⚓ Container Tracer
📊 Port Operations Reference

Jebel Ali Container Status Codes

Last reviewed: 5 October 2026 Scope: Jebel Ali Port (T1–T4)

Jebel Ali container status codes, in plain language. Use them to see whether cargo has landed, which step is blocking gate-out, and whether free time is still running.

Jump to Specific Status Code:
⚓ Landed From Vessel 🚚 To Town 📦 MT From Town ❓ No Data 🚢 Vessel Arrival ⚓ Berthed ⏳ Storage / Hold 🛂 Inspection / Hold
⚓ LANDED FROM VESSEL Discharge Milestone
Physical Location
Terminal Import Stack (T1–T4)
Storage Start Reference
Discharge Timestamp (Active)
Available for Collection?
Pending DO & Customs
  • What it means: The container has been lifted from the vessel's cargo hold or deck and officially transferred into DP World terminal possession.
  • What physically happened: A ship-to-shore gantry crane discharged the box onto an internal terminal vehicle (ITV), which transported it to an assigned ground stack in the import yard.
  • Where the container is likely to be: Stacked in the import block of the assigned terminal (Terminal 1, 2, 3, or 4).
  • What normally happens next: Importer or clearing agent completes the customs Bill of Entry, settles ocean freight to secure the Delivery Order (e-DO), and books a haulier e-token.
  • Whether available for collection: Not yet immediately collectable—customs clearance, shipping line e-DO release, and terminal handling charges (THC) settlement must be validated first.
  • Storage & free-time implications: Yes. The recorded discharge timestamp initiates the DP World terminal storage free-time clock (typically 10 calendar days for general dry, 5 for reefer).
  • Common reasons status remains unchanged: Awaiting shipping line electronic Delivery Order, pending customs clearance review (Mirsal 2), or haulier has not booked a gate appointment.
🚚 TO TOWN Gate-Out Milestone
Physical Location
En Route to Consignee Facility
Port Yard Dwell
Concluded (Gate-Out)
Carrier Detention Window
Active (Until Return)
  • What it means: The laden container has completed all port gate exit formalities and left the terminal on a haulier chassis for delivery.
  • What physically happened: A rubber-tyred gantry (RTG) or automated stacking crane (ASC) mounted the container onto the transport chassis, passed the optical out-gate gantry, and the gate officer logged the interchange.
  • Where the container is likely to be: En route on UAE roadways or undergoing destuffing at the consignee's warehouse.
  • What normally happens next: The cargo is unloaded at the delivery address, and the transporter hauls the empty box back to the port or shipping line depot.
  • Whether available for collection: Already collected and outside the port perimeter.
  • Storage & free-time implications: DP World terminal port storage has stopped accruing. However, ocean carrier equipment detention is now counting against allowed turnaround days.
  • Common reasons status remains unchanged: Container remains at consignee warehouse undergoing unloading or waiting for empty return transport scheduling.
📦 MT FROM TOWN Empty Return Milestone
Physical Location
Empty Depot / Terminal Yard
Equipment Return
Logged & Inspected
Import Cycle Status
Fully Completed
  • What it means: The empty container has been safely returned to DP World Jebel Ali or the carrier's designated empty container depot.
  • What physically happened: The driver entered the gate-in lanes, inspectors checked container floors, panels, and corners for structural damage, and an in-gate EIR was issued.
  • Where the container is likely to be: In the empty storage block awaiting outbound export allocation or carrier repositioning.
  • What normally happens next: The clearing agent submits the gate-in EIR to the shipping line to claim back container security deposits.
  • Whether available for collection: Import cycle concluded; no further collection action required.
  • Storage & free-time implications: Carrier equipment detention ceases immediately upon in-gate registration.
  • Common reasons status remains unchanged: This is the final milestone in the import lifecycle; the status remains until the unit is re-allocated for an export booking.
❓ NO DATA Record Not Found
Physical Location
En Route at Sea / Pre-Berth
Manifest Status
Pending Electronic Filing
Storage Accrual
Not Started (0 AED)
