Before cargo can be released we require submission of a duly endorsed Original Bill of Lading (or a proof of identity if a Sea Waybill) and payment of outstanding charges.
Customers are reminded it is their duty to arrange import customs clearance. If requested, our logistics division can organise this on customers' behalf, and will need commodity code(s), gross and net cargo weights, CIF value, a commercial invoice and/or packing list, and any other appropriate paperwork e.g. import licences and veterinary health certificates. A fee is levied for this service.
Please see our import Demurrage & Detention page for details of free time and charges, and our Local Contacts page for relevant email addresses and telephone numbers.
To ensure OOCL offers a quality haulage service, we kindly ask our customers to place bookings on Day 1 for a Day 4 delivery. Please submit requests for Day 4 deliveries by 15.00 hrs on Day 1. Examples:
- For delivery on Thursday, please book by 15.00 hrs Monday
- For delivery on Wednesday, please book by 15.00 hrs Friday
Whilst we will endeavour to cover bookings made after the 15.00 hrs cutoff, these cannot be guaranteed.
For the North of England, Midlands and South Wales, we encourage customers to consider deliveries on Thursdays or Fridays as an alternative to earlier in the week. If you can be flexible it will allow us to more promptly confirm your booking.
We do not insist that containers are customs cleared before accepting bookings.
Look at our Haulage Availability page for details of how and when to book.
To ensure containers are available, we recommend deliveries be scheduled for no earlier than 2 working days after the vessel arrival. However, should you require a ‘load & go’ delivery on a Monday for vessel arriving over weekend, please contact our customer service team who will be happy to discuss your requirements further. Please be advised it is the customer's responsibility to ensure that containers have cleared & landed in time for their delivery, including any rail cut offs. Please contact us if you are unsure.
Delivery bookings should be e-mailed directly to [email protected] showing container or bill of lading number in the subject line. You will receive an automated reply to acknowledge receipt. Any problems with a booking will be notified to you in writing via e-mail within 2 working hours of receipt.
Customers are kindly asked to provide the following information on booking instructions:
- Delivery date and time
- City district, town or village name (and county) and correct spelling: please be as precise as possible, as this will determine the haulage rate we invoice
- Container and B/L number
- Vessel name
- Special requirements e.g. hazardous cargo, genset, tipper chassis, site/road accessibility etc.
All booking requests should show the full delivery address, including postcode.
Any amendments to deliveries already booked should stipulate the original date/time/location, as well as the revised requirements, and be e-mailed to [email protected] . Cancelations for deliveries should be e-mailed to the same address by 11.00 hrs on the working day before delivery to ensure no extra charges are incurred.
For Dangerous Goods, customers are reminded of their legal responsibility under ADR and RID regulations to provide OOCL with appropriate documentation i.e. Dangerous Goods Notes (DGNs) and Container Packing Certificates (CPCs).
Unfortunately in certain circumstances it is unavoidable that deliveries may run late or fail. If your delivery is not carried out on the day it is booked for, due to an OOCL error, we can offer a maximum of 5 working days to rebook the delivery without additional charges. After this period, normal demurrage will apply.
Customers are encouraged to register with our popular Truckcom product. This allows users to:
- Verify that scheduled deliveries are covered
- Receive proactive automated email alerts when vehicles are running late
- Be updated with revised ETAs
- Keep fully up-to-date with delivery status
- Obtain real-time truck location via satellite tracking (Note, OOCL own vehicles only)
- Get complete transparency of vehicle arrival and departure times
- Print free PODs with electronic signature
- Save time and thus money
For more details about Truckcom, download our flyer by clicking on the icon below.
Truckcom is available to Notify Parties on Import B/Ls. If you would like to register, please contact Mandy Jackaman in Import Customer Service.
Please book Merchant Haulage releases by 15.00 hrs the day before you intend to pick up the laden container. Whilst we will endeavour to issue PINs requested after this time, this may not be possible.
For further details, please see our separate Imports: Merchant Haulage and Empty Restitutions page
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