GlossaryEN1 min readUpdated: Jun 26, 2026
Cargo Cut Off
The cargo cut-off is the hard deadline by which physical cargo must be checked in at the terminal to be loaded onto a booked sailing or flight.
Quick Answer
Last updated: Published:
Source: https://www.freightos.com/glossary/cut-off-time/
Category
Logistics Concept
Reading time
1 min
Words
132
Mentioned in
–
Definition & Explanation
The cargo cut-off is the hard deadline by which physical cargo must be checked in at the terminal to be loaded onto a booked sailing or flight. Once the cut-off passes, the terminal closes the load list for that departure; any shipment arriving afterward is rolled to the next available service, with rebooking fees and potential delivery delays as a consequence. In ocean freight, the cut-off typically falls 24 to 48 hours before vessel departure; in air freight the window is considerably shorter. Shippers and forwarders track this date as a firm planning milestone—missing it by even a few hours can mean a week's delay on weekly liner services. The cargo cut-off should not be confused with the documentation cut-off, which governs the submission of shipping papers and usually falls slightly earlier.
Next steps
Matching tools and partners
Related Terms
You might also be interested in these terms
Logistics knowledge straight to your inbox
Free · No password · Never a paywall. Weekly top news and facts from logistics.
Community Questions & Answers
Share your knowledge, ask follow-up questions, or add practical insights to this page. Every contribution is moderated before publication.
No community answers yet. Be the first.