Definition
The elapsed time a shipment takes to travel from origin to destination, often port to port.
Transit time is the duration of the journey, commonly quoted port to port for the ocean leg but also door to door when inland legs are included. It depends on the routing, the number of transshipments, and any scheduled hub dwell.
Transit time is a core service metric forwarders use alongside cost and reliability when comparing options. A direct sailing usually beats a transshipment routing on time, while multimodal door-to-door figures fold in pickup, clearance, and delivery.
Related terms
ETA (Estimated Time of Arrival)
The carrier’s estimate of when a vessel, flight, or shipment will arrive at its destination.
ETD (Estimated Time of Departure)
The carrier’s estimate of when a vessel, flight, or shipment will depart from its origin.
Transshipment
Transferring cargo from one vessel to another at an intermediate hub en route to the final destination.
Ocean Freight
The transport of goods by sea, the dominant mode for high-volume international trade.
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