ACS (A.C.S.). U.S. Customs´ master computer system, "Automated Commercial Systems."

Affreightment, Contract of. An agreement by an ocean carrier to provide cargo space on a vessel at a specified time and for a specified price to accommodate an exporter or importer.

Air Waybill. The forwarding agreement or carrying agreement between shipper and air carrier and is issued only in non-negotiable form.

All In. The total price to move cargo from origin to destination, inclusive of all charges.

Alongside. A phrase referring to the side of a ship. Goods delivered "alongside" are to be placed on the dock or barge within reach of the transport ship´s tackle so that they kan be loaded.

Ambient Temperature. The temperature of a surrounding body. The ambient temperature of a container is the atmospheric temperature to which it is exposed.

AMS. The U.S. Customs´ "Automated Manifest System."

Apparent Good Order. When freight appears to be free of damage so far as a general survey can determine.

AWWL. Always within Institute Warranties Limits (Insurance purpose).





B/L. Abbreviation for "Bill of Lading."

BAF. Abbreviation for "Bunker Adjustment Factor" Used to compensate steamship lines for fluctuating fuel costs. Sometimes called "Fuel Adjustment Factor" of FAF.

Bank Guarantee. For example a guarantee issued by a bank to a carrier to be used in lieu of lost or missplaced original negotiable bill of lading.

Base Rate. A tariff term referring to ocean rate less accessorial charges, or simply the base tariff rate.

BCO. Abbrevation for "Beneficial Cargo Owner". Refers to the importer of record, who physically takes possession of cargo at destination and does not act as a third party in the movement of such goods.

Beam. The width of a ship.

Berth Terms. Shipped under rate that includes cost from end of ship´s tackle at load port to end of ship´s tackle at discharge port.

Beyond. Used with reference to charges assessed for cargo movement past a line-haul terminating point.

Bill of Lading (B/L). A document that establishes the terms of a contract between a shipper and a transportation company. It serves as a document of title, a contract of carriage and a receipt for goods.

Billed Weight. The weight shown in a waybill and freight bill, i.e, the invoiced weight.

Bonded Warehouse. A warehouse authorized by Customs authorities for storage of goods on wich payment of duties is deferred until the goods are removed.

Booking. Arrangements with a carrier for the acceptance and carriage of freight; i.e., a space reservation.

Bow. The front of a vessel.

Broken Stowage
– The loss of space caused by irregularity in the shape of packages.
– Any void or empty space in a vessel or container not occupied by cargo.

Bunker Charge. An extra charge sometimes added to steamship freight rates; justified by higher fuel costs. (Also known as Fuel Adjustment Factor or FAF).

Bunkers. A maritime term referring to fuel used aboard the ship. Coal stowage areas aboard a vessel in the past were bins or bunkers.

Cabotage. Water transportation term applicable to shipments between ports of a nation; commonly refers to coast-wise or inter-coastal navigation or trade. Many nations, including the United States, have cabotage laws which require national flag vessels to provide domestic interport service.

CAF. Abbreviation for "Currency Adjustment Factor." A charge, expressed as a percentage of a base rate, that is applied to compensate ocean carriers of currency fluctuations.

Carrier. Any person or entity who, in a contract of carriage, undertakes to perform or to procure the perfomance of carriage by rail, road, sea, air, inland waterway or by a combination of such modes.

Cash Against Documents (CAD). Method of payment for goods in wich documents transferring title are given the buyer upon payment of cash to an intermediary acting for the seller, usually a commission house.

CBM (CM). Abbreviation for "Cubic Meter".

Certificate of Origin. A certified document showing the origin of goods; used in international commerce.

CFS. Abbreviation for "Container Freight Station". A shipping dock where cargo is loaded ("stuffed") into or unloaded ("stripped") from containers. Generally, this involves less than containerload shipments, although small shipments destined to same consignee are often consolidated. Container reloading from/to rail or motor carrier equipment is a typical activity.

Charter Party. A written contract between the owner of a vessel and the person desiring to employ the vessel (charterer); sets forth the terms of the arrangement such as duration of agreement, freight rate and ports involved in the trip.

