A
Abatement - A discount allowed for damage or overcharge in the payment of a bill.
Accessorial Charges - Charges that are applied to the base tariff rate or base contract rate, e.g., bunkers, container, currency, and destination/delivery.
Accessorial - A service that is not considered ‘standard’ will incur additional fees. Accessorial charges may include, but are not limited to: arrival notification, inside delivery, insurance, liftgate service, COD, hazardous materials, fuel surcharge
Acquiescence - When a bill of lading is accepted or signed by a shipper or shipper's agent without protest, the shipper is said to acquiesce to the terms, giving a silent form of consent.
Act of God - An act beyond human control, such as lightning, flood or earthquake
Advanced Charge - A charge advanced by one carrier to another to be collected by the later carrier from the consignor or consignee.
Advising Bank - A bank that receives a letter of credit from an issuing bank,
verifies its authenticity, and forwards the original letter of credit to the exporter
without obligation to pay.
Advisory Capacity - A term indicating that a shipper's agent or representative is
not empowered to make definite decisions or adjustment without the approval of
the group or individual represented.
Aggregate Shipment - Numerous shipments from different shippers to one consignee that are consolidated and treated as a single consignment.
Agreed valuation - The value of a shipment agreed upon in order to secure a specific freight rate.
Agreed Weight - The weight prescribed by agreement between carrier and shipper for goods shipped in certain packages or in a certain number.
Air Freight - Freight is usually charged at the same rate irrespective of the class of goods. This is charged in any one of three ways: weight, volume or value, with the usual method of quotation varying from airport to airport.
Airway Bill - This Bill replaced the previously known air consignment note, and it fulfils virtually the same function for Air Freight as does the Bill of Lading for Sea Freight (although it does not give title to the goods). It contains information about the consignment and, by law, is required to be made out by the consignor or his agent.
All-Risk Clause - Is an insurance provision that all loss or damage to goods is
insured except that of inherent vice (self caused). (See All Risk Insurance).
All Risk Insurance - Is a clause included in marine insurance policies to cover
loss and damage from external causes, such as fire, collision, pilferage, etc. but
not against innate flaws in the goods, such as decay, germination, nor against
faulty packaging, improper packing/ loading or loss of market, nor against war,
strikes, riots and civil commotions (See Marine Insurance)
Alternative Rates - Privilege to use the rate producing the lowest charge.
Ambient Temperature - The temperature of a surrounding body. The ambient temperature of a container is the atmospheric temperature to which it is exposed.
Any Quantity (A.Q.) - Usually refers to a rating that applies to an article regardless of size or quantity.
Apparent Good Order - When freight appears to be free of damage so far as a general survey can determine.
Arbitrary - A stated amount over a fixed rate to one point to make a rate to another point.
Arrival Notification - Carrier notifies and schedules a delivery date and time with the receiver
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B
B/L - Abbreviation for "Bill of Lading."
BAF - Bunker Adjustment Factor - charged by shipping companies to alleviate fluctuating Bunkering costs (Ship's fuel oil ).
Backhaul - To haul a shipment back over part of a route it has traveled.
Belly Cargo - Air freight carried in the belly of passenger aircraft.
Beneficiary - A firm or person on whom a letter of credit has been drawn. The
beneficiary is usually the seller or exporter.
Beyond - Used with reference to charges assessed for cargo movement past a line-haul terminating point.
Bill Of Exchange - See Draft
Bill of Lading - Multi-use documents that are essential to conduct the day-to-day operations when transportation of supplies, materials, and personal property is required. These primary documents are used to procure freight and express transportation and related services from commercial carriers, including freight forwarders.
What must be stated in a Bill of Lading?
- The name and address of:
- the carrier (the shipping company responsible for transport)
- the shipper (the consignor/sender, or his agent)
- the consignee (the buyer or his agent)
- Places of departure and destination
- Description of the goods
- Instructions for the payment of freight (collect or prepaid)
- Place and date issued
- Any other information relative to the shipment
Bill to Party - Customer designated as party paying for services.
Billed Weight - The weight shown in a waybill and freight bill, i.e, the invoiced weight.
Blanket Rate - A rate applicable to or from a group of points. A special rate applicable to several different articles in a single shipment.
Blind Shipment - A B/L wherein the paying customer has contracted with the carrier that shipper or consignee information is not given.
Block Stowage - Stowing cargo destined for a specific location close together to avoid unnecessary cargo movement.
Blocked Trains - Railcars grouped in a train by destination so that segments (blocks) can be uncoupled and routed to different destinations as the train moves through various junctions. Eliminates the need to break up a train and sort individual railcars at each junction.
