As the shipping industry moves toward digital transformation, Syed Rakin Rahman, Reporter for Port Technology International, spoke with Flavia Buso from Digital Container Shipping Association (DCSA) about the new Arrival Notice standard. They discuss how this global, machine-readable format will solve common challenges for shippers and consignees, cutting manual work, improving tracking, and speeding up cargo handling at ports, while paving the way for more efficient and reliable import processes.
For shippers and consignees, what everyday problems will this new standard solve, and how will it change the experience of receiving and releasing cargo at ports?
Arrival Notices are still often sent via email and PDFs, which can be missed, delayed, or routed to outdated contacts. Formats vary by carrier, making them hard to process consistently and creating manual work: downloading attachments, matching to bills of lading, tracking versions/updates, and re-keying data into TMS/ERP tools.
The standard enables structured, system-to-system exchange so shippers and consignees can access current arrival information more reliably, reduce follow-up and disputes, and prepare earlier for customs, inland transport, and cargo release.
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Arrival Notice 1.0.0 is positioned as a global standard. How does DCSA ensure it accommodates country-specific regulatory requirements and multilingual documentation without fragmenting the data model?
The standard is built around a single, globally consistent data model, while allowing Arrival Notices to be shared in different regional or language-specific variants.
Senders can provide multiple versions of the same Arrival Notice to reflect local regulatory requirements or language needs, without changing the underlying structure of the data. Core information remains consistent and is checked through defined conformance scenarios and validations, ensuring interoperability even when different regional or language versions are exchanged.
Smaller freight forwarders and cargo owners often struggle with digital adoption. How does DCSA plan to ensure this standard is accessible to them as well?
The standard is well-suited to API-based exchange and supports multiple interaction patterns, including receiving full Arrival Notices automatically or retrieving them on demand – whether through direct integration or via solution providers. This makes it a practical entry point for organisations that want to introduce standardised system-to-system communication without redesigning their existing processes or technology stacks.
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DCSA has highlighted this as a building block for broader import-process digitalisation. What additional standards or process areas are next in line for standardisation after Arrival Notice 1.0.0?
Arrival Notice is part of a broader roadmap to extend standardised data exchange further into post-arrival and import-side processes.
While the standard delivers value as a standalone implementation, DCSA’s ongoing work is focused on reducing remaining manual and paper-based steps after arrival. Specific priorities evolve over time, but the direction is to continue applying consistent standards to areas where fragmented data exchange still creates friction.
The ultimate goal is full end-to-end digital documentation, including 100% electronic bills of lading. How does the Arrival Notice standard accelerate industry adoption of eBLs and other digital documents?
The Arrival Notice standard complements other DCSA standards by extending structured, standardised data exchange into the import phase.
Organisations already using standards such as Booking, Track & Trace, or electronic Bills of Lading can integrate Arrival Notices using familiar patterns. For others, Arrival Notices can be adopted independently as a focused improvement to pre-arrival communication.
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Do you expect this new standard to speed up the movement of goods at ports, and if so, how noticeable will that be for customers?
The standard enables Arrival Notice data to be exchanged in a predictable, structured format that integrates easily into operational systems. This supports earlier visibility, automated validation, and reduced manual re-entry of information.
By improving how arrival data is shared and consumed, the standard can support better coordination across the parties involved in the import process, allowing consignees and import agents to prepare documentation, customs formalities, and transport arrangements earlier and with greater reliability. This helps reduce container dwell times and improve yard turnover, with a direct impact on port efficiency.
For customers, the benefits are visible through less rework, fewer disputes, and greater operational resilience, as they receive timely updates when changes occur and can respond more quickly based on accurate, up-to-date information.
Flavia is the Product Owner for the end-to-end documentation process for global containerised trade. She is responsible for defining and prioritising customers’ needs and translating them into features in DCSA standards. Flavia collaborates closely with the development team to continuously refine the standards to maximise value and meet industry requirements.
