Cut-off times in container shipping: what they are and why they matter?

Cut-off times are a critical part of container shipping. They represent the latest possible time by which a task must be completed to keep a shipment moving. This could be delivering a container to a terminal, submitting shipping instructions, declaring a container’s weight, etc..Missing a cut-off can lead to delays, extra costs, or missed sailings. Yet because cut-off times depend on a range of factors, such as vessel schedules, terminal operations, cargo type, and local regulations, they are not always easy to manage.This article explains what cut-off times are, why they’re important, and how DCSA standards help make them more predictable and accessible across systems.

What is a cut-off time in shipping?

A cut-off time is the latest date and time by which a specific task must be completed to ensure that cargo is accepted, processed, and loaded as scheduled. In container logistics, there are several common cut-offs, including:
  • Gate-in cut-off: the latest time a full container must be delivered to the terminal.
  • Documentation cut-off: the latest time to submit shipping instructions and/or customs documents.
  • VGM cut-off: the deadline for submitting the Verified Gross Mass of the container.
  • Dangerous goods cut-off: the deadline for submitting declarations for hazardous cargo.
  • Reefer cut-off: the latest time a reefer container must be delivered to the terminal.
The exact cut-off times vary by terminal, carrier, shipment, and even equipment type. They are tied to the planned vessel departure, and if the schedule changes, cut-off times usually do too.

Why are cut-off times important?

Cut-offs help coordinate the many moving parts of international shipping. For carriers and terminal operators, they ensure cargo and documents are received in time for processing and loading. For shippers and freight forwarders, cut-off times are crucial for:
  • Avoiding missed sailings
  • Preventing demurrage and detention fees
  • Improving shipment planning and minimising replanning
  • Automating transport and customs workflows
Cut-offs are not fixed times, they’re based on vessel schedules and shipment specifics. If these change (e.g., vessel delay), significant cut-off updates are recalculated and re-shared. If cut-off times are not clearly communicated, or if they change without proper updates, it can create costly disruption across the supply chain.

What’s the difference between a cut-off time and a deadline?

In logistics, the terms are often used interchangeably, but a cut-off time usually refers to the operational side of a shipment, such as when a container must physically arrive or a document must be submitted. A deadline may be more general, such as a commercial or contractual due date. The key distinction is that cut-offs are directly tied to the flow of cargo through the shipping network.

How are cut-off times treated in DCSA Standards?

DCSA standards provide structured, machine-readable ways to share cut-off times, both before and after booking. This helps all parties align their planning, systems and processes around the most up-to-date operational requirements.

Cut-offs in the Commercial Schedules Standard

DCSA’s Commercial Schedule standard provides APIs for sharing Point to Point routings, Port Schedules and Vessel Schedules, including port call details and cut-off times, among others. Within this context, estimated cut-offs are made available ahead of booking confirmation, supporting pre-booking decisions and shipment planning.Key cut-off-related data points in Commercial Schedules include:
  • Earliest and latest gate-in times
  • Documentation and customs cut-off times
  • Cargo readiness milestones
This enables digital access to carrier-supplied port call data, making cut-offs available in structured, machine-readable formats.Discover the DCSA Commercial Schedules Standard

Cut-offs in the Booking Standard

Once a booking is confirmed, the DCSA Booking Standard API provides shipment-specific cut-off times tailored to the confirmed routing, cargo type, and equipment. Booking APIs expose cut-off fields like:
  • Documentation cut-off
  • VGM cut-off
  • FCL delivery cut-off
  • LCL delivery cut-off
  • Earliest full-container delivery date
If operations shift, due to vessel delays, congestion, or other factors, cut-off times can be recalculated and re-shared to shipper TMS systems, portals, and workflows and effectively keeping all stakeholders in sync.Explore the DCSA Booking Standard

Summary

Cut-off times are fundamental to the coordination of containerised transport. When clearly defined and reliably shared, they reduce risk and improve operational efficiency across the shipping ecosystem.DCSA’s Commercial Schedules and Booking standards give carriers, shippers, and ports a common practice for exchanging cut-off times in digital workflows, making this critical data more accessible, actionable, and aligned with real-world conditions.