Actual Time of Arrival (ATA) refers to the actual time when a vessel arrives at the anchorage or berth of the destination port, as recorded by the port authority or shipping company. In foreign trade, ATA is a key basis for determining whether delivery is on time, calculating demurrage, and establishing the start of insurance liability. Use cases include: letters of credit requiring submission of arrival certificates, buyers and sellers agreeing to use ATA as the risk transfer point, or claims for losses due to delayed arrival. Note: ATA is different from Estimated Time of Arrival (ETA), which is an estimate, while ATA is the actual occurrence; it is also different from Actual Time of Departure (ATD). ATA is usually based on port logs or shipping agent reports and may change due to weather, congestion, etc. Compared with 'arrival time,' ATA emphasizes 'actual' rather than planned. Foreign trade practitioners should pay attention to deviations between ATA and contractual dates to avoid breach of contract due to delays.
📝 Examples
1. According to the shipping agent's report, the Actual Time of Arrival (ATA) of this batch of goods was 08:00 on March 10, 2025, two days later than the Estimated Time of Arrival (ETA), which made it impossible for us to deliver to the factory on time. (Note: Used to confirm the fact of delay and assign responsibility.)
2. The letter of credit requires submission of a certificate of Actual Time of Arrival (ATA) issued by the port authority. Please be sure to obtain it promptly after the vessel arrives to avoid affecting negotiation. (Note: Used as a reminder for documentation operations.)
💡 Foreign Trade Tips
Foreign trade terms are the foundation of international business communication
Trade practices may vary slightly by country; pay attention when using them
When using terms in contracts, specify the applicable version (e.g., Incoterms 2020)
For unfamiliar terms, use GlobalSync's multilingual email helper to confirm with your partner