Shipping

Air Freight
Air freight refers to the use of air transportation for sending cargo. It offers the advantages of speed and reliability, making it ideal for shipping urgent, high-value, or perishable goods.
Attention Line
An attention line is commonly used on labels or envelopes to specify the name of the intended recipient of a shipment, ensuring that packages are directed to the correct individual within an organization.
Back Haul
A back haul refers to the shipper's movement when returning over a route previously used, often optimizing logistical efficiency by having cargo for both legs of the journey.
Bill of Lading (B/L)
A Bill of Lading is a legal document issued by a carrier to a shipper, detailing the type, quantity, and destination of the goods being carried. It serves as a shipment receipt and is a key part of international trade.
Cargo
Cargo refers to freight or merchandise transported on a transportation vehicle, such as a ship, airplane, truck, or train, excluding passengers. It covers a broad range of goods, from raw materials to finished products, playing a crucial role in global trade and logistics.
Cash on Delivery (COD)
A transaction requiring that goods be paid for in full by cash or certified check at the point of delivery. Also known as Collect on Delivery with the same abbreviation.
Common Carrier
A common carrier is an entity or individual that provides transportation services for people or goods and is classified as a public utility.
Consignee
A consignee refers to an individual or organization authorized to receive goods sent from a consignor. The consignee acts as the recipient of goods, typically in a shipping context, and may also serve as an agent to sell the goods on behalf of the consignor.
Consignment Note
A consignment note is a key document used in shipping to provide details about a consignment of goods in transit. It is signed by the consignee upon delivery, serving as proof of receipt. The document includes information about the consignor and consignee, details about the goods, and typically their gross weight, as well as outlining who is responsible for insuring the goods during transit.
Demurrage
Demurrage is a charge levied on shipping vehicles when they are held by the consignor or consignee for an excessive amount of time beyond agreed laytime.
Export
Exporting is the process of shipping goods produced in one country for sale in another and the transfer of data from one computer or application to another. This term has significant relevance in international trade and data handling.
Express Mail
Express Mail is a next-day delivery service offered by the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) that guarantees next-day delivery for shipments between major U.S. cities. This service is applicable for letters or packages weighing up to 70 pounds. Postage costs vary based on weight, distance, and the specific type of Express Mail service used.
FedEx
FedEx, officially known as Federal Express Corporation, is a global courier delivery services company recognized for its overnight shipping services and an innovative tracking system.
FedEx (Federal Express)
FedEx Corporation, originally known as Federal Express, is a multinational delivery services company known for revolutionizing logistics and overnight shipping.
Forward in Shipping
In the context of shipping, 'forward' refers to the act of sending a package or goods from one location to another. This often involves redirecting items to a new address when the original address is not suitable for delivery.
Free Alongside Ship (FAS)
Free Alongside Ship (FAS) is an international trade term where the seller is responsible for delivering the goods alongside the vessel at the named port of shipment. The buyer assumes responsibility for all risks and costs from that point forward.
Freight Forwarder
A freight forwarder, also known as a forwarding company, acts as an intermediary between a shipper and various transportation services, facilitating the global movement of goods while managing logistics and documentation.
Gross Ton (GT)
A Gross Ton (GT) is a unit of weight commonly used in the United Kingdom and United States for measuring heavy masses, equivalent to 2,240 pounds in the Avoirdupois system, traditionally employed in shipping and heavy industries.
Gross Weight
Gross weight refers to the total weight of goods within a shipping container, including the weight of the container itself. This measurement is crucial in logistics and transportation for managing load limits and calculating shipping costs.
Incoterms
International Commercial Terms, or Incoterms, first published in 1936 by the International Chamber of Commerce to promote standardized terminology for international trade.
Inherent Vice
Inherent vice refers to a defect or innate characteristic of an item that results in its damage or destruction without external intervention, often excluded from cargo insurance policies.
Invisible Earnings
Earnings from international transactions involving services such as insurance, banking, shipping, tourism, and accountancy.
Lading
Lading refers to the cargo that is shipped and transported from one place to another via various modes of transportation such as ships, trucks, trains, or planes. The term also extends to the document known as the Bill of Lading, which acts as a detailed receipt of the shipment, outlines the condition of the cargo, and serves as a contract between the shipper and the carrier.
Lighterage
Lighterage refers to the charge incurred for unloading a ship, specifically using barges to assist in the unloading process.
Manifest
A detailed statement of the contents loaded on a ship or other vehicle, used for cargo identification and safety purposes.
Motor Freight
Motor freight refers to the use of trucks, as opposed to railroad trains, to ship freight. This mode of transport is frequently faster on a door-to-door basis compared to rail freight.
Order Bill of Lading
An order bill of lading (often abbreviated as B/L or BoL) is a negotiable document that serves as a receipt for shipped goods and provides proof of shipment. More importantly, it can be transferred to another party, granting the holder rights to the goods.
Parcel Post
Parcel Post is a class of mail service offered by the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) for mailing merchandise or printed matter weighing more than 16 ounces. Specific guidelines apply regarding the inspection, weight, and dimensions of the packages.
Piece
A 'Piece' refers to an individual unit of a product that is part of a batch, typically used in shipping and logistics to describe the smallest standard unit being handled.
Pier to House Shipping
Pier to house shipping refers to the transportation of goods from the storage location at the shipping port directly to the consignee's specified location, typically their home or business.
Port of Entry
A port of entry is a location, such as a seaport, airport, or land border entry point, where authorities may inspect incoming shipments and assess customs duties as applicable.
Postage Meter
A postage meter is a machine widely used to print postage on envelopes and labels, substituting printed stamps. Authorized by postal services, these machines simplify mailing processes for businesses, ensuring accurate postage and reducing time spent dealing with individual stamps.
Priority Mail
Priority Mail is a class of mail offered by the U.S. Postal Service for letters and parcels, ensuring quick and reliable delivery for packages weighing up to 70 pounds.
Radiogram
A radiogram is a type of message sent by radio, often to and from ships while they are at sea. It is a crucial form of communication in the maritime industry, enabling rapid exchange of information over long distances.
Reconsign
Reconsign refers to the process of changing the destination or consignee of freight while it is in transit. This often occurs to accommodate changes in supply chains or to correct delivery errors.
RO-RO (Roll On-Roll Off)
A specially designed cargo ship that allows any cargo with wheels to be rolled on at the port of departure and then rolled off at the destination. This transportation method facilitates rapid turnaround, reduces labor requirements, and enhances ship utilization.
Special Handling
U.S. Postal Service designation for packages containing goods that may be harmed in shipping, such as live chickens or perishable produce.
Tare Weight
Tare weight refers to the weight of an empty container, such as an empty truck or packing material, and is used in logistics to measure the net weight of goods.
Transportation Insurance
Transportation insurance is a type of insurance coverage that protects goods and merchandise while they are in transit from one location to another, whether that takes place via road, rail, sea, or air.
Truckload (TL)
A truckload (TL) refers to a quantity of cargo that fills a truck to its maximum capacity, typically utilized in logistics and transportation for the efficient and cost-effective movement of goods.
Waybill
A waybill is a document prepared by a common carrier at the start of a shipment that details the route the goods will follow to their final destination and states the transportation cost. The waybill typically accompanies the shipment to its destination.

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