Global Trade Management | Glossary

A - B M - N	C - D O - P	E - F Q - R	G - H S - T	I - J U - V	K - L W - Z

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(a)(1)(A) LIST The list issued by the Customs Service of documents and records that importers and others must keep, retain, and, if the Customs Service demands, produce, or be subject to administrative penalties. ABANDONMENT 1) An official proceeding where a carrier seeks authorization to stop service of part or all of its route/line, or give up ownership/control of its cargo or vessel. 2) Shipper or consignee relinquishes damaged freight carrier or refuses to accept delivery. 3) The act of relinquishing title to damaged or lost property in order to claim a total loss. ABEAM Alongside. ABSOLUTE LIABILITY Condition in which carrier is responsible for all liability and isn't protected by normal exemptions found in bill of lading or common law liability. ABSOLUTE QUOTA A quantitative restraint placed on imports of a particular commodity, usually from a specific country. Once the limit is reached, no more of the product may be imported until the quota is re-opened. ACCELERATED TARIFF ELIMINATION The feature in a free trade agreement that allows for a gradual reduction of import duties to the point where they are eliminated. ACCEPTANCE 1) Acknowledged receipt by consignee of a shipment, terminating the common carrier contract. 2) A promise to pay, usually evidenced by inscribing across the face of the bill "accepted", followed by the date, place payable, and acceptor's signature. ACCESSION The process by which a country negotiates terms or determines obligations that must be fulfilled in order to become a participant in a trade agreement. ACCESSORIAL CHARGES Charges for supplementary services and privileges, provided in connection with line-haul transportation of goods. These charges are not included in the freight charge and usually take the form of a flat fee. Some examples: pickup/delivery, in-transit privileges, demurrage, switching, loading/unloading. ACCESSORIAL SERVICE A service rendered in addition to the physical transportation service; such as heating, storage, and packing. ACCOUNT NUMBER A number assigned to identify a shipper or consignee. ACT OF GOD Accidents arising from physical causes (lightning, earthquakes, hurricanes, etc.) and not from human cause or error. Out of the control of all parties. ADRIFT Floating at random under no power or steerage. AD VALOREM Latin term that means "according to the value." AD VALORUM DUTY RATE A rate of duty that is applied to imported goods, determined as a percentage of the merchandise value. ADVANCING CARGO Designating cargo to be shipped on an earlier sailing than the one for which it was booked. ADVANCE CHARGES 1) Charges billed at origin in advance of shipment. Usually, pre-carrier's portion for movement to the port where goods are loaded. 2) Freight charge on a shipment that is advanced by one transportation company to another, or to the shipper. Fees are then collected from the consignee. ADVICE OF SHIPMENT Notice to local or foreign buyer that a shipment has occurred. A copy of the invoice may be enclosed, as well as packing and routing details, and a copy of the bill of lading. ADVISING BANK The bank (the seller's or exporter's bank) which receives a letter of credit from the issuing bank (the buyer's bank) and forwards it to the recipient (the exporter/seller). ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON EXPORT POLICY An interagency dispute resolutions committee chaired by the Bureau of Export Administration at the Assistant Secretary level. AFLOAT Commodities underway in water transit; either aboard vessels, at sea, or in port, but not yet unloaded. AFT Towards the rear or stern of the vessel. AGENDA A list of items to be considered. AGENT A person authorized to transact business for another and/or and in the name of another. AGREEMENT OF SOUTH EAST ASIAN COUNTRIES A trading bloc of the following nations: Brunei, Laos, Indonesia, Malaysia, Cambodia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. AIR EXPRESS A service providing for the expedited handling of airfreight. AIR FREIGHT A service providing for the air transport of goods. AIR FREIGHT FORWARDER Individuals or organizations that serve as middlemen between shippers and carriers. They process paperwork, consolidate goods, and tender goods to air carriers for shipment. AIRMAIL A class of mail offered by postal service organizations that entails the use of air carriers, whenever such use will expedite delivery. AIRPORT MAIL FACILITY A U.S. Postal Service facility located on or adjacent to an airport. AMFs are primarily engaged in the dispatch, receipt, and transfer of mail directly with air carriers. AIR WAYBILL A non-negotiable instrument of air transport that serves as a receipt for the shipper and obligates the carrier to deliver the consignment to the airport of destination according to specified terms and conditions. ALADI Spanish acronym for Latin American Integration Association. A group of 12 nations (Bolivia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Chile, Colombia, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela, Cuba, Brazil, Argentina, Mexico) that strives to reduce tariffs and coordinate trade policies among members. ALCOHOL PERCENTAGE The percentage of alcohol contained alcoholic beverages, spirits or other commodities. ALL-COMMODITY RATE Usually a carload/truckload rate that applies to multiple shipments that move at one time, in one vehicle, from consignor to consignee. An all-commodity rate is established based on actual transportation cost rather than "value of service." ALL RISK An insurance policy that may expressly exclude certain types of damage; such as marring, scratching or bending. ALLOWANCE An amount paid or credited as a refund or reimbursement to a buyer due to any of a number of causes that result in an inability for the seller to meet the buyer's specifications. ALONGSIDE A phrase that refers to a location nearby a ship. Goods to be delivered "alongside" are to be placed on the dock or barge within reach of the transport ship's tackle so that they can be loaded aboard the ship. ALTERNATE ROUTING Routing that is less desirable than normal routing, but yields similar results. AMERICAN BUREAU OF SHIPPING Official vessel classification society of the United States. ANTI-BOYCOTT COMPLIANCE Antiboycott laws require U.S. firms to refuse to participate in foreign boycotts that the United States does not sanction. They prevent U.S. firms from becoming instruments that may be used by foreign governments to pursue policies that may be counter to those of the United States. ANTI-DUMPING DUTIES Additional duties imposed on imported merchandise when the imported merchandise is being sold in the United States at less than fair value and is causing material harm to a domestic industry. ANTI-TERRORISM Acts or practices enacted to deter or prevent terrorism. APPRAISER An authorized party who determines the value of goods. ARMS CONTROL AND DISARMAMENT AGENCY Formulates, advocates, implements and verifies effective arms control, nonproliferation, and disarmament policies, strategies, and agreements. Reviews certain dual use export license applications referred by Department of Commerce. ARBITRARY 1) Charge in addition to regular freight charge to compensate for unusual local conditions. 2) Fixed amount accepted by a carrier when dividing joint rates. ARRIVAL NOTICE A notice to the consignee of the arrival of freight. ASSIGN To transfer or endorse to another party. ASSIGNEE A person to whom a right of property is assigned or transferred. ASSIGNOR A person who assigns or transfers a right of property to another. ASSIST Value or items that an importer provides to its foreign supplier/manufacturer at a reduced rate or free of charge, directly or indirectly, that is used to produce the imported merchandise. The value of the merchandise must reflect this added value. ATTORN To agree to turn over or transfer money or goods to an individual or legal entity other than the party who was to originally intended to receive them. ATTORNEY-IN-FACT A person authorized to transact general business or to perform a designated task of a non-legal nature on behalf of another individual or legal entity. In many countries, this authority must be conferred by a written power of attorney. AUDIT Official examination of accounts. AUSTRALIA GROUP A group of 20 industrialized nations that cooperate to curb proliferation of chemical and biological weapons. AUTHORITY AUTHORIZED CARRIER Person or organization authorized by the Interstate Commerce Commission to conduct interstate commerce. AUTOMATED BROKER INTERFACE A computerized system that links customs brokers and others to the U.S. Custom's authority. AVOIRDUPOIS Often referred to as the Imperial System of Weights and Measurement (a) French for "having weight;" (b) A system of weight measurement based on the pound of 16 ounces and the ounce of 16 drams.
