Term of the Day: Container Freight Station (CFS)

A Container Freight Station or CFS is a shipping dock where a cargo is loaded into, or unloaded from containers.

Generally, this involves less than containerload shipments, although small shipments destined to same consignee are often consolidated.

Container reloading from/to rail or motor carrier equipment is a typical activity. These facilities can be located in container yards, or off dock.

If a person is going to pick up goods from a warehouse (CFS), it will have to bring a copy of the following two documents to CFS:

– a Delivery Order, which will give them permission to release the goods

– the Customs clearance release (3461), which shows the warehouse that Customs gave the green light for the release of goods.

These documents should be received before a person or a trucker head to pick up a shipment, but they will also need to be presented in hand at the time of pickup.

World Maritime News; Image: Flexport