Definition
The carrier’s estimate of when a vessel, flight, or shipment will depart from its origin.
ETD is the planned departure time of the vessel or shipment from the port of loading or origin. Together with the ETA it frames the expected transit and underpins booking, documentation, and cargo cut-off planning.
Meeting the cut-off times that precede the ETD is essential, because cargo or documents that miss them roll to the next sailing. Forwarders monitor ETD changes closely since a shifted departure cascades through the whole delivery schedule.
Related terms
ETA (Estimated Time of Arrival)
The carrier’s estimate of when a vessel, flight, or shipment will arrive at its destination.
Cut-off (Closing Time)
The deadline by which cargo or documents must reach the terminal or carrier to make a given sailing.
Transit Time
The elapsed time a shipment takes to travel from origin to destination, often port to port.
Port of Loading (POL)
The port where cargo is loaded onto the vessel for the main ocean leg of its journey.
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