Understanding Actual Time of Departure in E-commerce

What is an Actual Time of Departure in E-commerce?

An Actual Time of Departure (ATD) is the time a shipment or carrier actually leaves its point of origin. It is recorded when the shipment departs and is compared against the estimated time of departure (ETD).

Similar to ATD, ETD is the expected time of departure, set ahead of time. However, ATD is what occurs and cannot be determined until after the process has been completed.

Significance of Actual Time of Departure in E-commerce Logistics 

The actual time of departure matters in e-commerce logistics because it directly affects the customer experience. If a customer orders an item online and it is expected to arrive by a certain date, the actual time of departure can determine whether or not that item arrives on time. 

• The actual time of departure aids a business in identifying logistical challenges and working on them.
• Additionally, the actual time of departure can affect the cost of shipping and the delivery time, which can have a significant impact on the total cost of the order. 

Therefore, e-commerce logistics providers must accurately track and monitor the actual time of departure for their shipments to ensure customers receive their orders on time and at the best possible cost.

How Actual Time of Departure Is Recorded

ATD is not calculated from a formula. It is recorded when the departure happens, usually by one of these:

• Carrier systems: Airlines, shipping lines and trucking companies log the departure time and share it through tracking updates.
• Port and terminal records: Vessel and terminal systems record when a ship or train leaves.
• Warehouse scans: For parcel shipments, the time the carrier collects the shipment from the warehouse is often used as its departure.

Comparing ATD with the ETD shows whether a shipment left on schedule and by how much it was delayed.

Use Cases With Actual Time of Departure

A clothing brand ships a container of stock from a supplier. The ETD was Monday at 08:00, but the carrier’s tracking shows an ATD of Tuesday at 14:00. Because the shipment left 30 hours late, the brand knows the arrival will likely slip too and can update its restocking plans and tell customers about delayed pre-orders in advance.