Chassis. A frame with wheels and container locking devices in order to secure the container for movement.

CIF. Abbreviation for "Cost, Insurance, Freight". (Named Port) Same as C&F or CFR except seller also provides insurance to named destination.

Claim. A demand made upon a transportation line for payment on account of a loss sustained through its alleged negligence.

Clean Bill of Lading. A receipt for goods issued by a carrier with an indication that the goods were received in “apparent good order and condition,” without damage or other irregularities. If no notation or exception is made, the B/L is assumed to be “cleaned.”

Clip-On. Refrigeration equipment attachable to an insulated container that does not have its own refrigeration unit.

COGSA. Carriage of Goods by Sea Act. U.S. federal codification passed in 1936 which standardizes carrier’s liability under carrier’s bill of lading. U.S. enactment of The Hague Rules.

Commercial Invoice. Represents a complete record of the transaction between exporter and importer with regard to the goods sold. Also reports the content of the shipment and serves as the basis for all other documents about the shipment.

Commodity. Article shipped. For dangerous and hazardous cargo, the correct commodity identification is critical.

Commodity Rate. A rate published to apply to a specific article or articles.

Common Carrier. A transportation company which provides service to the general public at published rates.

Common Law. Law that derives its force and authority from precedent, custom and usage rather than from statutes, particularly with reference to the laws of England and the United States.

Concealed Damage. Damage that is not evident from viewing the unopened package.

Conference. An association of ship owners operating in the same trade route who operate under collective conditions and agree on tariff rates.

Confirmed Letter of Credit. A letter of credit, issued by a foreign bank, whose validity has been confirmed by a domestic bank. An exporter with a confirmed letter of credit is assured of payment even if the foreign buyer or the foreign bank defaults.

Confirming Bank. The bank that adds its confirmation to another bank’s (the issuing bank’s) letter of credit and promises to pay the beneficiary upon presentation of documents specified in the letter of credit.

Consignee. A person or company to whom commodities are shipped.

Consignee Mark. A symbol placed on packages for identification purposes; generally a triangle,square, circle, etc. with letters and/or numbers and port of discharge.

D&H. Abbreviation for “Dangerous and Hazardous” cargo.

Delivery Instructions. Order to pick up goods at a named place and deliver them to a pier. Usually issued by exporter to trucker but may apply to a railroad, which completes delivery by land. Use is limited to a few major U.S. ports. Also known as shipping delivery order.

Detention. A penalty charge against shippers or consignees for delaying carrier’s equipment beyond allowed time. Demurrage applies to cargo; detention applies to equipment. See Per Diem.

Devanning. The unloading of a container or cargo van.

Dock
– For ships, a cargo handling area parallel to the shoreline where a vessel normally ties up.
– For land transportation, a loading or unloading platform at an industrial location or carrier terminal.

Door-to-Door. Through transportation of a container and its contents from consignor to consignee. Also known as House to House. Not necessarily a through rate.

Dry Cargo. Cargo that is not liquid and normally does not require temperature control.

EDI. Abbreviation for “Electronic Data Interface.” Generic term for transmission of transactional data between computer systems. EDI is typically via a batched transmission, usually conforming to consistent standards.

ETA.
– Estimated Time of Availability. That time when a tractor/partner carrier is available for dispatch.
– Estimated Time of Arrival.

Ethylene. A gas produced by many fruits and vegetables that accelerates the ripening and aging processes.

Ex - “From”. When used in pricing terms such as “Ex Factory” or “Ex Dock,” it signifies that the price quoted applies only at the point of origin indicated.

Export Declaration. A government document declaring designated goods to be shipped out of the country. To be completed by the exporter and filed with the U.S. Government.

Export License. A government document which permits the “Licensee” to engage in the export of designated goods to certain destinations.

FAS. Abbreviation for “Free Alongside Ship.”

FCL. Abbreviation for “Full Container Load.”

Feeder Service. Cargo to/from regional ports are transferred to/from a central hub port for a long-haul ocean voyage.

