The manual SI process on CMA CGM
SI submission on CMA CGM follows a multi-step process through the My CMA CGM eBusiness portal at www.cma-cgm.com.
- 01
Retrieve booking confirmation
Extract booking number, vessel/voyage, container allocation, port pair, and cut-off dates from My CMA CGM or the email booking confirmation. CMA CGM bookings may be under CMDU (CMA CGM), APLU (APL), or ANNU (ANL) — identify the correct SCAC and brand before proceeding.
Pain pointA booking under APL (APLU) or ANL (ANNU) may route through different local agency teams than a CMA CGM-branded booking, even on the same vessel. Preparing the SI under the wrong brand identity causes downstream routing errors.
- 02
Log into My CMA CGM and navigate to SI module
Access the eBusiness SI tool at www.cma-cgm.com/ebusiness/si/request/step1. The portal auto-recalls booking details and pre-populates SI fields from the booking data. Earlier shipment party details can also be imported from shipment history.
- 03
Verify pre-populated data and complete SI fields
The portal pre-populates from booking data, but every field must be verified: shipper, consignee, notify, cargo description, container and seal details, HS codes, and VGM. CMA CGM does not publish a global HS code minimum digit requirement at the portal validation layer — enforcement appears to happen at the customs filing stage rather than as a unified portal rule.
Pain pointUnlike Maersk's 6-digit HS code minimum that catches errors at submission, CMA CGM's country-level enforcement creates a delayed rejection risk. An invalid HS code may pass portal validation but trigger a customs hold days later.
- 04
Prepare ICS2 data for EU-bound cargo
For EU, Norway, Northern Ireland, and Switzerland-bound shipments, populate buyer and seller information and other ICS2-mandated data elements. Dedicated ICS2 fields became available on the SI web interface from 9 November 2024. For data elements where dedicated fields are still pending, enter the required information in the BL Remarks section using specified prefixes per CMA CGM's ICS2 guidance.
Pain pointThe BL Remarks prefix workaround is a temporary measure. Data entered in Remarks rather than dedicated fields requires extra attention to formatting — a misplaced prefix causes the customs authority to miss the data entirely.
- 05
Submit SI and monitor for acceptance
Submit through the eBusiness portal, EDI, or API. CMA CGM's SI cut-off is per-booking, per-port, per-trade — there is no single global deadline. The cut-off time is communicated on the booking confirmation. Late submission triggers fees in some geographies (France: charged from the 1st calendar day after departure).
Pain pointThe per-booking cut-off model means ops teams cannot apply a single deadline rule across all CMA CGM shipments. Each booking must be checked individually for its specific cut-off time.
- 06
Handle amendments
Amendments prior to call closure in Germany are free for the first, then EUR 50/BL from the 2nd amendment onwards (effective 15 February 2025). After call closure, the fee rises to EUR 125/BL. France charges EUR 25/amendment after the first free one. Route amendments through digital channels — email-based amendments on some carriers attract manual processing surcharges.
Where CMA CGM SI errors happen
The most common CMA CGM SI rejection and rework triggers, based on published fee structures, portal behavior, and operational patterns across freight forwarder ops desks.
Manual SI fee triggered
CommonSI submitted via email to the local documentation team instead of through the eBusiness portal, EDI, or API. CMA CGM charges EUR 100/BL when using their template or EUR 125/BL when using the customer's own format (Germany schedule). CMA CGM reports 70% of SI submissions come through eCommerce channels — the remaining 30% is paying the manual fee unnecessarily.
ICS2 data missing for EU-bound cargo
CommonBuyer and seller fields left blank or formatted incorrectly on EU, Norway, Northern Ireland, or Switzerland-bound shipments. Dedicated ICS2 fields are available on My CMA CGM from November 2024, but forwarders still using EDI channels may need updated specifications. Missing ICS2 data triggers a customs hold at the destination.
Amendment after call closure
OccasionalPost-departure amendment triggers EUR 125/BL manifest amendment fee in Germany, plus potential customs fines and costs at the destination. The fee is unavoidable once the vessel has sailed — there is no digital-channel discount for post-closure amendments.
