Empty Container Pickup
Interlink編集部What Is Empty Container Pickup?
Empty container pickup is the process of collecting empty containers from locations designated by the shipping line or NVOCC, such as container yards, depots, or terminals, before loading cargo for FCL export.
In export FCL, since cargo is loaded into containers at the shipper’s factory, warehouse, or a designated warehouse, it is necessary first to secure empty containers and transport them to the loading site.
In practice, this activity may be referred to as "empty container pickup," "empty van pickup," "empty container release," "Empty Pick-up," or "Empty Container Release."
FCL transportation operations effectively begin with arranging empty containers before cargo loading. Mistakes at this stage can have cascading impacts on vanning, VGM, CY in-gate, CY cut-off, and shipment loading onto the scheduled vessel.
Empty container pickup is not merely collecting containers. It is the initial operational step that links together export FCL elements such as booking information, container size, pickup availability dates, depot and CY operations, drayage vehicles, acceptance conditions at the loading site, container condition, EIR, and CY cut-off.
Scope Covered in This Article
| Item | Contents Covered in This Article | Contents Covered in Other Articles in Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Basics of Empty Container Pickup | The process of collecting an empty container from a designated location before loading cargo for FCL export | The overall basic structure of FCL transport is covered in detail in "What is FCL Transport". |
| Relationship with Booking | The flow of confirming container size, pickup location, destination CY, and CY cut-off after booking confirmation | Schedule changes after booking and vessel schedules are covered in detail in separate articles. |
| Pickup Availability Dates and Depot/CY Operations | Confirming when, where, and under what conditions the empty container can be picked up | Terminal congestion, CY in-gate reservation, and port procedures are covered in other articles. |
| Container Size and Type | Points to note when selecting 20-foot, 40-foot, 40-foot high-cube, and special containers | Container weight limits, payload, gross weight, and special containers are covered in specialized articles. |
| Container Condition Inspection | Checks to be made at empty container pickup and before vanning, such as holes, moisture, odors, floorboard damage, and door malfunctions | Damage inspection, photo records, repair and cleaning costs, and the relationship with EIR are covered in detail in "Container Damage". |
| Relationship with EIR | The concept of separating condition records at empty container pickup and damage claims upon return | How to read EIR, and record management at pickup and return are covered in detail in "Container Damage". |
| Relationship with Vanning and Drayage | Coordination from empty container pickup, delivery to vanning location, vanning, to CY in-gate of the loaded container | The vanning operation itself is covered in "What Is Vanning?", and overall drayage is detailed in "Drayage". |
| Relationship with CY Cut-off | The approach of determining the empty container pickup date by counting backward from vanning date, VGM, CY in-gate, and CY cut-off | CY in-gate, CY cut-off, and VGM submission deadlines are covered in specialized articles. |
Process of Empty Container Pickup
Empty container pickup usually proceeds after the shipping booking has been confirmed.
Once the booking is finalized, the shipping line or NVOCC provides information such as the container size, container type, pickup location, earliest pickup date, the destination CY, CY cut-off time, and the VGM submission deadline.
Based on this information, the freight forwarder requests the drayage company to pick up the empty container. The drayage company collects the empty container from the designated depot, CY, or terminal and transports it to the shipper’s factory, warehouse, or vanning warehouse.
Afterward, the cargo is loaded, the container is sealed, and the required weight details are confirmed before delivering the loaded container to the CY.
Basic Process of Empty Container Pickup
| Process | Main Tasks | Parties to Confirm With | Practical Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Booking Confirmation | Confirm vessel name, voyage number, booking number, container size, and CY cut-off date | Shipping Line, NVOCC, Freight Forwarder | Without finalized booking details, conditions for empty container pickup cannot be confirmed. |
| Pickup Location Confirmation | Confirm the depot, CY, or terminal from which the empty container will be picked up | Shipping Line, NVOCC, Depot, Drayage Company | Misidentifying the pickup location may lead to vehicle dispatch errors and work delays. |
| Pickup Availability Date Confirmation | Confirm from when the empty container can be picked up | Shipping Line, NVOCC, Depot, Freight Forwarder | Pickup may not be possible too early or may not be available on the desired date due to stock shortages. |
| Drayage Arrangement | Arrange for pickup of the empty container and transport to the loading site | Freight Forwarder, Drayage Company, Shipper | Confirm vehicle availability, operating hours, waiting conditions, and entry permissions at the loading site. |
| Check Empty Container Condition | Inspect for holes, damaged flooring, door defects, moisture, odors, and dirt | Drayage Company, Warehouse, Shipper, Freight Forwarder | If unsuitable for cargo, consider replacement before vanning. |
| Transport to Loading Site | Deliver the empty container to the factory, warehouse, or designated storage | Drayage Company, Shipper, Warehouse | Loading site requires forklifts, operators, and waiting area arrangements. |
| Vanning | Load cargo into the container and perform lashing and seal placement | Shipper, Warehouse, Freight Forwarder | Delays in cargo preparation can result in vehicle waiting charges and CY cut-off delays. |
| CY In-Gate | Deliver the loaded container to the CY before the cut-off time | Drayage Company, CY, Freight Forwarder | Delays in empty container pickup ultimately affect vessel loading schedules. |
Basic Information Freight Forwarders Confirm
When arranging empty container pickup, the freight forwarder first verifies the Booking details.
