Skip to content
Air Waybill (AWB)
An air waybill records an air-cargo shipment and the contract of carriage. It identifies the shipper, consignee, route and goods, and acts as a receipt when the carrier accepts the cargo.
THE ALLWAYFORWARD FIELD GUIDE
Freight terms.
Clearly pictured.
A little understanding goes a long way. Explore the language of shipping, with clear explanations and illustrations that make it click.
Find your term229 TERMS, MADE CLEARFROM FOSHAN TO YOUR FRONT DOOR
A GOOD PLACE TO START
Big questions. Clear answers.
01 / CHOOSE YOUR SHIPMENT
A whole container, or a shared one?
Understand FCL and LCL before you compare quotes.
02 / KNOW YOUR NUMBERS
How much space does it really take?
See CBM, then calculate it with your own dimensions.
03 / AGREE THE HANDOVER
Who pays. Who handles what.
Make sense of DDP, DAP and your delivery scope.
THE COMPLETE GLOSSARY
Find the word.
Understand the journey.
Search an abbreviation, a full term,
or a familiar Chinese name.
Airline Terminal Fee
Airline Terminal Fee is a charge for handling cargo at an airport terminal, such as receiving, moving or releasing the shipment. Origin and destination terminals may each charge separately.
All-Risk Coverage
All-Risk Coverage is a broad form of cargo insurance covering accidental physical loss or damage, subject to the policy wording. The name does not mean that every possible event is insured.
Anti-dumping Duties (AD)
Additional import duties imposed under a trade-remedy measure on specified goods found to be dumped. The applicable product scope, producer or exporter, origin and entry date matter.
Automated Export System (AES)
Automated Export System (AES) is the U.S. system used to file Electronic Export Information when a shipment requires it. Filing is made by the responsible party or an authorized agent.
Automated Manifest System (AMS)
Automated Manifest System (AMS) is a term commonly used for U.S. electronic cargo-manifest reporting. Manifest information describes the shipment and supports customs security screening.
BAF (Bunker Adjustment Factor)
BAF (Bunker Adjustment Factor) is an ocean-carrier fuel adjustment added to, or built into, a freight rate. It helps account for changes in the cost of vessel fuel.
Beneficial Cargo Owner (BCO)
Beneficial Cargo Owner (BCO) is the party with the beneficial interest in the cargo, commonly the importer or exporter shipping its own goods rather than a transport intermediary.
Bill of Lading (B/L)
Bill of Lading (B/L) is a transport document acknowledging receipt of cargo and evidencing the carriage contract. Certain bills of lading also function as documents of title.
Binding Origin Information (BOI)
Binding Origin Information (BOI) is an EU customs decision determining the preferential or non-preferential origin of specified goods for its holder.
Binding Tariff Information (BTI)
Binding Tariff Information (BTI) is an EU customs decision on the tariff classification of specified goods for its holder. It helps establish which commodity code applies to a described product.
Blank Sailing
Blank Sailing is a carrier cancellation of an entire scheduled sailing or a call at a particular port. Cargo may need to move on another vessel or route.
Blind Shipment
Blind Shipment is a commercial shipping arrangement that limits the supplier information shown to the recipient, often when a distributor ships directly from a manufacturer.
Bobtail Fee
Bobtail Fee is a trucking charge associated with a tractor travelling without a trailer, often as part of a container drop-and-return operation.
Bonded Goods
Goods held or moved under customs control with duties or taxes suspended under an authorized procedure.
Bonded Warehouse
Bonded Warehouse is an authorized facility where goods can be stored under customs control with duties or taxes suspended until the relevant release or other authorized procedure.
Booking Confirmation
Booking Confirmation is a document or message confirming transport arrangements accepted by the booking provider, including relevant service details and deadlines.
Break Bulk
Cargo handled as individual units such as crates, bundles or machinery rather than inside a standard shipping container or as loose bulk.
Bulk Cargo
Unpackaged commodities carried in large quantities, such as grain, coal or liquid cargo in a vessel's holds or tanks.
Cargo Diversion
Cargo Diversion is a requested change to the destination or routing of cargo after a booking or movement has begun.
Cargo Insurance
Cargo Insurance is insurance against specified physical loss or damage to goods in transit. Coverage depends on the insured journey, goods, limits and policy terms.
