What happens when cargo gets rolled?

The container misses the planned vessel and waits for the next available sailing — typically 7 days on weekly services. You pay terminal storage (usually $50–100/day), and your client's supply chain is disrupted. On peak-season routes, the next vessel might also be full.

Can I get a cut-off extension from the carrier?

Sometimes, but don't count on it. Some carriers offer late-gate or late-SI services for a fee ($100–300). These are carrier-specific and port-specific — ask your carrier rep about availability.

Are cut-off times the same for all carriers at the same port?

No. Each carrier sets their own cut-off times based on their terminal contracts and vessel schedules. Two carriers sailing the same day from the same port can have different SI, VGM, and gate closing times.

Do cut-off times change during peak season?

Yes. Many carriers tighten cut-offs during peak season (Aug–Oct for Asia–US/EU) by 12–24 hours. They also enforce them more strictly — leniency that might exist during slack season disappears.

What's the difference between gate closing and cargo cut-off?

Gate closing is when the terminal stops accepting containers. Cargo cut-off is when the carrier stops accepting bookings or amendments for that vessel. In practice, gate closing is the hard physical deadline that matters most.

How do I find the exact cut-off times for my shipment?

Check the carrier's booking confirmation — cut-off times are listed there. Most carriers also publish them on their website under vessel schedules or sailing schedules. For real-time updates, check the carrier's terminal or port system directly.

Do feeder vessels have different cut-offs than mainline vessels?

Yes. Feeder vessels at transshipment hubs often have tighter cut-offs because the container must be loaded, discharged, and reloaded onto the mainline vessel. Missing a feeder cut-off can delay your cargo by more than a week.

What about cut-off times for reefer containers?

Reefer containers typically have earlier cut-offs — usually 12–24 hours before standard dry containers. This allows the terminal to plug in power and verify the unit is functioning before the vessel loads.

Carrier Ops

Port Cut-Off Times Explained

Miss a cut-off by one hour and your cargo rolls to the next vessel. Here's every deadline you need to track — and how much buffer to build in.

Cut-Off Types

$500–3,000

Avg Cost of Roll

24–48 hrs

Buffer Recommended

Types of Port Cut-Off Deadlines

There are five distinct cut-off types. Missing any one of them can roll your cargo.

SI Cut-Off (Shipping Instructions)

Deadline to submit final shipping instructions to the carrier — including consignee details, cargo description, marks & numbers, and BL instructions. Typically 3–5 days before ETD.

3–5 days before ETD Late SI fee: $50–150/BL, or BL issued with errors

VGM Cut-Off (Verified Gross Mass)

SOLAS requires verified container weight before loading. VGM must be submitted to the carrier before this deadline. Usually 1–2 days before gate closing.

24–48 hours before gate closing Container refused for loading — guaranteed roll

Documentation Cut-Off

Deadline for all export documentation: customs clearance, dangerous goods declarations, certificates of origin, etc. Varies widely by port and cargo type.

2–4 days before ETD Cargo held pending documentation — demurrage starts

Gate / CY Closing

Physical deadline for delivering the loaded container to the terminal. After this, the terminal gate literally closes for that vessel. This is the hard deadline.

12–48 hours before ETD Container not loaded — rolls to next sailing

Early Receiving Date (ERD)

The earliest date the terminal will accept containers. Arrive before ERD and the terminal turns you away. Important for planning trucking.

5–7 days before ETD Truck turned away — repositioning costs + missed gate closing

Typical Cut-Off Windows by Port

Cut-off times vary significantly by port and carrier. These are typical ranges — always confirm with your carrier.

Port / Region	SI Cut-Off	VGM Cut-Off	Gate Closing	Notes
Shanghai / Ningbo	5 days	3 days	24–36 hrs	Strict enforcement, especially during peak season
Rotterdam / Hamburg	3–4 days	48 hrs	24 hrs	Automated terminals — no exceptions after gate close
Los Angeles / Long Beach	4 days	48 hrs	24–48 hrs	Chassis availability can delay delivery to terminal
Singapore	3 days	24 hrs	12–24 hrs	Tight turnaround — fastest port in the world
Jebel Ali (Dubai)	4 days	48 hrs	24 hrs	Ramadan and summer heat can affect operations

How to Prevent Cargo Rolls

Cargo gets rolled when you miss a cut-off. Here's how to build a system that doesn't.

Submit SI at booking, not at cut-off

Don't wait for the SI deadline. Submit preliminary SI when you book and amend later. This gives you buffer for corrections without risking the deadline.

VGM on the day of stuffing

Weigh the container immediately after stuffing and submit VGM the same day. Waiting until the cut-off day means one scale malfunction or system glitch rolls your cargo.

Gate delivery 24 hours before closing

Target terminal delivery at least 24 hours before gate closing. Trucking delays, port congestion, and terminal system outages are all common — build in buffer.

Pre-clear customs before gate opening

Get customs clearance completed before the container arrives at the terminal. Clearing at the gate wastes time and risks missing the closing window.

Track ERD to avoid wasted truck runs

Terminals won't accept containers before the ERD. If your truck arrives early, it gets turned away and you pay repositioning fees plus a wasted trip.

Set internal deadlines 24 hours ahead of carrier deadlines

Your team's deadlines should be one day before the carrier's. This creates an automatic buffer that absorbs delays without panic.

Frequently Asked Questions

Your next container, perfectly loaded.

Start free. No credit card. No install.

Start Planning Free