SHiP is a new general purpose fixed target experiment at the CERN SPS designed to complement LHC experiments in the search for new physics. In its initial phase, the \(400\) GeV proton beam extracted from the SPS will be dumped on a heavy target with the aim of integrating \(2\times10^{20}\) pot in 5 years. Shielded by an active muon shield, a dedicated detector, based on a long decay volume followed by a spectrometer and particle identification detectors, will allow probing a variety of models with light long-lived exotic particles with masses below \(\mathcal{O}(10)\;\mathrm{GeV}/{c^2}\). The main focus will be the physics of the so-called Hidden Portals, i.e. search for Dark Photons, Light scalars and pseudo-scalars, and Heavy Neutral Leptons. The sensitivity to Heavy Neutral Leptons will allow for the first time to probe, in the mass range above the kaon mass, a coupling range for which Baryogenesis and active neutrino masses could also be explained. A dedicated emulsion-based detector will allow detection of light dark matter in an unexplored parameter range.