  • What it means: The port gateway system has no active operational record matching the submitted container number.
  • What physically happened: The vessel carrying the container has not berthed yet, or the shipping line has not finalized electronic import manifest submission to Dubai Customs.
  • Where the container is likely to be: Onboard the ocean vessel approaching UAE waters, or at a previous transshipment port.
  • What normally happens next: Once the container ship reaches UAE port anchorage and the carrier files the manifest, container numbers populate automatically in port databases.
  • Whether available for collection: No, cargo has not arrived at Jebel Ali.
  • Storage & free-time implications: No port storage accrues while in transit.
  • Common reasons status remains unchanged: Typo in container number, vessel delay, or container routed to a different UAE port (e.g. Abu Dhabi Khalifa Port).
🚢 VESSEL ARRIVAL Port Anchorage & Harbor Entry
  • What it means: The carrying vessel has entered Jebel Ali Port waters or inner harbor anchorage.
  • What physically happened: Marine pilots and tugboats are maneuvering the vessel toward its designated terminal quay.
  • Where the container is likely to be: Stowed onboard the vessel.
  • What normally happens next: The vessel berths along the quay, and crane teams initiate discharge operations.
  • Whether available for collection: Not available; containers must first be lifted ashore and stacked.
  • Storage & free-time implications: Does not start storage. Storage begins only upon discharge.
  • Common reasons status remains unchanged: Waiting for berth vacancy or channel transit clearance.
⚓ BERTHED Alongside Terminal Quay
  • What it means: The container ship is securely moored alongside the quay at Terminal 1, 2, 3, or 4.
  • What physically happened: Ship-to-shore gantry cranes have commenced discharge cycles according to the stowage bay plan.
  • Where the container is likely to be: In the ship's cargo cell or awaiting crane hoist.
  • What normally happens next: The container is lifted from the ship and status transitions to LANDED FROM VESSEL.
  • Whether available for collection: Not yet; must complete discharge and yard stacking.
  • Storage & free-time implications: Free time countdown does not start until the individual container is discharged.
  • Common reasons status remains unchanged: Discharging a large vessel can take a day or more, so containers on the same ship land at different times.
⏳ STORAGE / HOLD Yard Dwell or Commercial Hold
  • What it means: The container is dwelling in the terminal yard and may have exceeded free storage or be subject to a documentary/financial hold.
  • What physically happened: The container was stacked in the yard, but port free days expired or a hold flag was triggered in Dubai Trade.
  • Where the container is likely to be: Deep yard stack or long-dwell storage sector.
  • What normally happens next: Clearing agent reviews outstanding fees, settles storage via Dubai Trade, and requests release of commercial holds.
  • Whether available for collection: Blocked until the underlying hold or tariff balance is settled.
  • Storage & free-time implications: Yes. Chargeable storage is actively accruing under DP World progressive daily tiers.
  • Common reasons status remains unchanged: Unsettled port charges, shipping line freight dispute, or delay in customs documentation.
🛂 CUSTOMS INSPECTION / HOLD Inspection Bay Transfer
  • What it means: Dubai Customs has flagged the container for mandatory physical inspection, X-ray scanning, or regulatory sampling.
  • What physically happened: Terminal internal transport moved the container to the dedicated customs inspection platform.
  • Where the container is likely to be: The terminal's customs inspection area.
  • What normally happens next: Customs officers and the appointed clearing agent inspect goods, verify HS codes, and stamp customs release.
  • Whether available for collection: No collection permitted until the inspector clears the hold in Mirsal 2.
  • Storage & free-time implications: Note: Customs holds do not freeze terminal storage accrual; expedite inspections to prevent excess storage.
  • Common reasons status remains unchanged: Awaiting clearing agent attendance, lab test results, or missing certificate of origin documentation.

Official sources

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