Glossary

The Automated Commercial Environment is the online web portal used to report data to the Automated Export System (AES) for exports leaving the United States, and also for customs filing for imports entering the United States.

The Automated Export System is used by the U.S. government to collect data on exports. This data is called Electronic Export Information (EEI), and in many cases, exporters are legally required to file the EEI through AES for each shipment. The U.S. Census Bureau uses this data to calculate trade statistics such as gross domestic product (GDP), while U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) uses it to make sure exporters are following U.S. export regulations.

Multiple shipments—from different sellers to a single consignee—that are consolidated by the carrier into a single shipment.

The AWB is a document that controls the routing of an exporter’s cargo while it is in the hands of the air carrier or a consolidator. It is a contract for carriage; however, it cannot be negotiated.

When freight appears to be free of damage after being assessed it is said to be in apparent good order.

Notification provided by the carrier when a shipment has arrived to the consignee or notify party.

Means either “behind a ship” or “to move a ship in reverse direction.”

Stands for Any Time, Day or Night, Sundays and Holidays Included, referring to when a vessel will operate.

A direction across the width of a ship.

A thorough examination of a business’s processes to determine if the business is compliant with a particular set of standards. A government agency may audit a company’s processes or records as part of an investigation related to a potential compliance violation. In some industries, companies must pass periodic government audits to maintain their authorizations. Companies may also conduct internal audits (self-audit) or hire a third party to audit their processes. The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), the export control arm of the U.S. Department of Commerce, recommends that U.S. exporters periodically self-audit to ensure compliance procedures are working properly and are up-to-date with regulation changes. Auditability refers to the capacity of an auditor to audit an auditee. Sloppy record-keeping lowers auditability. An audit trail is a system (physical or electronic) that keeps track of business processes.

A system that stores and maintains records of business processes. With regards to exporting, companies are strongly encouraged to maintain an audit trail documenting their compliance screenings to demonstrate due diligence in case of an audit. Having an audit trail may protect your company from fines or penalties in the case of an export compliance violation.

A bilateral free trade agreement between the United States and Australia that implements a wide variety of trade policies designed to mutually benefit both countries. Modeled on the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), the AUSFTA came into effect on Jan. 1, 2005. One of the primary goals of this agreement is to increase market access for Australian companies exporting to the United States.

A satellite system used by ships and vessel tracking service (VTS) to identify and locate ships.

Cargo carried on a return journey.

Freight that is low weight but high volume (light but bulky).

A financial instrument claiming funds from a bank (mostly used when claiming funds under a letter of credit).

The width of a ship.

The party that receives payment.

A bilateral agreement is one in which both parties agree to provide something for the other.

A document issued by a carrier or their agent acknowledging receipt of cargo for shipment. Often abbreviated as BOL, BoL, B/L or BL. If there were no issues with the cargo stated on the BOL, it is said to be a clean bill of lading.

A document that confirms transfer of goods in exchange for money.

The party paying for goods or services in a transaction.

The Bureau of Industry and Security, an agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce tasked with enforcing the Export Administration Regulations (EAR).

Wood or metal supports used to secure cargo while in transit. Also called dunnage.

Loading cargo close together to minimize movement of goods while in transit.

A piece of equipment attached to a chassis or railcar to secure the container.

The initial port of entry where a vessel transporting goods first arrives at a country.

Arrangements made with a carrier for the movement of cargo; space reservation.

The front of a vessel.

Empty space in a container not occupied by cargo.

Cargo that is shipped loose as opposed to being shipped in packages or containers. Grain and coal are examples of goods usually shipped as bulk cargo.

A device attached to the floor of a container which is used to secure cargo.

Transport of goods between two places in the same country by a transporter from another country.

The Dominican Republic-Central America Free Trade Agreement is a free trade agreement between the United States and several countries, including the Dominican Republic, as well as the Central American nations Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. The U.S. Senate approved the CAFTA-DR on June 30, 2005. The agreement includes a most favored nation (MFN) clause, which requires that service suppliers in one country may not be treated any less favorably than suppliers in other countries that are part of the agreement. It also includes provisions that protect companies in member countries from unfair investment practices, protect intellectual property rights and establish procedures for dispute resolution.

A Canada Customs Invoice is a special type of invoice required for U.S. exports to Canada in the following situations: 1.) The shipment is valued at over $2,500 CAD. 2.) The shipment is not classified under HTSUS Chapter 9810. 3.) The shipment is subject to duties and sales taxes.

