All-in rates

All charges/surcharges to be paid by Customer are included in the given quotation. For example if shipper receiving an all-in rate offer; export local charges and freight (which both will be paid by shipper) included, destination local chargers will not be included.

 

All-Water

Service rendered by Carriers on a port-to-port basis; cargo will be moved via ocean Carrier only. With an all-water service, cargo can not be discharged from Vessel at one port and then trucked to another port/depot for final delivery. Container should be discharged directly at final port.

 

AMS

Automated Manifest System

 

APG

Arabian Persian Gulf

 

Arrival Notice (A/N)

Form produced by carrier for advanced notification to Consignee of cargo arrival.

 

Back Haul

The return leg of a round trip where less cargo available for carrier.

 

Bunker Adjustment Factor (BAF)

Monthly rate adjustment applied by shipping lines to compensate for the effect of fluctuations in the cost of fuel. This practice is fading away, while shipping lines are offering monthly all-in rate to their customers which are already including any expectations about bunker cost changes.

 

C&F

Cost and Freight. Terms of sale. Seller quotes price including the cost of goods and all transportation charges to the named point of destination. Though during the shipment, responsibility of the cargo lies with buyer, so buyer should have insurance.

 

Cabotage

Transport of goods between two locations within the same country. In some countries this is illegal to do with a foreign flagged vessel.

 

Carrier Haulage

The inland transport service, which is performed by under the sea-Carrier’s responsibility under the terms and conditions of a tariff and of the relevant transport document (B/L).

 

Carriers' Lien

The Carrier has the right to exercise a lien on cargo on "freight collect" shipments and thus retain possession of the goods as security for the charges due.

 

CBR

Commodity Box Rate

 

Certificate of Classification

A certificate, issued by the classification society which states the class of a vessel.

 

Certificate of Origin

Formal document (required at destination) stating origin of cargo and relevant cargo details.

 

CFS Cargo

Loose container sable cargo handled in a container freight station (warehouse).

 

CFS Charge

Container freight station charge, assessed by Carrier for the handling of cargo at the terminal.

 

CY/CY (Container Yard / Container Yard)

Cargo received by Carrier at origin port then delivered intact at destination port.

 

C/H

Carrier’s Haulage

 

Chassis

Trailer or wheeled unit on which a container is placed in order to move container over the road.

 

Clean Bill of Lading

A Bill of Lading which does not take exception from the apparent order and condition of the goods to be transported.

 

Clean on Board

Mention specifying that the Bill of Lading is issued without exceptions.

 

CLP

Container Load Plan. Describes how the inside of container is stowed with cargo.

 

COD

Change of Destination after cargo is shipped

 

Combined Transport B/L

Transport document providing for a combined transport by at least two different modes of transport (sea/rail/truck/etc..) under the responsibility of the Carrier.

 

Commodity Box Rate

A freight rate classified by commodity and offered per container.

 

Consolidated Container

Container stuffed with several shipments from different Shippers for delivery to one or more Consignees.

 

Container (Freight Container)

An item of equipment as defined by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) for transport purposes. An enclosed permanent, reusable, non-disposable,weather-tight shipping conveyance, usually fitted with hardwood floors. A rectangular unit used for shipment, generally made of steel or aluminium; standard lengths are 20’ and 40’, 8’ wide.

 

Container Number

Identification number assigned to each container composed of 4 letters and 7 numbers (ABCD 1234567). Last number is calculated via a formulation of first 6 numbers.

 

Container Prefix

A four letter code that forms the first part of a container identification number indicating the owner of a container.

 

Container Stuffing List (CSL)

List showing what cargo is stowed in each container.

 

Cost and Freight (CFR)

Go to : C&F

 

Cost Insurance Freight (CIF)

Terms of sale. Seller quotes a price including cost of goods, insurance and transportation charges to point of destination.

 

Country of Origin

Country in which the goods have been produced or manufactured, according to certain Customs criteria.

 

CPT

Go to : Carriage Paid To

 

CT B/L

Combined Transport Bill of Lading

 

Customs Invoice

Document required by the customs in an importing country in which an exporter states the invoice or other price, and specifies costs for freight, insurance and packing etc., terms of delivery and payment, for the purpose of determining the customs value and assessment of duties in the importing country.

 

Customs Warehouse

Where cargo is temporarily stored awaiting inspection or where cargo is stored when seized by Customs for lack of permit/entry.