Cargo Insurance Coverage Limits
Cargo Insurance Coverage Limits are the maximum amounts an insurance policy will pay, subject to its terms. Limits may apply per shipment, conveyance, location or event.
Cargo Owners Liability Coverage
Cargo Owners Liability Coverage is insurance addressing specified third-party liabilities arising from an owner's cargo, as described in the policy.
Cargo Ready Date (CRD)
Cargo Ready Date (CRD) is the date the supplier expects goods to be finished, packed and available for the agreed pickup or handover.
Carrier
Carrier is the party undertaking carriage of goods under a transport contract, such as an ocean shipping line, airline or trucking company.
Cartage
Local transport of cargo, often between a freight station, warehouse and nearby customer premises.
CBM (Cubic Meter)
CBM measures the space occupied by cargo. For a rectangular package, multiply its outer length, width and height in meters; one cubic meter is 1 m × 1 m × 1 m.
CBP (U.S. Customs and Border Protection)
CBP (U.S. Customs and Border Protection) is the U.S. agency responsible for border security and enforcing many import requirements. It processes entries, collects duties and may examine shipments.
Centralized Examination Station (CES)
Centralized Examination Station (CES) is a privately operated facility designated by U.S. CBP for examinations of imported cargo.
Certificate of Origin (CoO)
Certificate of Origin (CoO) is a document certifying the origin of goods under the relevant process, sometimes required for customs or commercial purposes.
CFS Cut-off
CFS Cut-off is the deadline for cargo to be received and accepted at the nominated container freight station for a particular consolidation or sailing.
CFS Fee
CFS Fee is a charge for cargo handling at a container freight station, including consolidation or deconsolidation services as specified by the facility.
Chargeable Weight
Chargeable Weight is the weight used to calculate a freight charge. For many air services it is the higher of actual gross weight and volumetric weight, subject to the service's rules.
Chassis
Chassis is a wheeled trailer frame designed to carry an intermodal shipping container on the road.
Chassis Fee
Chassis Fee is a charge for providing or using the chassis needed to haul a shipping container by road.
Chassis Pool
Chassis Pool is an arrangement that supplies shared chassis equipment to participating trucking companies or other users.
Chassis Split
Chassis Split is a separate trip required to collect or return a chassis at a location different from the container's pickup or return point.
CHIEF — Legacy UK Customs System
CHIEF was the UK's Customs Handling of Import and Export Freight system. Import and export declarations have moved to the Customs Declaration Service.
CIF (Cost, Insurance and Freight)
CIF (Cost, Insurance and Freight) is an Incoterms® rule for sea or inland-waterway transport: the seller pays freight and required insurance to the named destination port, while risk transfers on board at the origin port.
CITES
CITES is the international convention regulating trade in listed wild animals and plants, including products made from certain protected species.
Clean Truck Fee
Clean Truck Fee is a port or terminal program charge associated with funding cleaner truck operations, subject to local rules and exemptions.
Closed Area
Closed Area is a terminal area temporarily unavailable for container pickup or other operations, often because of congestion or operational restrictions.
Co-Loader
Co-Loader is a logistics provider that combines cargo from multiple forwarding companies into a shared shipment, commonly for LCL ocean freight.
Commerce Control List (CCL)
Commerce Control List (CCL) is the U.S. Bureau of Industry and Security list of items classified by Export Control Classification Numbers under the Export Administration Regulations.
Commercial Invoice
Commercial Invoice is the seller's document describing the transaction: buyer and seller, goods, quantities, values, currency and agreed commercial terms. Customs uses it as part of the import assessment.
Common Carrier
Common Carrier is a carrier that offers transport services to the public under the applicable legal and commercial framework.
Common Health Entry Document (CHED)
Common Health Entry Document (CHED) is an EU document used for official entry controls on relevant consignments of animals, food, feed, plants or related regulated products.
Compliance Assessment
Compliance Assessment is a review of whether a business's customs transactions, records and processes meet applicable requirements.
Concealed Damage Coverage
Policy wording addressing cargo damage discovered only after packaging is opened, subject to specified evidence and reporting conditions.