Key information includes the vessel name, voyage number, Booking number, container size, container type, pickup location, CY gate-in destination, CY cut-off time, and VGM submission deadline.
Next, the freight forwarder confirms the cargo owner’s loading location and available loading dates. Operational hours of the factory or warehouse, holidays, entry rules, loading equipment, availability of forklifts, labor arrangements for cargo handling, and waiting areas for container trucks are also critical.
Even after picking up the empty container, if loading cannot be performed at the designated location, there may be charges for drayage waiting time, rebooking costs, delays in vanning, and late CY gate-in.
Key Information to Confirm
| Item to Confirm | Details to Confirm | Documents / Parties to Check With | Impact if Issues Arise |
|---|---|---|---|
| Booking Number | Booking details required for empty container pickup | Booking Confirmation, Shipping Line, NVOCC | Delays or discrepancies may occur during pickup procedures or depot verification. |
| Container Size | 20ft, 40ft, 40ft High Cube, etc. | Booking, Cargo Details, Stowage Plan | Risk of cargo not fitting or exceeding weight limits. |
| Container Type | Dry, Reefer, Open Top, Flat Rack, etc. | Booking, Cargo Conditions, Shipping Line, NVOCC | Wrong container type may require rearrangement. |
| Pickup Location | Depot, CY, Terminal, Designated Site | Shipping Line, NVOCC, Drayage Company | Incorrect destination will delay pickup. |
| Available Pickup Date | Start date and time when the empty container can be taken | Shipping Line, NVOCC, Depot, Terminal | Empty container may not be available on the desired date. |
| Loading Site Conditions | Operating hours, vehicle access, forklift availability, parking, labor | Shipper, Warehouse, Factory | Arrival of empty container may not enable loading or vanning. |
| CY Cut-Off | Deadline for delivering loaded containers to the CY | Booking, Shipping Line, NVOCC, Freight Forwarder | Delay may prevent loading on the planned vessel. |
| VGM Submission Deadline | Deadline for submitting Verified Gross Mass | Shipping Line, NVOCC, Freight Forwarder | Failure or delay in VGM submission can affect shipment. |
Available Dates for Empty Container Pickup
Empty containers cannot be picked up freely at any time.
The available dates and times for pickup may be set based on the operations of the shipping line, NVOCC, terminal, or depot.
There may be cases where pickup is not allowed too early, or the desired date cannot be secured due to the inventory status of empty containers. Therefore, for FCL exports, it is important to confirm not only the vanning date but also the available pickup dates for empty containers.
Especially during busy seasons, before consecutive holidays, after typhoons or severe weather, during port congestion, or container shortages, securing empty containers may be delayed.
Background on Empty Container Inventory and Pickup Restrictions
Pickup restrictions on empty containers do not occur solely due to depot or terminal circumstances. Shipping lines and NVOCCs manage containers within a global export-import cycle, overseeing the round-trip flow by redirecting returned empty containers after import for the next export.
In regions with a surplus of imports, empty containers tend to accumulate more easily, whereas in areas with excess exports, empty containers often become scarce. Additionally, if empty containers are unevenly distributed at specific ports or inland depots, it may not be possible to quickly pick up the desired container type and size at the needed location.
Moreover, depots and terminals have operational constraints, including reception capacity, working hours, gate congestion, and storage limits. Even when empty containers physically exist, if available reception slots or gate-out procedures cannot keep up, in practice, empty containers may not be retrievable on the requested date.
