On the import desk the arrival notice is the trigger to start destination work: the forwarder parses it for vessel, voyage, ETA, container numbers, and outstanding freight and local charges, then begins customs clearance and delivery planning. The forwarder cannot count on the notice arriving in good time and often tracks the vessel independently. It is not the same as a pre-alert: a pre-alert comes from a forwarder or its agent, while the arrival notice comes from the carrier or its destination office. Receiving an arrival notice does not release the cargo: outstanding charges still have to be settled and a delivery order obtained before pickup.
Glossary
Arrival Notice
The notification a carrier or its destination office sends to the consignee or other import parties, advising that a shipment is arriving and setting out the expected arrival, outstanding charges, and pickup details.