Exceeded amendment count threshold
CommonGermany charges EUR 50/BL from the 2nd amendment onwards before call closure (effective 15 February 2025, replacing the previous rule of charging only after the 3rd amendment). Multiple rounds of corrections on the same BL escalate costs. France applies EUR 25/amendment after the first free one.
SI submitted after booking cut-off
OccasionalPer-booking SI deadline missed. CMA CGM's cut-off is communicated on the booking confirmation and varies by port, service, and trade. Late submission triggers a Late Shipping Instruction fee in some geographies — France charges from the 1st calendar day after departure. Other ports may reject outright.
Brand/SCAC mismatch
OccasionalSI prepared under CMDU (CMA CGM) but the booking was created under APLU (APL) or ANNU (ANL). The booking flows through the same eBusiness platform, but different local agency teams handle different brand codes. A SCAC mismatch routes the SI to the wrong documentation team, causing delays or rejection.
Stale auto-recalled data accepted without verification
CommonMy CMA CGM pre-populates SI fields from booking data. If the booking was amended after the initial confirmation (e.g., container allocation changed, port pair updated), the pre-populated data reflects the original booking, not the amendment. Ops teams that accept the auto-recalled defaults without cross-checking against the latest booking confirmation submit incorrect SIs.
How Expedion agents handle CMA CGM SIs
Expedion agents automate the end-to-end CMA CGM SI workflow, from booking data extraction to carrier acceptance.
Agents submit SIs through My CMA CGM eBusiness portal or API by default, avoiding the EUR 100–125 Manual SI Fee. For forwarders with EDI integration via INTTRA or direct EDI, agents can route through the established channel to maintain existing workflows.
Agents pull booking data from the eBusiness platform and cross-reference against the shipper's instructions and the forwarder's internal records. Pre-populated fields from My CMA CGM's auto-recall are verified against the latest booking confirmation — never accepted as defaults.
For EU-bound cargo, agents prepare buyer, seller, and other ICS2-mandated data elements, populating the correct dedicated fields where available and using the BL Remarks prefix format for elements pending future portal updates.
Agents track the amendment count against per-country fee thresholds (e.g., first amendment free in Germany, EUR 50/BL from the 2nd onwards) and batch corrections into a single amendment where possible to minimize cost.
Agents extract per-booking SI cut-off times from the booking confirmation and surface deadline warnings to the forwarder's ops team before the window closes.
Agents identify whether the booking is CMA CGM (CMDU), APL (APLU), or ANL (ANNU) and ensure the SI is prepared under the correct brand identity to route through the right local agency path.
Agents validate HS codes against destination country requirements before submission. Because CMA CGM does not enforce a global minimum at the portal level, agents apply country-specific validation rules to catch errors that the portal would pass through.
All amendments are routed through digital channels (eBusiness portal, EDI, API) to avoid manual processing surcharges. Amendments that would trigger post-closure fees are flagged for forwarder review before submission.
CMA CGM SI portal details
Key details for ops teams submitting shipping instructions on CMA CGM shipments.
| Detail | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| SI Portal | My CMA CGM | www.cma-cgm.com/ebusiness/si/request |
| EDI Channels | Direct EDI, INTTRA (e2open), Infor Nexus, CargoSmart | IFTMIN format. INTTRA confirmed active for CMA CGM as of 2025. |
| API | REST API | api-portal.cma-cgm.com. Free 30-day trial, paid subscription after. |
| Manual SI Fee | EUR 100/BL (CMA CGM template), EUR 125/BL (customer format) | Germany schedule. Other geographies may differ. |
| Amendment — pre-closure | First free, EUR 50/BL from 2nd onwards | Germany, effective 15 Feb 2025. France: EUR 25/amendment after first free. |
| Amendment — post-closure | EUR 125/BL | Germany. Plus potential customs fines at destination. |
| Late SI fee | Charged from 1st calendar day after departure | France. Other geographies may apply different rules. |
| SI eCommerce adoption | 70% of submissions | CMA CGM-reported figure for digital channel usage. |
| ICS2 dedicated fields | Available from 9 November 2024 | BL Remarks prefix workaround for elements pending dedicated fields. |
| SI cut-off | Per-booking, per-port, per-trade | Communicated on booking confirmation. No single global deadline. |
| HS code enforcement | Country/regulation-level | No unified portal-level minimum. Unlike Maersk's 6-digit rule. |
TMS compatibility for CMA CGM SI
Expedion agents submit CMA CGM SIs from within your existing TMS. For CargoWise users, agents exchange data via the eAdaptor API (XML/SOAP) and submit through CMA CGM's eBusiness portal or EDI. For GoFreight and Magaya, agents use the respective REST and Open APIs for forwarder-side data exchange, with CMA CGM's REST API handling the carrier-side integration.