Freight forwarders must verify not only whether empty containers "are available," but also "where they are," "when they can be picked up," "whether drayage trucks can be arranged for that day," and "if they can be coordinated with the vanning date and CY cut-off" as an integrated process.
Verification of Container Size and Type
When picking up empty containers, it is essential to ensure the correct container size and type are used.
Common container types include 20-foot dry containers, 40-foot dry containers, and 40-foot high cube containers.
The appropriate container depends on the cargo’s weight, volume, packaging style, and stowage method. For heavy cargo, weight limits may become a constraint before volume. For light but bulky cargo, 40-foot or high cube containers may be required.
For machinery, long items, or specialized cargo, standard dry containers may not be suitable; open-top or flat rack containers might be considered. Detailed checks on container size, payload, gross weight, weight restrictions, axle load, and load balance are covered separately in the article “Container Weight Restrictions.”
Points to Note When Picking Up Special Containers
Special containers such as open-top, flat-rack, and reefer containers tend to have more limited inventory compared to regular dry containers, and the pickup locations and available pickup dates are often restricted.
For special containers, simply confirming the size and quantity is insufficient. For open-top containers, it is necessary to check for tarpaulins and accessories; for flat-rack containers, the condition of the floor and lashing points; and for reefer containers, temperature settings, power connections, pre-cooling, and temperature recording, among other functional and accessory conditions of the container.
Additionally, special containers may not always be available at regular depots and could require pickup at designated terminals or specific depots. When the pickup location is farther away, it may affect drayage costs, lead times, and the vanning schedule.
Freight forwarders using special containers need to confirm inventory, pickup locations, accessories, cargo compatibility, and operational conditions at the vanning location at an earlier stage than usual for empty container pickup.
Checking Container Condition
When picking up an empty container, checking the container’s condition is essential.
Dents or holes in the exterior panels, floor damage, door closure, leaks, odors, dirt, and residue may lead to cargo damage or later claims for container damage.
Particularly, cargo such as paper products, precision machinery, food-related goods, clothing, and chemicals are sensitive to dirt, odors, and moisture.
Before loading, inspect the inside of the container. If the condition is unsuitable for the cargo, consider replacing the container. For details on how to check damage, photo documentation, relationships to cargo claims, and issues regarding repair and cleaning costs upon return, see the separate article “Container Damage.”
EIR and Container Damage
When picking up an empty container, an Equipment Interchange Receipt (EIR) document may be involved.
The EIR records details such as the container number, pick-up date, container condition, and the presence or absence of damage.
In actual logistics practice, it is important to distinguish between damage that already existed at the time of pick-up and damage that occurred during use.
If there are scratches or dents on the empty container at the time of pick-up, it is necessary to confirm whether these are recorded. Using the container without such records could result in the damage being treated as new damage upon return.
Comparison of Empty Container Pickup and Related Processes
| Process | Main Content | Items to Confirm | Impact of Delay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Booking | Reserve the vessel schedule and container space | Vessel name, voyage number, booking number, container size, CY cut-off | Conditions for empty container pickup cannot be finalized. |
| Empty Container Pickup | Collect the empty container from the designated location | Pickup location, available pickup date, container type, condition, EIR | Affects vanning schedule and CY in-gate timing. |
| Vanning | Load cargo into the empty container | Cargo quantity, weight, packaging condition, loading arrangement, lashing, seal | Causes CY cut-off delays, VGM discrepancies, and cargo damage. |
| VGM | Confirm and submit the container gross weight | Cargo weight, packaging weight, container tare weight, submission deadline | May lead to loading refusal or additional verification. |
| CY In-Gate | Deliver the loaded container into the CY | CY cut-off, in-gate reservation, seal number, booking details | The container may fail to be loaded on the scheduled vessel. |
Points for Cargo Owners to Note
Cargo owners need to have their cargo ready in accordance with the scheduled arrival date and time of the empty container.
If the cargo is incomplete, packing is unfinished, the loading location is unavailable, or labor is absent, the vanning process will be delayed.
It is also important to confirm whether container trucks can enter the factory or warehouse premises. Issues such as road width, gate height, turning space, waiting areas, and working hour restrictions may cause loading delays.
Pre-checks are especially crucial for first-time shipments, oversized cargo, heavy cargo, and factories with on-premises restrictions.
Empty Container Pickup and CY Cut-off
Empty container pickup arrangements are made by counting backward from the CY cut-off time.
