Must Arrive By Date
The must arrive by date (MABD) is the date on a retail purchase order by which the shipment must arrive at the retailer's distribution center, used to measure on-time delivery.
Why it matters for ecommerce brands
MABD is the date retailers grade you on, so missing it can mean fines even if you shipped on schedule. Retailers such as Walmart measure vendor on-time performance against it. Plan ship dates backward from the MABD using actual transit and appointment lead times. For example, with a MABD of March 20, three days of LTL transit, and a DC that books appointments two days out, freight should leave by about March 14 to keep a buffer day. Arriving too early can also count against you at some retailers.
Common questions
- What is the difference between MABD and ship date?
- The ship date is when freight leaves your facility, while MABD is when it must be at the retailer's DC. Retailers judge on-time performance against arrival, so you must ship early enough to cover transit and any appointment wait.
- What happens if I miss the MABD?
- The shipment may still be received, but it can count as late on the retailer's on-time scorecard and trigger fines or chargebacks. Repeated misses can also hurt your standing with the buyer.
- Is MABD the same as a delivery window?
- Not always. MABD is a single deadline, while some retailers set a window with earliest and latest dates. Walmart, for example, counts freight delivered too early as not on time.