Blocking or Bracing - Wood or metal supports (Dunnage) to keep shipments in place to prevent cargo shifting.
Bls. - Abbreviation for "Bales."
Board Feet - The basic unit of measurement for lumber. One board foot is equal to a one_inch board, 12 inches wide and one foot long. Thus, a board ten feet long, 12 inches wide, and one inch thick contains ten board feet.
Bobtail - Movement of a tractor, without trailer, over the highway.
Bogie - A set of wheels built specifically as rear wheels under the container.
Bolster - A device fitted on a chassis or railcar to hold and secure the container.
Bonded Freight - Freight moving under a bond to Customs or to the Internal Revenue Service, and to be delivered only under stated conditions.
Bonded Warehouse A warehouse authorized by Customs authorities for storage of goods on which payment of duties is deferred until the goods are removed.
Booking - Arrangements with a carrier for the acceptance and carriage of freight; i.e., a space reservation.
Booking Number - Reservation number used to secure equipment and act as a control number prior to completion of a B/L.
Bottleneck - A section of a highway or rail network that experiences operational problems such as congestion. Bottlenecks may result from factors such as reduced roadway width or steep freeway grades that can slow trucks.
Bottom Side Rails - Structural members on the longitudinal sides of the base of the container.
Bottom-Air Delivery - A type of air circulation in a temperature control container. Air is pulled by a fan from the top of the container, passed through the evaporator coil for cooling, and then forced through the space under the load and up through the cargo. This type of airflow provides even temperatures.
Boxcar - A closed rail freight car.
Break Bulk - To unload and distribute A portion or all of the contents of A rail car, container, or trailer.
Broker - A person who arranges for transportation of loads for a percentage of the revenue from the load. A person whose business it is to prepare shipping and customs documents for international shipments. Brokers often have offices at major freight gateways, including border crossings, seaports, and airports.
Brokerage - Freight forwarder/broker compensation as specified by ocean tariff or contract.
Bulk Cargo - Not in packages or containers; shipped loose in the hold of a ship without mark and count." Grain, coal and sulfur are usually bulk freight.
Bulk-Freight Container - A container with a discharge hatch in the front wall; allows bulk commodities to be carried.
Bulkhead - A partition separating one part of A ship, Freight car, aircraft or truck from Another part.
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C
C&F - See CFR
CAF - Currency Adjustment Factor - charged by shipping companies to alleviate exchange rate deficiencies.
Cabotage - This is When a cargo is carried on a domestic flight and is therefore not subject to international agreements that fix set cargo charges. Cabotage rates are negotiable between the shipper and airline and apply only to internal flights and flights to a country's overseas territories.
Car Pooling - Use of individual carrier/rail equipment through a central agency for the benefit of carriers and shippers.
Car Seal - Metal strip and lead fastener used for locking freight car or truck doors. Seals are numbered for record purposes.
Carrier - Any person or entity who, in a contract of carriage, undertakes to perform or to procure the performance of carriage by rail, road, sea, air, inland waterway or by a combination of such modes.
Cartage - Usually refers to intra-city hauling on drays or trucks.
Cash Against Documents (CAD) - Method of payment for goods in which documents transferring title are given the buyer upon payment of cash to an intermediary acting for the seller, usually a commission house.
Cash in Advance (CIA) - A method of payment for goods in which the buyer pays the seller in advance of the shipment of goods. Usually employed when the goods, such as specialized machinery, are built to order.
Cash With Order (CWO) - A method of payment for goods in which cash is paid at the time of order and the transaction becomes binding on both buyer and seller.
CBM (CM) - Abbreviation for "Cubic Meter."
Certificate of Analysis - Is a certificate required by some countries as proof of
the quality and composition of food products or pharmaceuticals. The required
analysis may be made by a private or government health agency. The certificate
must be legalized by a foreign consul of the country concerned, as is the case
with such similar certificates as the phytosanitary certificate.
Certificate of Inspection - A document certifying that the goods were in apparent
good condition immediately prior to shipment.
Certificate of Manufacture: A statement in which a producer specifies where his
goods were manufactured, certifies that manufacturing has been completed, and
confirms that the goods are at the buyer's disposal.
Certificate of Origin - A certified document showing the origin of goods; used in international commerce.
CFR - Cost and Freight - Seller is responsible for cost of goods, transport to vessel and ocean freight to named destination e.g. C&F Mauriitius.
