Did you know that there is an option to clear a container while it is still on the ship?

How to do it?
You can start import clearance when you obtain a container card with a DSK (summary declaration of temporary storage) number from the port system. As a rule, it appears in the system when the ship is at the quay. Unloading containers from ships can take up to several days. Therefore, the ability to clear a container that has not yet been unloaded from a ship is a convenience that significantly affects not only the port’s throughput, but also the smooth execution of the entire logistics process.

It is worth remembering that in the Tri-City we have two CUDO (Center for Official Clearance) border branches: one is located in Gdansk, the other in Gdynia. According to the standard procedure, having a DSK number assigned to a container allows you to declare goods that are still on the ship, but this does not work the same way at every terminal. In our experience, pre-discharge clearance works best at the Baltic Hub in Gdansk (the old DCT) and at BCT in Gdynia, and we can save time by using it at these terminals. At the GCT terminal, unfortunately, it does not work so well – here the final DSK number appears only after the container is unloaded into the yard. When the container is still on the ship, only the avigation number appears, and the final number is required for customs clearance.

In summary, clearing a container that has not yet been discharged from the ship is a standard procedure that affects the smooth execution of the entire logistics process. It is worth taking advantage of it, in a situation where you are exceptionally anxious about time, especially since this procedure does not require additional fees or documents. However, it should be borne in mind that without such documents as a commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, required certificates and declarations of conformity, and without a container card with a completed DSK number, with the correct name of the goods and with the correct weight entered, we are unable to start this procedure…