities.
3. Penalty shall be doubled in the following cases:
    a. In the event that the relevant violating party does not complete the corrective measures directly and within the time specified by ICP, unless there are acceptable justifications.
    b. In the event that the same violation is repeated by the concerned party within (12) twelve months from the date of informing the concerned party of the commission of the first violation.
4. The Concerned Authorities shall correct any violations, even if Administrative Penalties are imposed on them in accordance with the provisions of this resolution.
5. The Cabinet may exempt from implementing the Administrative Penalty in accordance with the considerations it deems appropriate based on the President proposal.
 

1. Anyone who has been subjected to an Administrative Penalty in accordance with the provisions of this resolution may file a grievance before a committee called (the Ports and Free Zones Affairs Grievances Committee) within a period not exceeding (30) thirty working days from the date of notification of the type of Administrative Penalty.
2. The Committee stipulated in Clause (1) of this Article shall have ICP to consider and decide on the subject of grievances against resolutions issued with Administrative Penalties within a period not exceeding (30) thirty working days from the date of receipt of the grievance request.
3. The Complainant may not appeal the resolution issued with the Administrative Penalty unless the appeal process has been completed or if the deadlines for deciding on it have passed.
4. A resolution shall be issued by the Cabinet, based on the Chairman proposal, to form this committee, determine its members, and specify its powers.
5. No grievance or appeal shall be accepted against any resolution before the Committee after the passage of (15) fifteen working days from the date of notification of the concerned party or proof of his knowledge of it with certainty.
6. The resolution issued by the Committee in the grievance shall be final, and the resolution issued by the Committee may not be appealed except before the competent court within (20) twenty working days from the date of notification of the resolution. The court may, upon the request of the appellant, suspend the implementation of the resolution issued by the Committee until the matter is decided if it finds that the appeal is based on serious reasons and that continuing to implement the resolution will result in consequences that are difficult to remedy.
 

1. The Chairman shall take the necessary measures to maintain security at ports, borders and free zones in the event of exceptional security circumstances that undermine security and safety requirements and require the rapid adoption of certain measures to prevent increased danger, without prejudice to the disruption of their implementation by other Relevant Authorities.
2. The Chairman shall issue the resolutions necessary to implement this resolution provisions.
3. The Chairman may form committees to Inspection ports, borders and free zones in accordance with national, international and customs security standards and requirements.
 

The Cabinet has the power to make any amendments to the fees contained herein, whether by addition, deletion or amendment.

Administrative Fines stipulated in this Resolution shall be collected through the methods decided by the Ministry of Finance.

Any provision that violates or contradicts the provisions of this Resolution shall be repealed.

This Resolution shall be published in the Official Gazette and shall come into force (3) three months after the date of its publication.