Feeder Vessel. A short-sea vessel which transfers cargo between a central “hub” port and smaller “spoke” ports.

FEU. Abbreviation for “Forty-Foot Equivalent Units.” Refers to container size standard of forty feet.
Two twenty-foot containers or TEU’s equal one FEU.

FMC (F.M.C.). Federal Maritime Commission. The U.S. Governmental regulatory body responsible for administering maritime affairs including the tariff system. Freight Forwarder Licensing, enforcing the conditions of the Shipping Act and approving conference or other carrier agreements.

Force Majeure. The title of a common clause in contracts, exempting the parties for non-fulfillment of their obligations as a result of conditions beyond their control, such as earthquakes, floods or war.

Foreign Trade Zone. A free port in a country divorced from Customs authority but under government control. Merchandise, except that which is prohibited, may be stored in the zone without being subject to import duty regulations.

Fork Lift. A machine used to pick up and move goods loaded on pallets or skids.

Four-Way Pallet. A pallet designed so that the forks of a fork lift truck can be inserted from all four sides. See Fork lift.

Free Alongside (FAS). The seller must deliver the goods to a pier and place them within reach of the ship’s loading equipment.

Free Port. A restricted area at a seaport for the handling of duty-exempted import goods. Also called a Foreign Trade Zone.

Free Trade Zone. A port designated by the government of a country for duty-free entry of any non-prohibited goods. Merchandise may be stored, displayed, used for manufacturing, etc., within the zone and re-exported without duties.

Freight. Refers to either the cargo carried or the charges assessed for carriage of the cargo.

Freight Bill. A document issued by the carrier based on the bill of lading and other information; used to account for a shipment operationally, statistically, and financially. An Invoice.

Freight Forwarder. A person whose business is to act as an agent on behalf of the shipper. A freight forwarder frequently makes the booking reservation.

General Average. In water transportation, the deliberate sacrifice of cargo to make the vessel safe for the remaining cargo. Those sharing in the spared cargo proportionately cover the loss.

Generator Set (Gen Set). A portable generator which can be attached to a refrigerated container to power the refrigeration unit during transit.

Gross Weight. Entire weight of goods, packaging and freight car or container, ready for shipment. Generally, 80,000 pounds maximum container, cargo and tractor for highway transport.

Groupage. A consolidation service, putting small shipments into containers for shipment.

The Hague Rules. A multilateral maritime treaty adopted in 1921 (at The Hague, Netherlands). Standardizes liability of an international carrier under the Ocean B/L. Establishes a legal ”floor” for B/L. See COGSA. The Hague rules were followed by the Hague-Visby rules.

Hatch. The opening in the deck of a vessel; gives access to the cargo hold.

I.M.D.G. Code. International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code. The regulations published by the IMO for transporting hazardous materials internationally.

IMO. An United Nations agency concerned with safety at sea. Its work includes codes and rules relating to tonnage measurement of vessels, load lines, pollution and the carriage of dangerous goods.

In Bond. Cargo moving under Customs control where duty has not yet been paid.

In Gate. The transaction or interchange that occurs at the time a container is received by a rail terminal or water port from another carrier.

In Transit. In transit, or in passage.

Indemnity Bond. An agreement to hold a carrier harmless with regard to a liability.

Inland Carrier. A transportation line that hauls export or import traffic between ports and inland points.

Insulated Container. A container insulated on the walls, roof, floor, and doors, to reduce the effect of external temperatures on the cargo.

Interchange Point. A location where one carrier delivers freight to another carrier.

Intermodal. Used to denote movements of cargo containers interchangeably between transport modes, i.e., motor, water, and air carriers, and where the equipment is compatible within the multiple systems.

Invoice. An itemized list of goods shipped to a buyer, stating quantities, prices, shipping charges, etc.

Irrevocable Letter of Credit. Letter of credit in which the specified payment is guaranteed by the bank if all terms and conditions are met by the drawee and which cannot be revoked without joint agreement of both the buyer and the seller.

