ABI-AUTOMATED BROKER INTERFACE
Refers
to a system available to brokers with the computer capabilities
and customs certification to transmit and exchange customs entries
and other information, facilitating prompt release of imported
cargo.
ACCEPTANCE
- A time draft (or bill of exchange) which the drawee has accepted and is unconditionally obligated to pay at maturity.
- Drawee's act in receiving a draft and thus entering into the obligation to pay its value at maturity.
- Broadly speaking, any agreement to purchase goods under specified terms.
AD HOC CHARTER
A one-off charter operated at the whim of airline or charterer.
AD VALOREM
Latin, "according to the value."
- An ad valorem duty is an import duty based on the value of an article as defined in the customs law of a particular country, rather than on weight or volume. A percentage of that value is charged, for example 5% ad valorem.
- A freight rate set at a certain percentage of the value of an article is known as an ad valorem rate. (See Ad Valorem duty)
ADMIRALITY COURT
A court having jurisdiction over maritime questions pertaining to ocean transport, including contracts, charters, collisions, and cargo damages.
ADVANCE AGAINST DOCUMENTS
A loan made on the security of the documents covering a shipment.
ADVISING BANK
A bank operating in the exporter's country that handles letters of credit for a foreign bank by notifying the exporter that the credit has been opened in his favor.
ADVISORY CAPACITY
A term indicating that a shipper's agent or representative is not empowered to make definitive decisions or adjustents without approval of the party represented.
AFFILIATE
A company that controls, or is controlled by another company, or is one of two or more commonly controlled companies.
AFFREIGHTMENT, CONTRACT OF
An agreement by a steamship line to provide cargo space on a vessel at a specified time and for a specified price to accommodate an exporter or importer, who then becomes liable for payment even though he is later unable to make the shipment.
AGENCY AGREEMENT
In this agreement the steamship line appoints the steamship agent and defines the specific duties and areas of responsibility of that agent.
AIR CARGO AGENT
A type of freight forwarder who specializes in air cargo and acts for airlines that pay him a fee (usually 5%). He is registered with the International Air Transport Association, IATA (See also Air Freight Forwarder; Forwarder, Freight Forwarder, Foreign Freight Forwarder).
AIR FREIGHT FORWARDER
A type of freight forwarder who specializes in air cargo. He usually consolidates the air shipments of various exporters, charging them for actual weight and deriving his profit by paying the airline the lower consolidated rate. He issues his own air waybills to the exporters, is licensed by the CAB (Civil Aeronautics Board) and has the status of an indirect air carrier (See also Air Cargo Agent, Forwarder, Freight Forwarder, Foreign Freight Forwarder.)
AIR WAYBILL
A non-negotiable contract for carriage of air transportation between an air carrier and a shipper, or an air carrier and an air freight forwarder. In the latter case the forwarder, as an indirect air carrier, issues his own house air waybill to the shipper.
AITA
International Air Transport Association, IATA, (French, German).
ALL-RISK CLAUSE
An insurance provision that all loss or damage to goods is insured except that of inherent vice (self caused). (See All Risk Insurance).
"ALL RISK" INSURANCE
A clause included in marine insurance policies to cover loss and damage from external causes, such as fire, collision, pilferage, etc. but not against innate flaws in the goods, such as decay, germination, nor against faulty packaging or loss of market, nor against war, strikes, riots and civil commotions (See Marine Insurance).
ALONGSIDE
The side of the ship. Goods to be delivered alongside are to be placed on the dock or lighter within reach of the ship's tackle from which they can be loaded aboard the ship.
ARBITRATION CLAUSE
A standard clause to be included in the contracts of exporters and importers, as suggested by the American Arbitration Association. It states that any controversy or claim will be settled by arbitration in accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration Association.
A.T.
American Terms (Marine Insurance) A term used to differentiate between the conditions of American Policies from those of other nations, principally England.
AUTOMATED BROKER INTERFACE (ABI)
An electronic system allowing customhouse brokers and importers to interface via computer with the US Customs Service for transmitting entry and entry summary data on imported merchandise.
AUTOMATED COMMERCIAL SYSTEM (ACS)
The electronic system of the US Customs Service, encompassing a variety of industry sectors, that permits on-line access to information in selected areas.
AUTOMATED MANIFEST SYSTEM (AMS)
The electronic system allowing a manifest inventory to be transmitted to the US Customs Service data center by carrier, port authority or service center computers.
B
BAA
British Airports Authority
BACA
Baltic Air Charter Association
B/B
BARTER
The direct exchange of goods and/or services without the use of money as a medium of exchange and without third-party involvement.
BELLY CARGO
Freight accommodation below the main deck.
BERMUDA AGREEMENT
An agreement concluded in 1946 between the U.K. and the U.S., designed to regulate future international air traffic. Most governments accept its principles and follow it inter alia by limiting traffic rights on international routes to one or two carriers.
BERTH
The place beside a pier, quay or wharf where a vessel can be loaded or discharged.
BERTH LINER SERVICE
Regular scheduled steamship line with regular published schedules (port of call ) from and to defined trade areas.
BERTH OR LINER TERMS
An expression covering assessment of ocean freight rates generally implying that loading and discharging expenses will be for ship owner's account, and usually apply from the end of ship's tackle in port of loading to the end of ship's tackle in port of discharge.
BILATERAL RIGHTS
Agreements on traffic rights concluded between two governments.
BILL OF LADING
A document, issued by a carrier to a shipper, that serves a threefold purpose;
1.
