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. Their email address is [email protected].
Please be advised it is the customer’s responsibility to ensure containers are landed and cleared by 16.00hrs, 2 working days prior to delivery. This is to avoid wasted costs and to ensure containers are landed in time for their delivery, including any rail cut offs. Please contact us if you are unsure.
It is also the customer's responsibility to ensure all containers are returned in the same condition as collected and that all dunnage is removed from containers prior to empty return.
If OOCL are required to carry out any repairs or removal of dunnage, this will incur additional charges.
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.
Please make delivery bookings through our container management portal: https://ukcr.home.oocl.com/
For a guide on how to use the container management portal, please click here: Container Management Portal.pdf.
Prior to making a delivery booking, please check our Haulage Availability by clicking here.
If you have any trouble using our online portal, please get in touch with our customer service team at [email protected] or 01473 659000. To contact the UK Import team directly by phone, please use extension '4431'.
Please note you should receive an email confirmation of your delivery within 48 hours, unless your request is submitted more than 3 days in advance of vessel ETA.
For vehicle detention, 3 hours free time are offered from the time of booking. Thereafter a charge of GBP 50.00 per hour or part thereof will apply.
If your cargo is out of gauge, please ensure you provide us with the dimensions to allow us to determine whether special equipment is required.
If container is over 26.001kgs then please note that specialist equipment and police escort may be required. This will incur additional costs which will be advised on a case by case basis.
We do not insist that containers are customs cleared before accepting bookings.
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, 01473 654431. We are unable to arrange delivery for a reefer container on a Monday morning.
Delivery Cut Off
Please be advised that in light of the current demand for haulage and to allow us to offer the best possible service, we will require any outstanding Original BLs to be surrendered, any non-credit funds to be cleared & any release to orders to be received by 16:00hrs 2 working days prior to delivery to avoid wasted costs.
Requests are required before 15:00hrs, if your delivery request is received later than 15:00hrs we will action it the following day. If your request has been made later than 15:00hrs and is a next day booking, please call to let us know on 01473 654 431.
OOCL import delivery cut offs are 1600 hrs 2 working days prior to delivery for the below –
- Customs clearance (Customer's responsibility to check, to avoid any additional charges. Delivery may be cancelled and require rebooking)
- Container landed (Customer's responsibility to check, to avoid any additional charges. Delivery may be cancelled and require rebooking )
- Original endorsed B/L surrendered, payment received and release to orders
- Delivery cancellation, to avoid additional charges.
- Due to the current haulage climate, containers may get railed in advance of your delivery date. For any cancellations, please check to see if the container is still on the quay to avoid any additional costs 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.
For rebookings, please refer to our online haulage availability.
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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