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BACK HAUL 1) Return transportation movement usually at less revenue than the original move. 2) Movement in the direction of lighter traffic flow when traffic generally is heavier in the opposite direction. 3) To move a shipment back over part of a route already traveled. BANK GUARANTEE A commitment from a band to, backed by his bank, that a carrier will not be held liable for any claims resulting from the release of cargo to said consignee when he is not in possession of original endorsed Bills of Lading and or other specified documents. BARE BOAT CHARTER A term used to define an arrangement whereby a party leases a vessel for a specified period of time, and pays crew costs and all other expenses pertaining to the working of the vessel during that time. BARRATRY An act committed by the master or mariners of a vessel, for some unlawful or fraudulent purpose, contrary to their duty to the owners, whereby the latter sustains injury. It may include negligence, gross negligence or fraud. BASING POINT Geographic point to which transportation rates are set so that rates to adjacent points can be constructed by adding to/deducting from the basing point rate. BEYOND CHARGES Charges for movement beyond discharge port to final destination by connecting carrier. BILL OF LADING The principal contract of carriage by which a carrier acknowledges description and receipt of freight from shipper. Terms, conditions, responsibilities, and liabilities vary with manner and place of use. Bills of lading may be negotiable or non-negotiable. BI-LATERAL AGREEMENT An agreement between two countries. BILL OF LADING ACT An Act of Congress relating to the preparation and negotiability of Bills of Lading. BILLED WEIGHT The weight of a shipment as shown on the freight bill, not necessarily the actual weight. BLUE LABEL Warning label affixed to radioactive cargo. BONA FIDE Latin for "In good faith"; without fraud or deceit. BONDED WAREHOUSE A warehouse owned by persons approved by the Treasury Department and under bond for the observance of the revenue laws; used for storing goods until duties are paid or goods are released. BOOKABLE ROUTE A multi-modal collection of carrier specific scheduled legs, connecting a departure origin to a target destination. BOOKING Initial contact between a carrier and a customer for the purpose of setting aside space for an intended trip or shipment. BOX 1) Slang term for a trailer or container for ocean carriers. 2) Slang term for a truck transmission. BOYCOTT A voluntary refusal to purchase or sell goods. BRANCH LINE Railroad line providing train service to one or more stations beyond a junction with the main line or another branch line. BREAKBULK 1) To unload, sort, and reload some or all contents of a vehicle in transit. 2) To reduce a large shipment of a single commodity to smaller shipments, and disperse the goods to various buyers. BREAKBULK SHIP A vessel designed to carry general cargo of any and all sizes and shapes. The holds are loaded by the "boom-and-sling" method, with gangs of longshoremen filling cargo nets (slings) manually on the dock and lifting nets aboard with booms, to be unloaded and stored. It normally takes 7 to 14 days to load or unload this type of vessel. By comparison, a containership unloads and loads within 24 hours. BROKER 1) Agent who arranges interstate movement of goods by other carriers. 2) Arranger of exempt loads for owner-operators and/or carriers. 3) One who arranges the buying/selling of goods for a commission. 4) Person who leases owned equipment to a carrier. BRUSSELS DEFINITION OF VALUE (BDV) The rules on Customs valuation according to the BDV are based on the notional concept of "value" which treats the dutiable value as the "normal price" at which the goods would be sold in an open market between an importer and an exporter operating independently. The "normal price" is the open market price at which the goods are freely available to any buyer subject to compliance with certain conditions. For example, if a sole agent receives a special discount, which is not granted to other importers, it has to be added to the price to arrive at the normal or open market price for Customs valuation purposes. BULK CARRIER Vessel that carries bulk commodities such as petroleum, grain, or ore, which are not packaged bundled, bottled, or otherwise packed. BULK CARRIER VESSEL Designed to carry liquid or dry commodities, such as petroleum or wheat, in bulk. BULK FREIGHT Dry or liquid freight not in packages or individual containers. BULKHEAD 1) Upright wall in a trailer, railcar, air carrier, or vessel that separates and stabilizes a load, or separates one compartment from another. 2) Cargo-restraining partition in a vehicle or vessel. BUNKER The space in which fuel for the vessel is stored. BUNKER ADJUSTMENT FACTOR An ancillary charge assessed by carriers on some ocean container freight shipments to account for fluctuation in fuel cost. BUNKERING (TO BUNKER) To replenish the fuel. BUNKER SURCHARGE Additional shipping charge incurred or charged due to fuel price increases. BUREAU OF EXPORT ADMINISTRATION The Department of Commerce agency responsible for administering and enforcing export controls on "dual-use" items. (USA) BUSHEL A measure of capacity (8 gallons) for produce. BUSINESS EXECUTIVES ENFORCEMENT TEAM Town-hall meetings, hosted by Export Enforcement personnel, which provides opportunities for government officials and business executives to discuss export control and enforcement issues and to develop cooperative relationships within the business community. (USA) BUYER'S RIGHT TO ROUTE When a seller does not pay freight charges, the purchaser has a right to designate the route for shipment, and the seller is responsible for following the buyer's instructions. Complete routing is permitted for rail shipments, but limited to the first carrier in motor shipments.
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CABOTAGE Refers to the required use of domestic carriers for shipments in U.S. coastal waters. CARETAKER A person accompanying a shipment that requires special attention while en route. An attendant. CARGO Merchandise taken onboard for conveyance. CARLOAD 1) Quantity of freight required to fill a railcar. 2) Specified quantity necessary to qualify a shipment for carload rate. CARNET International customs document allowing movement of commodities through a country, in bond, with no inspection required. CARRIER An individual or organization engaged in the business of transporting goods or passengers. CARRIER'S LIEN The carrier's right to hold the shipper's property as security until such time as a shipping debt is paid. CARTAGE 1) Charge for pickup and/or delivery of goods. 2) Act of moving goods, usually a short distance. CASE MARK Information shown on the outside of a shipping carton, including destination and contents. CASH BEFORE DELIVERY Seller assumes no risk and extends no credit because payment is received before shipment. CASH ON DELIVERY A term of sale whereby a buyer pays the carrier the price of goods (and possibly the delivery/freight charges) before they are released. The seller assumes risk of purchaser refusing to accept goods. CAT MOVE Conference Affairs and Tariffs: Pricing term that relates to thru moves to inland points. CELLULAR VESSEL Ship specially constructed for the stowage of containers in vertical stacks or cells. These stacks or cells are normally six to seven levels high when below decks, or three to four levels high when above decks. CERTIFICATE OF INSPECTION A document certifying that merchandise (such as perishable goods) was in good condition immediately prior to its shipment. CERTIFICATE OF INSURANCE A document stating that insurance is in effect. CERTIFICATE OF MANUFACTURE Certificate stating that goods have been manufactured by a certain manufacturer and/or in a certain country. CERTIFICATE OF ORIGIN A document required by certain foreign countries that certifies the country of origin of specified goods for tariff purposes. CERTIFICATE OF WEIGHT An authoritative statement of the weight of a shipment. CHARGEABLE WEIGHT The weight used to determine airfreight charges. The chargeable weight may be the dimensional weight, or for container shipments, the gross weight of the shipment less the tare weight of the container. CHASSIS The undercarriage of a trailer on which van containers are placed for road movement. CHEMICAL & BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS Weapons that contain biological or chemical properties. CLAIM 1) Demand on transportation company for payment due to loss/damage of freight during transit. 2) Demand on transportation company for refund on overcharge. 3) Demand by individual/company to recover certain amounts that may be covered under an insurance policy. CLAIM AGENT An overseas representative of the insurance company. CLAIMANT Person or company filing a claim. CLASS RATE Rate for commodities grouped according to similar shipping characteristics. Applies to groups of articles contained in the territorial rating column in classification schedules. CLASSIFICATION The process of assigning the correct definition and category of imported merchandise within the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States. Classification and valuation are the primary components to determining the amount of duty an importer owes on the merchandise. CLEAN BILL OF LADING A Bill of Lading signed by the carrier for merchandise received in apparent good condition (no damage or missing pieces of freight). CLEARANCE Customhouse certificate that states that all legal requirements having been met and a ship is free to leave port. CO-LOAD Two shipments from different terminals combined to ship as one load. CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS The codification of rules published in the Federal Register by the Executive departments and agencies of the U.S. Federal Government. COLLECT SHIPMENT A shipment whereby the delivering carrier collects freight charges from the consignee. COMBI-AIRCRAFT Aircraft specially designed to carry unitized cargo loads on the upper deck of the craft, toward or near the passenger area. COMBINATION RATE A rate determined by combining two or more rates published in different tariffs. COMBINATION THROUGH RATE A through rate determined by combining two or more rates published in different tariffs. COMBINATION VESSEL A vessel designed and built to accommodate alternative modes of cargo handling. COMMERCE CONTROL LIST A list of items under the export control jurisdiction of the Bureau of Export Administration. COMMERCIAL INVOICE Itemized list issued by seller/exporter in foreign trade showing quantity, quality, description of goods, price, terms of sale, marks/numbers, weight, full name/address of purchaser, date, and sometimes other pertinent information. COMMODITY An article of commerce or goods shipped. COMMODITY CODE Any one of several coding systems used to identify and/or group commodities. COMMODITY RATE A shipping rate, for a particular named commodity, usually to and from specific points. COMMODITY TARIFF A tariff containing only commodity rates. COMMON CARRIER A carrier engaged in the business of transporting persons or goods at published rates. COMMON TARIFF A tariff published by and for the account of two or more transportation lines as issuing carriers. COMMODITY JURISDICTION Request used to determine whether an item or service is subject to the export licensing authority of the Department of Commerce, Department of State, Office of Defense Trade Control, or other federal agency. (USA) COMPOSITE LEG A macro leg of transportation connecting three or more discrete stations. COMPOUND DUTY RATE A compound duty rate is an ad valorum rate plus a specific rate that is based on some unit of measure. COMPUTED VALUE A valuation method whereby a profit value (based on margin) is added to the costs of production to determine the price of a good. CONCEALED DAMAGE When goods in an apparently undamaged container are damaged. Claims are hard to settle because neither shipper nor carrier wants to accept responsibility. CONCURRENCE Document signed by a carrier and filed with the Interstate Commerce Commission that verifies that the carrier participates in rates published in a tariff by a given agent. (USA) CONFERENCE 1) Independent/autonomous organization within the American Trucking Associations that represents a certain class/type of motor carrier. 2) Association of ship owners that service the same trade route(s) and operate under collective conditions of carriage and tariff rates. CONFIRMED LETTER OF CREDIT A letter of credit, issued by a foreign bank, with validity confirmed by a U.S. bank. When confirmed, the U.S. bank undertakes responsibility for payment even if the foreign buyer or bank defaults. CONFERENCE RATE A rate arrived at by the conference of carriers applicable to transportation. CONNECTING CARRIER A carrier who has a direct connection with another carrier, under which people or freight are moved in joint-line service. CONSIGN Furnishing goods to an agent to sell on the consignor's behalf. CONSIGNEE Person who receives goods shipped from a consignor. CONSIGNMENT See shipment. CONSIGNOR The person or firm from whom the goods have been received for shipment, the seller, shipper, or exporter. CONSOLIDATED LOAD A number of small individual shipments, possibly by different shippers, combined into a single large load, to take advantage of economies of scale. CONSOLIDATION Combining less-than-carload or less-than-truckload shipments, to make carload/truckload movements. CONSUL Commercial representative of one country residing officially in another country, whose duties are to facilitate business and represent the merchants of his nation. CONSULAR FEES The fees charged by a consul for his official certifications or notorial legislations. CONSULAR INVOICE A document required by some foreign countries that describes a shipment of goods and shows information, such as the consignor, consignee, and value of the shipment. Certified by a consular official of the foreign country, it is used by the country's customs officials to verify the value, quantity, and nature of the shipment. CONTAINER A uniform, sealed, reusable metal "box" (generally 40 feet in length, able to hold approximately 40,000 pounds) in which goods are shipped by vessel or rail. CONTAINER CRANE (ONSHORE) A specially designed land-based crane on tracks for loading or unloading containers from vessels. CONTAINER EQUIVALENTS The internationally recognized standard conversions that serve as the basis for converting containers of various sizes into comparable units. CONTAINER FRIEGHT STATION A carrier facility where less-than-container load shipments are consolidated for shipment, unloaded for shipment, or unloaded for final delivery. The term CFS Shipment indicates less than a container load. CONTAINER LOAD The amount, which fills, or partially fills a container to cubic or weight capacity. CONTAINER SHIP A ship specially constructed to handle containerized cargo. CONTAINER YARD A carrier facility where full containers are stored. CONTAINERIZATION 1) Using box-like device to store, protect and handle a number of packages as a unit of transit. 