Trucker appointment system

A trucker appointment system (TAS), also called a vehicle booking system (VBS), requires drayage carriers to reserve a timed slot before entering a terminal gate to pick up or drop off a container. It spreads truck arrivals across the day to cut gate queues and yard congestion, and it lets the terminal pre-stage the box and check that documents, customs release, and fees are clear before the truck arrives. Slots are booked through the TOS or port community system, and missing or no-showing a slot can incur a fee. Ports such as Los Angeles and Long Beach and Felixstowe (via the VBS) mandate appointments at peak terminals.