Shipment Tracking Status Meanings Pakistan: What Each Container Status Means
You enter your container number and see:
Discharged
Or:
Gate Out
Or:
In Transit
But what do these shipment tracking statuses actually mean?
Knowing the status is only useful if you understand what should happen next.
For Pakistani importers and exporters, shipment tracking can involve several different systems:
- Shipping line
- Port
- Terminal
- Customs
- Freight forwarder
This is why two tracking websites may sometimes show different wording for the same shipment.
Start with Maalbardaar Shipment Tracking to check supported container, BL, booking and AWB references.
Then use this guide to understand the most common freight tracking statuses.
What Does Booked Mean?
Booked normally means the carrier reservation has been created or confirmed.
At this stage:
- Cargo may still be at the factory
- Container may not be assigned
- Container may not have reached the terminal
- Vessel departure may still be days away
A booking confirmation is the beginning of the transport process, not proof that the cargo is already moving.
What Does Container Assigned Mean?
Container assigned generally means the carrier or logistics provider has connected a physical container with the booking.
You may then receive the container number.
This becomes one of the main references used for tracking.
What Does Empty Pickup Mean?
For FCL exports, an empty container may first be collected from a depot.
The exporter or transporter can then move it to the loading location.
A typical export journey can begin:
Empty pickup → factory loading → gate in → vessel loading
What Does Gate In Mean?
Gate in generally means the container has entered the port, terminal or other relevant facility.
For an export shipment, this usually happens before vessel loading.
Gate in does not mean the vessel has departed.
The container may still be waiting in the terminal yard.
What Does Received at Terminal Mean?
This generally means the terminal has received the cargo or container into its operating system.
Depending on the shipment type, it may still need:
- Customs processing
- Vessel planning
- Loading
- Other terminal activity
What Does Loaded Mean?
Loaded generally means the container has been loaded onto the vessel.
For exporters, this is an important milestone because the container is now physically on the ship scheduled to carry it.
However, the vessel itself may not yet have departed.
What Does Vessel Departed Mean?
Vessel departed means the ship has left the port.
For an export from Pakistan, this confirms that the international sea journey has started.
For example:
Karachi → Jebel Ali
or:
Karachi → Europe
or another international destination.
Continue monitoring the shipment because transshipment or schedule changes can still occur.
What Does In Transit Mean?
In transit means the shipment is moving through the logistics journey.
It does not necessarily mean the container is continuously moving.
The shipment may temporarily be:
- On a vessel
- Waiting at a transshipment port
- Moving between terminals
- Waiting for a connecting vessel
- Moving inland
“In transit” is therefore a broad status.
What Does Transshipment Mean?
Transshipment means the cargo is transferred through an intermediate port before reaching the final destination.
For example:
Origin → transshipment port → destination
The container may be:
- Discharged from the first vessel
- Held temporarily at the hub
- Loaded onto another vessel
This can affect ETA.
What Does Vessel Arrived Mean?
Vessel arrived means the ship has reached the destination port.
For a Pakistan import, this can mean arrival at:
- Karachi Port
- Port Qasim
However, vessel arrival does not mean the container is ready for pickup.
Several steps can still remain.
What Does Berthing Mean?
Berthing means the vessel has reached its berth and can begin port operations.
A ship can arrive in the port area before actually berthing.
This is another reason vessel arrival and container discharge do not always happen at the same time.
What Does Container Discharged Mean?
Discharged generally means the container has been unloaded from the vessel.
This is an important import milestone.
But discharged does not mean:
- Customs cleared
- Shipping line released
- Terminal released
- Ready for final delivery
Your cargo can still remain at the terminal for several operational reasons.
What Does Grounded Mean?
Grounded generally means the container has been placed in a terminal yard position.
This can happen as part of normal terminal activity or because the container needs to be positioned for another process.
For example:
- Customs examination
- Inspection
- Other terminal activity
The exact use of the term can vary between terminals.
What Does Customs Hold Mean?
A customs hold means the shipment may require action from Customs or another regulatory authority before it can continue.
Possible reasons include:
- Assessment
- Documentation review
- Customs examination
- Valuation
- Regulatory approval
- Duty or tax issue
If the container has reached Pakistan but customs is holding the shipment, use Maalbardaar Customs Clearance to coordinate the clearance stage.
What Does Under Examination Mean?
Under examination generally means Customs has selected the cargo for physical or other inspection.
This may require the container to be positioned for examination.
The shipment cannot simply leave the terminal until the required customs process is completed.
What Does Customs Cleared Mean?
