Releasing a container means that the shipping line/ship agent makes it available to the customer for collection. This usually happens after the customer has completed all necessary payments. Until the moment of release, a container is blocked in the computer system of the terminal of arrival. The customer will not be able to collect the container.
Furthermore, a distinction is made between the container’s commercial release (by the shipping line/ship agent) and its release by Customs. To be able to collect a container at a terminal, both kinds of releases are required.