Consignee
Consignee is the party named to receive goods on a transport document. Depending on the shipment, this may be the buyer, an agent or another authorized recipient.
Consignor (Shipper)
Consignor (Shipper) is the party sending goods or named as shipper on the relevant transport document.
Consolidation
Consolidation is combining cargo from several orders or suppliers into a coordinated shipment. A buyer can consolidate furniture, lighting and materials before arranging transport.
Container Drop
Container Drop is leaving a container or trailer at the consignee's location for later unloading and collection instead of keeping the driver waiting.
Container Freight Station (CFS)
Container Freight Station (CFS) is a facility where loose cargo is consolidated into containers or separated from them. LCL shipments commonly pass through a CFS at origin and destination.
Container Stuffing
Container Stuffing is loading cargo into a shipping container, including the planned arrangement and securing needed for transport.
Container Yard (CY)
Container Yard (CY) is a facility where loaded or empty containers are received, stored and transferred before or after transport.
Continuous Customs Bond
Continuous Customs Bond is a U.S. customs bond covering qualifying transactions over an ongoing period rather than a single entry, subject to the bond's terms.
Contract of Carriage
Contract of Carriage is the agreement governing the movement of goods, including the parties' responsibilities and the carrier's conditions.
Control of Damaged Goods
Policy provisions describing who controls inspection, salvage or disposal of damaged cargo and under what conditions.
Countervailing Duties (CVD)
Additional import duties imposed under trade-remedy measures to counter certain subsidies benefiting imported goods.
Country of Origin
Country of Origin is the origin assigned to a product under the relevant rules, based on where it was obtained or sufficiently produced or transformed.
Country of Origin Marking
Country of Origin Marking is information on a product or its packaging identifying its origin where the destination's rules require it.
CTPAT
CTPAT is a voluntary U.S. CBP partnership program focused on supply-chain security. Eligible participants work to meet the program's security criteria.
Customs Assigned Importer Number (CAIN)
Customs Assigned Importer Number (CAIN) is an importer identification number assigned by U.S. Customs and Border Protection in applicable circumstances, including certain importers without a U.S. tax identification number.
Customs Bond
Customs Bond is a financial guarantee securing specified customs obligations, such as payment of duties, taxes and fees and compliance with required conditions.
Customs Broker
Customs Broker is a qualified or authorized intermediary who handles customs-related work for an importer or exporter under the rules of the relevant country.
Customs Business
Activities involving customs transactions on behalf of another party, as defined by the applicable jurisdiction's rules.
Customs Clearance
Customs Clearance is the process of submitting required information, meeting applicable controls and obtaining customs release for goods entering or leaving a country.
Customs Declaration Service (CDS)
Customs Declaration Service (CDS) is the UK's electronic service for import and export customs declarations. CDS replaced the older CHIEF declaration system.
Customs Duty
Customs Duty is a tax imposed on goods under the destination's customs tariff and applicable trade measures.
Customs Entry
Customs Entry is a declaration and associated information submitted to customs about goods, including classification, value, origin and the requested procedure.
Customs Examination
Customs Examination is an inspection of cargo or documents selected by customs. It may involve scanning, opening packages or a more detailed physical examination.
Customs Examination Charges
Customs Examination Charges are charges associated with moving, storing, opening or handling goods for a customs examination, depending on local arrangements.
Customs Procedure Codes
Customs Procedure Codes are codes identifying the customs treatment requested for goods, such as release for circulation, transit or an authorized special procedure.
Customs Valuation
Customs Valuation is the process of determining the customs value of imported goods under the destination's valuation rules.
CY Cut-off
CY Cut-off is the deadline for a loaded export container to be accepted at the designated container yard for a booked sailing.
Dangerous Goods (Hazmat)
Substances or articles that pose regulated transport hazards, including some batteries, chemicals and aerosols.
DAP (Delivered at Place)
DAP (Delivered at Place) is an Incoterms® rule under which the seller delivers at the named destination on the arriving vehicle ready for unloading; the buyer handles import clearance and related duties and taxes.
DDP (Delivered Duty Paid)
DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) is an Incoterms® rule under which the seller delivers import-cleared goods at the named destination, on the arriving vehicle ready for unloading, bearing the specified import duties and taxes.
