SOC and COC containers:
choosing the scheme, controlling D&D · own or carrier box · demurrage and detention
A SOC (shipper's own container) is a container owned or leased by the shipper, as opposed to a COC, the carrier's own container. We choose the scheme for the cargo and route: SOC removes dependence on carrier equipment availability and time limits, which matters most in peak season and on routes deep into Russia.
Each scheme has pros and cons. COC means no worries about returning or selling the box, but the carrier charges demurrage and detention. SOC avoids carrier D&D, but you must decide what to do with the box after unloading, and terminal storage still applies. We track free time per container and calculate where SOC is actually cheaper.
Specification
Specification · SOC / COC. Standard terms · scheme and free time are confirmed per route
Container parameters
- Container ownership
- SOC / COC
- SOC source
- own fleet / lease / purchase
- When COC
- equipment available, short inland leg
- When SOC
- carrier shortage · tight free time · long leg
- Settlement currency
- USD · RUB
Cost control
- Free-time tracking
- per container
- Demurrage
- terminal dwell
- Detention
- use after pick-up
- Limits calendar
- warning before deadline
- Peak-season effect
- shipping without COC
Turnaround cycle
- Container supply
- own fleet / lease
- COC return
- empty to carrier depot
- SOC return
- to fleet, to lessor or sale
- Long inland leg
- SOC advantage
Service flow
- 01
Choosing SOC or COC
We compare COC and SOC costs and risks for the cargo and route: carrier equipment availability, free time, inland-leg length, empty-return time and what to do with the SOC after arrival.
1–2 days - 02
Container supply
For COC we book carrier equipment and fix free time in the booking; for SOC we supply a container from our fleet, a lease or a purchase, and check its condition and CSC plate.
1–3 days - 03
Transit and free-time tracking
We run the shipment while tracking free time per container, seeing demurrage and detention limits coming well in advance.
per route - 04
Demurrage and detention control
We plan port pick-up within free time and synchronise unloading and return so you pay neither for terminal time nor for equipment use.
as scheduled - 05
Return or sale of the container
We return the COC empty to the carrier's depot; the SOC goes back to our fleet or the lessor, or is sold after arrival. We record condition in the EIR and reconcile costs.
per tariff
Problems
Carrier equipment shortage in peak season: no COC, and cargo does not leave on time.
We supply SOC from our fleet or a lease — cargo leaves regardless of the carrier's equipment.
Carrier detention eats the economics: on a long inland leg the empty return drags on and COC charges grow.
On such routes we price SOC: an own container is not subject to carrier detention and often costs less than the idle time.
The SOC has arrived in Russia but nobody planned what to do next: the box sits idle while lease charges run.
We decide the box's fate before shipment: return to the fleet, drop-off with the lessor at an agreed depot, or sale with customs clearance.
Opaque free time: container limits get lost, and daily charges surface after the fact.
We track free time for each container and keep a limits calendar with warnings before deadlines.
Documents
The core document set for shipping in SOC or COC. For SOC, documents for the owned or leased container and a valid CSC plate are added; the final list depends on the scheme, HS code and delivery term.
Incoterms
- FOB
- you choose the carrier and container type — SOC is an option
- CIF
- the seller chooses the container, usually COC
- CFR
- cost and freight
- DAP
- delivered at place
Documents
- Bill of Lading
- bill of lading marked SOC or COC
- Commercial Invoice
- commercial invoice
- Packing List
- packing list
- Lease Agreement
- container lease or sale agreement (for SOC)
- CSC
- CSC safety approval plate with a valid examination date
- EIR
- equipment interchange receipt
FAQ
A SOC (shipper's own container) is a container owned or leased by the shipper rather than the carrier. The carrier sells only the slot on the vessel and does not charge its demurrage and detention on it. The bill of lading marks such a box as SOC.
A COC (carrier's own container) belongs to the carrier: you follow its rates, free time and return rules. A SOC is your own or leased box: you do not depend on the carrier's equipment or time limits, but you decide what happens to the container after unloading.
SOC usually wins in peak season when equipment is scarce, on routes with a long inland leg and slow empty return, and when the box can be sold after arrival. COC is better on short routes where free time is ample. We decide by calculating for the specific route.
Demurrage is the carrier's charge for a laden container staying at the terminal beyond free time. Detention is the charge for using the container after it leaves the terminal until the empty is returned to the depot. These carrier charges do not apply to SOC, but terminal storage is still payable at the terminal's tariff.
There are three options: return it to your fleet for a backhaul, drop it off with the lessor at an agreed depot, or sell it. If the container stays in Russia as goods, it must be declared and customs duties paid. We decide its fate before shipment so it does not sit idle.
We prepare documents before the vessel arrives, plan pick-up on the first day of free time, synchronise unloading and empty return, and keep a limits calendar per container with warnings before deadlines. On long routes we offer SOC.