Glossary
Absolute Minimum Charge
The minimum fee charged for shipping, irrespective of the actual shipment cost.
Air Freight
Transportation of goods by air, usually faster but costlier than other modes
Air Waybill (AWB)
A document that serves as a receipt and contract for air transportation of goods
Backhaul
The return journey of a transportation vehicle after delivering its primary load
Bill of Lading (BOL)
A document detailing the shipment, serving as a receipt and title of goods in transit
Bulk Cargo
Unpackaged goods transported in large quantities without individual packaging
Cargo Insurance
Insurance coverage for potential loss or damage to shipped goods during transit
Carriage and Insurance Paid To (CIP)
A trade term indicating that the seller is responsible for transportation and insurance up to the destination
Carriage Paid To (CPT)
A trade term indicating that the seller is responsible for transportation to the destination
CBM
Cubic Meter, a unit of measurement for cargo volume
Chargeable Weight
The weight used to calculate shipping costs, considering actual weight or volumetric weight, whichever is higher
Cold Chain
A logistics process ensuring the temperature-controlled transportation of goods, often in the pharmaceutical or food industry
Consignee
The party to whom the goods are shipped and delivered
Consignor (Shipper)
The party that sends goods for delivery
Cost and Freight (CFR)
A trade term indicating that the seller covers costs up to the destination port
Cost, Insurance, and Freight (CIF)
A trade term indicating that the seller covers costs, insurance, and freight up to the destination port
Cross Docking
A logistics strategy involving transferring goods directly from inbound to outbound transportation without storage
Customs Broker
A professional facilitating customs clearance by managing import/export documentation
Customs Clearance Fee
The charge for processing goods through customs
Customs Value
The assessed value of imported goods used for calculating duties and taxes
Delivered at Place (DAP)
A trade term indicating that the seller is responsible for delivering goods to a named destination
Delivered at Place Unloaded (DPU)
A trade term indicating that the seller is responsible for goods until they are unloaded at the named destination
Delivery Duty Paid (DDP)
A trade term indicating that the seller is responsible for delivering goods, including duties and taxes, to a named destination
Demurrage
Charges for exceeding the allowed time for loading/unloading at a port
Detention
Charges for exceeding the allowed time for the empty container return to the carrier's nominated depot
Dimensional Weight
A shipping cost calculation based on package volume rather than actual weight
Dispatch Note
A document accompanying goods sent for delivery, providing details about the shipment
Drayage
The short-distance transportation of goods between a port and a warehouse or other destination
Ex Work
A trade term indicating that the buyer bears all transportation costs from the seller's location
Exporter
The party selling goods for shipment to another country
First-In, First-Out (FIFO)
A inventory management method where the oldest stock is used or sold first
Free Alongside Ship
A trade term indicating that the seller delivers goods alongside a nominated vessel
Free Carrier
A trade term indicating that the seller delivers goods to a named carrier
Free on Board
A trade term indicating that the seller is responsible for goods until they are loaded on the vessel
Free Time
The period of time that a carrier gives its customers for demurrage and/or detention activities, free of charge
Free Trade Zone
An area where goods can be stored, handled, or processed without customs duties
Freight Forwarder
A company organizing and facilitating the shipment of goods on behalf of others
Freight Insurance
Insurance coverage for potential loss or damage to goods during transportation
Fuel Surcharge
Additional charge to compensate for fuel cost fluctuations in transportation
Full Container Load (FCL)
A single shipment or the cargo of one customer fills an entire shipping container
High Cube Container
A container with extra height to accommodate larger or taller cargo
HS Code
Harmonized System Code, a standardized numerical method for classifying traded products
Inbound Logistics
The movement and storage of goods from suppliers to a company's manufacturing or distribution facility
Incoterms
International Commercial Terms, specifying the responsibilities of buyers and sellers in international trade
Intermodal Transport
The use of multiple modes of transportation (e.g., truck, rail, ship) for a single shipment
Less than Container Load (LCL)
A shipping arrangement where multiple shipments from different customers are consolidated and shipped together in a single container
Letter of Credit
A financial document ensuring payment to the seller upon meeting specified conditions
Letter of Indemnity
A legal document protecting one party from financial loss or liability
Marine Cargo Insurance
Insurance coverage for goods transported by sea
Multimodal Transport
The use of multiple modes of transportation for a single shipment, often under a single contract
Non-Vessel Operating Common Carrier (NVOCC)
A company that arranges shipments without operating its own vessels
Notify Party
The party to be notified upon the arrival of the shipment
Ocean Freight
Transportation of goods by sea
Packing List
A document listing the contents of a shipment and how they are packed
Palletisation
The process of loading and securing goods on pallets for transportation
Reverse Logistics
The process of moving goods from their final destination back to the manufacturer or distribution center
Sea Waybill
A document serving as a receipt for goods shipped by sea, without title transfer
Shipper's Letter of Instruction (SLI)
A document instructing a freight forwarder on how to handle a shipment
TEU
Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit, a standard measurement for container capacity
Transloading
The transfer of goods from one mode of transportation to another
Unit Load Device (ULD)
A container or pallet used to load cargo onto an aircraft
Value Added Tax (VAT)
A consumption tax levied on the value added to goods and services at each stage of production and distribution