Debris Removal Coverage
Debris Removal Coverage is an insurance provision for specified costs of removing damaged cargo debris following a covered event, within the policy's terms.
Declared Value
Declared Value is a value declared to a carrier that may affect its contractual liability, subject to the applicable conditions and charges.
Deconsolidation
Deconsolidation is separating a combined shipment into its individual consignments, typically after arrival at the destination freight station.
Deductible
Deductible is the portion of an otherwise covered claim that remains payable by the insured under the policy.
Deferment Fee
Deferment Fee is a service charge for using an approved duty or tax deferment arrangement, depending on the provider and jurisdiction.
Delivery Labor Fee
Delivery Labor Fee is an additional charge for agreed manual assistance during delivery, such as unloading or moving packages beyond the basic service.
Delivery Order
Delivery Order is an instruction or authorization for release or delivery of goods, depending on the carrier and local process.
Demurrage
Demurrage is, in container shipping, a charge commonly associated with a container remaining inside a terminal beyond the agreed free time.
Destination Charges
Destination Charges are charges incurred after the main international leg, such as terminal handling, deconsolidation, release services or local delivery, depending on the quotation.
Detention
Detention is, in container shipping, a charge commonly associated with keeping carrier equipment outside the terminal beyond the agreed free time before returning it.
Devanning
Devanning is unloading cargo from a shipping container, often at a warehouse or container freight station.
Disbursement Service Fee
Disbursement Service Fee is a service charge when a broker, carrier or other provider advances duties, taxes or other amounts on a customer's behalf.
Domestic Inland Transit
Domestic Inland Transit is movement of goods within one country, such as the leg from a destination port to a warehouse or project site.
Double Blind Shipment
Double Blind Shipment is a commercial arrangement limiting the supplier's and recipient's visibility of each other's identity in the shipment documents they receive.
Drayage
Drayage is a short truck movement of a shipping container, commonly between a port or rail terminal and a nearby warehouse.
Drop and Pick
Drop and Pick is a delivery method in which a container or trailer is left for unloading and picked up later.
Drop Fee
Drop Fee is a trucking charge for a drop arrangement involving delivery of equipment and a later collection trip, as specified in the quotation.
Dry Run
Dry Run is an attempted pickup or delivery that cannot be completed, for example because cargo is not released, an appointment is unavailable or the site cannot receive it.
Dry Van Shipping
Road transport in an enclosed trailer without active temperature control, commonly used for packaged dry goods.
Duty Drawback
Duty Drawback is a refund of certain duties, taxes or fees when statutory conditions are met, often involving later export or destruction of eligible goods.
E2 Import Entry Acceptance Advice
E2 Import Entry Acceptance Advice is a legacy UK customs output associated with entry acceptance in CHIEF-era processes.
EBS (Emergency Bunker Surcharge)
EBS (Emergency Bunker Surcharge) is a carrier surcharge applied to address fuel-cost conditions under its pricing terms.
EIN (Employer Identification Number)
EIN (Employer Identification Number) is a U.S. federal tax identification number issued by the Internal Revenue Service to identify a business entity.
Electronic Logging Device (ELD)
Electronic Logging Device (ELD) is a device used to record a commercial driver's driving activity and hours under applicable road-transport rules.
EORI Number
EORI Number is an Economic Operators Registration and Identification number used for customs identification. EU and UK systems have their own requirements.
Export Control Classification Number (ECCN)
Export Control Classification Number (ECCN) is a five-character classification used on the U.S. Commerce Control List to identify items for export-control purposes.
Export Declaration
Export Declaration is information submitted to the export country's customs authority about goods leaving its territory and the requested export procedure.
Export License
Export License is an official authorization required for certain controlled exports under the relevant country's rules.
Express Bill of Lading
Express Bill of Lading is a commonly used term for a non-negotiable release arrangement that does not require presentation of original negotiable bills at destination.
External Transit (T1)
External Transit (T1) is a customs transit procedure allowing certain goods to move under customs control with duties and taxes suspended until the procedure is properly discharged.
EXW (Ex Works)
EXW (Ex Works) is an Incoterms® rule under which the seller makes goods available at the named place, normally without loading the collecting vehicle or completing export clearance.
FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon)
Amazon's fulfillment service, in which eligible sellers send inventory to Amazon facilities for storage and order fulfillment.
FBA Shipment ID
FBA Shipment ID is an identifier assigned to an inbound Amazon fulfillment shipment, used in its associated labels and receiving records.
FCA (Free Carrier)
FCA (Free Carrier) is an Incoterms® rule under which the seller delivers export-cleared goods to the buyer's nominated carrier or person at an agreed place. Delivery responsibilities depend on whether the place is the seller's premises or another location.
FCL (Full Container Load)
FCL (Full Container Load) is a shipment using a container exclusively for one shipper's cargo. You reserve the container even if it is not physically full.
FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration)
FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) is the U.S. agency regulating specified products including food, drugs, medical devices and cosmetics within its remit.
Federal Maritime Commission (FMC)
Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) is the U.S. federal agency regulating international ocean transportation for the benefit of U.S. exporters, importers and consumers.
FEU (Forty-foot Equivalent Unit)
FEU (Forty-foot Equivalent Unit) is a container-capacity unit equivalent to one standard forty-foot container, or two TEU.
First Sale Valuation
First Sale Valuation is a customs valuation approach that may allow an earlier qualifying sale in a multi-tier transaction to be used where the destination's law permits it.
FLEGT
Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade: an EU framework addressing legal timber trade, including licensing arrangements under applicable agreements.
FOB (Free on Board)
FOB (Free on Board) is an Incoterms® rule for sea or inland-waterway transport in which the seller delivers goods on board the buyer's nominated vessel at the named port of shipment.
Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ)
Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ) is a designated U.S. location where authorized operations may receive specified customs treatment for eligible goods.
Forwarder's Cargo Receipt (FCR)
Forwarder's Cargo Receipt (FCR) is a receipt issued by a forwarder acknowledging acceptance of specified goods under the stated instructions.
Free Trade Agreement (FTA)
Free Trade Agreement (FTA) is an agreement between economies that may provide preferential trade treatment for qualifying goods.
Freight Costs
Freight Costs are charges for transporting goods under the agreed service scope, potentially including several legs and surcharges.
Freight Forwarder
Freight Forwarder is a company coordinating shipments between shippers and transport providers, with services that can include pickup, consolidation, documents and delivery arrangements.
Freight Management
Freight Management is planning and coordinating cargo movement, including carrier selection, bookings, documents, monitoring and delivery arrangements.
FTL (Full Truckload)
Road freight using a truck's capacity for a dedicated load rather than combining it with unrelated LTL shipments.
Fuel Surcharge (FSC)
Fuel Surcharge (FSC) is a transport price adjustment linked to fuel costs under a provider's tariff or contract.
Fumigation Certificate
Fumigation Certificate is a certificate documenting a specified fumigation treatment carried out on goods or packaging by an appropriate provider.
Gating In
Gating In is the acceptance of a container into a terminal, depot or other controlled facility through its gate process.
General Average
General Average is a maritime principle under which qualifying extraordinary sacrifices or expenses made to preserve a common maritime adventure may be shared among the interests involved.
General Order (GO)
General Order (GO) is a U.S. customs status under which unentered or otherwise qualifying cargo is placed in designated storage under customs rules.
Geographical Scope
Geographical Scope is the territories, routes or locations within which an insurance policy or transport agreement applies.
GRI (General Rate Increase)
GRI (General Rate Increase) is a carrier-announced increase to freight rates applying to specified services, trades or dates.
Gross Weight
Gross Weight is the weight of goods together with their packaging and any included pallets or handling units, as defined for the shipment.
Ground Shipping
Ground Shipping is transport over land, usually by road and sometimes used more broadly for road-and-rail services, depending on the provider.
Harbor Maintenance Fee (HMF)
Harbor Maintenance Fee (HMF) is a U.S. fee associated with certain cargo using ports, subject to the applicable legal basis and exemptions.
High Cube (HC) Container
High Cube (HC) Container is a container with greater height than a standard-height unit; a common high cube has a nominal external height of 9 ft 6 in.
HS / HTS Codes
HS codes classify goods internationally at the six-digit level. Countries add further digits and rules in their own tariff schedules, such as the U.S. HTS.