2) Shipping system based on large cargo-carrying containers that can be interchanged between trucks, trains, and ships without rehandling contents. CONTINGENCY INSURANCE When a product is sold under terms that require the buyer to provide insurance coverage, the seller may elect to purchase "backup insurance" in case the coverage provided by the buyer is not sufficient to cover the value of the shipment. CONTINUOUS SEALS A term denoting that seals on a vehicle remained intact during the movement from origin to destination. CONTRABAND Illegal or prohibited goods. CONTRACT CARRIER Carrier engaged in interstate transportation of persons/property by motor vehicle on a for-hire basis, but under continuing contract with one or a limited number of customers. Must receive authorization permit from the Interstate Commerce Commission. COST AND FREIGHT Shipper pays the ocean freight and other costs (Accessorial, Inland Transportation, etc.) associated with the movement of the cargo to a particular point of the consignee's choosing. The consignee pays the Insurance. COST AND INSURANCE Shipper pays the for the insurance and shipping related costs other than ocean freight, associated with the movement of the cargo to a particular point of the consignee's choosing. The consignee pays the Ocean freight. COST, INSURANCE AND FREIGHT A valuation basis whereby a shipper pays the freight and insurance charges associated with the movement of cargo to a particular destination. COUNTERVAILING DUTIES Duties assessed by a country to remedy the unfair advantage that certain industries or manufacturer's gain when they are unfairly subsidized by their governments. COUNTRY CHART A chart that contains certain licensing requirements based on destination and reason for control. COUNTRY GROUPS For export control purposes, foreign countries are separated into five country groups designated by the symbols A,B,C,D, and E. (USA) COUNTRY OF EXPORT The country where goods are shipped from. COUNTRY OF MANUFACTURE The country where the product is actually made or grown. If more than one country is involved, the country of manufacture is normally the country where the last major transformation took place. COUNTRY OF ORIGIN The country that produced the imported merchandise (see "marking"). CREDIT RISK INSURANCE Insurance designed to cover risks of nonpayment for delivered goods. CUBE-OUT When the cubic capacity of a container is reached before the weight capacity. CUBE RATE A dimensional shipping rate based on the amount of trailer space that is used, instead of weight. Used for light bulky loads. CUBIC CAPACITY The carrying capacity of a vehicle expressed in cubic feet/meters. CURRENCY ADJUSTMENT FACTOR A charge used to equalize fluctuating rates of exchange. An ancillary charge on some ocean freight shipments, expressed as a percentage of a base rate, to compensate ocean carriers for fluctuations in the value of the U.S. dollar against foreign currencies. CURRENCY OF TRANSACTION The currency used to pay for goods. CUSTOMS Denoted by its capital "C", this terms refers to the U.S. Customs Service. CUSTOMS BROKER The importer's agent licensed by the Customs Service to enter and clear goods through Customs. CUSTOMS COOPERATION COUNCIL An international Customs organization in Brussels that oversees, and strives to harmonize, tariff and regulatory matters worldwide. CUSTOMS MODERNIZATION ACT (often referred to as "The Mod Act") Recently enacted federal legislation that imposes new and extensive compliance and record-keeping requirements on importers, shifts the responsibility for customs compliance from the Government to importers, and imposes a standard of reasonable care on importers. CUSTOMS TARIFF Schedule of charges assessed by the government on imports/exports. CUSTOMS UNION A union of countries where there are no duties on products traded among member nations and common external tariffs levied on imported products from non-member states.
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DAMAGE CLAIM Demand upon carrier for reimbursement due to physical injury to shipment or because shipment was not delivered within a reasonable time. DANGEROUS GOODS Articles or substances capable of posing significant risk to health, safety or property, and that ordinarily require special attention when transported. DECLARATION A formal representation by the importer or its agent to the Customs Service attesting to the correctness, description, valuation, classification, etc., of the imported merchandise. DECLARED VALUE Assumed value of shipment unless shipper declares higher value. DEAD WEIGHT TONNAGE A common measure of ship capacity based on the number of tons of cargo a vessel can carry. DEDUCTIVE VALUE A valuation method to determine the cost of goods sold whereby a profit value (based on a profit margin), and other miscellaneous charges, are deducted from the price of the goods. DEFENSE TECHNOLOGY SECURITY ADMINISTRATION The branch of the Department of Defense that reviews applications for the export of items that are subject to dual-use license controls. (USA) DEFERRED REBATE A tying device usually in a loyalty contract under which the rebate is not paid unless the shipper has met its cargo commitment to the conference or carrier for the time agreed (usually six months or one year) and for an additional waiting period beyond that time. DEFICIT WEIGHT The difference between the minimum weight and the actual weight of a shipment when actual is less than the minimum. DELIVERING CARRIER The carrier that delivers a shipment to the consignee. DELIVERY DUTY PAID The exporter is responsible for all shipping and clearance through U.S. Customs all the way from the factory to the importer's premises. Thus the seller incurs the risk of loss throughout the entire transaction. DEMAND EXPORT LICENSE Will permit addition or deletion of individual foreign nationals under a single comprehensive license. DEMURRAGE (IMPORT) A surcharge assessed by steamship lines and railroads for storage at their port or facility longer than the allotted "free time" (usually 48 hours allowed for loading/unloading). DENIED PERSONS LIST A list of specific persons or organizations that have been denied export privileges, in whole or in part. (USA) DENSITY OF COMMODITY The weight of a commodity in pounds per cubic foot. DESTINATION The place to which a shipment is to be delivered. DESTINATION CONTROL STATEMENT Any of various statements that the U.S. Government requires to be displayed on export shipments that specifies the destination(s) for which export of the shipment has been authorized. DETENTION Charges for the utilization of containers that exceed the the specified time limit afforded to a carrier or shipper. DIFFERENTIAL Amount added to/deducted from a base rate to establish a rate to/from some given point via some different route route. DISPATCHING The control and scheduling of pick-up and delivery of freight. DISPLACEMENT The cubic volume of a container. DIVERSION A change made in the destination, consignee or shipment route of a shipment in transit. DOCK A location at a port where cargo can be loaded and unloaded and other shipping functions can be performed. DOCK RECEIPT A receipt issued by an ocean carrier to acknowledge receipt of a shipment at the carrier's dock or warehouse facilities. DRAFT A written order for the payment of money, "Drawn On" or addressed to a party holding money in trust. DRAWBACK A program that helps domestic manufacturers compete in foreign markets and that allows importers to get a refund of all or part of the duties they paid on imported merchandise. DRAYAGE Transporting freight by truck primarily in local cartage. DUAL USE GOODS Products or commodities that can be manipulated or re-engineered to serve a military or nation-threatening purpose. DUMPING The import and sale of merchandise by a foreign country or supplier at less than fair value. DUNNAGE Material used in stowing cargo within a container to prevent movement. DUNNING Customer contact for payment of freight charges. DUTY A tax on imported merchandise.
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EDIFACT United Nations Rules for EDI Administration. ELECTRONIC DATA INTERCHANGE The exchange of data or information via an electronic medium. ENCRYPTION ITEMS Items used to encrypt messages. END USER 1) The ultimate user of a good or commodity. 2) A consignee that uses items "as is" (e.g., as capital equipment), or incorporates them as integral parts, components or materials in the production of other commodities. END USE STATEMENT An affidavit that a purchaser may be required to submit to acknowledge that goods will not be re-sold or used for purposes other than those for which they are intended. ENHANCED PROLIFERATION CONTROL INITIATIVE Foreign policy control requiring an Individual Validated License if the exporter knows or is informed that a commodity is destined to be used in a missile related activity. ELECTRONIC REQUEST FOR ITEM CLASSIFICATION A supplementary service to ELAIN to allow the electronic submission of commodity classification requests to the Bureau of Export Administration. EMPLOYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER A unique number given to employers by the Internal Revenue Service for tax purposes. EMBARGO Legislation passed by a government that prevents imports or exports from a certain country. ENTRY The process for getting imported merchandise released from the Customs Service. EUROPEAN UNION A Customs Union consisting of 15 countries: Austria, Finland, Greece, Italy, Spain, Portugal, France, United Kingdom, Ireland, Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg, Denmark, Sweden, and Germany. EUROPEAN FREE TRADE AREA A trading bloc comprised of Switzerland, Norway, Liechtenstein, and Iceland. EX Prefix meaning "out of" or "from", used with noun of location. Means all transportation charges and risks of loss/damage are chargeable to buyer when goods are delivered to carrier of "ex" location. EXCHANGE BILL OF LADING A Bill of Lading issued in exchange for another Bill of Lading. EXCISE TAX A tax imposed on the sale of certain goods such as: alcohol, tobacco, and minerals. EXEMPT CARRIER For-hire motor carrier exempt from federal, state or local regulations. EXPEDITING Moving shipments through regular channels at an accelerated rate. EXPIRATION NOTICE A notice in a tariff that the whole or some part of the tariff will expire at a stated time. EXPORTER The principal party in an export transaction that has the power and responsibility for determining the mode of transport, and controls the sending of goods to a recipient in an international destination. EXPORT CONTROLS Systems or methods enacted to prevent dual-use goods from being shipped to those countries or parties that may use them for acts of terrorism, war, or other destructive practices. EXPORT DECLARATION A Declaration Form for calculating export statistics and monitoring the movement of certain goods. EXPORT LETTER OF CREDIT A document issued by a bank stating its commitment to release a specified sum of funds for an export transaction, once certain conditions have been met. EXPORT LICENSE A government document that permits the "licensee" to engage in the export of designated goods to certain destinations. EXPORT ADMINISTRATION ACT The legislative order that grants the Department of Commerce the authority to issue regulations, and to administer and enforce export controls. EXPORT ADMINISTRATION REGULATIONS Regulations set forth by the Bureau of Export Administration. EXPORT ADMINISTRATION REVIEW BOARD The cabinet level interagency dispute resolution committee chaired by the Secretary of Commerce that reviews export license applications. EXPORT CONTROL AUTOMATED SUPPORT SYSTEM Information database management system designed to support the Bureau of Export Administration's export licensing process and enforcement activities. EXPORT CONTROL CLASSIFICATION NUMBER/EXPORT CONTROL NUMBER Typically an alphanumeric code to classify export commodities that have potential military or dual use application. EXPORTER COUNSELING DIVISION A division of the Export Administration's Office of Exporter Services. It is responsible for providing information to U.S. exporters on the Export Administration Regulations. EXPORT ENFORCEMENT A principal operating unit of the Bureau of Export Administration with responsibilities relating to the enforcement of export control on "dual-use" items. EXPORT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM An optional program developed by the Bureau of Export Administration to assist companies in complying with the export control provisions of the Export Administration Regulations. EXPORT SEMINAR STAFF A division of the Bureau of Export Administration that develops a full range of programs on exporting good and services. EXPORTERS IDENTIFICATION NUMBER A number that denotes a specific exporter. EX-WORKS A term of sale whereby the buyer takes possession and ownership of goods literally outside of the seller's premises.
