Documents
Arrival notice
A notice from the carrier or its agent telling the consignee and notify party that cargo is arriving and which charges are due.
In four languages
The arrival notice is usually sent 2 to 7 days before the vessel's estimated arrival. It lists the vessel, the B/L and container numbers, the discharge port, the expected arrival date and the destination charges to pay before release. It is the signal to get everything ready: the original B/L or telex release, the commercial invoice, the packing list, the certificate of origin and any permits. Acting on it quickly helps avoid demurrage and storage. Example: a Dubai importer receives an arrival notice saying the container will be discharged at Khor Fakkan instead of Jebel Ali. The forwarder confirms the bonded truck move to Jebel Ali, the importer pays the charges shown, and the broker prepares the declaration so the container can be cleared as soon as it arrives.
Questions
I did not receive an arrival notice. What should I do?
Ask your forwarder or the carrier's local agent with the B/L or container number. The notice goes to the consignee and notify party on the B/L, so check those details are correct.
Do I have to pay all the charges on the arrival notice?
The consignee usually pays the destination charges listed before the D/O is issued. If your contract says the seller pays some of them, you may need to recover them from the seller.