Importer of Record (IOR)
Importer of Record (IOR) is the party responsible under the destination's rules for the import declaration and associated compliance obligations, including duties and records.
Importer Security Filing (ISF)
Importer Security Filing (ISF) is an advance U.S. security filing for applicable ocean cargo, supplying specified information before loading or arrival under the relevant rules.
Incoterms®
Incoterms® are iCC trade rules that allocate specified delivery obligations, costs and risk between seller and buyer when incorporated into the sales contract.
Inherent Vice
Loss arising from the natural characteristics or internal condition of the goods, rather than an external insured event.
Inland Haulage Charges (IHC)
Inland Haulage Charges (IHC) are charges for moving cargo between an inland point and a port or terminal before or after the main international leg.
Inside Delivery
Inside Delivery is an additional delivery service extending beyond the standard unloading point to an agreed interior location.
Inspection Certificate
Inspection Certificate is a document recording an inspection's findings against its defined scope, such as quantity, visible condition or specified tests.
Intensive Customs Examination
Intensive Customs Examination is a detailed customs inspection that may require cargo to be moved, unpacked and physically examined.
Interest Insured
Interest Insured is the financial interest in goods or exposure that is protected under the insurance policy.
International Courier (Express Freight)
International Courier (Express Freight) is an integrated express service moving parcels or eligible cargo internationally, usually with a defined service network and customs process.
International Roadcheck
International Roadcheck is a coordinated commercial-vehicle inspection initiative run by the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance with participating North American enforcement agencies.
Interruption of Transit Coverage
Policy provisions addressing specified consequences when an insured journey is interrupted by a covered event.
Inventory Linked
Inventory Linked is a customs process connected to an approved port, airport or facility inventory system that tracks goods and their release status.
ISPM 15
ISPM 15 is an international phytosanitary standard for regulated wood packaging, including relevant solid-wood pallets, crates and dunnage, using approved treatment and marking.
ISPS Code
The International Ship and Port Facility Security Code establishes a framework for security of relevant ships and port facilities.
Jones Act
Jones Act is a U.S. law whose coastwise cargo provisions generally reserve transport between U.S. points to qualifying U.S.-built, U.S.-owned and U.S.-documented vessels, subject to applicable rules and exceptions.
Known Shipper
Known Shipper is a status used in the U.S. air-cargo security framework that affects eligibility for cargo on passenger aircraft, subject to carrier and TSA requirements.
Last Free Day (LFD)
Last Free Day (LFD) is the last day before a specified storage or equipment charge begins under the applicable free-time terms.
LCL (Less than Container Load)
Ocean freight in which your goods share a container with other shipments. Cargo is consolidated at origin and separated at destination.
Lead Time
Lead Time is the time between a defined starting event and completion of a process, such as placing an order and receiving the goods.
Letter of Credit (L/C)
Letter of Credit (L/C) is a bank undertaking to pay against a complying presentation of documents under the credit's terms.
Letter of Indemnity (LOI)
Letter of Indemnity (LOI) is a written undertaking to compensate another party for specified losses arising from an agreed action or situation.
Liftgate
Liftgate is a powered platform on a truck that raises or lowers cargo between the vehicle bed and ground level.
Liftgate Fee
Liftgate Fee is an additional delivery charge for using a truck-mounted lifting platform where a suitable dock or forklift is unavailable.
Live Unload
Live Unload is a delivery where the driver stays while the consignee unloads the truck or container, then departs with the equipment.
Loading and Unloading Coverage
Loading and Unloading Coverage is insurance coverage for specified loss or damage during loading or unloading operations, where included in the policy.
LTL (Less than Truckload)
Road freight in which smaller consignments share a truck network rather than use a dedicated full truck.
Merchandise Processing Fee (MPF)
Merchandise Processing Fee (MPF) is a U.S. customs processing fee applying to certain imports, with rules that vary by entry type and available exemptions.
Motor Truck Cargo Insurance
Motor Truck Cargo Insurance is insurance addressing a motor carrier's exposure for cargo in its custody, subject to the policy's scope and conditions.
National Export System (NES)
National Export System (NES) is a term associated with the UK's electronic export-declaration processes, often encountered in older CHIEF-era guidance.
