Container Shipping Terms Explained: CY/CY, CY/FO, CY/LO, CY/TACKLE & CY/HOOK

Publish Time: 2025-08-14 Origin: Site

For all FCL (Full Container Load) ocean freight shipments, CY-based delivery clauses define the exact boundary of shipping line responsibility, split unloading costs, and risk allocation between shippers and consignees. Misunderstanding CY/CY, CY/FO, CY/LO, CY/TACKLE and CY/HOOK often leads to unexpected destination terminal surcharges, liability disputes, and inflated landed import costs.

This complete guide decodes every core CY shipping term, compares carrier liability scope, outlines typical trade lane use cases, and shares actionable tips for importers, freight forwarders and exporters to select the most cost-effective delivery clause for their sea cargo.

1. CY/CY (Container Yard to Container Yard)

Meaning: Carrier receives FCL (Full Container Load) at origin CY and delivers to destination CY.
Responsibility: Shipping line handles both loading & unloading of containers at ports.

2. CY/FO (Container Yard/Free Out)

Meaning: Carrier delivers to destination port but doesn't cover unloading.
Responsibility: Shipper/consignee pays for unloading (common in Africa/South America).

3. CY/LO (Container Yard/Line Out)

Meaning: Carrier delivers to destination port and unloads (but not beyond quay).
Responsibility: Shipping line unloads from vessel; consignee handles further transport.

4. CY/TACKLE (Container Yard to Tackle)

Meaning: Carrier unloads container onto truck/trailer at destination.
Responsibility: Stops once container touches the truck (no further movement).

5. CY/HOOK (Container Yard to Hook)

Meaning: Carrier unloads container only to dock (using crane hook).
Responsibility: Ends when container is lifted off the vessel (consignee arranges ground transport).

Key Differences Summary

Term	Loading	Ocean Transport	Unloading	Final Delivery
CY/CY	✅	✅	✅	❌ (CY only)
CY/FO	✅	✅	❌	❌
CY/LO	✅	✅	✅ (to quay)	❌
CY/TACKLE	✅	✅	✅ (to truck)	❌
CY/HOOK	✅	✅	✅ (hook lift)	❌

When to Use Which?

For full door-to-door: Use CY/CY + trucking.
High port fees? CY/FO shifts unloading costs to receiver.
Quick quay pickup? CY/LO or CY/HOOK for faster clearance.