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Please find below key time points in ocean shipping
✅ Container Opening Time
The earliest time that empty containers can be picked up is referred to as Container Opening Time. After freight forwarders or shippers make a booking with the shipping company, the shipping company will confirm the space and issue an S/O (Shipping Order) to the booking party. The S/O serves as a booking confirmation document, detailing the S/O number, vessel name, voyage number, place of receipt, port of loading, port of discharge, estimated departure time, payment terms, and other remarks regarding the space.Freight forwarders or shippers can arrange trucks to pick up empty containers at the designated location based on the time specified in the S/O.Containers cannot be picked up before this time, and doing so may incur additional charges.
The deadline for submitting supplementary documents is also referred to as the document submission deadline, known in English as CSI or CI. These documents contain the data used to create the bill of lading for sea freight, including information about the goods (name, dimensions, weight, etc.), the port of origin, port of discharge, shipper, and consignee.
If these details are not submitted to the carrier before this deadline, the original information will be used to issue the bill of lading.Any subsequent amendments will require a document amendment fee.Typically, the cut-off time specified in the S/O provided by the shipping company is earlier than the actual deadline to allow the carrier some buffer time.
✅ VGM Cut-off TimeThe VGM cut-off time refers to the deadline for submitting Verified Gross Mass (VGM) data.VGM stands for Verified Gross Mass and is the verified weight of a loaded container.It is a requirement to ensure the safety of container shipping.
✅ Closing Time (Cut-off Time)The closing time, also known as Closing Date, includes two components: the cut-off time for loaded containers at the terminal and the cut-off time for customs release notes.Closing time refers to the latest time by which the carrier must receive customs release notes for booked and loaded cargo on a specific vessel.
If this deadline is missed, the shipping company will no longer accept the customs release notes, meaning the cargo cannot be loaded onto the vessel as scheduled.Customs declarations must be completed before this date.
Cut-off for Loaded Containers: This is the terminal's deadline for receiving loaded containers.
Cut-off for Customs Release Notes: This is the shipping company's deadline for receiving customs release notes.
A customs release note is a document issued by customs as proof of inspection clearance. Before cargo can be exported, it is required to undergo a customs declaration process. During this process, customs officials will review the electronic and paper declaration forms, accompanying documents, and inspect the cargo. They will also collect taxes or accept guarantees. Once all requirements are met, customs officials will stamp the transportation documents and issue a customs release note.
If customs release notes are submitted after the designated time, the shipping company will consider the cargo uncleared. In this case, the cargo will not be loaded onto the vessel. Even if the loaded container has already been returned to the terminal, it can only be scheduled for the next available vessel, which will incur significant costs, including amendment fees, yard storage fees, and documentation fees.