Any goods being transported, regardless of the mode of transport.
Any goods being transported, regardless of the mode of transport.
Information submitted prior to, upon arrival or upon departure of an international shipment required by a country’s customs authority

Any goods being transported, regardless of the mode of transport.
Any goods being transported, regardless of the mode of transport.
Information submitted prior to, upon arrival or upon departure of an international shipment required by a country’s customs authority

An intergovernmental organization of 15 Caribbean countries whose goal is to promote economic integration and cooperation between member states. The resulting free trade zone is called the Caribbean Common Market.

A document permitting the holder to temporarily send goods to certain foreign countries for display or demonstration purposes without having to pay duties.

The sale of goods in which payment is made upon delivery rather than in advance.

A carrier is a party that transports goods for another person or company and is responsible for any possible loss of or damage to the goods during transport. A common carrier provides transportation services to the public in return for compensation. A contract carrier provides this service under special contracts, often for government clients.

Customs and Border Protection, part of the Department of Homeland Security, is the agency within the U.S. government tasked with controlling the flow of people and goods into and out of the country, and with enforcing import and export regulations.

A label indicating cargo conforms to standards established by the Chinese government.

The Commerce Control List is a list of dual-use items (items that have both a commercial application as well as a potential military application) published as part of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Export Administration Regulations (EAR). Each item on the CCL is identified with an Export Control Classification Number (ECCN). Knowing the right ECCN for your product plays a role in determining if you need an export license.

A label indicating cargo conforms to standards established by the European Union.
A label indicating cargo conforms to standards established by the European Union.
A document issued by an authorized party that states that a particular product meets relevant standards of quality and performance

This document indicates a particular product is marketed in the United States or is eligible for export, and that the particular manufacturer has no unresolved enforcement actions pending before or taken by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It is often used when exporting to countries whose regulatory agencies are not as well-developed as the United States’ FDA.

A document certifying that merchandise is in good condition immediately prior to being shipped.

A document certifying where goods were originally made. A COO specific to a particular free trade agreement may be used to claim preferential duty treatment. A generic certificate of origin may be requested by the customs authority of the country of import, in which case the COO must be stamped by a chamber of commerce.

The Code of Federal Regulations is the codification of rules and regulations published in the U.S. Federal Register.

An association of businesses that may serve several functions, including advocating or lobbying for their member companies, organizing business-related programming and events in their communities. AWTCC is a nationwide Chamber familiar with export procedures and involved in trade documentation certification.

Certain documents (such as certificates of origin) require a stamp from a U.S. chamber of commerce to be considered valid. The process of stamping the document is called chamberization, and a document that has received a chamber stamp is said to be chamberized.

Some parts of the Harmonized System (HS) nomenclature include notes. These may be divided into Section Notes, Chapter Notes and Subheading Notes. These notes hold legal weight as an integral part of the HS. Not to be confused with Explanatory Notes.
The base frame of a wheeled vehicle, used to secure a container prior to movement

Material (often wood) placed next to cargo to prevent excessive movement of the cargo during transit in order to avoid damage.

Abbreviation for carload or containerload.

In the context of logistics, a claim is a demand made by a customer to a transportation company for payment in order to compensate for loss or damage of goods.

CM (uppercase) stands for “cubic meters,” while cm (lowercase) stands for “centimeters.”

The codification of the general and permanent rules published by the U.S. Office of the Federal Register; the place where all U.S. federal regulations are published. 15 CFR (Title 15 of the CFR) is the section on Commerce and Foreign Trade.

Part of the Export Administration Regulations (EAR), which helps exporters determine if they need to apply for an export license in order to ship a particular product to a particular country.

A fundamental document for an international transaction with details including what goods are being shipped, who is the shipper and who is the ultimate consignee. Serves as the basis for all other documents related to the shipment.

Any commercial good that is shipped.

Law that derives authority from precedent, custom and usage rather than from statutes, particularly regarding the laws of the United States, the United Kingdom and countries formerly part of the British Empire.

In the context of international shipping, being compliant or maintaining compliance means that the company in question is following all applicable laws and rules which govern their shipments. In this context, the more specific terms regulatory compliance or trade compliance may be used to differentiate from other uses of the term, as the word compliance has other meanings in other contexts such as in the fields of medicine and psychology. A business practice that goes against specific laws is termed a compliance violation.

Shortage of or damage to goods shipped that is not immediately evident upon delivery.

A carrier which acts as an intermediary between two or more other carriers.

The person or place to whom a shipment will be transferred. The ultimate consignee is the final recipient of the goods, while an intermediate consignee takes possession of the goods for a portion of the time that they are in transit.

A shipment of goods to a consignee.

Refers to the exporter or shipper from which the goods originate.

When cargo from multiple shippers is combined in a single container.

A government official residing in a foreign country who represents the interests of their home country.

When goods are imported into the United States without any time or use restrictions. The official U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) website states that about 95% of all imports fall into this category.