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FALSE BILLING Describing freight on shipping documents so as to misrepresent the actual contents of the shipment. FAVORED NATION The status that is given to countries in which the United States has normal trade relations. FEDERAL REGISTER Government publication that prints rules/regulations of federal agencies daily. FEEDER In intermodal moves, a pickup/delivery vehicle or ship. FIRST IN, FIRST OUT Warehouse term meaning first items stored are the first used. FLAT RACK Open sided container usually designed with corner posts. FLUCTUATION RISK The risk inherent in international transactions due to due to currency fluctuations FOB DESTINATION A term of sale whereby freight cost is paid by seller to destination point. FOB FACTORY A term of sale whereby the price of goods includes the loading of goods aboard a carrier's vehicle at the seller's factory. FOB VESSEL A term of sale whereby the price of goods includes the transportation to, and loading of goods aboard a vessel. FORCE MAJEUR French for "Superior Power." Circumstances beyond ones control, excusing fulfillment of contract. Condition in contract that relieves either party from obligation where major unforeseen events prevent compliance with provisions of agreement. FOREIGN TRADE ZONE ACT Covers how and where zones are established, how they are administered, and what actions are permitted and forbidden in them. FOREIGN TRADE ZONE Importers may temporarily house imported merchandise in a free trade zone before it is processed through the Customs Service. The importer does not pay duties while the merchandise is in the foreign trade zone. FORTY FOOT EQUIVALENT UNIT Commonly describes a 40-foot container. FORWARD Towards the bow or front of the vessel. FORWARDER 1) Individual/company that accepts LTL shipments and consolidates them into truckload lots on for-hire basis. 2) Agent who helps expedite shipments by preparing necessary documents/making other arrangements for moving freight. FORWARDING AGENT Firm specializing in shipping goods abroad. Payments made for insurance and other expenses are charged to foreign buyer. FREE ALONGSIDE Selling term in international trade whereby the selling party quotes a price including delivery of goods alongside overseas vessel at port of export. FREE ALONGSIDE SHIP A selling term that indicates that the quoted price includes the cost of delivering the goods alongside a designated vessel. FREE IN AND OUT Cargo to be loaded and discharged free of charge to vessel. FREE IN OUT AND STOW Cargo to be loaded, discharged and stowed free of charge to vessel. FREE ON BOARD A term of sale whereby the price of goods includes the loading of goods aboard a carrier's vehicle. FREE TIME The period of time allowed for loading or unloading before charges for detention or demurrage of equipment become effective. FREE TRADE AREA A designated trade area where tariffs on imported goods are reduced or eliminated for certain countries. FREEZABLE FREIGHT Freight that will be damaged if it is subjected to freezing temperatures. FREIGHT BILL Carrier's invoice for payment of transportation services rendered. FREIGHT CHARGE The charge assessed for transportation of freight. FREIGHT CLAIM A demand made upon a carrier for payment of overcharge, loss, or damage sustained by shipper or consignee. FREIGHT CONFERENCE See "Conference". FREIGHT FORWARDER A person who arranges the shipping and export clearance of imported merchandise. FREIGHT MANIFEST A mirror of the vessel's cargo manifest that also shows freight charges. For internal accounting and customer service use only. FREIGHT OF ALL KINDS A uniform rate irrespective of commodity. FUEL ADJUSTMENT FACTOR An ancillary charge on some ocean freight shipments to account for fluctuations in fuel costs. Also referred to as BAF or bunker adjustment factor. FULL CONTAINER LOAD Shipment of a full container.
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GATEWAY Point at which freight is interchanged/interlined between carriers, or at which a carrier joins two operating authorities provision of through service. GENERAL AGREEMENT ON TARIFF AND TRADE A multi-lateral trade agreement enacted with the purpose of unifying trade and Customs procedures worldwide. GENERAL AVERAGE A loss that affects all cargo interests on board a vessel, including the vessel itself. A vessel owner declares a vessel under General Average when the common good of the shipping parties involved will benefit through sacrifice of the goods on board. GENERAL EXPORT LICENSE Any of various export licenses covering commodities for which validated export licenses are not required. No formal application or written authorization is needed to ship exports under a general export license. GENERALIZED SYSTEM OF PREFERENCES A widely known preferential trade agreement that provides free or reduced rates of duty to beneficiary developing countries in an effort to assist their economic growth. GENERAL LICENSE A license which grants permission to export non-strategic goods to specified countries, without having to obtain a validated license. GODOWN The name given to storehouses and warehouses in the Far East. GROSS WEIGHT The weight of a container plus cargo. GROUPAGE A service providing facilities for small consignments to be consolidated and transported in a container. GUARANTOR One who makes a guarantee. GUARANTY A contract to see performed what another has undertaken.
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HAGUE RULES (1921) Rules defining the risks to be assumed by sea carriers under a bill of lading. HARBOR MAINTENANCE FEES Charges assessed to users for use of a harbor, used generally for maintenance of the harbor. HARBORMASTER An officer who attends to the berthing and other tasks of ships in a harbor. HARBOR TAX A tax paid quarterly by exporters to U.S. Customs based on a percentage of their total value of exports. HARD MONEY Refers to currency that is accepted internationally and is freely convertible. HARMONIZED CODE An internationally accepted and uniform description system for classifying goods for customs, statistical, and other purposes. HARMONIZED TARIFF SCHEDULE OF THE UNITED STATES (HTSUS) The legal list issued by the U.S. Government used to determine the classification of imported merchandise. HARMONIZED TARIFF SCHEDULE/HARMONIZED SCHEDULE A comprehensive list of all products, classified according to their characteristics, and used to provide duty rate and statistical information. HARTER ACT Legislation protecting a ship's owner against claims for damage resulting from the behavior of the vessel's crew; provided the ship left port in a seaworthy condition, and was properly manned and equipped. HEDGING A strategy used by dealers in commodities, foreign exchange and securities, and by manufacturers and other producers to prevent loss due to price fluctuations. HIGH PERFORMANCE COMPUTER Computers with a Composite Theoretical Performance greater than 2000 Million Theoretical Operations Per Second. HOGSHEAD A large cask. HOLDER IN DUE COURSE An individual or legal entity (holder) who possesses a negotiable instrument, document of title, or similar document, and who took possession for value, in good faith, and without notice of any other individual's or legal entity's claim or defense against the instrument or document. HOLD FOR PICKUP Freight to be held at the carrier's destination location for the recipient to pick up. HOLD HARMLESS CONTRACT An agreement by which one party accepts responsibility for all damages and other liability that may arise from a transaction, relieving the other party of any such liability. The contract provides complete indemnity. HOLD WITHOUT ACTION A designation placed on an export license to review the exporter's application or shipment under consideration. HORIZONTAL EXPORT TRADING COMPANY An export trading company that exports a range of similar or identical products supplied by a number of manufacturers or other producers. HOUSE-TO-HOUSE Cargo stuffed by the shipper at his facility and unstuffed by the consignee at his facility. HOUSE-TO-PIER Cargo stuffed at shipper's facility and unstuffed at the carrier's facility. HUB A central location to which traffic from many cities is directed and from which traffic is led to other areas. HUB AND SPOKE ROUTING An aircraft routing service pattern that feeds traffic from many cities into a central hub. HUNDREDWEIGHT PRICING Special pricing for multiple piece shipments traveling to one destination that are rated on the total weight of the shipment (usually over 100 pounds) as opposed to rating on a per package basis.
