Arrival Notice
An Arrival Notice is the notification sent by the carrier, forwarder or agent to the consignee and notify party to tell them that a shipment has arrived (or is about to arrive) at the destination. It sets out the shipment details, the goods and charges due, and prompts the receiver to arrange customs clearance, pay any charges and collect the cargo.
The arrival notice is the trigger for the import-side process: from it the consignee or their broker files the customs entry, settles freight and destination charges, and obtains a delivery order to release the goods. Prompt action on the arrival notice is what avoids demurrage and detention, since free time at the terminal starts running around arrival. It is a routine but pivotal document in the import cycle.
The arrival notice starts the clock on the import side — clearance, charges and collection all follow from it, and free time before demurrage begins around now. Acting on it promptly is the difference between a clean delivery and mounting terminal charges, which is why it is a document importers and brokers watch closely.
What do I do when I receive an arrival notice?
Arrange customs clearance, pay the freight and destination charges shown, and obtain a delivery order to collect the cargo.
Why act on the arrival notice quickly?
Free time at the terminal starts around arrival; delay leads to demurrage and detention charges.