Sourcing glossary
ETD / ETA
Also known as: Estimated Time of Departure, Estimated Time of Arrival, ETD, ETA
ETD is the estimated time a vessel, flight or train departs from the origin, and ETA the estimated time it arrives at the destination; both are schedule estimates that carriers update as the shipment moves.
Your forwarder's booking confirmation shows the ETD from the Chinese port and the ETA at your port, plus cut-off dates by which cargo and documents must be delivered. If the supplier misses the cut-off, the cargo rolls to the next sailing and both dates move. Port congestion, weather and transshipment can also shift the ETA after departure.
Plan launches and marketplace inbound appointments on the ETA plus a buffer for customs clearance and delivery, not on the ETD. Ask the forwarder for the actual departure (ATD) once the vessel sails. See shipping from China to Amazon FBA.
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