Space is booked, not browsed
Most rolled bookings we get called about were never really booked. Someone requested a rate, someone else approved it, and by the time the container was stuffed the allocation had quietly gone to a shipper who confirmed first.
Our rule is simple: confirm against a published sailing date and hold the allocation the same day. That is why we quote against a schedule instead of a price range.
The two-week rhythm
For recurring lanes, two weeks of lead time covers carrier cut-offs, equipment availability and the inland leg that gets forgotten until the week of departure.
Shippers who book on that rhythm see far fewer surprises than those who chase the cheapest rate the day the container is ready.
What to document before you book
Commercial invoice, packing list and a confirmed HS code. None of it is optional, and all of it can be filed before the vessel loads — which is the only way customs stops being a delay at the far end.