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IATA CODE NUMBER A two digit alphanumeric code for air shipments to indicate the export carrier. IMPORT To receive goods or services from abroad. IMPORT CERTIFICATE A certificate required by certain countries in order to engage in specific import activities. IMPORT DUTY A certain tax, either ad valorem (based on value), specific (based on measure), or compound (based on value and measure) that is levied on imported items. IMPORT LICENSE A document required and issued by some national governments for the importation of goods into their country. IMPORTER OF RECORD The party in whose name the entry is made. IN BOND Shipment moving under Customs bond for clearance at a port other than the port of discharge. IN TRANSIT A term used to describe a shipment of goods which has temporarily stopped in the port of a country, other than the destination country, for purposes of re-fueling, to split loads, etc., but does not enter the commerce of another country. INDEPENDENT ACTION An action whereby an ocean shipping conference member carrier sets a tariff or rate that is different from the established conference tariff or rate. INDIVIDUAL VALIDATED LICENSE A license granted by the Department of Commerce that grants permission to an exporter to export a specific amount of goods to a certain recipient for up to a two year period. INLAND BILL OF LADING A bill of lading used in transporting goods overland to the exporter's international carrier. Although a through bill of lading can sometimes be used, it is usually necessary to prepare both an inland bill of lading and an ocean bill of lading for export shipments. INITIAL CARRIER The transportation line to which a shipment is tendered at origin by the shipper. INITIAL POINT The point at which a shipment originates. INTER-GOVERNMENTAL MARITIME CONSULTATIVE ORGANIZATION Body for definition of dangerous categories or hazardous cargo (IMCO Classes). INTERNAL CONTROL PROGRAM A program to ensure that exports and re-exports are not made contrary to the Export Administration Regulations. INTERNATIONAL AIR TRANSPORT ASSOCIATION A trade association that oversees participating air carriers, and promotes the interests of shippers, passengers, and other travel industry participants. INTERNATIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OF PARIS An organization based in Paris that promotes international business. INTERNATIONAL COMMERCIAL TERMS Terms of sale that define what costs will be borne by the buyer/seller, and when and where the transfer risk of loss and title to goods will take place. Some terms include the following: Ex Works; Free Carrier; Free Alongside Ship; Free On Board; Cost and Freight; Cost, Insurance and Freight; Carriage Paid; Carriage and Insurance Paid; Delivered At Frontier; Delivered Ex Ship; Delivered Ex Quay; Delivered Duty Unpaid; and Delivered Duty Paid. INTERNATIONAL EMERGENCY ECONOMIC POWERS ACT An act which authorizes the president to investigate, regulate compel or prohibit any economic transaction in order to protect national interests. (USA) INTERNATIONAL LONGSHOREMENS ASSOCIATION An association of longshoreman that works towards promoting the good of their society. INTERNATIONAL MARITIME DANGEROUS GOODS CODE A code adopted by the International Maritime Organization that classifies dangerous goods and hazardous cargo. INTEGRATED ROUTE A carrier branded multi-carrier bookable route. INTENT TO DENY A letter that informs an applicant of the decision by the Bureau of Export Administration's to deny a license application. INTERCHANGE Passing freight from one carrier to another between lines. INTERLINE FREIGHT Freight moving from origin to destination over two or more transportation lines. INTERMODAL SHIPMENT A shipment that may be transferred from one form of transport to another, as from a highway truck, to a railway freight car, to an ocean vessel. INTERMODAL TRANSPORTATION Using more than one mode of transportation to deliver shipment. INTERSTATE COMMERCE Exchanging of goods between buyers and sellers in two or more states. INTERSTATE COMMERCE ACT An Act of Congress regulating the practices, rates and rules of transportation lines engaged in handling interstate shipments within the U.S. INTERSTATE COMMERCE COMMISSION The Federal body charged with the duty of enforcing Acts of Congress affecting common carriers, including railroads, trucks, buses, inland water carriers and pipelines in interstate commerce within the U.S. INTERIOR POINTS INTERMODAL A term used by ocean carriers to describe door to door delivery service. Ocean carriers frequently quote rates on an IPI basis. INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS ORGANIZATION An international, non-governmental body with headquarters in Geneva. Through a system of committees, the ISO brings technical experts together from around the world to negotiate voluntary recommended technical specifications on a broad spectrum of items. INTRASTATE COMMERCE Business conducted within one state. INVOICE ARRIVAL NOTICE Notification that an invoice has arrived. INWARD CHARGES Charges incurred by a ship or cargo when entering a port. ISRAEL FREE TRADE AGREEMENT A preferential trade agreement between the United States and Israel. ISSUING CARRIER The carrier by which a tariff is published or Bill of Lading or other document is created. ITEMS Commodities, software, and technology.
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JUST-IN-TIME A method whereby goods used for production are delivered to manufacturers immediately before they are needed. This process avoids stockpiling and warehousing. JOURNAL OF COMMERCE A publication that advises the general public of news that affects domestic and international trade. (USA) JOINT RATE A rate agreed upon by two or more carriers, published in a single tariff, and applied between one point on one line, and another point on another line.
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KNOCKED-DOWN Not assembled or unassembled. KANBAN A Japanese word for "visible record." Manufacturing control system in which suppliers deliver needed parts to assembly line "just in time" for use. KEELAGE A duty charged that permits a ship to enter and anchor in a port or harbor. KNOWLEDGE Awareness that a circumstance exists or is substantially certain to occur, or an awareness of a high probability of its existence or future occurrence. Such awareness is inferred from evidence of the conscious disregard of facts known to a person and is also inferred from a person's willful avoidance of facts.
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LATIN AMERICAN INTEGRATION ASSOCIATION An organization that supports the integration and proliferation of preferential agreements between Latin American participants. LAID UP A moored or blocked vessel that is awaiting employment, repair or clearance. LANDBRIDGE Intermodal system of shipping international cargo across intervening continent, from one seacoast to another, by special through-trains. Overland movement of containers having both a preceding and subsequent movement by ship. LANDED COST Total expense of receiving goods at place of retail sale, including retail purchase price, transportation costs, duties, value added taxes, excise tax and other taxes. LANDING COST The initial charges for landing imported goods, such as those for receiving goods from dockside vessels or from barges to lighters. They may also cover wharfage or delivery from the dock to land conveyance or warehouse. LIGHTER ABOARD SHIP Use of specially designed barges (or lighters), in which cargo is loaded directly in the barge. The barge is then moved via river and canal networks to a port area to await arrival of an oceangoing, barge-carrying ship, then hoisted aboard the ship by cranes or elevators. LASHING Restraining Devices to secure cargo/containers on a vessel. LAST IN, FIRST OUT Accounting method of valuing inventory that assumes latest goods purchased are first goods used during accounting period. LAY TIME Time in which ship is loaded/unloaded and for which no demurrage is charged. LESS-THAN-CONTAINERLOAD A shipment that does not completely fill a container. LESS DEVELOPED COUNTRY An unindustrialized, undeveloped, or developing nation. LEG City-pair traveled non-stop, one point to another, by the same conveyance. LESSEE Party or company with legal possession/control of vehicle (with/without driver), or other equipment owned by another under terms of lease agreement. LESSOR Party or company granting legal use of vehicle (with/without driver), or other equipment to another party under terms of lease agreement. LESS-THAN-TRUCKLOAD Less than quantity of freight required applying truckload rate charged by motor carriers. LETTER OF ASSURANCE/LETTER OF ASSURANCE ENCRYPTION Special instructions and guidance to help exporters apply for an export license, classify commodities or submit notification for encryption products. LETTER OF CREDIT Method of paying for goods, where buyer establishes credit with local bank, clearly describing goods to be purchased. Upon receipt of documentation, bank either is paid by buyer or takes title to goods and transfers funds to seller. LICENSE Authority issued by a government or non-governmental agency that regulates some type of activity. LICENSE EXCEPTION An authorization that allows for the export or re-export, under stated conditions, that otherwise would require a license. LICENSING AGREEMENT A contract whereby the holder of a trademark, patent, or copyright transfers a limited right to another party to use a process, sell, or manufacture an article, or furnish specialized services covered by the trademark, patent or copyright to another firm. LIEN A type of legal claim upon goods for the satisfaction of some debt or duty. LIFT-ON/LIFT-OFF The acronym meaning "lift-on/lift-off." denoting the method by which cargo is loaded onto and discharged from an ocean vessel. Cargo loaded or unloaded by either ship or shore cranes. LIGHTER ABOARD SHIP A containerized concept where the containers are also barges for further water movement. LINE HAUL The transportation of freight between cities; as distinguished from local pickup and delivery operations. LINE-HAUL-COSTS Costs assigned to line haul service as distinguished from terminal costs. LINEHAUL OPERATION The direct movement of freight between two major ports by a single ship or carrier. LINER CARRIAGE Liner carriage is common carrier water service by a vessel operator, with an advertised schedule of a predetermined and fixed itinerary over a given route at relatively regular intervals. LINER CONFERENCE An agreement among carriers that regularly serve a particular trade route to establish freight rates and service levels. LINER DISCHARGE Payment by the ship owner for unloading of cargo, including stevedore wages. LINERS Vessels that maintain a service between named ports on a fixed schedule. LIQUIDATION The final review and assessment of duty on imported merchandise by the Customs Service. LLOYD'S OF LONDON An incorporated society of marine and non-marine underwriters in London. In addition to insurance, the corporation's subsidiary, Lloyd's of London Press, collects and disseminates shipping intelligence. LLOYD'S REGISTER OF SHIPPING Yearly document issued by Lloyd's. Contains tonnage, age, build, nationalities, mode of power, condition of registered ships, latest voyage number, reported position, etc.. LOCAL CARTAGE The pick-up and delivery of freight for line haul carriers, within a terminal area or commercial zone. LONG FORM BILL OF LADING Carriers Bill of Lading form containing all terms and conditions of the contract of carriage. LONGSHOREMAN Person employed at ship ports to load/unload vessels and provide other related maritime services. LONG TON Equivalent to 2,240 pounds or 20 long hundredweights. Also called a gross ton. LOSS AND DAMAGE CLAIM A claim filed as a result of loss/damage discovered when a package is delivered.
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MANIFEST A listing of all the shipments on a vessel. It is primarily used by customs to regulate and control inbound cargo. MANUFACTURING RESOURCE PLANNING A manufacturing planning system that affects materials management, inventory control, and production management. MAQUILADORA A program designed and promoted by the Mexican government that allows foreign manufacturers to ship components into Mexico duty-free for assembly and subsequent reexport. MARINE INSURANCE 1) Insurance that compensates the owner of goods transported overseas in the event of loss that cannot be legally recovered from the carrier. 2)Insurance against damage or loss of vessel. MARKING (country of origin) The physical stamp, wording, or marking on an article or merchandise that shows in what country the article or merchandise was produced. MATERIAL RELEASE ORDER An order that authorizes the release of materials. MAXIMUM PAYLOAD The amount of weight of cargo which a container is designed to carry. MAXIMUM RATE The highest rate that may be charged. METRIC TON 2,204.6 pounds. MEXICAN CERTIFICATE OF ORIGIN A document that certifies that goods originated from a specific country. MEXICAN COMMERCIAL INVOICE An invoice readily accepted by the Mexican Customs authorities that provides shipment details of quantities, weights, values, etc. MICROBRIDGE Provides for intermodal transport of freight from inland city to seaport with through movement transfer of container freight onto overseas ship. MINI-BRIDGE Overland movement of containers with a preceding or subsequent movement by ship. MINIMUM CHARGE The lowest charge for which a shipment will be handled. MINIMUM RATE The lowest rate that may be charged. MISSILE ANNEX REVIEW COMMITTEE An interagency group that develops U.S. proposals and reviews foreign proposals to change the Missile Technology Control Regime Annex. MISSILE TECHNOLOGY Technology applicable to the research, design or production of missiles. MISSILE TECHNOLOGY ADVISORY GROUP An advisory group that collects and disseminates information on missile technology. MISSILE TECHNOLOGY CONTROL REGIME A group of nations that have agreed to certain guidelines for restricting the export and re-export of dual use items that may contribute to the development of missiles. MISSILE TECHNOLOGY EXPORT CONTROL GROUP An interagency group chaired by the Department of State that primarily reviews applications involving controlled items that have missile technology applications. MOST FAVORED NATION A trade policy status that affords all members within the World Trade Organization, under the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, equal treatment as other member countries. MOTOR CARRIER ACT OF 1935 Act of Congress bringing motor common carriers and contract carriers under Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) jurisdiction. (USA) MOTOR CARRIER ACT OF 1980 Act of Congress that deregulated for-hire trucking industry. (USA) MULTILATERAL AGREEMENT An international pact or agreement involving three or more parties. MULTIMODAL Using more than one transportation mode to move load of goods.