I.S.O. International Standards Organization which deals in standards of all sorts, ranging from documentation to equipment packaging and labeling.

JIT. Abbreviation for ”Just In Time.” In this method of inventory control, warehousing is minimal or non existent; the container is the movable warehouse and must arrive ”just in time;” not too early nor too late.

KT. Kilo or metric ton. 1,000 Kilos or 2,204.6 pounds.

Kilogram. 1,000 grams or 2.2046 pounds.

Knot. One nautical mile (6,076 feet or 1,852 meters) per hour. In the days of sail, speed was measured by tossing overboard a log which was secured by a line. Knots were tied into the line at intervals of approximately six feet. The number of knots measured was then compared against time required to travel the distance of 1000 knots in the line.

L/C. Abbreviation for ”Letter of Credit.”

Laden. Loaded aboard a vessel.

Landed Cost. The total cost of the goods to a buyer, including the cost of transportation.

LCL
– LauritzenCool Logistics, specializing in perishable logistics, bringing peace of mind to their customers.
– Abbreviation for ”Less than Container Load.” The quantity of freight which is less than that required for the application of a container load rate. Loose Freight.

Letter of Credit (LC). A document, issued by a bank per instructions by a buyer of goods, authorizing the seller to draw a specified sum of money under specified terms, usually the receipt by the bank of certain documents within a given time.

Letter of Indemnity. In order to obtain the clean bill of lading, the carriers may accept that the shipper signs a letter of indemnity to the carrier on the basis of which may be obtained the clean bill of lading, although the dock or mate’s receipt showed that the shipment was damaged or in bad condition.

Liner. A vessel sailing between specified ports on a regular basis.

Liter. 1.06 liquid U.S. quarts or 33.9 fluid ounces.

Manifest. Document that lists in detail all the bills of lading issued by a carrier or its agent or master for a specific voyage. A detailed summary of the total cargo of a vessel. Used principally for Customs purposes.

Master´s Protest. A document prepared by the captain of a vessel on arriving at port; shows conditions encountered during voyage, generally for the purpose of relieving ship owner of any loss to cargo and shifting responsibility for reimbursement to the insurance company.

Meter. 39.37 inches (approximately).

Metric Ton. 2,204.6 pounds or 1,000 kilograms.

Modified Atmosphere. A blend of gases tailored to replace the normal atmosphere within a container.

MT. Abbreviation for ”Metric Ton.”

Multimodal. Synonymous for all practical purposes with ”Intermodal.”

Non-Vessel Operating Common Carrier (NVOCC). A cargo consolidator in ocean trades who will buy space from a carrier and sub sell it to smaller shippers. The NVOCC issues bills of lading, publishes tariffs and otherwise conducts itself as an ocean common carrier, except that it will not provide the actual ocean or intermodal service.

NOR. Notice of Readiness, or Not Otherwise Rated.

Ocean Bill of Lading (Ocean B/L). A contract for transportation between a shipper and a carrier. It also evidences receipt of the cargo by the carrier. A bill of lading shows ownership of the cargo and, if made negotiable, can be bought, sold or traded while the goods are in-transit.

On Board. A notation on a bill of lading that cargo has been loaded on board a vessel. Used to satisfy the requirements of a letter of credit, in the absence of an express requirement to the contrary.

On Deck. A notation on a bill of lading that the cargo has been stowed on the open deck of the ship.

P&I. Abbreviation for ”Protection and Indemnity,” an insurance term, which cover many of the carriers exposures.

Packing List. Itemized list of commodities with marks/numbers but no cost values indicated.

Pallet. A platform with or without sides, on which a number of packages or pieces may be loaded to facilitate handling by a lift truck.

Per Diem. A charge, based on a fixed daily rate.

Phytosanitary Inspection Certificate. A certificate issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to satisfy import regulations of foreign countries; indicates that a U.S. shipment has been inspected and found free from harmful pests and plant diseases.

Pickup. The act of calling for freight by truck at the consignor’s shipping platform.

Pier-to-Pier. Containers loaded at port of loading and discharged at port of destination.