 

Cut Off

Last possible date cargoes may be delivered to a ship or a designated point in order to load the cargo.

 

Dangerous Goods Declaration

Document issued by a Shipper in accordance with applicable conventions or regulations, describing hazardous goods or materials for transport purposes, and certifying that the latter have been packed and labelled in accordance with the provisions of the prevailing conventions or regulations.

 

Dangerous Goods Packing Certificate

A document as part of the dangerous goods declaration in which the responsible party declares that the cargo has been stowed in accordance with the rules in a clean container according to the IMDG regulations and properly secured.

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DC

Dangerous Cargo

 

D/D

Door/Door ( Same as SD / SD)

 

Delivery Order

Order from the consignee, shipper, or owner of freight to a terminal operator, carrier, or warehouse to deliver freight to another party. On imports, may also be known as a pier release.

 

Delivery Party

The party to which the shipment is to be delivered.

 

Demurrage

Additional charge imposed for exceeding the free time included in the freight rate for the use of equipment.

 

Detention

Keeping equipment beyond the free time allowed. See also : Demurrage.

 

Discharge Port

Port where cargo is unloaded from vessel.

 

Draft (Draught)

The draft of a vessel is the vertical distance between the waterline and the bottom of the keel of the vessel.

 

EDR

Equipment Damage Receipt

 

Endorsement

The transfer of the right to obtain delivery of the goods from the Carrier by means of the rightfully owner's signature on the reverse side of a Bill of Lading.

 

ETA

Estimated Time of Arrival.

 

ETD

Estimated Time of Departure

 

ETS

Expected Time of Sailing

 

Ex Works (EXW)

means that the seller delivers when he places the goods at the disposal of the buyer at the seller's premises or another named place (i.e. works, factory, warehouse, etc.) not cleared for export and not loaded on any collecting vehicle. This term thus represents the minimum obligation for the seller, importer will arrange transportation  - SD / CY or SD / SD rate will be requested from carrier. That said during the Daily usage, most of the time seller clears for export customs.

 

Exemption Clause

A clause in a contract relieving the Carrier from responsibility for certain events.

 

FAC

Forwarding Agents Commission

 

FAK

Go to : Freight All Kinds.

 

FAS

Go to : Free Alongside Ship

 

FCA

Go to : Free Carrier

 

FCL

Go to : Full Container Load.

 

Feeder

The transportation vehicle utilized to relay cargo from mother vessel to ultimate destination, usually a small container vessel.

 

FEQ / FFE

Forty-foot Equivalent.

 

Flag

An indication of the country in which a vessel is registered.

 

FMC

Federal Maritime Commission. U.S. regulatory body affecting ocean-going Carriers. U.S. government body that oversees all maritime rules and regulations.

 

FMC Number

Number assigned by government identifying tariffs, trade agreements, and authorizing a freight forwarder to operate.

 

FOB

Go to : Free On Board.

 

Force Majeure (Act of God)

Circumstances beyond the control of one of the parties to a contract which may, depending on the terms and conditions of the contract, relieve that party of liability for failing to execute such contract.

 

Forty Foot Equivalent Unit (FEU)

Unit of measurement equivalent to one forty foot container.

 

Forwarder (Freight Forwarder)

The party arranging the carriage of goods and connected services and/or associated formalities on a Shipper or Consignee's behalf.

 

Free Alongside Ship (FAS)

Means that the seller delivers when the goods are placed alongside the vessel at the named port of shipment. This means that the buyer has to bear all costs and risks of loss of or damage to the goods from that moment. The FAS term requires the seller to clear the goods for export. Importer will buy transportation, generally a CY / CY or CY / SD carriage will be requested as seller/shipper is responsible with transportation till alongside ship.

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Free In and Out (FIO)

Transport term signifying that the freight rate excludes the costs of loading/discharging, stowage, and lashing.

 

Free In Liner Out (FILO)

Transport term signifying that the freight rate is inclusive of the ocean carriage and the cost of discharging, the latter usually as per the custom of the port. It excludes the cost of loading, stowage, and lashing.

 

Free On Board (FOB)

Means that the seller delivers when the goods pass the ship's rail at the named port of shipment. This means that the buyer has to bear all costs and risks of loss of or damage to the goods from that point. The FOB term requires the seller to clear the goods for export. This term can be used only for sea or inland waterway transport. If the parties do not intend to deliver the goods across the ship's rail, the FCA term should be used. Importers will pay for the freight. 