The CY cut-off is the deadline by which containers must be delivered to the CY to be loaded onto the scheduled vessel.
If empty container pickup, vanning, sealing, VGM submission, and CY gate-in are not completed on time, the cargo may not be loaded on the intended vessel.
Therefore, setting the empty container pickup date too late is risky. Conversely, picking up too early can create issues such as container storage space, permitted usage period, drayage fees, and yard storage problems.
Relation to Vanning
Empty container pickup is directly connected to vanning.
Even if an empty container is collected, loading cannot proceed unless the cargo is prepared. Also, if the arrival of the empty container is delayed, the scheduled vanning operations may be disrupted, potentially affecting CY in-gate timing and vessel loading.
During vanning, the quantity, weight, volume, packaging condition, stowage, lashing, container seals, and VGM should be checked.
Details of the vanning process itself are organized in a separate article titled "What Is Vanning?".
Relationship with Drayage
Empty container pickup is part of the drayage arrangement.
The drayage company picks up the empty container at the designated location and transports it to the shipper’s factory, warehouse, or specified warehouse. After the container is loaded, the full container is then delivered to the CY.
In other words, for export FCL shipments, empty container pickup, delivery to the loading site, and CY delivery of the loaded container should be considered as an integrated process.
The overall flow of drayage, vehicle arrangements, waiting charges, and special considerations for heavy or special cargo are covered separately in the article “Drayage.”
Contract Types with Drayage Providers and Pickup Reliability
The reliability of empty container pickup is also influenced by the contractual relationship with the drayage company.
When there is an ongoing business relationship or an arrangement close to exclusivity, it may be easier to secure vehicles and negotiate timing even during busy periods. On the other hand, spot arrangements can face difficulties securing vehicles during port congestion, before holidays, at month-end, and after typhoons.
However, even with a continuous contract, securing vehicles at the desired time is not guaranteed. The actual pickup feasibility depends on port congestion, driver shortages, depot reception capacity, and empty container inventory status.
Freight forwarders need to separately confirm the “days when empty containers are available for pickup” and “whether drayage vehicles can be secured on those days.” Even if empty containers are in stock, pickup cannot proceed without vehicles, and conversely, if vehicles are available but depot acceptance or container inventory is lacking, operations cannot move forward.
Common Misconceptions
| Common Misconception | Actual Understanding | Operational Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Empty containers can be picked up anytime after booking. | Pickup availability is limited by allowed pickup dates, depot operations, inventory status, and terminal conditions. | Confirm not only the vanning date but also the pickup availability date. |
| Picking up empty containers early ensures safety. | Picking up too early can create issues with storage space, usage period, costs, and management responsibility. | Establish a realistic schedule based on the CY cut-off time and cargo preparation. |
| Container condition is already checked by the depot, so there is no problem. | It is necessary to check whether the container condition is suitable for the cargo before vanning. | Inspect for moisture, odors, floorboards, holes, and door defects. |
| The larger the container size, the better. | The appropriate size varies depending on cargo weight, volume, packing method, weight limits, and drayage conditions. | Select based on cargo details and load planning. |
| Once the empty container arrives, vanning can begin immediately. | Cargo preparation, labor, forklifts, yard access, and working hours must be arranged. | Confirm receiving conditions on the shipper’s side in advance. |
| EIR should only be checked upon return. | Damage records at pickup are important for distinguishing claims related to damages at return. | Keep records and photos of the container condition at pickup. |
| If you leave it to the drayage company, the freight forwarder does not need to confirm. | The freight forwarder needs to coordinate booking, pickup location, CY cut-off, and shipper-side working conditions. | Share dates and conditions among all relevant parties. |
| Empty container pickup is unrelated to actual shipment. | Delays in empty container pickup directly impact vanning, VGM, CY in-gate, and shipment. | Manage it as an initial step in export FCL operations. |
Checklist for Confirmation at Various Stages
| Stage of Confirmation | Party to Confirm With | Items to Confirm | Actions if Issues Arise |
|---|---|---|---|
| At Booking Confirmation | Shipping Line, NVOCC, Freight Forwarder | Booking Number, Vessel Name, Voyage Number, Container Size, CY Cut-off | If information is insufficient, do not finalize the empty container pickup arrangement. |
| Before Empty Container Pickup | Depot, CY, Terminal, Drayage Company | Pickup Location, Available Pickup Dates, Reception Hours, Reservation Requirement, Container Inventory | If pickup on the desired date is not possible, reschedule the vanning date and CY in-gate. |
