DCSA Reference Documentation / Standards / Standard Releases / Arrival Notice / Arrival Notice v1.0.0
DCSA Interface Standard for Arrival Notice 1.0.0 - Glossary of Terms
Arrival Notice Glossary of Terms
As part of DCSA’s commitment to standardisation and collaboration across the container shipping industry, the DCSA Glossary of Terms has been updated to align with the Arrival Notice Standard.
The following terms and definitions have been incorporated to maintain consistency and support shared understanding across stakeholders.
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Arrival notice | Notification sent by the publisher (typically an ocean carrier or a freight forwarder) to the receiver (which may be a notify party, consignee, customs broker, or other relevant party) informing them that a shipment is scheduled to arrive to its destination. |
| Demurrage | The charge that the merchant pays to the shipping line/carrier when a container remains inside the terminal or depot beyond the allotted free time. |
| Detention | The charge that the merchant/haulier pays to the shipping line / carrier for the usage of the container outside the terminal or depot, beyond the allotted free time period. This term is often used interchangeably with Per Diem in certain regions, particularly in the United States. |
| Storage | The charge that the merchant pays to the terminal/port or to the shipping line/carrier on behalf of the terminal/port for the usage of storage space occupied by the container on terminal grounds, inside a warehouse or at the container yard, beyond the allotted free time period. Unlike demurrage, which is charged by the shipping line, storage charges are typically charged by the terminal/port. Both charges can be incurred simultaneously. While some terminals/ports treat demurrage and storage under the same charges, others charge them separately. Sometimes, the terminal/port collect these charges from the shipping line itself. In this case, the shipping company may pass on the storage charges to the customer. These charges may apply regardless of whether the equipment is owned by the carrier or by the shipper. |
| Free Time | The period of time a container can be used for transport without incurring additional charges. |
| FIRMS Code | The Facilities Information and Resources Management System (FIRMS) code is a unique four-digit alpha-numeric identifier assigned by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to facilities in the U.S. where imported goods are held or processed, such as Container Freight Stations (CFS), bonded warehouses, intermodal rail ramps or temporary storage facilities near ports. It tells CBP and freight systems where the cargo is physically located. |
| IT Number | The reference number of the bonded movement under a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Immediate Transportation (IT) entry, often assigned by the carrier or customs broker. It allows goods to be moved under bond from the Port of Discharge to another inland port or bonded facility without paying duties at the first port. The IT number is used for tracking the movement and verifying arrival at the inland port or bonded facility. |