A truck trailer loaded with cargo that can be detached for loading onto a vessel or railcar. Different types of containers exist for different shipping needs. For example, a container may be ventilated, refrigerated, insulated, dehumidified or equipped with special devices used to secure certain types of cargo. A container shipment is a large shipment, typically over 20,000 pounds.

A load large enough in volume or weight to fill a container.

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A document stating the contents of a container, its point of origin and point of destination. Vessels may be required by law to produce a manifest for every container being transported.

Prohibited cargo such as illegal drugs or unauthorized weapons.

A legally binding agreement between two or more parties.

Where an item was made, mined, grown, manufactured or substantially transformed. Most items imported into the United States require a country of origin marking, also known as C/O marking, with the exception of items on the J-List (see J-List).

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U.S. Customs and Border Protection established Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism in November 2001 as a voluntary partnership to help ensure supply chain security. Meeting C-TPAT standards enables faster processing through customs inspections and formalities.

Abbreviation for “cubic” used when describing measurements of volume.

Refers to when a container or vessel has reached its volumetric capacity before reaching its weight capacity.

A government office where duties are paid and import and export paperwork are filed.

A customs authority, or customs for short, refers to the agency within a government that is responsible for collecting duties and enforcing import and export regulations.

A warehouse authorized by customs to receive duty-free goods.

An individual or organization who helps a shipper navigate customs requirements.

The process in which a customs authority assesses a shipment being imported in their country in order to ensure compliance with their country’s import regulations. A shipment that has been approved by the customs authority and allowed to enter the commerce of their country is said to have cleared customs.

Also called EntrySummary or Form 7501, is a document that provides U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) with details about a shipment being imported into the United States, such as value, classification and origin. CBP uses the form to calculate duties owed.

A document required by a country’s customs authority, which serves the same purpose as a standard commercial invoice but also contains additional information such as a certificate of origin.

A phrase referring to local rules and practices which may impact a shipment.

Some shipments involve no actual monetary transaction between the exporter and the ultimate consignee, such as shipments for repair under warranty, or shipments of items used for display at trade shows. These shipments are still subject to duties and taxes, and exporters must list the monetary value of the items in the shipment on the customs invoice to enable the customs authority in the country of import to assess how much duty the importer must pay. In these cases, the exporter should include a customs value only statement on the invoice.

The latest time cargo may be delivered to a terminal for loading.

A product may be considered a dangerous good if it is corrosive, flammable, poisonous, toxic, explosive, etc. Shipping dangerous goods may require special documentation or packaging to ensure safety.

A document required when shipping dangerous goods (also known as hazardous materials or HazMat). There are two main versions: the DG IATA form for air transport and the DG IMO form for inland and ocean transport. There is a third version specifically for shipments of lithium batteries, which is called a Lithium Battery Declaration

A legal statement put on an export invoice that specifies that the goods are to be transferred to the ultimate consignee and no other party. Diversion to other countries or parties without prior authorization is a violation of U.S. law. Also called an anti-diversion clause.

Abbreviation for “dangerous and hazardous” cargo.

Stands for “doing business as,” used to specify that a company is doing business under a certain registered name.

Location where cargo is separated in preparation for delivery.

Transmission of controlled technology, source code or information to a foreign national at home or abroad. Export regulations apply to deemed exports as well.

A document signed and dated by a consignee or their authorized agent confirming receipt of goods and stating the condition of the goods upon delivery.

Demurrage is a charge to be paid by a shipper or consignee to the carrier as penalty for delaying the carrier’s cargo beyond the allowed free time. Detention is the same as demurrage except that instead of applying to delays in cargo, detention applies to delays in equipment.

Also called restricted party screening or trade party screening, denied party screening is the process of screening potential customers, partners or vendors against denied party lists. These are lists of individuals or organizations that a government has identified as parties that one can’t do business with and that one may be penalized for doing business with.

A legal statement put on a shipping document that specifies that the goods are to be transferred to the ultimate consignee and no other party. Diversion to other countries or parties without prior authorization is a violation of U.S. law.

When documents presented do not conform to the requirements of the letter of credit. Banks will not accept letters of credit that have discrepancies.

A location created for circulation of products into a specific market. This may or may not be a part of the same company that uses it to move their products to market. A company that specializes in distributing other companies’ products is called a distributor.

Diversion refers either to 1) a change made to the route of a shipment or to the route of the entire vessel or 2) the transfer of goods from the intended end-user to some other party.

For road transportation, a platform from which trucks are loaded and unloaded. For sea transportation, a cargo handling area adjacent to the shoreline where a ship ties up.

A document used to acknowledge receipt of cargo. Provides the framework for the preparation of an ocean bill of lading.

