Cut-off Time
The deadline set by a carrier or terminal for cargo, documents, VGM or customs clearance before a vessel departs.
TL;DR: A cut-off time is the latest moment to deliver cargo or submit information for a specific sailing. Miss it, and the shipment usually rolls to the next vessel.
Each sailing has several cut-offs, usually shown on the SO. The CY cut-off is the deadline for full containers to arrive at the terminal. For LCL, the CFS has its own receiving cut-off. The documentation cut-off, often called the SI cut-off, is the deadline for shipping instructions, which the carrier uses to prepare the bill of lading. The VGM cut-off is the deadline for submitting the container’s verified gross mass. There is also a customs cut-off for export clearance to be completed.
These deadlines typically fall one to several days before the ETD, depending on the carrier and port. They are firm. A container that arrives late, or one without VGM or customs release, will not be loaded, even if it is already in the yard.
Missing a cut-off means waiting for the next sailing, which can add days or a week, plus possible storage or rebooking fees. Late or incorrect SI can also lead to amendment fees for the bill of lading.
For goods from South China ports such as Nansha or Yantian, allow time for trucking and possible traffic or inspection delays. Finish packing a day or two early, and confirm the gross weight in advance. See VGM, SO and ETD and ETA.