CFS - Abbreviation for "Container Freight Station." A shipping dock where cargo is loaded ("stuffed") into or unloaded ("stripped") from containers. Generally, this involves less than containerload shipments, although small shipments destined to same consignee are often consolidated. Container reloading from/to rail or motor carrier equipment is a typical activity.
CFS CHARGE (Container Freight Charge) - The term CFS Charge means the
charge assessed for services performed at the loading or discharging port in
packing or unpacking of cargo into/from containers at CFS.
CFS Receiving Service - The term "CFS Receiving Services" means the service
performed at loading port in receiving and packing cargo into containers from
CFS to CY or shipside. "CFS Receiving Services" referred herein are restricted
to the following:
1. Moving empty containers from CY to CFS
2. Drayage of loaded containers from CFS to CY and/or ship's tackle
3. Tallying
4. Issuing dock receipt/shipping order
5. Physical movement of cargo into, out of and within CFS
6. Stuffing, sealing and marking containers
7. Storage
8. Ordinary sorting and stacking
9. Preparing carrier's internal container load plan
Chassis - A frame with wheels and container locking devices in order to secure the container for movement.
Chock - A piece of wood or other material placed at the side of cargo to prevent rolling or moving sideways.
CIF - Cost, Insurance and Freight ( named port ) - Seller is responsible for all costs as in C&F plus Marine Insurance of the cargo.
CIP - Carriage and Insurance Paid to - The goods have been delivered to the carrier.
CPT - Carriage Paid to - The goods have been delivered to the carrier.
CKD - Abbreviation for "Completely Knocked Down." Parts and subassemblies being transported to an assembly plant.
CL - Abbreviation for "Carload" and "Containerload".
Claim - A demand made upon a transportation line for payment on account of a loss sustained through its alleged negligence.
Class - Refers to the Classification rating or number that specifically identifies the approximate size, value and difficulty of transporting a particular type of product that can be shipped by a carrier.
Classification - A publication such as Uniform Freight Classification (railroad) or the National Motor Freight Classification (motor carrier), that assigns ratings to various articles and provides bill of lading descriptions and rules.
Classification Rating - Same as Class. The designation provided in a classification by which a class rate is determined.
Classification Yard - A railroad yard with many tracks used for assembling freight trains.
Claused Bill of Lading - Is a bill of lading which has exemptions to the receipt of
merchandise in "apparent good order" noted.
Clean Bill of Lading - A receipt for goods issued by a carrier with an indication that the goods were received in "apparent good order and condition," without damage or other irregularities. If no notation or exception is made, the B/L is assumed to be "clean."
Clearance - The size beyond which cars or loads cannot use Limits bridges, tunnels, etc.
Cleat - A strip of wood or metal used to afford additional strength, to prevent warping, or to hold in place.
Clip-On - Refrigeration equipment attachable to an insulated container that does not have its own refrigeration unit.
CM - Abbreviation for "Cubic Meter" (capital letters).
COD - Abbreviation for: Collect (cash) on Delivery. Carried on Docket (pricing).
Combination Rate - A rate made up of two or more factors, separately published.
Commercial Invoice - Represents a complete record of the transaction between exporter and importer with regard to the goods sold. Also reports the content of the shipment and serves as the basis for all other documents about the shipment.
Commodity - Article shipped. For dangerous and hazardous cargo, the correct commodity identification is critical.
Commodity Rate - A rate published to apply to a specific article or articles.
Common Carrier - A transportation company which provides service to the general public at published rates.
Concealed Damage - Damage that is not evident from viewing the unopened package.
Conference - An association of ship owners operating in the same trade route who operate under collective conditions and agree on tariff rates.
Confirmed Letter of Credit - A letter of credit, issued by a foreign bank, whose validity has been confirmed by a domestic bank. An exporter with a confirmed letter of credit is assured of payment even if the foreign buyer or the foreign bank defaults.
Confirming Bank - The bank that adds its confirmation to another bank's (the issuing bank's) letter of credit and promises to pay the beneficiary upon presentation of documents specified in the letter of credit.
Connecting Carrier - A carrier which has a direct physical connection with, or forms a link between two or more carriers.
Consignee - A person or company to whom commodities are shipped.
Consignee Mark - A symbol placed on packages for identification purposes; generally a triangle,square, circle, etc. with letters and/or numbers and port of discharge.
Consignment - (1) A stock of merchandise advanced to a dealer and located at his place of business, but with title remaining in the source of supply. (2) A shipment of goods to a consignee.
Consignor - A person or company shown on the bill of lading as the shipper.