U.S. Department of Transportation, a U.S. agency within the executive branch that oversees transportation in the U.S.

A partial refund of an import fee, usually given if goods are re-exported from the country that collected the fee.

Transport of goods over a short distance. Some definitions specify that drayage is the transport of goods in which both the trip origin and destination are within the same urban area. Also called cartage.

A form of retail business in which the seller takes orders from customers but does not keep the items in stock. Instead, it passes on the order to a manufacturer, wholesaler, another retailer or a fulfillment house that ships the order directly to the customer.

A company that makes a good faith effort to comply with all relevant rules and regulations that apply to them is said to be practicing due diligence. If you are found to be out of compliance with a particular regulation, demonstration of due diligence can be a mitigating factor against facing fines or penalties. This is an integral part of establishing a formal export compliance program (ECP).

Importing goods into a country at a price less than the fair market value.

The amount on which a customs duty is calculated.

Taxes collected on importing and exporting goods. Also called tariffs.

The Export Administration Regulations are published by the U.S. Department of Commerce and regulate exports of dual-use items, meaning items that have both a commercial use as well as a potential military application.

Export Control Classification Numbers are alphanumeric codes used to identify dual-use items, meaning items that have both a commercial use as well as a potential military application. Knowing the right ECCN for your product plays a role in determining if you need an export license.

An electronic Certificate of Origin is a digital document issued by a registered chamber of commerce to an exporter. Certificates of origin are a common customs document required by many countries and as part of various free trade agreements. An eCO is certified by a chamber of commerce electronically, which enables the certification process to occur more efficiently and at lower cost. eCOs are issued through the AWTCC Certification System.

Electronic export information is the data that exporters must report to the Automated Export System (AES) via the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) online web portal.

The electronic transmission of business documents such as invoices, purchase orders and bills of lading.

Sanctions are prohibitions designed to protect economic or national security and may include trade barriers, tariffs and restrictions on financial transactions. Embargoes are similar but usually refer to more severe restrictions such as travel bans or blockades.

The power of a sovereign government to take property for a necessary public use.

Stands for empty repositioning; refers to the movement of empty containers.

The ultimate recipient of a shipment. Generally synonymous with ultimate consignee. This may be different from the party being billed for the shipment.

A legal signature that signals transfer of rights from one party to another.

In the context of importing, an entry is an official statement made to Customs regarding details of a shipment entering the country. It is usually completed by a customs broker acting on behalf of the importer.

A document used when transferring a container from one carrier to another, or from one terminal to another.

Enterprise resource planning (ERP) software helps companies with order-processing and accounting. Some ERP systems include international shipping or trade compliance modules, but these are often limited in their functionality.

Estimated time of arrival, completion, departure, readiness or sailing.

A delivery in which the driver or recipient notes a problem on the delivery receipt before signing is referred to as an exception. An exception is usually related to shortage or damage of goods.

A shipper may pay a premium rate to obtain exclusive use of a trailer. This means the container will only be filled with the shipper’s goods and not those of any other party, even if there is additional space on the trailer.

The official interpretation of the Harmonized System (HS) at the international level, the Explanatory Notes are published by the World Customs Organization and provide a commentary on the scope of each heading, providing a list of products included or excluded, with technical descriptions of the items and guidance for their identification. Not to be confused with Chapter Notes.

Shipment of goods out of a country. Opposite of import.

A company’s written set of procedures for ensuring compliance when exporting.

Refers to licenses, permits and other authorizations which may be required from a government to legally export or import something.

A software tool used by a company to ensure consistency, efficiency and auditability in their export documentation and compliance process, such as Shipping Solutions.

A government-issued permit that authorizes a shipper to export a certain good or to export to a certain country or party.

Exporting companies without their own export department sometimes outsource their export operations to an export management company (EMC).

Abbreviation for “Freight of all kinds.” Typically refers to a full container loaded with mixed cargo.

Misrepresenting freight information on shipping documents.

The agency within the U.S. federal government tasked with enforcing laws related to transport of goods by sea.

The Federal Register, sometimes abbreviated as Fed. Reg., FedReg, or FR, is the official journal of the U.S. government where new rules and regulations are published.

A common clause included in contracts that exempts parties for not fulfilling their obligations due to events beyond their control, such as natural disasters or war.

The direction on a ship parallel to the center line.

Areas where commodities can be manufactured, modified or stored under specific customs regulations and generally not subject to customs duties. May be abbreviated FTZ and sometimes called a free trade zone or free port.

Foreign Principal Party of Interest is the party to whom final delivery of the goods will be made, typically the foreign buyer.

The amount of time that a carrier’s equipment may be used without incurring additional charges.

Any product(s) being transported.