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NAFTA CERTIFICATE OF ORIGIN A document that certifies that goods have originated in a specific country. NATIONAL CUSTOMS BROKERS & FORWARDERS ASSOCIATION An association that gathers and disseminates information to its member customs brokers and freight forwarders. (USA) NATIONAL SECURITY Any and all actions taken to protect the interests of a nation. NATIONAL SECURITY DIRECTIVES Mandates to work towards the protection of interests of a nation. NESTED NET WEIGHT 1) Weight of article without packing and container. 2) Weight of entire contents of vehicle. 3) Weight of cargo before containerization. NO., NOS. Number, Numbers NO LICENSE REQUIRED A general statement that a specific import or export item does not require a license. NON-NEGOTIABLE Not transferable from one person to another, and therefore, a document that has no value to another. NON-VESSEL OPERATING COMMON CARRIER Cargo consolidator of small shipments in ocean trade, generally soliciting business and arranging or performing containerization functions at the port. NORTH AMERICAN FREE TRADE AGREEMENT The North American Free Trade Agreement agreed to by the U.S.A., Canada, and Mexico. NAFTA eliminates certain tariffs, promotes market access, and facilitates customs administration. NOT ELSEWHERE SPECIFIED A shipping term that indicates that the rate stated in a tariff applies to all commodities within a given commodity group, except those appearing under their own rate. NOTICE OF ARRIVAL A notice sent promptly to a consignee that advises that certain freight has arrived at destination port or airport. NOT OTHERWISE INDICATED BY NAME A term used to describe an item or commodity that is unclassified. NOT OTHERWISE SPECIFIED Tariff term used for unclassified commodity indicating that the rate stated in the tariff applies unless it is specified otherwise. NUCLEAR ACTIVITIES Any activity involved in the proliferation of nuclear devices. NUCLEAR NON-PROLIFERATION A term used to describe the reduction or elimination of efforts towards nuclear armament. NUCLEAR PROLIFERATION Actions that contribute to the advancement of widespread nuclear armaments. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION Regulates the transfer of nuclear facilities, materials and parts with unique nuclear applications. NUCLEAR SUPPLIES GROUP A group of nations that have agreed to guidelines for restricting the export or re-export of items with nuclear applications.
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OCEAN BILL OF LADING See Bill of Lading. OFF-ROUTE POINTS Points located off regular route highways of line-haul carriers, generally served only on irregular schedules. OFFICE OF ANTI-BOYCOTT COMPLIANCE Responsible for implementing the anti-boycott provisions of Export Administration Regulations. This office performs three main functions: 1) enforcing regulations; 2) assisting the public in anti- boycott compliance; and 3) compiling and analyzing information regarding international boycotts. (USA) OFFICE OF NONPROLIFERATION CONTROLS AND TREATY COMPLIANCE The office in Export Administration responsible for administering the Department's multilateral export control responsibilities under the Nuclear Suppliers Group, the Missile Technology Control Regime and the "Australia Group." OFFICE OF NUCLEAR & MISSILE OFFICE OF DEFENSE TRADE CONTROL The office at the Department of State that administers licenses, defense services, and defense (munitions) articles. (USA) OFFICE OF ENFORCEMENT ANALYSIS The central point for the collection, research analysis of classified and unclassified data bases relative to end-users of export control concern. (USA) OFFICE OF EXPORT ENFORCEMENT Responsible for investigating violations to the Export Administration Regulations and violations of the Fastener Quality Act; apprehending violators; and working with BXA's Office of Chief Counsel, U.S. Attorneys, and other officials in the prosecution of violators. (USA) OFFICE OF EXPORTER SERVICES The office in Export Administration responsible for counseling exporters, conducting export control seminars, and drafting and publishing changes to the Export Administration Regulations. (USA) OFFICE OF FOREIGN ASSETS CONTROL Part of the Department of the Treasury responsible for blocking assets of foreign countries subject to economic sanctions, controlling participation by U.S. persons, including foreign subsidiaries, in transactions with specific countries or nationals of such countries, and administering embargoes on certain countries or areas of countries. (USA) OFFICE OF STRATEGIC INDUSTRIES & ECONOMIC SECURITY The office in Export Administration responsible for implementing programs to ensure that U.S. Defense industries can meet national security requirements, for facilitating diversification of U.S. Defense related industries into civilian markets, and for promoting the conversion of military enterprises in Newly Independent States to civilian application. (USA) OFFICE OF STRATEGIC TRADE & FOREIGN POLICY CONTROLS The office in Export Administration responsible for implementing the multilateral export controls under the Wassenaar Arrangement; an agreement that deals with conventional arms and related dual-use items. (USA) OFFICE OF TECHNOLOGY CONTROLS An agency responsible for all export control policy issues relating to the Nuclear Suppliers Group and the Missile Technology Control Regime. (USA) OPEN INSURANCE POLICY A marine insurance policy that applies to all shipments made by an exporter over a period of time rather than to one shipment only. OPERATING AUTHORITY Route points, and types of traffic that may be served by a carrier. Authority is granted by federal, state or local regulatory agencies. OPERATING COMMITTEE The interagency working group, chaired by the Bureau of Export Administration, which reviews license applications that are in dispute among reviewing agencies and that have gone beyond established licensing time frames. (USA) OPERATING RATIO Comparison of carrier's operating expenses with gross receipts: income divided by expenses. ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURER Firms, which either make minor modifications or add value to purchased items before resale, or incorporate purchased items into a new end product. These firms are normally classified as resellers. OVER, SHORT AND DAMAGED Report issued at warehouse when goods are missing, counted improperly or damaged. Used to file a claim with a carrier. OVERAGE Freight in excess over quantity believed to have been shipped, or more than quantity shown on shipping document. OVERCHARGE To charge more than the proper amount as published in the tariff. OWNER'S RISK When the owner of goods remains responsible during shipping and relieves the carrier of partial risk. OWNER-OPERATORS Drivers who own or operate their own trucks.
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PACKAGE CARGO Cargo in boxes, barrels, crates, bales, or other containers as opposed to bulk or loose cargo. PACKING LIST A detailed specification of the goods packed. List showing merchandise packed and all particulars. Normally prepared by shipper but not required by carriers. Copy is sent to consignee to help verify shipment received. PALLET A portable platform for holding material while in storage or transport. PALLETIZATION System for shipping goods on lightweight, double-decked wooden platforms called pallets. Permits shipment of multiple units as one large unit. PARTICIPATING CARRIER (TARIFF) A carrier that is a party to a tariff that is issued by another carrier or by a tariff-publishing agent. PAYLOAD Profitable cargo. PER DIEM Latin for "by the day". PERILS OF THE SEA A marine insurance term used to designate heavy weather, stranding, lightning, collision, and seawater damage. PERISHABLE FREIGHT Freight subject to deterioration or decay in a relatively short time. Commodities subject to rapid deterioration or decay, which require special protective services such as refrigeration or heating. PERMIT Authority given to engage in certain acts. PHYTOSANITARY INSPECTION CERTIFICATE A certificate issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, to satisfy import regulations for foreign countries, indicating that a U.S. shipment has been inspected and is free from harmful pests and plant diseases. (USA) PIER A location at a port where cargo can be loaded and unloaded and other shipping functions can be performed. PIGGY BACK Intermodal transportation system whereby trailers/containers are carried on railcars. PIER-TO-HOUSE Cargo stuffed by carrier at his facility and unstuffed by the consignee at his facility. PIER-TO-PIER Cargo stuffed at origin and unstuffed at destination by carrier at his facility. POINT OF ORIGIN The point where freight is received for transportation and the carrier takes responsibility for the cargo. POOL A quantity of equipment from which equipment is drawn as required. POOLING AGREEMENT Dividing of revenue/business among two or more carriers in accordance with previous contracts/agreements. PORT AUTHORITY The entity whose duty is to construct, manage, maintain, and improve a port. States, municipalities, statutory trusts, or private or corporate entities may administer ports. Also known as harbor authority, harbor board, port trust, or port commission. PORT CHARGES Fees assessed against a vessel, cargo, and passengers while in port, including harbor dues, tariff charges, wharfage, towage, etc. PORT OF ENTRY Where goods are entered and where the Customs Service accepts entries of merchandise and collects duties. PORT SIDE The left side of a vessel as one looks towards the bow. PORTSIDE POWER OF ATTORNEY A document which empowers one party to act on behalf of another. POWER OF ATTORNEY (or Limited Power of Attorney) A legal document that importers give to their customs broker that allows the customs broker to conduct business with the Customs Service on the importer's behalf. POWER PACK An independent power unit used to control temperature in containers. PREFERENTIAL DUTY STATUS Special trade status given to foreign countries by agreement for assistance or reciprocity. PREPAID A notation on a bill of lading that indicates that transportation charges have been paid or are to be paid at origin. PREPAY Pay before or in advance of services. PRESIDENT'S EXPORT COUNCIL SUBCOMMITTEE ON EXPORT Senior level advisory committee whose members are appointed by the Secretary of Commerce to advise the U.S. Government on matters and issues pertinent to implementation of the provisions of the Export Administration Act and the Export Administration Regulations, as amended, and related statutes and regulations. (USA) PRESIDENT'S EXPORT COUNCIL SUBCOMMITTEE ON ENCRYPTION Senior level advisory committee whose members are appointed by the Secretary of Commerce to advise the U.S. Government on matters pertinent to United States policies regarding commercial encryption products. (USA) PRIOR DISCLOSURE Sometimes an importer will find it has violated a customs law before the Customs Service has discovered the violation. A prior disclosure is a voluntary report by an importer of the violation to the Customs Service. The law provides some benefits (but does not speak of the risks) to an importer who does a prior disclosure. PRO FORMA An informal document presented in advance. PRO FORMA INVOICE An invoice provided by a supplier prior to the shipment of merchandise, informing the buyer of the kinds and quantities of goods to be sent, their value, and important specifications (weight, size, etc.). PRO NUMBER Any progressive or serial number applied to identify freight bills, bills of lading, etc. PROF See Proforma Invoice. PROOF OF DELIVERY Copy of waybill signed by consignee at time of delivery as receipt. The consignee's written certification that the cargo has been delivered. PROPORTIONAL RATE Lower than normal rate on segment of through movement to encourage traffic or capture competitive traffic. May be percentage of standard rate of flat rate that is lower between given points. PRORATE To divide or distribute proportionally. PROTEST The means to challenge through administrative or agency channels decisions by the Customs Service . PURCHASE ORDER 1) A document used to requisition goods. 2) A form a buyer may use when placing an order for merchandise PUBLIC WAREHOUSE Storage place renting space to anyone desiring it. PUBLISHING AGENT A person authorized by carriers to publish tariffs or rates, rules and regulations on their behalf.
