On a booking or bill of lading, CY–CY, CFS–CFS, CY–CFS and CFS–CY describe more than a location. They indicate how the carrier or consolidator receives and delivers the shipment: as a sealed container or as individual packages; who arranges stuffing and unstuffing; and whether handover occurs at a container yard or a freight station. Treating CY simply as “the port” and CFS simply as “a warehouse” can lead to wrong delivery instructions, missed cut-offs, incomplete handover evidence and understated handling costs. This article explains the CY–CFS mechanism for components, spare parts and carton/pallet cargo, and shows how to read the service mode before execution.

Operational review: 21 July 2026

QUICK FACTS

CY defines container-unit handover

CY handles the container as a transport unit and often marks where the carrier’s responsibility starts or ends under the booking; the named facility may be an ocean/barge port terminal or a container depot.

CFS handles the cargo inside

A CFS receives packages or pallets, weighs and tallies them, consolidates or deconsolidates cargo, and stuffs or strips containers.

FCL/LCL are not exact synonyms for CY/CFS

FCL and LCL describe container utilisation; CY and CFS describe handover points and operating mode. Both layers must be read together.

The service mode allocates operating scope

CY–CY, CFS–CFS, CY–CFS and CFS–CY indicate whether the carrier receives and delivers a container or loose cargo at each end.

Illustration for What Is the Difference Between CY and CFS in Container Shipping? — Illustration of the logistics topic, document or operation discussed in the article.

SCOPE OF APPLICATION

This article applies to containerised ocean imports and exports, especially mechanical components, spare parts, bagged or cartoned production materials, palletised cargo and mixed-SKU shipments. It is intended for reviewing booking confirmations, bills of lading, arrival notices, delivery orders and pickup plans. It does not assume that charges or responsibilities are identical across carriers, NVOCCs, forwarders, ports or countries; the transport contract and local booking instructions remain controlling.

KEY TERMS

Term	Meaning	Operating role
CY – Container Yard	A terminal or depot area used to receive, release, lift, store and position containers.	The handover unit is normally a sealed loaded container or an empty container, not individual cartons.
CFS – Container Freight Station	A freight facility where cargo is received, weighed, tallied, consolidated or deconsolidated, stuffed or stripped.	The handover unit is usually a package, pallet or LCL shipment; a CFS may be in-port, near-port or inland.
FCL – Full Container Load	A service in which one shipper or shipment uses the booked container, even if the cubic capacity is not fully utilised.	Commonly paired with CY handover, but FCL and CY are not legally or operationally identical terms.
LCL – Less than Container Load	A shipment that does not occupy a whole container and is commonly consolidated with other shipments.	Usually moves through a CFS and undergoes more package-level handling than FCL.
Stuffing / Unstuffing	Loading cargo into a container / removing cargo from a container.	The stuffing point determines control over the load plan, dunnage, securing, seal, tally and condition evidence.
Service mode	The pair describing where the carrier/consolidator receives and delivers cargo; the first code is origin and the second is destination.	Read it with Place of Receipt, Port of Loading, Port of Discharge and Place of Delivery; slash/hyphen notation and detailed scope may vary by carrier.

OPERATING MECHANISM

1. CY operations control the container

At a CY, the main operating unit is the container. For a CY export, the shipper or its contractor normally collects an empty unit, stuffs and seals it, and gates the loaded container into the CY before cut-off. For a CY import, the consignee receives the intact container, moves it to the stripping point and returns the empty unit as instructed.

2. CFS operations control individual shipments

At a CFS, the main operating unit is each shipment, pallet or package. Export cargo is delivered loose for weighing, tally, marking checks, consolidation and stuffing. Import cargo is stripped, segregated by bill or shipment and released to individual consignees.

3. Responsibility cannot be derived from Incoterms alone

Incoterms allocate delivery obligations, risk and cost between seller and buyer; CY/CFS terms belong to the contract of carriage. The two layers must be connected through the sales contract, booking, bill of lading, forwarder nomination and pickup plan.

Control point: FCL does not automatically mean that the carrier collects cargo from the factory, and LCL does not automatically include pickup from the shipper’s premises. Door/port/CY/CFS scope must be explicit in the quotation and booking.