A person who arranges transportation on behalf of a shipper. Typically, a freight broker will connect small shippers to carriers who can move their goods.

A company that arranges the transportation of goods on behalf of a shipper. A freight forwarder may have its own in-house carriers or may contract with external carriers. Freight forwarders often specialize in consolidating LTL freight from multiple shippers.

Free trade agreements are made between countries in an effort to reduce barriers to trade between the participating countries. They usually involve lowering of duty rates for shipments between participating countries, but may also include provisions for intellectual property rights, environmental protection, dispute resolution and more.

The Foreign Trade Regulations (FTR) are a set of regulations placed on international trade in the U.S. They are established and updated by the U.S. Census Bureau. It is in the FTR that the requirement to file the Electronic Export Information (EEI) through the Automated Export System (AES) can be found.

A full truckload carrier is a carrier that contracts the entirety of a truck’s carrying capacity to a single customer. Often referred to as a truckload carrier.

A legal agreement between many countries which promoted international trade by eliminating trade barriers such as tariffs and quotas. It was succeeded by the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 1995, with the original GATT text remaining part of the WTO framework.

When U.S. Customs orders shipments without entries to be kept in their custody.

When U.S. Customs orders shipments without entries to be kept in their custody.

A place where ships stop to resupply and load or unload cargo.

An official responsible for overseeing harbor operations.

The opening on the deck of a ship that gives access to the cargo hold.

May be used interchangeably with the term “dangerous goods,” hazardous materials are goods that may pose a threat to safety because they are poisonous, toxic, corrosive, explosive, flammable, etc. More precisely, hazardous materials are defined by the U.S. Department of Transportation in accordance with the Federal Hazardous Material Law. It is more common to see the term “hazardous materials” used when shipping domestically within the U.S., whereas the term “dangerous goods” is used more often when shipping internationally. Shipping hazardous materials may require special documentation or packaging to ensure safety.

Harbor maintenance fee.

The Harmonized System is an internationally accepted system used to classify products. The first six digits of an HS code are universal across all countries, but each country will add additional digits to further specify products. HS codes play a role in determining import and export controls as well as duty rates. The code for a particular product is often called its tariff classification, as is the process for finding the right code.

The Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States is a classification system used for importing into the United States. It is based on the internationally recognized Harmonized System (HS).

International Maritime Dangerous Goods code; the regulations established by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) for the international transport of dangerous goods.

Shipment of goods into a country. Opposite of export.

Information submitted by an importer or their agent to their country’s customs authority before or upon importation of goods, such as the contact details of the importer, how the goods are being transported and the tariff classifications and values of the items on the shipment.

A government-issued permit authorizing a party to import a good into the country.

An import or export shipment that has not yet cleared customs is referred to as in bond.

Incoterms are universal trade terms published by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC.) They consist of three-letter codes that are intended to clearly communicate the tasks, costs and risks associated with the transportation and delivery of goods in an international transaction. They describe how responsibility is allocated between the seller and the buyer for different parts of the transaction.

A location where freight is transferred from one carrier to another.

Intermodal transportation is the movement of goods via more than one type of transportation (e.g. air, rail, sea, truck, etc.). An intermodal container is one that can be used in different modes of transport without having to unload the goods and reload them at each point at which the mode of transport changes. In the context of international trade, intermodal container is usually synonymous with container.

The ICC plays a role in rule setting, dispute resolution, and policy advocacy in international trade, supporting the commerce goals of the United Nations and the World Trade Organization.

A document listing all cargo entering a country. Required by all world ports and is the primary source from which import duties are assigned.

International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures No. 15 (ISPM 15) is an international environmental standard for treating wood packaging materials (WPM) in order to curb the spread of plant pests. Under the ISPM 15 rules, all wood packaging materials such as pallets, crates and boxes must be debarked, then heat treated or fumigated to eliminate insects or diseases which could be harmful to ecosystems. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) adopted this standard in September 2005.

International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures No. 15 (ISPM 15) is an international environmental standard for treating wood packaging materials (WPM) in order to curb the spread of plant pests. Under the ISPM 15 rules, all wood packaging materials such as pallets, crates and boxes must be debarked, then heat treated or fumigated to eliminate insects or diseases which could be harmful to ecosystems. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) adopted this standard in September 2005.

Abbreviation for “just in time.” A method of inventory control which minimizes warehousing and in which the container itself acts as a movable warehouse and arriving on schedule is crucial.

Found in 19 CFR 134.33, the J-List is a list of items exempt from country of origin marking requirements when importing into the United States. Items on the J-list are usually exempt because they are either incapable of being marked (e.g. liquids) or marking them is impractical (e.g. fine art).