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QUAY Man-made docking area for loading/unloading vessels. Docking is parallel, allowing loading/unloading from one side of ship. QUOTA A limitation on the quantity of goods that may be imported during a specific period of time. Quotas can include limitations on all countries, or can target specific countries. QUOTATION An offer to sell goods at a stated price and under specified conditions.
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RATE Established shipping charge for movement of goods. RATE BASIS Formula of specific factors/elements that control making of rate. RATE WAR When carriers cut rates in an effort to capture more sales. Can occur in all commodities. REBATE The practice of giving a portion of a payment back to a buyer after a seller makes a sale. RECEIVING PAPERS Documents submitted with the delivery of cargo. It gives details of the shipment so that outbound documentation matches the bill of lading. It also acts as a receipt for the carrier to show that goods have been delivered. RECIPROCITY An exchange of rights, benefits, commitments, or obligations. RECONCILIATION The process of determining if proper accounting has taken place, and making efforts to resolve any discrepancies. RECONSIGNMENT Any change, including a change in the route, made in a consignment before the arrival of the goods at their billed destination. RED LABEL FREIGHT Dangerous, flammable freight. REEFER A container, with a self-contained refrigeration unit, used for the transport or perishable cargo. Abbreviation for refrigerated container. Slang term for refrigerated trailer that hauls perishables. REFRIGERATED CONTAINER A container that is insulated and equipped with temperature control equipment. REFUSED FREIGHT Freight which the consignee or owner refuses to accept. REGIONAL STABILITY A term used to describe lack of severe political and economical threat in a given region; and therefore a relatively safe environment in which one can conduct business. REGIONAL VALUE CONTENT A determination of the value of goods for Customs purposes, based on where the goods where acquired, produced, or transformed. RESELLER A consignee that receives items for the purpose of resale to other parties. This includes reselling items in the form received, making modifications or adding value (e.g., software or peripheral devices) before reselling or re-exporting items. RESTRICTED ARTICLES Commodities that can be handled or shipped only under certain specific conditions. RETURN WITHOUT ACTION Return of an export application to the applicant because of ineligibility or incompleteness. REVENUE TO FOLLOW A statement on a freight manifest for shipment billed without revenue stated, in order to move it, and billed again with charges upon receipt of the Bill of Lading. REVISION Changes made, as a result of an audit, to state correct information, rates, and charges. RIDER An attachment to a document to supplement information, and one that becomes part of the original document. ROLL-ON/ROLL-OFF 1) A system of handling cargo in trailers and ships in which the trailers are driven on and off the vessel. loading/discharging ports. 2) A term applied to ships that are outfitted so that vehicles or heavy machinery can be driven on or off without the use of special cranes. ROLLINGSTOCK Freight/passenger cars owned by rail carriers, and buses, trucks and trailers owned by motor carriers. ROUTE 1) Course/direction that shipment moves. 2) To designate course/direction shipment shall move. 3) Carrier(s) with junction points over which shipment moves. A multi-modal collection of one or more serial scheduled legs connecting a depart origin to a target destination. ROUTING 1) Process of determining how shipment will move between origin and destination. Routing information includes designation of carrier(s) involved, actual route of carrier, and estimated time enroute. 2) Right of shipper to determine carriers, routes and points for transfer on TL and CL shipments. RULES OF ORIGIN Rules that guide the determination of country of origin for duty calculations, necessary permits, quotas, etc. RULING A decision rendered by the Customs Service on an issue or issues surrounding a particular importation of merchandise. Rulings are published and can usually be appealed to a higher administrative body or to a court of law. RULINGS ON IMPORT An exporter, importer, or other interested party may get advance information on any matter affecting the dutiable status of merchandise by writing the District Director of Customs where merchandise will be entered, or to the Regional Commissioner of Customs. (USA)
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SALVAGE LOSS In marine insurance, loss sustained by necessary sale of goods at port prior to expected destination because of "perils of the sea." Treated as total loss with amount realized from sale of goods credited on amount payable under policy. SCHEDULE B Statistical Classification of domestic and foreign commodities exported from the U.S. All commodities exported from the U.S. must be assigned a ten-digit Schedule B number. SCHEDULE C Four-digit codes assigned by U.S. Customs to foreign countries. SCHEDULE D Four-digit codes assigned by the U.S. Government for ocean ports, airports, and land crossings. (USA) SCHEDULE K Five-digit codes for foreign ports (international). SEABRIDGE Combination of vessels linking the Atlantic and Pacific ports. SEAL 1) Device applied to freight car/motor vehicle door fastening. 2) Item that shows that a certain mechanism has not been tampered with between time of application and time of intended use. SEMI Slang term for semi trailer. Also used loosely in referring to tractor-trailer combination. SERVICE CONTRACT A contract between a shipper and an ocean carrier or conference, in which the shipper makes a commitment to provide a minimum quantity or cargo over a fixed time period, and the ocean carrier or conference commits to a rate or rate schedule as well as a defined service level, such as space, transit time, port rotation or other features. SERVICE ROUTE A scheduled integrated route. SET UP Prepare for shipment. SHARED FOREIGN SALES CORPORATION A foreign sales corporation with between one and twenty-five member exporters. SHIP'S MANIFEST An instrument in writing, signed by the captain of a ship, which lists the individual shipments constituting the ship's cargo. SHIPMENT 1) Lot of freight tendered to carrier by one consignee at one place at one time for delivery to one consignee at one place on one bill of lading. 2) Goods/ merchandise in one or more containers, pieces, or parcels for transportation from one shipper to a single destination. 3) Contracted movement of cargo from a shipper at one location to a consignee at another via a common carrier. SHIPPER'S CERTIFICATE Form filled out and presented by shipper to outbound carrier at transit point, together with instructions and inbound carrier's freight bill, asking for reshipping privilege and transit rate commodity previously brought into transit point. SHIPPER'S EXPORT DECLARATION Form required by the Treasury Department and completed by shipper showing value, weight, consignee, destination, etc., of export shipments, as well as Schedule B identification. (USA) SHIPPER'S LETTER OF INSTRUCTION Shipper's communication to their freight forwarder or carrier that includes all detail of the shipment. This communication is used by the forwarder or carrier to complete the bill of lading and other shipping documents. SHIPPER'S LOAD AND COUNT A statement that the contents of a container were loaded and counted by a shipper, and were not counted or verified by the carrier. SHIPPER'S LOAD, COUNT, AND STOW Statement on the Bill of Lading that makes the shipper responsible for proper description of the contents. SHIPPER'S ROUTING Shipper specification of which carrier or carriers are to be used on the traffic tendered for transportation. SHIPPING ORDER Formal written instructions of the shipper to the carrier ordering transportation of goods. SHORT FORM BILL OF LADING Bill of Lading which refers to the contract terms and conditions of the carrier's regular long form bill. SHORT SHIPMENT Piece of freight missing from shipment as stipulated by documents on hand. SHORTSHIPPED Shipment originally scheduled for a particular vessel/voyage, but left behind for some reason. SHORT SUPPLY Limited amount of a specific good or commodity. SHORT TON 2,000 pounds. SHUTOUT Cargo short shipped by intent due to lack of space/overbooking. SOCIETY INTERNATIONAL de TELECOMMUNICATIONS AERONAUTIQUE The Aviation Industry's leading telecommunications network. SOUTH AFRICA DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY A community of nations that has placed binding obligations on member countries with the aim of promoting economic integration towards a fully developed common market. Members include Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. SPECIAL COMPREHENSIVE LICENSE An individual export license established for pre-approved commodities, software, and/or technical data to pre-approved consignees and/or destinations. SPECIAL PURPOSE CONTAINERS Any container equipped to carry a specific kind of freight. These may include refrigerated units, platforms, gondolas, open tops, automobile racks and other types of containers. SPECIALLY DESIGNATED NATIONAL Any individual, organization, or company that has been sanctioned by the Secretary of the Treasury and the Office of Foreign Assets Control. (USA) SPECIALLY DESIGNATED TERRORIST Any person who is determined by the Secretary of the Treasury to be a specially designated terrorist under notices or regulations issued by the Office of Foreign Assets Control. (USA) SPLIT LOAD 1) A load with more than one terminal destination. 2) The act of breaking down a shipment of one commodity into multiple lots. SPLIT SHIPMENT Multiple container load shipment booked for one vessel but split and sent on two or more vessels. STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION The classification standard underlying all economic statistics. STANDARD INTERNATIONAL TRADE CLASSIFICATION Numerical code developed by the United Nations and adopted by certain air carriers as a basis for numerical identification of commodities moving in airfreight. STARBOARD SIDE The Right hand side of a vessel looking towards the bow. STATUTORY NOTICE Length of time required by law for carriers to give notice to changes in tariffs, rate rules, and regulations. STEAMSHIP CONFERENCE A group of steamship operators that collectively sets rate and service levels in a specific geographic trade area or route. STERN The rear or after end of a vessel. STEVEDORE Person in charge of loading/unloading ships. STOWAGE The loading of a vessel by handling and placing goods within the container so as to ensure stability of the container, maximum use of space, safety of cargo, and efficient loading and unloading. STOWAGE PLAN Ground cross section of every hold on a vessel showing the containers in each slot. It is prepared at each port where cargo is loaded/unloaded and forwarded to the next port of call. STRAIGHT BILL OF LADING A Non-negotiable document that provides that a shipment is to be delivered direct to the party whose name is shown as the consignee. Carrier does not require its surrender upon delivery, except when needed to identify a consignee. STRIPPING Emptying truck of cargo, and arranging shipments by destination. STRUCTURED QUERY LANGUAGE A computer programming language. STUFFING Loading freight into a container. Slang term. STUFFING SHEET See Container Detail Report. SUB-GROUP ON NUCLEAR EXPORT COORDINATION An interagency committee chaired by the Department of State, which primarily reviews applications involving items controlled for nuclear nonproliferation. SUBROGATION The right of the insurer, upon payment of a loss, to the benefit of any rights against third parties that may be held by the assured himself. SURCHARGE A charge over and above the normal charge. SURETY BOND A surety bond must be posted with the Customs Service to cover potential penalties, duties, or taxes before imported merchandise can be entered into the United States. SYSTEM FOR TRACKING EXPORT LICENSE APPLICATIONS An automated voice response system that provides applicants with the status of their license application. SYSTEMS INTEGRATOR A firm which purchases various components and accessories and integrates them into a unique system for resale. Virtually always classified as a reseller.
