Logistics knowledge sharing - the meaning of "cutoff", "VGM cutoff", "weight cutoff", and "release cutoff"

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Industry Encyclopedia

Time of issue：

2025-06-06 17:55

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In logistics and transportation, especially international sea freight, "Cut-off Time for Shipping Documents", "Cut-off Time for Verified Gross Mass", "Cut-off Time for Cargo Weight", and "Cut-off Time for Customs Release" are common critical time points that directly affect whether cargo can be shipped smoothly. The following are their specific meanings and relevant points:

I. Cut-off Time for Shipping Documents

Meaning ：
This refers to the latest time that the shipping company or freight forwarder requires the shipper to submit formal shipping documents (such as supplementary bills of lading, cargo manifests, etc.). If these are not submitted by this time or if the information is incorrect, it may lead to delays in bill of lading preparation, or even affect customs declaration and cargo shipment.

Core Points ：

Document Content This usually includes detailed data such as shipper and consignee information, cargo description, container number, seal number, loading and unloading ports, etc., which must be consistent with the actual cargo.
Impact of Delays If the cut-off time is missed, amendment fees may need to be paid, or the shipment may be delayed; some ports have strict compliance requirements for documents (such as EU ENS, US ISF), and exceeding the deadline may trigger customs penalties.
Common Scenarios The cut-off time is generally 1-3 days before the ship departs, but this varies depending on the route and shipping company (e.g., shorter for short-sea routes, longer for long-haul routes).

II. Cut-off Time for Verified Gross Mass (VGM)

Meaning ：
VGM refers to "Verified Gross Mass". The cut-off time for VGM is the latest time that the shipping company requires the shipper to submit the actual total weight of the container (including cargo, container, packaging, and securing materials). This is a mandatory requirement of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to ensure safe vessel loading.

Core Points ：

Weighing Methods Overall Weighing Method: Weighing the entire container on a scale. Cumulative Weighing Method: Cargo weight + tare weight of the container (packing list and weight slip are required as proof).
Compliance Requirements Failure to submit VGM on time or a weight error exceeding ±5% (or 1 ton, whichever is smaller) will result in the shipping company refusing to load the container, potentially incurring demurrage and re-routing fees.
Time Point Usually 1-2 days before the cut-off time for the port, close to the cut-off time for documents; weighing and data submission must be arranged in advance.

III. Cut-off Time for Cargo Weight

Meaning ：
This refers to the latest time limit for the gross weight of container cargo imposed by the shipping company or terminal. Exceeding this weight or time will prevent the cargo from being loaded. The cut-off weight is often related to the "weight limit" (the upper limit of the total weight of the container and cargo), and both weight and time requirements must be met.

Core Points ：

Reasons for Restrictions Vessel load line restrictions: To ensure safe navigation. Road transport regulations: To avoid overweight containers causing violations of road transport regulations (e.g., the EU and the US have strict regulations on the weight of truck trailers).
Overweight Handling If the cargo is overweight, it may be necessary to unpack and split the shipment, change containers (e.g., from a 20-foot container to a 40-foot container), or apply for special approval, which is costly and may delay the sailing schedule.
Notes Different ports have different regulations on cut-off weight. For example, the ports of Long Beach (LB) in the US and Rotterdam in Europe have strict management of overweight containers, so confirmation is required in advance.

IV. Cut-off Time for Customs Release

Meaning ：
This refers to the latest time for customs to complete the inspection and review of export goods and allow release. If the cut-off time for release is exceeded, even if the goods have been transported to the terminal, they cannot be loaded and shipped, and customs clearance procedures must be re-handled.
Core Points ：

Process Correlation The shipper submits customs declarations, invoices, packing lists, etc., to customs. After customs review and approval, the release stamp is affixed to the shipping order (S/O), and the terminal arranges loading based on this.
Delay Risks Customs inspection: When goods are inspected, delays due to inconsistencies in declarations, packaging problems, etc., may cause the cut-off time for release to be missed. Data errors: Such as incorrect HS codes, inaccurate declaration of value, etc., require modification and re-declaration of the data, which is time-consuming.
Countermeasures It is recommended that sensitive goods (such as electronic products and food) complete customs clearance 3-5 days in advance to allow time for inspection; ordinary goods should also be declared 1-2 days before the cut-off time for release.

V. Correlation and Time Sequence of the Four

Stage	Time Sequence	Core Action	Related Documents/Data
Cut-off Time for Shipping Documents	Earliest	Submit supplementary bills of lading and cargo manifest information	Draft bill of lading, cargo manifest data
Cut-off Time for VGM	Next	Submit verified gross mass data	VGM declaration document
Cut-off Time for Cargo Weight	Simultaneous	Ensure cargo weight is within limits and complete weighing	Weight slip, packing list
Cut-off Time for Customs Release	Latest	Complete customs declaration and obtain release permit	Customs declaration, release slip

Note In actual operation, the cut-off times for documents, VGM, and weight may overlap or be close together. It is necessary to confirm each node with the freight forwarder/shipping company in advance to avoid delays in one link leading to the failure of the entire shipment.

These four nodes represent the "hard thresholds" in international logistics, reflecting the comprehensive requirements of shipping safety, customs supervision, and transportation efficiency. Shippers need to plan in advance for cargo preparation, customs declaration, and data submission processes, especially during peak seasons (such as before Christmas in Europe and America, and around the Chinese New Year), when shipping schedules are tight, and each node may be advanced further, requiring extra attention.

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