Reviewed 5 October 2026
Identify Which Clock The Offer Uses
Maersk distinguishes container time inside and outside terminals, separate or combined arrangements, and potentially separate storage. For your booking, our proposed review asks for the named charge, applicable location and equipment, free-time allowance, starting event, counting convention and final free date. Record the source and version of that information. Do not turn “seven free days” in a message into a calendar deadline without confirming how that booking counts the days.
Prepare The Collection Before Availability
Ask the appointed destination contact what still prevents collection: document release, cargo availability, outstanding instructions or an appointment. Record each unresolved item with an owner and next update. Confirm the receiving address, unloading capacity, operating hours and the transport arrangement. A plan based only on vessel ETA leaves little visibility into the actions needed between discharge and delivery. Choose an internal escalation date before the confirmed last free date rather than waiting for an invoice.
Keep The Empty Return As A Separate Task
Maersk’s support guide describes access to last-free-date, pickup and return information for authorized parties. Use the current booking’s actual return instruction. Our handover sheet records the designated depot, appointment or acceptance requirements, driver contact and planned return. If the depot or available slot changes, ask for the revised instruction and its effect on the plan. Retain the accepted gate-in or interchange reference. An unloading photograph or a truck leaving the receiver does not establish an accepted empty return.
Review An Exception Against Events And Scope
For a late movement or unexpected bill, collect the itemized charge, applicable reference, date range and recorded events. Separate carrier equipment charges, facility storage and trucking work in the review. Ask the billing party to explain the calculation and identify the approval required for a changed movement. Keep an appointment rejection or closure notice with its timestamp and affected container reference. These records support a factual review; they do not automatically establish a fee waiver or who ultimately bears the cost.
Dispatch Checklist
- Charge name, counting basis and final free date are confirmed for the booking.
- Collection blockers have owners and review dates.
- Unloading and designated empty-return arrangements are recorded.
- Accepted return evidence and itemized extra charges are retained.
Worked Example
Illustrative sequence: unloading finishes Wednesday, while the planned empty return is Thursday. If Thursday’s depot appointment is rejected, record the rejection, obtain the next accepted instruction and review the confirmed free-time deadline. Wednesday’s completed delivery alone does not close the container record. This is an invented scenario, not a tariff calculation.
Download The Planning Sheet In EnglishReferences And Scope
A coordination aid, not a tariff or a fee-waiver promise. Maersk sources illustrate its own terms and account information. Confirm the selected carrier, local facility, booking conditions and current instructions for the actual shipment.
Related Guidance