 

Free Time

Storage allowed at Carrier facility without penalties assessed.

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Freight

Freight are goods or produce transported. It also refers to the amount of money due for transporting the goods, payable either in advance or upon delivery. 

 

Freight All Kinds (FAK)

Single freight which is charged irrespective of the commodity.

 

Freight Prepaid

Freight and charges to be paid by the Shipper when goods shipped.

 

Freight Collect

Freight and charges to be paid by the Consignee when goods delivered.

 

Freight Ton

A unit for freighting cargo according to weight and/or cubic measurement.

 

Freighted B/L

A Bill of Lading that lists all charges pertaining to cargo movement from origin to destination.

 

Fumigation

Treating of cargoes with gases to exterminate vermin.

 

General Cargo

Cargo, consisting of merchandise, unpacked or packed in cartons, crates, bags or bales, often palletized. General cargo can be shipped either in Break-bulk or stuffed in containers.

 

Gen-set (Genset)

Generator used to provide power to regulate temperature in a reefer container; can be run on its own fuel or plugs provided on pier/vessel.

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GRI

General Rate Increase.

 

Hague Rules

International convention for the unification of rules, pertaining to Bills of Lading (1924). These Rules describe the responsibilities of ocean Carriers.

 

Hague-Visby Rules

Set of rules, published in 1968, amending the Hague Rules.

 

Hamburg Rules

United Nations Convention on the carriage of goods by sea of 1978 adopted in 1992.

 

Hanger Beam

Beam affixed with hanging, looped rope utilized to hang clothing in a hangertainer.

 

Haulage

The inland carriage of cargo or containers between named locations.

 

Heavy Lift Charge (HLC)

Additional tariff charge assessed for use of special heavy-duty machine to handle heavy cargo.

 

Home Port

The port of registration of a vessel.

 

Hub

Transshipment point in a service network, which serves points beyond that of a particular service by means of feeder vessels.

 

IHL

Inland Haulage

 

IMDG Code

Go to : International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code.

 

International Chamber of Shipping (ICS)

A voluntary organization of national Shipowner's associations with the objective of promoting member interests, primarily in the technical and legal fields of shipping operations.

 

International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code (IMDG Code)

A code, representing the classification of dangerous goods as defined by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in compliance with international legal requirements.

 

International Maritime Organization (IMO)

A United Nations agency concerned with safety at sea. Its work includes codes and rules pertaining to tonnage measurement of vessels, load lines, pollution and the carriage of hazardous goods. Previous name: Inter-Governmental Maritime Consultative Organization (IMCO).

 

International Organization for Standardization (ISO)

A world-wide federation of national standards institutes (ISO member bodies). In shipping ISO defines container standards.

 

Knot

Unit of measurement for the speed of a vessel equal to a nautical mile (= 1852 meters) per hour.

 

Lashing Equipment

Various types of equipment used to secure containers/cargo on board vessel.

 

L/C

Go to : Letter of Credit.

 

LCL

Go to : Less than Container Load.

 

Less than Container Load (LCL)

A general reference for cargo in any quantity intended for container carriage, where stuffing/unstuffing is carried out by the line, but where an LCL container usually consists of multiple consignments.

 

Letter of Credit (L/C) (ELCEE)

A written undertaking by a bank (issuing bank) given to the seller (beneficiary) at the request, and on the instructions of the buyer (applicant) to pay at sight or at a given future date up to a stated sum of money, within a prescribed time limit and against a stipulated set of documents (including the original Bill of Lading).

 

Letter of Indemnity

A letter indemnifying a company the Carrier from the consequences associated in the release of goods without an original Bill of Lading. This practise should be exercised with extreme caution, and cannot be recommended.

 

Marks & Numbers

The identifying detail on a package. Actual markings which appear on packages.

 

Merchant

Shipper and/or Consignee and anyone acting on their behalf, owning or entitled to possession of the goods.

 

Merchant Haulage (MH)

Inland transport of cargo in containers arranged and paid by the Merchant under Merchant’s responsibility.

 

Mother Vessel

Main vessel in a liner service designated to move containers from set origin points to set destination points on a regular basis. Generally bigger vessels.

