What does ICD mean in shipping?
Inland Container Depots (ICDs) and Container Freight Stations (CFSs) are also called dry ports as they handle all customs formalities related to import and export of goods at these locations.
What is the difference between Depot and ICD?
An ICD is basically a specialized facility for intermodal containers or standard freight containers as we know them. The shippers load the goods onto the cargo vessels….Differences between ICD and CFS.
| Inland Container Depot (ICD) | Container Freight Shipping (CFS) |
|---|---|
| ICD is usually far away from the servicing points. | CFS is mostly closer to the seaports. |
How ICDs are important for international trade?
Along with being a storage facility, ICDs can also provide export and import customs clearances. All the services that are provided at a port, can also be availed at the ICD situated far away from the port. ICDs also act as servicing and repair facilities for containers and other moving equipment.
What is a container depot?
Container depot is the most common term you’ll hear in the shipping business. In simple terms, a container depot is an area to store your shipping containers (temporarily) once they’re unloaded from the ship. But there’s more to what a depot can offer to this industry.
What are the functions of ICD?
The primary functions of ICD or CFS may be summed up as under:
- Receipt and dispatch/delivery of cargo.
- Stuffing and stripping of containers.
- Transit operations by rail/road to and from serving ports.
- Customs clearance.
- Consolidation and desegregation of LCL cargo.
- Temporary storage of cargo and containers.
Who owns container freight?
Container freight stations are owned by shipping lines and terminals or are privately owned. A CFS is involved in the import-export business at the points of origin and destination. Container freight stations are, thus, categorised as “origin CFS” and “destination CFS”.