| At Drayage Arrangement | Drayage Company, Freight Forwarder, Shipper | Vehicle Securing, Pickup Time, Delivery Location, Waiting Conditions, Additional Cost Conditions | If a vehicle cannot be secured, reconsider the pickup date or operation date. |
| At Loading Location Confirmation | Shipper, Warehouse, Factory | Working Hours, Access Conditions, Forklift Availability, Workers, Waiting Area | If there are issues with site conditions, consider vanning at an alternative warehouse. |
| Upon Receipt of Empty Container | Drayage Company, Depot, Warehouse, Shipper | Container Number, Size, Type, Exterior Condition, Interior Condition, EIR | If the condition is poor, take photos and check the possibility of container exchange. |
| Before Vanning | Shipper, Warehouse, Freight Forwarder | Cargo Preparation, Packaging, Quantity, Stowage, Lashing, Container Condition | If cargo is not ready, confirm waiting fees and impact on CY cut-off. |
| Before CY In-gate | Drayage Company, CY, Freight Forwarder | CY Cut-off, In-gate Reservation, VGM, Seal Number, Booking Information | If delays are expected, confirm the impact on the scheduled vessel. |
| When Trouble Occurs | Shipper, Freight Forwarder, Drayage Company, Shipping Line, NVOCC | Occurrence Time, Cause, Additional Costs, Work Records, Contact with Relevant Parties | Separate the responsible process, arrange cost allocation and alternative measures. |
Common Practical Issues
| Case | Potential Issues | Documents to Check | Practical Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Late availability date for empty container pickup | Cannot schedule vanning; risk of missing CY cut-off | Booking, pickup availability notice, CY cut-off, planned operations | Reschedule operations based on pickup availability and CY cut-off dates. |
| Desired size of empty container is unavailable | Container change, cargo loading changes, or shipment delays may occur | Booking, container inventory information, cargo details, stowage plan | Consider alternative container sizes, different vessels, or split shipments. |
| Pickup location was misunderstood | Vehicle goes to wrong depot or CY, causing pickup delays | Booking, pickup instructions, drayage orders, email records | Clearly share pickup location name, address, and reception conditions. |
| Poor condition of empty container | Water damage, odors, contamination, floor damage, leading to cargo incidents | EIR, photos of empty container, on-site inspection records | Confirm if container exchange is possible before vanning. |
| Cargo preparation not completed by shipper | Vehicle waiting charges, vanning delays, delayed CY in-gate | Shipment schedule, work reservation, cargo readiness status, CY cut-off | Prepare cargo to align with empty container arrival date and time. |
| Container truck cannot access loading site | No loading possible, cross-docking, vanning at different warehouse, extra costs | Site layout, road width, gate height, turning space, work conditions | Confirm vehicle access conditions in advance for initial shipments. |
| Drayage vehicle cannot be secured | Delays in empty container pickup, vanning, and CY in-gate | Drayage reservations, port congestion information, arrangements before and after holidays | Secure vehicles early during busy seasons and holiday periods. |
| Insufficient EIR or photo records | Difficulty in damage claims at return or clarifying causes of cargo damage | EIR, photos, records at pickup, records at return | Record container condition thoroughly at pickup. |
Comparison Table of Freight Forwarder Involvement Scope
| Category | Supportable Tasks | Matters Not to Be Definitively Determined | Practical Response |
|---|---|---|---|
| Organization of Booking Information | Confirmation of vessel name, voyage number, booking number, container size, CY cut-off | Treating tentative information from shipping lines or NVOCCs as confirmed data | Share information with involved parties based on Booking Confirmation. |
| Arrangement for Empty Container Pickup | Pickup location, available pickup dates, communication with drayage companies | Definitively assuring the availability of empty containers on desired dates | Check depot/CY inventory and acceptance conditions. |
| Container Condition Confirmation | Encourage photo documentation and EIR checks, consult about the need for container replacement | Definitively determine cargo suitability or liability for damage without physical inspection | If issues arise, record photos and immediately share them with relevant parties. |
| Confirmation of Shipper-side Working Conditions | Check loading location, working hours, forklift and vehicle access conditions | Definitively assume that operations will proceed as scheduled within the shipper’s premises | Strengthen prior confirmation for first shipments or large cargoes. |
| Back-calculation from CY Cut-off | Coordinate empty container pickup, vanning, VGM, and CY gate-in processes | Definitively judge shipment feasibility by looking at only one process | Arrange all processes sequentially by date to check for delay risks. |
| Organization of Additional Costs | Clarify causes of waiting fees, re-arrangement costs, haulage, and storage charges | Definitively assign cost responsibility without cause verification | Confirm time of occurrence, causes, and records of related parties’ actions. |
Scenario 1: When the Pick-up Date for the Empty Container Is Delayed and the CY Cut-off Is Approaching
Even if the booking is confirmed, the available date for picking up the empty container may be later than the planned vanning date.