CY VS CFS COMPARISON

Criterion	CY	CFS
Operating unit	Intact loaded or empty container, usually identified by container and seal number.	Individual packages, pallets or shipments inside a container.
Typical cargo mode	FCL and shipper-packed or consignee-unpacked containers.	LCL/groupage requiring consolidation or deconsolidation.
Stuffing/stripping	Normally performed by the shipper/consignee or its contractor outside the CY.	Performed at the facility by the CFS, consolidator or nominated operator.
Handover evidence	EIR, container/seal number, gate-in/gate-out and interchange records.	CFS receiving note, tally sheet, weight/measurement record, warehouse receipt and delivery note.
Main cut-off	Loaded-container CY cut-off, separate from SI, VGM and customs cut-offs.	CFS cargo cut-off, allowing time for tally, consolidation, stuffing and CY delivery.
Typical charge layers	Terminal handling, lift-on/off, storage, demurrage/detention, trucking and empty return, subject to tariff.	Receiving, weighing, tally, consolidation, stuffing/stripping, CFS handling and storage, subject to tariff.
Key risk	Late gate-in, seal mismatch, overweight, damaged unit or late empty return.	Marking errors, shortage, remeasurement, multi-handling damage or misdelivery.

FOUR COMMON SERVICE MODES

Service mode	Handover mechanism	Operating implication
CY–CY	Carrier receives a loaded container at origin CY and releases the intact container at destination CY.	Commonly FCL/FCL. Shipper controls stuffing and consignee controls stripping unless extra services are contracted.
CFS–CFS	Loose cargo is received at origin CFS, consolidated and stuffed, then stripped and released as loose cargo at destination CFS.	Commonly LCL/LCL. Both ends involve package handling and CFS cut-offs.
CY–CFS	Carrier receives an intact container at origin CY; the container is stripped and individual shipments are released at destination CFS.	Commonly described as FCL/LCL, subject to the actual bill and service structure.
CFS–CY	Shipments are received and consolidated at origin CFS; an intact container is released at destination CY.	Commonly described as LCL/FCL: multiple shipments are consolidated and the container is released to a consignee or forwarder authorised to receive it intact, subject to the carriage contract.

CY/CFS: Read the pair in origin → destination order. FCL/LCL combinations are only common operating descriptions; the notation, named locations and responsibility scope remain controlled by the booking, bill of lading and carrier/NVOCC local instructions.

DOCUMENTS AND DATA TO VERIFY

Document/data	Issuer/preparer	Fields to verify	Use
Booking confirmation	Carrier/NVOCC/forwarder	Service mode; named CY/CFS; equipment; cut-offs; commodity; weight/CBM; DG/OOG conditions.	Locks the correct handover point before truck dispatch.
Shipping Instruction and draft B/L	Shipper/forwarder/carrier	Place of Receipt; POL; POD; Place of Delivery; packages/weight; service mode; parties.	Prevents the booking and issued transport document from showing different scopes.
Packing List / Cargo List	Shipper	SKU, packages, gross weight, CBM, pallet/carton marks and package mapping.	Supports CFS tally or the FCL stuffing plan.
EIR / Gate record	Terminal/depot/trucker	Container number, size/type, seal, apparent condition and gate timestamps.	Evidence of container interchange and operating milestones.
CFS receiving/tally/measurement record	CFS/consolidator	Actual packages received, packing condition, dimensions, weight and discrepancies.	Confirms cargo receipt and resolves variances before stuffing.
VGM and seal record	Entity named as shipper on the B/L/sea waybill or its authorised party; packer/weigher supplies the data	Verified mass of the packed container, method, container number and seal where recorded.	Under SOLAS, the documentary shipper provides the VGM. For a consolidated LCL container, the consolidator/NVOCC commonly provides container-level VGM, while each cargo owner must still provide accurate package gross weights under contract.
Arrival Notice / D/O / CFS release	Carrier/agent/forwarder	Pickup point, charges, free time/storage, documents and release schedule.	Confirms whether the consignee collects a container or loose cargo.

CY/CFS CONTROL PROCESS

Step	Input and action	Output
1. Lock the cargo profile	Commodity, SKUs, packing, packages, gross weight, CBM, DG/OOG/reefer and stackability.	A data set suitable for comparing FCL and LCL.
2. Select the transport model	Compare total cost, control, multi-handling risk and schedule.	FCL or LCL decision based on more than CBM.
3. Read the service mode	Reconcile CY/CFS with Place of Receipt/Delivery and pickup/delivery responsibility.	Origin–destination responsibility map.
4. Verify the named location	Terminal/CY/CFS name, location code, address, opening hours and vehicle rules.	Correct dispatch instruction and no port/CFS confusion.
5. Lock all cut-offs	Separate cargo/CFS cut-off, CY cut-off, SI, VGM and customs cut-offs.	Timeline with time for tally, measurement, stuffing and corrections.
6. Control handover	Match seal/EIR for FCL and package marks/tally/measurement for LCL.	Receipt evidence and discrepancy log.
7. Control destination release	Arrival notice, D/O or CFS release, customs status, truck slot and storage clock.	Pickup plan for an intact container or loose cargo.
8. Close the shipment	Reconcile invoices, empty-return EIR or CFS delivery note, and claims.	Audit trail and actual landed logistics cost.