Found in 19 CFR 134.33, the J-List is a list of items exempt from country of origin marking requirements when importing into the United States. Items on the J-list are usually exempt because they are either incapable of being marked (e.g. liquids) or marking them is impractical (e.g. fine art).

The total cost of an international shipment, found by adding the price paid by the buyer to the seller, shipping costs, shipment insurance and all applicable import duties and fees.

A medium shipment, typically between 150 pounds and 20,000 pounds. An LTL carrier mixes freight from several customers in a single truckload. May also be called less-than-container (LCL).

Also called a documentary collection and often abbreviated as LC or L/C, a letter of credit is a written commitment by a bank issued after a request by an importer that payment will be made to an exporter provided that the terms of the letter of credit have been met as evidenced by the presentation of certain documents.

Certain criteria may be met that allow an exporter to export a product without an export license in cases where an export license would normally be required. These criteria are called license exceptions.

The penalty a seller must pay the buyer if a project does not meet the standards or deadline outlined in the sales contract.

In the context of importing, liquidation is the process in which Customs finalizes its review of an entry and calculates the exact duties owed.

The amount that a vessel tilts from the vertical, measured in degrees.

The management of the flow of products as they are transported from the point of origin to their final destination. A logistics company is a general term for a company that provides logistics services, which may include freight forwarding, customs brokerage and/or consulting services.

A port employee tasked with loading and unloading ships.

In the context of shipping, malpractice refers to situations in which a carrier illegally gives preference to a customer in order to attract their business.

Relating to transport by sea.

Letters, numbers or other symbols placed on packaging used for identification purposes.

A bill of lading issued by a carrier to a freight forwarder acknowledging receipt of container for shipment. This is different from a house bill of lading which is issued by a freight forwarder to a shipper, acknowledging receipt of their items for shipment.

A status accorded by one national government to another in the context of international business. A country with MFN status may not be treated less favorably in international transactions than any other country with MFN status.

Merchandise processing fee.

See intermodal.

The North American Free Trade Agreement was established in 1994 to harmonize trade between the United States, Canada and Mexico. Companies located in these countries may be eligible for reduced duty rates when importing if their goods qualify under the terms of NAFTA. NAFTA was replaced on July 1, 2020, by the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).

The National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of America is an organization representing the interests of customs brokers and freight forwarders in the U.S. They publish guidelines on best practices, including specific guidelines on how to create a shipper’s letter of instruction (SLI) when authorizing freight forwarders to file through the Automated Export System (AES) on behalf of the exporter.

Not elsewhere classified, not elsewhere specified.

A negotiable instrument is a document that can be transferred from its original holder to a third party. A non-negotiable document cannot be transferred to another party. An inland or ocean bill of lading may be either negotiable or non-negotiable; a bill of lading consigned “to order” or “to order of shipper” is negotiable once it is endorsed on the back by the shipper or their representative. Airwaybills are always non-negotiable.

‍ ‍ The weight of goods not including the weight of their packaging.

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Required by some countries to ensure protection against dumping of certain products.

A non-vessel operating common carrier behaves like a carrier except it doesn’t provide the actual transportation service itself. Instead, a NVOCC buys space from carriers and sells this space to shippers.

A notation on a bill of lading indicating that cargo has been loaded on a ship.

A notation on a bill of lading indicating that cargo has been loaded on a ship.

A transaction in which goods are shipped to a foreign buyer without guarantee of payment.

A measure of operating efficiency based on a comparison between a carrier’s operating expenses and its net sales.

Can mean 1) Location where a shipment starts its journey or 2) Country where goods were originally manufactured.

When the number of units received is greater than the quantity stated on the export documents. Opposite of shortage.

A standard document that accompanies a shipment. Also called a packing slip, this document lists the products on a shipment along with packaging information but does not include prices.

A platform on which packages may be loaded. Facilitates easier handling by a lift truck.

The free trade agreement between the United States and Panama that came into effect in October 2012. It is designed to eliminate obstacles to trade between the two countries and is notable for being the United States’ only bilateral free trade agreement with a Central American country.

A small shipment, typically less than 150 pounds.

The party paid in a transaction; the seller.

The party paying money in a transaction; the buyer.

Terms that describe how money will be paid in a transaction. Typically, the shipper is responsible for payment for prepaid shipments, while the consignee is responsible for payment for collect shipments, unless a third party is indicated as the payor on the shipping documents.

A document issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture certifying that a shipment has been inspected and is free from harmful pests and plant diseases. Used to meet import requirements of other countries.

A structure perpendicular to the shoreline to which a ship is secured in order to load or unload cargo.

Location where cargo leaves the custody of a carrier.

Abbreviation for 1) port of discharge 2) port of destination or 3) proof of delivery, a document provided by the carrier required to receive payment.