In this case, even if the cargo is ready, vanning cannot proceed due to the lack of an empty container. As a result, VGM submission and CY in-gate could be delayed, potentially preventing loading on the scheduled vessel.
The freight forwarder should reconfirm the empty container availability date, vanning date, CY cut-off, and availability of drayage trucks, and consider rescheduling work, checking alternative depots, or modifying the booking if necessary.
Scenario 2: When the Condition of the Empty Container Is Poor and Unsuitable for Cargo
After picking up an empty container, you may find moisture inside, unpleasant odors, dirt, damaged floorboards, holes, or residues.
This is especially critical for paper products, food-related cargo, apparel, and precision machinery, as loading goods directly in such containers could lead to cargo damage incidents.
In such cases, take photographs before vanning, review the Equipment Interchange Receipt (EIR) records, and check through the freight forwarder, drayage company, shipping line, or NVOCC whether a container exchange is possible.
Scenario 3: Cargo Not Ready on the Shipper’s Side
Even if the empty container arrives at the loading location as scheduled, the cargo may not be ready, packing may be incomplete, labor may be unavailable, or forklifts may not be usable.
In such cases, drayage trucks may have to wait, which could result in waiting charges and rebooking costs. Additionally, delays in vanning can affect CY in-gate timing.
The shipper needs to ensure that cargo preparation, packing, quantity verification, labor, and handling equipment are arranged to align with the empty container arrival time.
Scenario 4: When Container Vehicles Cannot Enter the Loading Site
Some factories or warehouses may not allow container vehicles to enter their premises.
Factors such as road width, gate height, overhead wires, turning space, waiting areas, and work time restrictions may prevent loading from proceeding as scheduled.
In such cases, arrangements like vanning at an alternative warehouse, transshipment to smaller vehicles, or rescheduling the workday may be necessary. For first-time shipments or oversized cargo, checking the site conditions in advance is advisable.
Scenario 5: When the CY Cut-off Is Missed After Picking Up an Empty Container
Although the empty container has been picked up, loading, sealing, VGM submission, and the in-gate of the loaded container to the CY may be delayed compared to the planned schedule.
In such cases, even if the empty container pickup itself is completed, the export FCL shipment as a whole may not be loaded onto the scheduled vessel.
The freight forwarder should not become complacent after completing the empty container pickup but must continuously confirm each step: completion of loading, seal number, VGM submission, and CY in-gate.
Positioning in Freight Forwarder’s Integrated Arrangement
When a freight forwarder arranges FCL transportation on an integrated basis, the empty container pickup constitutes the entry point of the entire transportation process.
If arrangements at this stage are delayed, it may result in delayed vanning, delayed CY in-gate, and the risk of missing the planned vessel loading.
Conversely, by securing empty containers reliably and coordinating with the shipper’s loading preparations, the entire FCL transportation process can be stabilized.
From the shipper’s perspective, empty container pickup is a less visible step, but for the freight forwarder, it is a crucial management point. It connects the processes of booking, drayage, vanning, VGM, and CY in-gate, and is positioned as the initial action in integrated FCL transportation.
Summary
Empty container pickup refers to the process of collecting empty containers from a designated location before loading the cargo in FCL export.
This is not simply the retrieval of containers; it is a critical step directly linked to booking, drayage, vanning, VGM, CY in-gate, and CY cut-off.
In practice, it is necessary to verify the available pickup dates, container inventory, pickup location, container size, container type, container condition, EIR, loading location, working hours, drayage arrangements, and CY cut-off as an integrated process.
Especially important in advanced operations are factors such as the uneven distribution of empty container inventory, acceptance capacity of depots and terminals, pickup conditions for special containers, and the availability of drayage vehicles, which serve as key considerations.
When a freight forwarder undertakes integrated transportation, accurately planning empty container pickup becomes the starting point to ensure the entire FCL transportation proceeds as scheduled.
