Container Yard (CY)

What is a container yard?

A container yard (CY) is a physical facility from which ocean carriers accept and deliver ocean containers, as well as issue and receive back empty containers.

Ocean sailings typically have a CY cut-off date by which the container must be delivered in order to be loaded onto the scheduled sailing.

How does a container yard work?

A container yard sits at or near a port or rail ramp. Truckers pick up empty containers there, load them at the shipper's facility, and return them full before the CY cut-off. After the vessel discharges at the destination, the container waits in that port's yard until the consignee or its trucker picks it up.

What costs and deadlines come with a CY?

Carriers usually allow a set number of free days to pick up or return a container. After that, demurrage and detention charges often apply, depending on the carrier and port. Schedule drayage early so you stay inside your free time.

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