The location where a shipment is transferred from a shipper to a carrier.

Abbreviation for 1) port of loading or 2) petroleum, oil and lubricants.

The likelihood that political forces will cause drastic changes in a country’s business environment that adversely affect the profit and other goals of a business enterprise. This may include political violence, expropriation, confiscation and domestication (sometimes called nationalization).

May refer to 1) A harbor with piers or docks 2) The left side of a ship (when facing forward, opposite of starboard) or 3) An opening in the side of a ship used for handling freight.

Port where a ship discharges or receives traffic.

Port where cargo is unloaded and enters a country.

Port where cargo is loaded and leaves a country.

Principal party of interest. See FPPI and USPPI.

Freight charges paid by a shipper prior to release of bills of lading by the carrier.

In the context of international trade, there are many classification systems that allocate specific numeric or alphanumeric codes to particular categories of products, including the Harmonized System (HS) and derivatives of the HS such as Schedule B and the U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS), as well as Export Control Classification Numbers (ECCNs) and United States Munitions List (USML) categories. Knowing the correct classifications of the products you export is important for customs clearance and determining if you need an export license. Also called commodity classification.

A document that acts as a formal quote, produced by the seller and given to the potential buyer before a transaction is finalized.

A restriction placed on an operation in order to protect public health and safety.

The quantity of goods that may be imported without restrictions over a set period of time.

Usually called a quote, an offer to sell goods at a stated price under stated conditions.

The formula of specific factors that play a role in determining freight rates.

Specific reasons outlined in the U.S. Export Administration Regulations that denote why an exporter would need to apply for an export license. Examples include National Security (NS) and Regional Stability (RS). These exist both at the country level and at the Export Control Classification Number (ECCN) level. In order for a reason for control to apply to a shipment, it must be listed at both the country level and ECCN level.

Request for proposal, request for quotation.

Under ICC and common law, the requirement that a freight rate not be higher than what is necessary to reimburse the carrier and allow a fair profit.

The transfer of containers from one ship to another when both ships are controlled by the same carrier.

Funds sent by one person to another as payment.

Payment received by a carrier for transporting goods.

Also called RORO or ro-ro for short, these are vessels designed to carry wheeled cargo, such as vehicles and trailers. This is in contrast to lift-on/lift off (LoLo) vessels which use a crane to load and unload cargo.

Also called RORO or ro-ro for short, these are vessels designed to carry wheeled cargo, such as vehicles and trailers. This is in contrast to lift-on/lift off (LoLo) vessels which use a crane to load and unload cargo.

The Small Business Administration is an executive agency of the U.S. government that exists to encourage and facilitate the growth and development of small businesses and entrepreneurs in America.

America’s Small Business Development Centers are a network of hundreds of offices across the U.S. that provide support services to local small businesses. SBDC’s are administered by the SBA.

Standard Carrier Alpha Codes are developed by the National Motor Freight Traffic Association and used to identify inland carriers in the U.S.

Schedule B codes are used specifically for exporting out of the U.S. They are based on HS codes and used by the U.S. Census Bureau to calculate trade statistics and by U.S. Customs and Border Protection to ensure that exporters are following U.S. export regulations.

Under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, the President of the United States is granted the power to adjust import tariffs if excessive foreign imports pose a threat to national security. In recent practice, these tariffs are primarily placed on imports of aluminum and steel. This was implemented as a result of the United States International Trade Commission (USITC) reports that steel imports can be harmful to the United States steel industry, particularly in the case where nations that export steel to the United States unfairly subsidize their products or sell them at an artificially low price.

Under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) files a Special 301 Report annually which identifies “Priority Foreign Countries,” countries that have inadequate intellectual property laws or have violated trade agreements. These countries may be subject to sanctions or tariffs at the behest of the President of the United States. A recent example is the tariffs imposed on imports from China by the Trump administration.

Equipment such as rigging or cranes used on a ship for loading or unloading cargo.

In the context of international trade, shipper is used to identify the company selling the goods to a foreign market. The shipper may also be called the exporter or consignor in this case.

A document provided by an exporting company to their freight forwarder outlining instructions for the freight forwarder. If the freight forwarder is filing through the Automated Export System (AES) on behalf of the exporter, the SLI includes the information they need to complete the filing.

Paperwork that accompanies a shipment as it makes its way to the final destination, such as packing lists or bills of lading.

An export documentation and compliance software program that makes creating accurate export documents fast and easy.

When the number of units received is less than the quantity stated on the shipping documents. Opposite of overage.

Devices placed beneath boxes or packages in order to raise them off the floor to permit access by a forklift.

