The timing of setting up an FCL transport

An FCL (Full Container Load) transport goes through numerous stages before the ship leaves. So it requires foresight. This article outlines the main points to remember. This is “standard” timing in a classical context, because it can change. For example, in France, during strikes, the timings were greatly extended due to the difficulties of accessing the terminals.

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Day 0

• Acceptance of the quote/confirmation of transport
• Booking request sent to the shipping company

‍Day 1

• Receiving the booking confirmation
• Sending the position request and planning the position with the warehouse

Day 4

• Retrieving the empty container from a warehouse or terminal

Day 5

• Posti/pickup day
• Retrieving information from the container and the goods to carry out the BL (Bill of Lading)

Day 5/6

• The container is docked at the terminal the same day as the station or the next morning

Day 6

• Container at the terminal and export customs clearance before the FCL closure

Day 7-8

• Cutoff day: customs must be passed (cutoff customs), the container must be at the terminal (cutoff FCL) and the BL finalized (cutoff SI)

Day 10

• Departure of the ship

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🧜 ‍ ♂️ Good to know! In normal times, the first possible departure for FCL exports is +10 days before CRD.

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The choice of a ship is crucial to minimize the time between the CRD (Cargo Ready Date) of the goods and the ETD (Estimated Time of Departure) of the ship. However, it is risky to aim at a ship whose ETD is too close at the risk of “missing” the fences. This choice requires a quick analysis of the various deadlines.

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🔎 Focus on the different deadlines 🔎

• Terminal cut-off or FCL cutoff : deadline for the container to enter the terminal. If the container is not at the terminal by this date, it can be removed from the ship's loading list.
  • Date: usually 2-3 days before the ship's ETD
• Customs cut-off : the deadline by which the container must be released from customs. The container can only be cleared once at the terminal. This cutoff is often at the same time as the FCL cutoff.
  • Date: usually 2-3 days before the ship's ETD
• CFS (Container Freight Station) cut-off : clean cutoff for the LCL. This is the deadline by which the goods must be delivered to the consolidator's CFS.
  • Date: generally 7 days before the ship's ETD
• Documentary cut-off/SI (Shipping Instructions) Cutoff : deadline by which bill of lading instructions must be submitted to the company.
  • Date: usually 3-4 days before the ship's ETD
• VGM (Verified Gross Mass) cut-off : deadline by which the VGM weight of the container (total loaded weight) must be declared to the company.
  • Date: usually 3-4 days before the ship's ETD
• AMS (Automated Manifest System) cut-off : only concerns maritime exports to North America (United States and Canada). Customs information should be sent to North American authorities.
  • Date: 24 hours before ETD

Conclusion

Respecting these deadlines is essential to ensure the smooth running of an FCL transport and to avoid any delay or complication. Analyzing quickly and choosing the right ship makes it possible to minimize risks and optimize transport time.

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