# Arrival time window

*Last updated: 2026-06-22*

> An arrival time window defines the binding time corridor within which a vehicle must present itself at a delivery or collection point.

An arrival time window defines the binding time corridor within which a vehicle must present itself at a delivery or collection point. When a truck arrives outside the agreed slot – dock occupied, unloading crew unavailable – the result is idle time, waiting charges, or rebooking to the next available slot with knock-on delays throughout the supply chain. Shippers, consignees and carriers agree on these slots contractually or through yard-management systems to align staffing, dock allocation and warehouse throughput. Real-time tracking is essential to confirm that the ETA falls reliably within the agreed band. Unlike a delivery window, which covers the full tolerance range for cargo receipt, the arrival time window refers specifically to the physical appearance of the vehicle at the gate.

**Source:** [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vehicle_routing_problem#Time_windows](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vehicle_routing_problem#Time_windows)

## Quick Facts

| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Term | Arrival time window |
| Language | EN |
| Word count | 123 |
| Last updated | 2026-06-22 |
| Source | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vehicle_routing_problem#Time_windows |

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