First, the reassuring bit
Shipping involves a factory, a forwarder, a shipping line, two ports, customs and a haulier. Small changes along the way are normal, and the people involved deal with them every day. Our job is to spot them early, tell you plainly, and get on with fixing them.
Common hiccups
Production runs late
- Why it happens
- Materials arrive late, the factory is busy, quality issues need rework, or it is close to a holiday such as Chinese New Year, when many factories close for a period.
- What it usually means
- Common, especially early in the year. It usually means your goods arrive later, not that anything is lost.
- What Portside does
- We chase the factory for progress and a firm ready date, and tell you as soon as it slips, with what it means for arrival.
- What you can do
- Leave some slack between the expected arrival and any dates you have promised your own customers.
The booking is rolled to a later sailing
- Why it happens
- The ship is full, the schedule changes, or the container reaches the port after the cut-off time.
- What it usually means
- Common. The container usually goes on the next available sailing and everything else carries on as before.
- What Portside does
- We watch the booking, confirm the new sailing and update the departure (ETD) and arrival (ETA) dates.
- What you can do
- Nothing, beyond updating anyone waiting on the goods.
The arrival date (ETA) slips
- Why it happens
- Weather, busy ports, schedule changes, missed transhipment connections and longer routes all move arrival dates.
- What it usually means
- Very normal. Estimates often move by a few days while the ship is at sea; bigger moves happen less often.
- What Portside does
- We keep the ETA up to date, keep its history, and warn you when a change affects your plans.
- What you can do
- Treat the ETA as an estimate until the ship is close, and avoid booking onward deliveries too tightly.
The UK port is busy
- Why it happens
- Peak seasons, bad weather, and equipment or labour problems can slow unloading and collection.
- What it usually means
- It comes and goes. It can add days at the port, which puts pressure on free time.
- What Portside does
- We book haulage as early as the paperwork allows and watch the free-time countdown for every container.
- What you can do
- Be a little flexible on delivery slots when the port is under pressure.
Customs asks for documents or checks the goods
- Why it happens
- HMRC selects some declarations for checks. Goods can also be held if the wrong duty or VAT was paid, a licence is missing, or they fail an inspection.
- What it usually means
- Most declarations clear without any checks. A document check usually just means sending the invoice, packing list and evidence of value. A physical examination takes longer and may add charges.
- What Portside does
- We work with your customs broker to answer quickly and keep the free-time countdown in view while the goods are held.
- What you can do
- Give accurate product descriptions, values and commodity codes up front, and reply quickly if we ask for anything.
Documents are missing or wrong
- Why it happens
- The invoice and packing list do not match, a detail is wrong on the bill of lading, or the telex release is held back because the balance has not been paid.
- What it usually means
- A frequent cause of avoidable delays at arrival, and usually quick to fix when it is caught before the ship arrives.
- What Portside does
- We chase the supplier for documents early, check they match your order, and track which ones are still missing.
- What you can do
- Pay the supplier balance on time so the release documents are not held up, and check your own details on the paperwork.
Demurrage and detention charges
- Why it happens
- Free time runs out because of a customs hold, missing paperwork, no haulage slot, or slow unloading and a late empty return.
- What it usually means
- Mostly avoidable with early planning, but the daily charges add up quickly once they start.
- What Portside does
- Every container gets a countdown from its real dates. It turns amber a few days before free time ends and red once charges start, so collection and returns get booked in time.
- What you can do
- Unload promptly and tell us when the container is empty. Try the numbers with the demurrage & detention calculator.
Goods arrive damaged
- Why it happens
- Weak packaging, moisture and condensation on a long voyage, goods shifting in the container, or rough handling.
- What it usually means
- Most containers arrive without trouble. When there is damage, it is often limited to some cartons rather than the whole load.
- What Portside does
- Loading photos show how the goods were packed and sealed. We help you gather evidence and deal with the forwarder, the supplier or your insurer.
- What you can do
- Photograph the container, seal and damage before unloading further, note it on the delivery paperwork, keep damaged goods and packaging, and tell us the same day.
Quick answers
Is it normal for the ETA to change?
Yes. The ETA is an estimate and often moves by a few days while the ship is at sea, because of weather, busy ports and schedule changes. Portside updates it as new information comes in and warns you when a change affects your plans.
What does it mean if my booking is rolled?
Your container has been moved to a later sailing, often because the ship was full. It is common and usually means it goes on the next available sailing. Your goods are not affected; only the dates change.
What happens if customs checks my container?
Most declarations clear without checks. If HMRC asks for documents, your customs broker sends the invoice, packing list and evidence of value. A physical examination takes longer and can add charges. Portside keeps the free-time countdown in view while the goods are held.
How can I avoid demurrage and detention charges?
Know your free days, have documents and payments ready before the ship arrives, book collection as soon as the container is released, and unload and return the empty container promptly. Portside warns you before free time runs out.
Official sources
- Get UK customs clearance when importing goods (GOV.UK, opens in a new tab)
- Clearing goods entering, leaving or transiting the UK (GOV.UK, opens in a new tab)
This is general guidance, not legal or tax advice. Rules change and every business is different, so check the linked GOV.UK pages or ask a customs broker or accountant about your own goods. UK rules last checked against GOV.UK on 25 September 2026.