Track a container or bill of lading
Enter a container number to see which line it belongs to and open a container tracker. For LCL shipments, ask your coordinator: your cartons share a container with other cargo.
Tracking opens on 17TRACK, which covers DHL, UPS, FedEx and 1,000+ carriers. For XINTING waybill numbers, message your coordinator for a live status.
What the number looks like
Container numbers have 11 characters: a three-letter owner code, the letter U, six digits and a check digit, as in ISO 6346. The owner code shows the shipping line, for example MSKU for Maersk or CBHU for COSCO. Bills of lading carry the line's or the NVOCC's own number.
Example: CSQU3054383
Where to find it
The container and seal numbers are on the bill of lading and the shipping notice for full containers. For LCL, your house bill of lading and your coordinator identify your cargo.
What the statuses mean
| Status | What it means |
|---|---|
| Gate in (full) | The loaded container has entered the port of loading, such as Yantian or Shekou. |
| Loaded on vessel / Vessel departure | The container is on board and the vessel has sailed; the main sea leg has started. |
| Transshipment | The container is moved to another vessel at a hub port on the way. |
| Discharged | The container has been unloaded at the port of discharge and waits for customs clearance and pickup. |
| Gate out (full) | The container has left the terminal on a truck for delivery or devanning. Pickup before free time ends avoids demurrage. |
| Empty returned | The emptied container is back with the line. Returning it within free time avoids detention charges. |
On our routes
As an NVOCC we book full containers and LCL from Yantian, Shekou, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Ningbo and Shanghai with COSCO, Maersk, MSC, ONE, OOCL, Evergreen, APL, ZIM, Wan Hai and FESCO, and track every sailing for you.
FAQ
How do I track an LCL shipment?
Your cartons share a container with other shippers' cargo, so the container number tracks the whole box, not your cartons. Your coordinator follows the container and your house bill of lading, and after devanning at destination tells you when your cartons are released and delivered.
What's the difference between a container number and a bill of lading number?
The container number identifies the physical box and stays with it on every voyage. The bill of lading number identifies your shipment and contract with the carrier, and can cover several containers. Shipping lines' trackers accept either.