 

Negotiable

In terms of documents, "negotiable" means that e.g. a Bill of Lading may be sold to another party whereby the ownership of the cargo is transferred by means of an endorsement of the Bill of Lading to the order of the other party whom is subsequently entitled to take possession of the goods.

 

Non-Negotiable B/L

Copy of original B/L which cannot be negotiated with bank.

 

Non Vessel Operating Common Carrier (NVOCC)

A party who undertakes to carry goods and issues in his own name a Bill of Lading for such carriage, without having the availability of any own means of transport.

 

No Show

Cargo that fails to appear for the vessel it was originally booked.

 

Notify Address

Address of the party (other than the Consignee) to be advised of the arrival of the goods.

 

Notify Party

Company/person who appears on the Bill of Lading to be notified when cargo arrives. Could be different from Consignee – usually actual receiver of goods.

 

OBL

Original Bill of Lading.

 

OOG

Go to : Out of Gauge Cargo.

 

Out of Gauge Cargo (OOG cargo)

Cargo which dimensions exceed the normal dimensions of a container, whether in length, width, height, or a combination of same.

 

P & I Club

Go to : Protection and Indemnity Club.

 

Packing List

Document listing the contents of each individual package.

 

Pallet

A platform, usually made of wood, on which merchandise can be stacked in order to facilitate the handling by a forklift or sling.

 

Panamax Size

The maximum dimensions of a vessel capable to transit the Panama Canal. As Panama canal expanded in 2016, we should pay attention if Panamax size refers to old measurements or new!

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Per Diem

Costs per day.

 

Place of Receipt

The location where a shipment is received by the Carrier from the Shipper; the place where Carrier's liability for the transport commences.

 

Project Cargo

Cargo of various categories connected to the same project, for instance construction of a cement factory.

 

Reefer Container

A thermal container with refrigerating machinery to control the temperature of cargo.

 

Reefer Plug

Electrical outlet on ship or a terminal providing electrical current for maintaining temperature.

 

Said to Contain (STC)

Term in a Bill of Lading declaring that the master and the Carrier are unaware of the nature or quantity of the goods in a container, particulars of which have been furnished by the Shipper.

 

Schedule B

U.S. Government listing to properly declare cargo; seven digit number assigned by the Bureau of Census to identify types of cargo.

 

Sea Way Bill

Non-negotiable Bill of Lading used for through consignments; no original Bill of Lading required, proof of identity (of Consignee), only is required.

 

Seal

A numbered locking device used for containers, lockers, trucks or lorries providing proof to relevant parties that they have remained closed during transport.

 

Seaworthiness

Term depicting the fitness of a vessel to travel in the open seas mostly related to a particular voyage with a particular cargo.

 

Self-Sustained Vessel

Vessel equipped with cranes/derricks that does not require shore equipment to load/unload cargo.

 

Service Contract

A rate negotiable and agreed to between two parties allowing for a particular rate based on volume; written agreement between Carrier and customer for specified rate, volume, and service level by Carrier over an agreed time.

 

Shipowner

The legal person officially registered as such in the vessel's certificate of registry.

 

Shipper

The merchant with whom a contract of carriage of goods has been concluded with a Carrier.

 

THC

Terminal Handling Charge. A charge assessed by the terminal for the positioning of cargo within the terminal/yard.

 

Tier Rates

Rates assessed based on volumes moved.

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VSA

Vessel Sharing Agreement. Co-operation agreement between two or more carriers, whereby liner services are provided jointly with each party contributing tonnage to the service and sharing the

resulting total capacity in proportion to the tonnage provided.

 

Ventilated Container

Container used for transporting cargo requiring ventilation.

 

Vessel (Ship)

A floating, self-propelled structure designed for the transport of cargo and/or passengers.

 

VOCC

Vessel Operating Common Carrier.

 

Voyage

A journey by sea from one port another or, in case of a round trip, to the same port.

 

Voyage Number

Reference number assigned by the Carrier or his agent to the voyage of the vessel.

 

VSL

Vessel

 

ABOVE IS ONLY INFORMATIVE PURPOSES. WE REMIND YOU TO CHECK IF INFORMATION IS UP TO DATE AND CORRECT. FOR LOSSES INCURRED DUE TO USAGE OF ABOVE INFORMATION WE SHALL TAKE NO RESPONSIBILITY.