Consolidated Shipment - An arrangement whereby various shippers pool their
boxed goods on the same shipment, sharing the total weight charge for the
shipment.
Consolidation - Cargo containing shipments of two or more shippers or suppliers. Containerload shipments may be consolidated for one or more consignees.
Consolidator - A person or firm performing a consolidation service for others. The consolidator takes advantage of lower full carload (FCL) rates, and savings are passed on to shippers.
Container - A truck trailer body that can be detached from the chassis for loading into a vessel, a rail car or stacked in a container depot. Containers may be ventilated, insulated, refrigerated, flat rack, vehicle rack, open top, bulk liquid or equipped with interior devices. A container may be 20 feet, 40 feet, 45 feet, 48 feet or 53 feet in length, 8'0" or 8'6" in width, and 8'6" or 9'6" in height.
Container Booking - Arrangements with a steamship line to transport containerized cargo.
Container Freight Station - See CFS.
Container Load - A load sufficient in size to fill a container either by cubic measurement or by weight.
Container Manifest - Document showing contents and loading sequence of a container.
Container Pool - An agreement between parties that allows the efficient use and supply of containers. A common supply of containers available to the shipper as required.
Container Terminal - An area designated for the stowage of cargoes in container; usually accessible by truck, railroad and marine transportation. Here containers are picked up, dropped off, maintained and housed.
Container Yard (CY) A materials handling/storage facility used for completely unitized loads in containers and/or empty containers. Commonly referred to as CY. The location designated by Carrier in
the port terminal area for receiving, assembling, holding, storing and delivering
containers, and where containers may be picked up by shippers or re-delivered
by consignees. No container yard (CY) shall be a shipper's, consignee's,
NVOCC's, or a forwarder's place of business, unless otherwise provided.
Containerizable - Cargo Cargo that will fit into a container and result in an economical shipment.
Containerization - Stowage of general or special cargoes in a container for transport in the various modes.
Contraband - Cargo that is prohibited.
Contract - A legally binding agreement between two or more persons/organizations to carry out reciprocal obligations or value.
Contract Carrier - Any person not a common carrier who, under special and individual contracts or agreements, transports passengers or property for compensation.
Controlled Atmosphere - Sophisticated, computer_controlled systems that manage the mixtures of gases within a container throughout an intermodal journey reducing decay.
Corner Posts - Vertical frame components fitted at the corners of the container, integral to the corner fittings and connecting the roof and floor structures. Containers are lifted and secured in a stack using the castings at the ends.
Correspondent Bank - A bank that, in its own country, handles the business of a foreign bank.
Cost, Insurance and Freight (CIF) - Cost of goods, marine insurance and all transportation (freight) charges are paid to the foreign point of delivery by the seller.
Countervailing Duty - An additional duty imposed to offset export grants, bounties or subsidies paid to foreign suppliers in certain countries by the government of that country for the purpose of promoting export.
Cross Member - Transverse members fitted to the bottom side rails of a container, which support the floor.
Cu. - An abbreviation for "Cubic." A unit of volume measurement.
Cube Out - When a container or vessel has reached its volumetric capacity before its permitted weight limit.
Cubic Foot - 1,728 cubic inches. A volume contained in a space measuring one foot high, one foot wide and one foot long.
Custom House - A government office where duties are paid, import documents filed, etc., on foreign shipments.
Custom House Broker - A person or firm, licensed by the treasury department of their country when required, engaged in entering and clearing goods through Customs for a client (importer).
Customs - Government agency charged with enforcing the rules passed to protect the country's import and export revenues.
Customs Bonded Warehouse - A warehouse authorized by Customs to receive duty-free merchandise.
Customs Entry - All countries require that the importer make a declaration on incoming foreign goods. The importer then normally pays a duty on the imported merchandise.
Customs Invoice - A form requiring all data in a commercial invoice along with a certificate of value and/or a certificate of origin. Required in a few countries (usually former British territories) and usually serves as a seller's commercial invoice.
Cut-Off Time - The latest time cargo may be delivered to a terminal for loading to a scheduled train or ship.
CY - Abbreviation for Container Yard.
CY/CFS (House to Pier) - The term CY/CFS means containers packed by
shipper of carrier's premises and delivered by shipper to Carrier's CY, all at
shipper's risk and expense and unpacked by Carrier at the destination port CFS.
CY/CY (House to House) - The term CY/CY means containers packed by
shipper off Carrier's premises and delivered by shipper to Carrier's CY and
accepted by consignee a t Carrier's CY and unpacked by consignee off Carrier's
premises, all at the risk and expense of cargo.
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