Customs cleared generally means the customs requirements have progressed to the point where Customs no longer prevents the shipment from moving toward release.
However, customs clearance does not automatically mean the container will immediately leave the terminal.
Other requirements may remain.
What Does Released Mean?
Released can be confusing because there can be different types of release.
These may include:
- Customs release
- Shipping line release
- Terminal release
One system showing “released” does not necessarily mean every other requirement is complete.
Always confirm what kind of release the status refers to.
What Does Shipping Line Release Mean?
Shipping line release generally means carrier-side requirements have been completed.
Depending on the shipment, these can involve:
- Documentation
- Payments
- Delivery order
- Other carrier requirements
Terminal requirements can still remain afterward.
What Does Terminal Release Mean?
Terminal release means the shipment has completed the relevant terminal-side requirements for onward movement.
A truck and gate process may still need to be completed before the container actually leaves.
What Does Gate Out Mean?
Gate out is one of the most important physical shipment statuses.
It generally means the container has left the terminal.
For a Pakistan import, the shipment can then move inland.
For example:
- KICT → Lahore
- SAPT → Faisalabad
- KGTL → Islamabad
- QICT → Multan
For businesses waiting for goods at the factory, gate out can be much more useful than vessel arrival.
What Does Out for Delivery Mean?
Out for delivery means the shipment is in the final delivery stage.
For container freight, wording may differ depending on the inland logistics provider.
The container or cargo can be moving from:
- Port
- Terminal
- Depot
- Warehouse
toward the final consignee.
What Does Delivered Mean?
Delivered normally means the shipment has reached the final destination defined in the transport service.
This could be:
- Customer warehouse
- Factory
- Distribution centre
- Other named destination
The exact meaning depends on the service booked.
Why Do Different Websites Show Different Shipment Statuses?
Different parties see different parts of the logistics journey.
For example:
Shipping line
Can see:
- Vessel
- Container
- Booking
- Transshipment
- International ETA
Terminal
Can see:
- Discharge
- Yard movement
- Examination positioning
- Release
- Gate activity
Customs
Can see:
- Declaration
- Assessment
- Examination
- Customs release
Freight forwarder
Can connect information across several of these stages.
This is why one website can show arrived while another shows discharged.
They may both be correct.
What If My Tracking Has Not Updated?
Check:
- Container number
- BL number
- Booking reference
- Carrier
- Vessel
- Port
- Terminal
- Latest ETA
Then compare carrier tracking against terminal tracking.
If the vessel has arrived but no container event appears, the container may not yet have discharged.
What If My Container Is Discharged but Not Released?
Possible reasons include:
- Customs pending
- Examination pending
- Duty or tax payment pending
- Shipping line requirements
- Terminal charges
- Documentation problem
Use Maalbardaar Customs Clearance if the delay is related to Pakistan customs.
What If My Container Is Released but Has Not Gated Out?
Check:
- Terminal requirements
- Transport arrangement
- Truck availability
- Gate documentation
- Operational timing
Release and physical gate out are not the same milestone.
Shipment Statuses at KICT
For cargo moving through KICT, use:
Maalbardaar KICT Container Tracking
This can help connect the international shipment with the Karachi terminal stage.
Shipment Statuses at QICT
For Port Qasim cargo, use:
Maalbardaar QICT Container Tracking
Shipment Statuses at SAPT
For SAPT:
Shipment Statuses at KGTL
For KGTL:
What Status Should an Importer Watch Most Closely?
There is no single status that matters in every situation.
Before arrival, focus on:
- ETA
- Vessel movement
- Transshipment
After arrival, focus on:
- Discharge
- Customs
- Release
- Gate out
For final delivery, focus on:
- Inland transit
- Delivered
Track Your Shipment in Pakistan
For the complete international journey:
For ports and terminals:
For customs:
For shipments that have not been booked yet:
Frequently Asked Questions
Does arrived mean my container is ready?
No. The container may still need to discharge and complete customs and terminal requirements.
Does discharged mean customs cleared?
No. Discharged only generally means the container has been unloaded from the vessel.
Does customs cleared mean gate out?
No. Shipping line, terminal and transport requirements can still remain.
What does gate out mean?
Gate out generally means the container has physically left the terminal.
What does in transit mean?
It means the shipment is moving through its logistics journey and may include vessel movement, transshipment or inland movement.
Why do two tracking websites show different statuses?
Different logistics parties receive different shipment events and may update at different times.
Where can I track a shipment in Pakistan?
Use Maalbardaar Shipment Tracking with a supported container, BL, booking or AWB reference.