GlossaryEN1 min readUpdated: Jun 22, 2026
Transit time
Transit time is the period from the moment a shipment is handed over to the carrier to the point of final delivery to the consignee.
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Source: https://www.logistik-lexikon.com/v/versandlaufzeit
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Check transit time: city-to-city index
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Definition & Explanation
Transit time is the period from the moment a shipment is handed over to the carrier to the point of final delivery to the consignee. It is shaped by the mode of transport, the distance covered, any transshipment stops en route, and customs clearance requirements at origin or destination. Air and express services achieve substantially shorter transit times than ocean or rail freight; customs delays at destination can add considerably to the total elapsed time. In freight forwarding, transit time is a primary factor in carrier selection and rate quotation, and shippers must align it with the delivery commitments they make to their customers. It should not be confused with lead time, which also encompasses internal order processing and pick-and-pack operations before the shipment reaches the carrier.
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Transit index
Check transit time: city-to-city index
P50/P80 transit times for sea, air and road — sourced and confidence-rated, not a carrier quote.
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