Negotiated Rate Arrangement (NRA)
Negotiated Rate Arrangement (NRA) is a pricing arrangement used by qualifying NVOCCs under the U.S. FMC framework, subject to its requirements.
Net Weight
Net Weight is the weight of the goods themselves, excluding packaging and other materials not part of the product.
Non-Reimbursement Statement
Non-Reimbursement Statement is a U.S. import declaration concerning whether an importer has been reimbursed, or has an arrangement to be reimbursed, for certain trade-remedy duties.
Notify Party
Notify Party is the person or company listed to receive arrival or shipment notifications from the carrier.
NVOCC
A Non-Vessel-Operating Common Carrier offers ocean transportation without operating the vessels carrying the cargo, commonly issuing its own house bill of lading.
NVWA
NVWA is the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, responsible for controls within its remit, including food, animal, plant and product safety.
Origin Charges
Origin Charges are charges for services before the main international transport, such as collection, terminal handling, documentation or export processing, depending on the quote.
Origin Engineering
Origin Engineering is planning genuine manufacturing operations with the applicable origin rules in mind, so the resulting origin is correctly established.
Original Bill of Lading (OBL)
Original Bill of Lading (OBL) is an issued original transport document whose presentation or surrender may be required for cargo release, depending on its type and the carrier's terms.
Packing List
Packing List is a document showing how goods are packed: package counts, contents, marks, dimensions and weights as applicable.
Pallet
Pallet is a load platform allowing goods to be handled with suitable forklifts or pallet jacks.
Pallet Exchange Fee
Pallet Exchange Fee is a charge associated with an agreed pallet exchange or a failure to return suitable pallets under a particular handling arrangement.
Particular Average
Particular Average is a marine-insurance term for a partial loss affecting a particular insured interest, as distinct from a shared general-average sacrifice or expense.
Partner Government Agency (PGA)
Partner Government Agency (PGA) is a U.S. agency other than CBP that regulates particular imported goods and may require data, permits or inspection.
Peak Season Surcharge (PSS)
Peak Season Surcharge (PSS) is an additional carrier charge announced for specified services during a period of higher demand.
Per Diem Charge
Per Diem Charge is a charge calculated per day, commonly used for container or equipment use beyond an agreed period.
Periodic Monthly Statement (PMS)
Periodic Monthly Statement (PMS) is a U.S. CBP payment arrangement allowing eligible participants to consolidate payment of certain duties and fees on a monthly statement.
PierPASS / Traffic Mitigation Fee
PierPASS / Traffic Mitigation Fee is a program and associated fee framework at participating marine terminals in Los Angeles and Long Beach, supporting extended gate operations.
Port Filings
Notifications or data submissions required by a particular port, terminal or port-community system to coordinate cargo movements.
Port of Discharge (POD)
Port of Discharge (POD) is the port where cargo is unloaded from the vessel for the relevant sea leg.
Postponed VAT Accounting
Postponed VAT Accounting is a mechanism allowing eligible importers to account for import VAT through their VAT return rather than paying it immediately at import, subject to local rules.
Power of Attorney (POA)
Power of Attorney (POA) is an authorization allowing a named representative to perform specified actions, such as customs-brokerage work, on another party's behalf.
Pre-Pull
Collecting a container from a terminal before its final delivery appointment and holding it temporarily at another approved location.
Preferential Duty Rates
Reduced duty treatment available to qualifying goods under an applicable preference scheme or trade agreement.
Prior Disclosure
Prior Disclosure is a formal mechanism for disclosing certain customs violations under the applicable legal rules and conditions.
Residential Delivery
Delivery to an address classified as residential by the carrier, often with different access, appointment and equipment requirements from a commercial dock.
Responsible Supervision and Control
Responsible Supervision and Control is a U.S. customs-broker responsibility to exercise appropriate oversight of customs business and personnel under the governing rules.
Rolled Cargo
Cargo that does not move on its intended sailing and is moved to a later service, for reasons such as capacity, operational changes or missed requirements.
Rules of Origin
Rules of Origin is the criteria used to determine a product's origin for customs purposes, including preferential and non-preferential treatment.
Safety Data Sheet (SDS / MSDS)
Safety Data Sheet (SDS / MSDS) is a document describing a substance or mixture's hazards, safe handling and related information. MSDS is the older name still used in conversation.
