# Placeholder container numbers were searched as if they were real containers

**URL:** <https://community.dockflow.com/t/placeholder-container-numbers-were-searched-as-if-they-were-real-containers/22>\
**Category:** Known and fixed issues\
**Created:** [November 5, 2026, 8:24pm UTC](https://community.dockflow.com/t/placeholder-container-numbers-were-searched-as-if-they-were-real-containers/22 "2026-11-05T20:24:23Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![dockflow](https://community.dockflow.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/d/a9a28c/32.png) [@dockflow](https://community.dockflow.com/u/dockflow)\
**Post date:** [November 5, 2026, 8:24pm UTC](https://community.dockflow.com/t/placeholder-container-numbers-were-searched-as-if-they-were-real-containers/22/1 "2026-11-05T20:24:23Z")

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**Status:** Fixed since August 2026

**How to recognise it**  
A shipment that held a stand-in container number, such as four letters followed by all zeros or 1234567, kept being searched with carriers and terminals, and could pick up stray terminal results.

**Which shipments this affects**  
Shipments holding a stand-in container number, for example while the real number was not yet known. A number only counts as a stand-in when it both fails the check digit and looks like filler. Real container numbers were not affected.

**What changed**  
Dockflow no longer searches for a container number that both fails the standard container check digit and looks like typed-in filler. Searches already scheduled for such numbers are stopped. A real container with a mistyped check digit is still searched.

**Is past data corrected?**  
No. The fix applies to new events; earlier events keep their original wording.

**How to check your shipment**  
Look at the container numbers on the shipment. A stand-in number no longer gets carrier or terminal updates. If terminal events appeared while the shipment held one, compare them with your own records and contact support if they look wrong.

**Do you need to do anything?**  
Nothing. Replace a stand-in number with the real container number once it is known.

**Related**

- [Which reference numbers does Dockflow accept? | Dockflow Documentation](https://docs.dockflow.com/faqs/reference-numbers)
- [Deleting Containers | Dockflow Documentation](https://docs.dockflow.com/faqs/delete-containers)