Piggy Packer. A mobile container-handling crane used to load/unload containers to/from railcars.

Piggyback. A transportation arrangement in which truck trailers with their loads are moved by train to a destination. Also known as Rail Pigs.

Place of Delivery. Place where cargo leaves the care and custody of carrier.

Place of Receipt. Location where cargo enters the care and custody of carrier.

Point of Origin. The place at which a shipment is received by a carrier from the shipper.

Port of Call. Port where a ship discharges or receives traffic.

Port of Entry. Port where cargo is unloaded and enters a country.

Port of Exit. Place where cargo is loaded and leaves a country.

Pre-cooling. A process employed in the shipment of citrus fruits and other perishable commodities. The fruit is packed and placed in a cold room from which the heat is gradually extracted. The boxes of fruit are packed in containers that have been thoroughly cooled and transported through to destination without opening the doors.

Prepaid (Ppd.). Freight charges paid by the consignor (shipper) prior to the release of the bills of lading by the carrier.

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 specifications (weight, size, etc.).

Pro Rata. A Latin term meaning ”In proportion.”

Pulp Temperature. Procedure where carrier tests the temperature of the internal flesh of refrigerated commodities to assure that the temperature at time of shipment conforms to prescribed temperature ranges.

Quarantine. A restraint placed on an operation to protect the public against a health hazard. A ship may be quarantined so that it cannot leave a protected point. During the quarantine period, the Q flag is hoisted.

Quota. The quantity of goods that may be imported without restriction during a set period of time.

Quotation. An offer to sell goods at a stated price and under stated terms.

”Ro/Ro”. A shortening of the term, ”Roll On/Roll Off.” A method of ocean cargo service using a vessel with ramps which allows wheeled vehicles to be loaded and discharged without cranes.

Route. The manner in which a shipment moves; i.e., the carriers handling it and the points at which the carriers interchange.

Shipment. The tender of one lot of cargo at one time from one shipper to one consignee on one bill of lading.

Shipper. The person or company who is usually the supplier or owner of commodities shipped. Also called Consignor.

Shipper’s Instructions. Shipper’s communication(s) to its agent and/or directly to the international water-carrier. Instructions may be varied, e.g., specific details/clauses to be printed on the B/L, such as carrying temperatures.

Spreader. A piece of equipment designed to lift containers by their corner castings.

Stevedore. Individual or firm that employs longshoremen and who contracts to load or unload the ship.

Stowage. A marine term referring to loading freight into ships’ holds.

Stripping. Removing cargo from a container (devanning).

Stuffing. Putting cargo into a container.

Surcharge. An extra or additional charge.

Tare Weight. In railcar or container shipments, the weight of the empty railcar or empty container.

Temperature Recorder. A device to record temperature in a container while cargo is en route.

TBN. To Be Nominated. (When the name of a ship is still unknown.)

TEU. Abbreviation for ”Twenty foot Equivalent Unit.”

Transship. To transfer goods from one transportation line to another, or from one ship to another.

Transshipment Port. Place where cargo is transferred to another carrier.

Twist Locks. A set of four twistable bayonet type shear keys used as part of a spreader to pick up a container or as part of a chassis to secure the containers.

Two-Way Pallet. A pallet so designed that the forks of a fork lift truck can be inserted from two sides

Unloading. Removal of a shipment from a vessel.

U.S.F.D.A. United States Food and Drug Administration.

Vanning. A term for stowing cargo in a container.

Ventilated Container. A container designed with openings in the side and/or end walls to permit the ingress of outside air when the doors are closed.

War Risk. Insurance coverage for loss of goods resulting from any act of war.

Warehouse. A place for the reception, delivery, consolidation, distribution, and storage of goods/cargo.

Well Car. Also known as stack car. A drop-frame Rail flat car.

Wharfage (Whfge.). Charge assessed by a pier or dock owner against freight handled over the pier or dock or against a steamship company using the pier or dock.

Yard. A classification, storage or switching area.

Zulu Time. Time based on Greenwich Mean Time.

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