Shipper's Letter of Instruction (SLI)
Instructions from the shipper to the forwarder covering shipment details and the authorized services or filings.
Shipping Container
Shipping Container is a reusable intermodal cargo unit that can move between ship, rail and truck. Different equipment types suit different goods.
Shipping Order (SO)
Shipping Order (SO) is a carrier or forwarder document confirming arrangements or instructions for a booked shipment, depending on local practice.
Shipping Quote
Shipping Quote is a proposal or estimate for transport services based on stated cargo, route and service assumptions.
Split Shipment
Cargo under a shipment arrangement that moves in separate parts, for example on different flights or departures.
Stop-Off Fee
Stop-Off Fee is an additional trucking charge for an extra pickup or delivery stop beyond the agreed route.
Storage Charges
Storage Charges are charges for keeping goods or equipment at a warehouse, terminal or other facility beyond the included period or under an agreed storage service.
Sweeper Vessel
Sweeper Vessel is a vessel deployed for an additional or special movement, often to reposition accumulated empty containers or relieve a backlog.
Tailgate Examination
Tailgate Examination is a customs examination involving opening the container doors and inspecting accessible cargo, as directed by the authority.
TARIC
TARIC is the EU's integrated tariff database, bringing together customs tariff and related measures for goods imported into or exported from the EU.
Tariff Engineering
Designing or configuring a product lawfully with tariff classification consequences in mind before import.
Tariff Quotas
Arrangements allowing a specified quantity or value of qualifying goods to enter at a particular duty treatment, with other rates applying outside the quota.
Telex Release
Telex Release is a carrier-authorized release instruction commonly used after required original bills have been surrendered at origin, subject to the carrier's process.
TEU (Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit)
TEU (Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit) is a unit used to express container capacity. One twenty-foot container equals one TEU; one forty-foot container equals two TEU.
Total Insured Value
Total Insured Value is the value declared and agreed for insurance purposes under the policy's valuation basis.
Trade Finance
Financial tools supporting international transactions, such as documentary credits and other payment or financing arrangements.
Trade Remedy
Trade Remedy is a measure such as anti-dumping, countervailing or safeguard action applied under the relevant trade rules.
Transloading
Moving cargo from one transport unit or conveyance into another, such as unloading an ocean container into a road trailer.
Transtainer
Transtainer is a gantry crane used to lift and stack containers in a yard; rubber-tyred gantry cranes are one common type.
Trucking Wait Fee
Trucking Wait Fee is a charge when a driver or vehicle waits beyond the time included in the agreed service.
TTW (Toestemming Tot Wegvoering)
TTW (Toestemming Tot Wegvoering) is a Dutch customs term referring to permission for goods to be removed or released under the relevant procedure.
ULD (Unit Load Device)
ULD (Unit Load Device) is an aircraft container, or an aircraft pallet and net assembly, used to group and restrain cargo for air transport.
Ultimate Consignee
Ultimate Consignee is the final receiving party identified for a shipment or customs reporting purpose under the applicable rules.
UN Number
UN Number is a four-digit identifier assigned to a dangerous substance, article or group for transport classification purposes.
UTB (Uitnodiging Tot Betaling)
UTB (Uitnodiging Tot Betaling) is a Dutch customs payment notice setting out amounts payable under the relevant assessment.
Valuation Challenge
Valuation Challenge is a customs inquiry questioning whether the declared value has been determined and supported correctly.
VAT Number
VAT Number is an identification number used within a jurisdiction's value-added-tax system.
Verified Gross Mass (VGM)
Verified Gross Mass (VGM) is the verified total mass of a packed container, including cargo, packing and securing materials and the container's tare mass, required under the applicable SOLAS process.
Vessel Bunching
Several vessels arriving close together at a port, increasing demand for berths, cranes and landside resources.
Wharfage
Wharfage is a port or terminal charge associated with cargo passing over a wharf, according to the applicable tariff.
No term found. Try another word.
Try a short abbreviation, remove a filter, or browse all terms.
LESS JARGON. MORE CONFIDENCE.
Good decisions start
with a clear picture.
Ready to put the terms into practice? Tell us what you are shipping, where it is going and what needs to arrive together.
Plan your shipment ↗