A CY cutoff, or Container Yard cutoff, is the final deadline for a loaded export container to be delivered into the port terminal or container yard before a scheduled vessel departure. If the container misses the CY cutoff, it may not be loaded onto the planned sailing and could be rolled to a later vessel. Shippers, truckers, and freight forwarders must track the cutoff carefully because late gate-in can cause delays, extra storage, rebooking fees, or missed export deadlines.
The CY cutoff is the latest date and time a full container load (FCL) can be delivered to the container yard at the port terminal to be loaded onto a specific vessel sailing. Containers arriving after the CY cutoff will miss the vessel and must wait for the next sailing.
- Typically 1 to 3 days before vessel departure, depending on the port and carrier
- Earlier than the documentation cutoff in most cases
- Missing the CY cutoff can delay a shipment by one to two weeks on weekly services
Confirm the CY cutoff with your carrier or forwarder when booking and align production and drayage schedules accordingly.
For related logistics context, see Dedola’s ocean freight shipping services and glossary entries on Container Yard (CY), FCL, Booking Confirmation, and Rolled Cargo.