Simplified Network Application Process—Redesign (SNAP-R) is a system maintained by the U.S. Commerce Department which enables U.S. companies to submit export license applications, commodity classification requests, reexport license applications and license exception AGR notifications via the Internet.

Safety of Life at Sea Convention is enforced by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). Under SOLAS, exporters are required to provide a verified weight of the goods before they are loaded onto a ship for transport.

The procurement of goods or services from a particular entity or country, as well as the business process of vetting potential suppliers to determine which will give the greatest strategic advantage.

Placing a container in a position from which it can be loaded or unloaded.

The right side of a ship (when facing forward). Opposite of port.

The backside of a ship. Opposite of bow.

Said to contain.

Individual or company that employs longshoremen and contracts for the loading and unloading of ships.

Removing cargo from a container.

Putting cargo into a container.

Said to weigh.

A system of interconnected organizations and activities involved in the movement of goods from a supplier to a customer.

An extra or additional charge.

An extra or additional tax.

Backside of a container or trailer. Opposite of front or nose.

The weight of a container while empty.

Also called a container terminal, a location where containers are picked up, dropped off, maintained and kept.

A charge for a service carried out in a carrier’s terminal area.

A company that provides logistics services to other companies, such as warehousing and transportation.

Trailer load.

A container attached to the back end of a truck.

The transfer of cargo from one carrier to another or from one vehicle to another at an intermediate point during the goods’ journey to the final destination.

The weight (in tons) of a shipment transported by truck.

A term used in marine transportation referring to the time it takes between arrival of a ship and its departure.

The space not filled with liquid in a drum or tank.

Freight that has not been called for or picked up by the owner or ultimate consignee.

A free trade agreement between the United States and Chile that went into effect Jan. 1, 2004. On that date, the vast majority of tariffs between the two countries were eliminated, and it was agreed that Chile and the United States would establish duty-free trade across all product categories within 12 years (by 2016).

A free trade agreement between the United States and Colombia that went into effect May 15, 2012. The United States is Colombia’s leading trade partner. Immediately upon implementation, the agreement eliminated 80% of duties on U.S. consumer and industrial exports to Colombia. It also granted duty-free status to a variety of agricultural exports from both countries, including beef, cotton, wheat and certain fruits and vegetables.

A free trade agreement between the United States and Israel that went into effect in 1985 and is notable for being the United States’ first free trade agreement with another country. The agreement reduces or eliminates duties on imports into the United States from Israel and contributed to the U.S. becoming Israel’s top trading partner. It is the only U.S. free trade agreement to not include provisions on intellectual property rights.

A free trade agreement between the United States and South Korea, officially named the Free Trade Agreement Between the United States of America and the Republic of Korea (KORUS). It went into effect in March 2012 and is notable for being South Korea’s largest trade agreement second only to its trade deal with the European Union.

Called the PTPA for short, this is a free trade agreement between the United States and Peru that was implemented in February 2009. More than two-thirds of U.S. farm exports to Peru became duty free immediately upon implementation. In addition to commerce, the agreement includes provisions related to intellectual property rights, labor and environmental policies.

Packages loaded onto a pallet, in a crate or in some other way that allows for the goods to be handled as a single unit. This process is called unitization.

An internationally recognized four-digit code used to identify dangerous goods.

On July 1, 2020, the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement replaced NAFTA as the free trade agreement between the three countries. In Canada, it is officially known as the Canada–United States–Mexico Agreement (CUSMA). In Mexico, it is called the Tratado entre México, Estados Unidos y Canadá (T-MEC). Under USMCA, qualifying products are exempt from tariffs and quotas when traded between those three countries. To claim this preferential duty rate, you must determine if your goods qualify under the USMCA Rules of Origin.

The United States Munitions List is a list of space- and defense-related products that are controlled by the U.S. Department of State under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR).

The United States principal party of interest is the party that receives the primary benefit from an export transaction, monetary or otherwise. Usually the seller of the goods.

A consumption tax assessed by most countries that increases at every point in the supply chain where value is added to it.

A seafaring vehicle; a boat or ship.

A document listing details regarding the crew and cargo onboard a vessel.

A traffic monitoring system used by harbor or port authorities used to monitor ships, similar to air traffic control used to monitor aircraft.

Insurance coverage for losses resulting from an act of war.

A place for the storage, consolidation, and distribution of cargo. Warehousing is the storage of cargo.

A structure built on the shore of a harbor which facilitates the docking of ships.

An intergovernmental organization that plays a role in standardizing customs processes across the world, including maintaining the Harmonized System (HS) nomenclature for commodity classification.

An intergovernmental organization that regulates and facilitates international trade between countries. The WTO succeeded and expanded on the General Agreement on Tariff and Trade (GATT).