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TANKTAINER Tank built into standard container frame and used to transport liquids. TARE Amount of gross weight on freight shipment that can be deducted for packaging weight. Usual allowance is four pounds per 104 pounds. TARE WEIGHT The weight of a container and packing materials without the weight of the goods it contains. TARIFF (or Tariff Schedule) A schedule of taxes or duties on imported goods. TARIFF RATE QUOTA A quota placed on specific goods that increases the duties that must be paid on these goods once a certain amount has been imported. TECHNICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE A committee comprised of members of the business community that advise the Department of Commerce and other agencies on technical issues related to export control regulations and policy. (USA) TEMPORARY DENIAL ORDER Also formerly the acronym for the "Table of Denial Orders," now known as the Denied Persons List. TEMPORARY IMPORTATION UNDER BOND The process by which a company that desires to import goods for a limited amount of time, often for sales purposes or trade shows, and re-export them without paying duties, posts a bond with a host government to ensure compliance with a specified time allowance. TENDER Offer of goods for transportation by shipper, or offer of delivery by carrier. TERMINAL A location or building for the handling and/or temporary storage of freight as it is loaded or discharged from a vessel. TERMINAL HANDLING CHARGE An ancillary charge on some ocean freight shipments to cover the cost of moving the container from the container yard to ocean vessel. THIRD FLAG CARRIER A carrier that transports cargo between two nations, neither of which is the carrier's country of registry. These carriers also are referred to as "crosstraders". THROUGH BILL OF LADING A Bill of Lading that covers goods moving from point of origin to final destination, even though transfers are made to different carriers in transit. THROUGH RATE A rate applicable from point of origin to final destination. T.I.R. CARNET French for "Transit International Router" Carnet. See Carnet. TIME VOLUME AGREEMENT A contract between a carrier and shipper that usually specifies the movement of a certain number of containers over a certain period of time, usually 12 months. TITLE Document that confers on holder the right of ownership, possession or transfer of merchandise specified. TOLERANCE The permissible amount of variation from a standard. TONNAGE Carrying capacity of ship/vessel in tons. TRACE To follow the record and/or movement of a shipment. TRACER A request upon a carrier to trace a shipment in order to locate it, expedite its movement, or establish delivery dates. TRADE POLICY COMMITTEE A committee that provides broad guidance on trade issues. TRADING COMPANY/FIRM A company that procures items from a multitude of suppliers and exports them and/or receives a multitude of shipments from foreign companies and makes them available for purchase domestically. TRAFFIC The transit of people and/or property. TRAILER LOADING DIAGRAM A pictorial description of the layout of cargo in a trailer. TRAILER-ON-FLATCAR Shipments that involve loading containers or trailers onto railway cars for some portion of a shipment's transit. Also called piggyback. TRAILER SHIP A vessel equipped with ramps to allow trailers to be driven on or off for loading/unloading. TRAMP A vessel that does not operate along definite routes or on fixed schedules, but calls at any port where cargo may be available. TRAMP STEAMER A ship not operating on regular routes or schedules. TRANSACTION VALUE The price actually paid or payable by the buyer to the seller for the merchandise when sold for exportation to the United States. Transaction value is the most common method for valuing imported merchandise. TRANSSHIP Commonly used to denote transfer of goods from one means of transportation to another. Rehandling of goods enroute. TRANSSHIPMENT When a product is manufactured in one country, enters the commerce of a second country, and is exported and sold in a third country. TRIP CHARTER Hiring a vessel to haul cargo for a special voyage. TWENTY FOOT EQUIVALENT UNIT A unit of measure that could be determined using a 20-foot container as a benchmark.
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U
ULLAGE Empty space present when a container is not full. ULTIMATE CONSIGNEE The person who is the true party in interest, receiving goods for the designated end-use. UNCLAIMED FREIGHT Freight that has not been claimed by the consignee and for which no disposition instructions have been provided by the owner. UNIFORM COMMERCIAL CODE A set of statutes that provides a degree of consistency among commercial laws among different states. (USA) UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCE ON TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT A United Nation sanction that promotes international trade and seeks to increase trade between developing countries and countries with different social and economic systems. UNITED STATES & FOREIGN COMMERICAL SERVICE An agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce that helps U.S. firms compete more effectively in the global marketplace. (USA) UNSTUFFING Unloading freight from a container or trailer. U.S. CUSTOMS BONDED WAREHOUSE A warehouse where goods are held/stored, under the control of the federal government, until import duty (if required) is paid, or goods are cleared to be released. (USA) U.S. FLAG VESSEL A merchant ship under U.S. registry.
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VALIDATED EXPORT LICENSE A required document issued by the U.S. government authorizing the export of specific commodities within a certain time period. VALUATION, ACTUAL Actual value of goods shown on the Bill of Lading by a shipper, when rate to be applied is dependent on value. VALUATION, RELEASED Value of goods set by shipper as the upper limit of carrier's liability in consideration for a lower rate to be charged. VALUE The value of imported merchandise as declared by the importer and as finally determined by the Customs Service. VALUE ADDED TAX An indirect consumption tax levied on imported goods in certain countries. VAN CONTAINER A standard container used to transport general freight. VANNING Loading of a container. VESSEL CLOSEOUT See Vessel Reconciliation. VESSEL RECONCILIATION The process whereby outbound documentation ensures that every shipment loaded aboard a vessel is manifested. VESSEL TON 100 cubic feet. VISA A license issued to an importer by a foreign government pursuant to a quota. When asking for advice from the Customs Service, are you providing the most accurate, up-to-date, information you have on the merchandise. VOLUNTARY RESTRAINT AGREEMENTS Informal bilateral or multilateral arrangements through which exporters voluntarily restrain certain exports. This action is taken to avoid economic dislocation in an importing country. VOYAGE CHARTER Engaging services of cargo ship for specified trip from one port to another at an established tonnage rate.
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WAREHOUSE A place for receiving, storing and manipulating goods and merchandise. WAREHOUSE RECEIPT A receipt issued by a warehouse listing goods received for storage. WASSENAAR ARRANGEMENT An arrangement ratified by 33 member countries which sets forth export controls for conventional arms and dual-use goods and technologies. WASTAGE Loss of goods due to handling, decay, leakage, shrinkage, etc. WAYBILL Document containing a description of goods that are part of a common carrier freight shipment. Shows origin, destination, consignee/consignor, and amount charged. Copies travel with goods and are retained by originating/delivering agents. Used by carrier for internal record and control, especially during transit. Not a transportation contract. WAYBILL DESTINATION The final destination of a shipment as noted on the waybill. WEIGH STATION Permanent station equipped with scales where motor vehicles transporting goods on public highways are required to stop and obtain gross vehicle and/or axle weights. WEIGHT OR MEASURE A unit by which a good or commodity can be classified so that rate, tariffs, taxes and other regulations and constraints can be applied. WESTERN REGIONAL OFFICE An Export Administration outreach office located in California that is responsible for counseling exporters throughout the Western United States. (USA) WET GOODS Liquids. WHARF A landing place by the waterside in a harbor or river for loading or unloading cargo. Loading/discharging terminal built parallel to stream/shore line. WHARFAGE A charge assessed by a pier or dock owner for handling incoming or outgoing cargo. A charge for handling traffic or decking vessels at wharf. The charges assessed by pier personnel for the handling of incoming or outgoing cargo. WIREFRAME The network graph of mode specific interconnecting legs. WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION The premier international organization that seeks to establish global rules of trade between nations. The WTO helps trade flow smoothly, freely, fairly and predictably.

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YARD (FREIGHT) Unit of track systems within a certain area used for storing cars, loading/unloading freight, and transferring certain railcars to other trains.

Z
ZONE Any geographic area described in detail or by formula, such as the commercial zone of a city.
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