RISKS AND COMMON ERRORS

Error	Cause	Impact	Control
Treating CY as “the port” in every case	No check of the named terminal, depot or inland location.	Wrong truck destination, missed cut-off or transfer cost.	Use the location code and address on the booking and local instruction.
Using FCL/LCL instead of service mode	Place of Delivery and pickup scope are ignored.	Pickup, devanning or delivery work is omitted from the plan.	Lock the origin–destination scope matrix in the quotation and booking.
LCL cargo without marks or package mapping	Packages are not clearly linked to the shipment and SKU.	Slow tally, mis-sorting and weak shortage/damage claims.	Align shipping marks, labels and Packing List before CFS receipt.
Using supplier CBM instead of CFS measurement	Packing/pallet dimensions or tariff rounding are omitted.	The debit note exceeds the estimate.	Keep the measurement record and request remeasurement for abnormal variance.
FCL without seal/VGM control	Wrong container, seal or tare data are used.	Document amendment, load rejection or condition dispute.	Reconcile container–seal–VGM–EIR before gate-in.
Fragile or non-stackable cargo sent LCL	Packaging is not designed for repeated handling.	Damage, rehandling and complex claims.	Compare FCL and strengthen pallet/crate and handling instructions.
Confusing CFS location, CFS charge and Certificate of Free Sale	The same abbreviation is used for different concepts.	Quotation or compliance documents are misread.	Write out Container Freight Station/CFS handling and separate it from the certificate term.

OPERATING REFERENCES

Source	Role	Application note
Maersk – Shipping Terms Glossary	Definitions of CY, CFS, FCL, LCL and related handover terms.	Carrier operating reference; read with booking-specific local terms.
Maersk – Understanding CFS and CY Logistics	Explains the roles of CY and CFS in freight movement.	Practical reference, not a replacement for the contract of carriage.
Maersk – CY and Store Door FAQ	Clarifies CY as the facility where carrier responsibility starts or ends, including an ocean/barge port or container depot.	The remaining inland leg is merchant or carrier haulage according to the purchased scope.
Maersk – LCL service	Describes LCL consolidation and its distinction from FCL.	Actual route scope remains booking-specific.
MSC – Container Freight Stations	Explains CFS functions and the distinction from CY.	Carrier reference subject to local network arrangements.
IMO/ILO/UNECE CTU Code	Global good-practice guidance for packing and securing cargo in transport units.	Non-mandatory code; mandatory local rules still require separate review.
IMO – SOLAS VGM	Mandatory verification of the gross mass of a packed container before vessel loading.	Applies to packed containers in scope; the shipper is the party named on the B/L/sea waybill or contracting for carriage, not automatically each underlying LCL cargo owner.

Open carrier glossary Open CTU Code

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. Is a CY always inside a seaport?

No. A CY may be in a marine terminal, depot or inland point nominated by the carrier. Use the named location on the booking.

2. Is a CFS used only for LCL?

It mainly supports LCL consolidation and deconsolidation, but it may also provide stuffing, stripping, inspection, storage or special handling under other service structures.

3. Does CY–CY mean door-to-door?

No. It usually describes yard-to-yard carriage. Empty pickup, inland haulage, stuffing, stripping and empty return may be outside the purchased scope.

4. Must the shipper stuff every FCL container itself?

No. A warehouse, CFS or specialist packer may be engaged. The booking must still state whether the carrier receives a packed container or loose cargo and assign stuffing, sealing and weighing responsibilities. Under SOLAS, the party named as shipper on the B/L/sea waybill or contracting for carriage provides the VGM, even when weighing is delegated.

5. Why does a CFS remeasure LCL cargo?

To confirm operational data, the load plan and tariff basis. If the result differs from the Packing List, request the measurement record and review rounding and minimum rules.

6. Are CY cut-off and CFS cut-off the same?

No. CFS cargo must arrive early enough for tally, consolidation and stuffing before the resulting container can meet the CY cut-off.

7. Can the B/L service mode alone determine who pays every charge?

No. It shows how the carrier receives and delivers cargo. Final cost allocation also depends on the quotation, Incoterms, sales contract, prepaid/collect status and the contracting party.

APPLICATION NOTE: CY/CFS terms belong to logistics operations and the contract of carriage; they are not a universally identical coding system across all carriers and NVOCCs. The named location, merchant/carrier haulage scope, customs flow, cut-offs, tariff, DG/OOG conditions and handover documents vary by route, carrier, NVOCC, terminal, CFS and booking date. Where common usage conflicts with the documents, verify the booking confirmation, bill of lading, local instruction and service agreement.

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