Full TMS compatibility details are on the CMA CGM overview page.
Related pages
CMA CGM carrier pages: Overview · Booking · Bill of lading · Documentation · Tracking & visibility
SI across carriers: Maersk shipping instructions · MSC shipping instructions · Hapag-Lloyd shipping instructions · ONE shipping instructions · COSCO shipping instructions · Evergreen shipping instructions
Solutions: SI automation
Glossary: Shipping Instruction · HS Code · ICS2
Frequently asked questions
What channels does CMA CGM accept for SI submission?
CMA CGM accepts SIs through four channels: the My CMA CGM eBusiness portal (www.cma-cgm.com), EDI via direct connection, INTTRA/e2open, Infor Nexus, or CargoSmart (IFTMIN format), REST API via api-portal.cma-cgm.com, and manual email to the local documentation team. CMA CGM reports 70% of SI submissions come through eCommerce channels. Expedion agents default to the eBusiness portal or API to avoid the Manual SI Fee.
What is the Manual SI Fee on CMA CGM?
In Germany, CMA CGM charges EUR 100 per BL for SIs submitted manually using CMA CGM's template, or EUR 125 per BL when using the customer's own format. The fee applies to email-based SI submissions and incentivizes digital channel usage. Other geographies may apply different manual submission fee schedules.
How does CMA CGM handle ICS2 data for EU-bound cargo?
CMA CGM made dedicated ICS2 fields available on the SI web interface from 9 November 2024. For EU, Norway, Northern Ireland, and Switzerland-bound cargo, forwarders must provide buyer and seller information along with other ICS2-mandated data. For data elements where dedicated portal fields are still pending, CMA CGM instructs forwarders to enter the required information in the BL Remarks section using specified prefixes. EDI channel partners received updated specifications for ICS2 compliance.
What is CMA CGM's SI amendment fee structure?
Amendment fees are per-country, not global. In Germany, the first amendment before call closure is free, the 2nd amendment onwards costs EUR 50/BL (effective 15 February 2025, replacing the previous rule of charging only after the 3rd amendment), and amendments after call closure cost EUR 125/BL. In France, the first booking amendment is free, then EUR 25/amendment. The per-country variation means forwarders need to check the fee schedule for the specific CMA CGM office handling their documentation.
Does CMA CGM enforce a global HS code minimum?
No. Unlike Maersk, which enforces a 6-digit HS code minimum at the portal validation layer, CMA CGM does not publish a single global HS code requirement. Enforcement appears to happen at the country and regulation level rather than as a unified portal rule. This means an invalid HS code may pass CMA CGM's portal validation but trigger a rejection at the customs filing stage.
Is INTTRA still available for CMA CGM SI submission?
Yes. Despite industry-level signals around INTTRA's trajectory following its e2open acquisition, CMA CGM continues to list INTTRA as an active EDI channel as of 2025. Vietnamese booking confirmations and French local charges documentation both reference INTTRA alongside other EDI platforms. Forwarders with existing INTTRA integrations should not assume deprecation on CMA CGM lanes.
What is CMA CGM's SI cut-off policy?
CMA CGM's SI cut-off is per-booking, per-port, per-trade — there is no single global deadline. The cut-off time is communicated on the booking confirmation. Late submission triggers a Late Shipping Instruction fee in some geographies (France charges from the 1st calendar day after departure). This differs from carriers with a more rigid global cut-off model — CMA CGM publishes per-country fee schedules that create a fee gradient rather than a hard rejection.