1. A receipt for the goods delivered to the carrier for shipment;
2. A definition of the contract of carriage of the goods from the port of shipment to the port of destination listed in the bill of lading (See Affreightment);
3. Evidence of title to the relative goods (See Bill of Lading, Clean; Bill of Lading, Forwarder's; Bill of Lading, On Board; Bill of Lading, Order; Bill of Lading, Received for Shipment; Bill of Lading, Straight; Bill of Lading, Through Railroad Export).
BILL OF LADING, CLEAN
1.
1. A bill of lading which bears no superimposed clause or notation which expressly declares a defective condition of the goods and/or the packaging, (Article 18, Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary Credits). A bill of lading that contains a clause declaring defective goods is called a Foul-Bill of Lading.
2. A bill of lading that is silent as to the place of storage, indicating that the goods have been stowed under deck (See Unclean Bill of Lading).
BILL OF LADING, FORWARDER'S
A bill of lading issued by a forwarder to a shipper as a receipt for merchandise that the forwarder will consolidate with cargo obtained from other exporters and ship to his agent at the port of destination. Forwarders bill have no standing for banking purposes unless specifically allowed in the letter of credit. Also called house bill of lading.
BILL OF LADING, INLAND
A bill of lading used in transporting goods overland to the exporter's international carrier.
BILL OF LADING, OCEAN
Bill of lading indicating that the exporter consigns a shipment to an international carrier for transport to a specified foreign market.
BILL OF LADING, ON BOARD
A bill of lading acknowledging that the relative goods have been received on board for shipment on a specified vessel.
BILL OF LADING, ORDER
A negotiable bill of lading. There are two types;
1.
1. A bill drawn to the order of a foreign consignee, enabling him to endorse the bill to a third party;
2. A bill drawn to the order of the shipper and endorsed by him either "in blank" or to a named consignee. The purpose of the latter bill is to protect the shipper against the buyer's obtaining the merchandise before he has paid or accepted the relative draft (See also Endorsement, in Blank).
BILL OF LADING, RECEIVED FOR SHIPMENT
A bill of lading acknowledging the receipt of goods by a carrier for shipment on a specified vessel. This type of bill of lading is not acceptable under a letter of credit unless it is specially authorized. English law does not regard these bills as a valid tender under c.i.f. contracts because the c.i.f. seller is obligated to ship the goods, and a Received for Shipment Bill of Lading is not considered proof of shipment.
BILL OF LADING, STRAIGHT
A non-negotiable bill of lading whereby the consignee named in the bill is the owner of the relative goods.
BILL OF LADING, THROUGH
A bill of lading that covers transportation by more than one carrier from the point of issue to the final destination. Example, a bill from New York, via Curacao, to Pampatar, Venezuela.
BILL OF LADING, THROUGH RAILWAY EXPORT
A bill of lading issued by rail carriers serving West coast United States ports, that covers a shipment from the point of origin via port of departure to a Pacific port of destination. Example: A bill from Chicago, via San Francisco, to Manila.
BILL OF SIGHT
A written description of goods given by an importer to a customs officer in the event shipping documents have not arrived in time and the importer wishes to avoid delayed entry charges. When an importer enters goods on a bill of sight, he usually must make a cash deposit covering the estimated amount of duty. When the shipping documents are received and a correct entry is made, the exact amount of duty is levied.
B/L
Bill of Lading - A written document issued by a common carrier, acknowledging the receipt of the goods named and setting forth the terms of the contract of carriage. When in order form, it is negotiable.
BLOODSTOCK
Pedigree Livestock. Often race horses or cattle for breeding.
BONDED WAREHOUSE
A warehouse authorized by customs authorities for storage of goods on which payment of duties is deferred until the goods are removed.
BOOKING
Arrangements with steamship companies for the acceptance and carriage of freight.
BREAK-BULK CARGO
Cargo which is shipped a unit (i.e. palletized cargo, boxed cargo, large machinery, trucks and pre-slung cargo).
BREAK-BULK VESSEL
Designed to handle palletized, pre-slung boxed, and unitized cargo. Holds can be at the open bay or between deck type. Between deck means the hold can be converted from multi levels to open bay. This type of vessel is usually self-sustaining.
BREAKPOINT
Weight at which freight charges change eg 100 kilos.
BROKER
A person or firm that establishes a connection between a buyer and a seller. Brokers operate in many fields; insurance, steamship transport, securities, drafts, and other phases of foreign trade. Not only do brokers bring buyers and sellers together, but they help to negotiate and close contracts of agreements between them.
BRUSSELS NOMENCLATURE Kennedy Round
A standardized system, established in 1950, for classifying commodities for customs purposes. The EEC common external tariff and the tariffs of other major trading nations, except the United States, are based on this nomenclature. The United States tariff schedule (TSUS) contains about 5,000 items as compared to 2,800 in the Brussels Nomenclature.
B/s
b.t.
BULK CARGO
Loose cargo that is loaded directly into a ship's hold.
BULK CARRIER
There are two types of bulk carrier, the dry-bulk carrier and the liquid-bulk carrier better known as a tanker. Bulk cargo is a shipment such as oil, grain, or ore which is not packaged, bundled, bottled, or otherwise packed and is loaded without counting or marking.
BULK SOLIDS
Dry cargo shipped in containers, loose, in bulk, without mark or count.
BUREAU OF STANDARDS
A bureau of the U.S. Department of Commerce that maintains research and testing laboratories, working standards, weights, measurements and norms by which business and government are guided. The Bureau of Standards furnishes development and consulting services to the government and helps business to establish quality standards in all industries other than food and drugs.
C
CAA
Civil Aviation Authority. Government body responsible for regulating U.K. airlines.
CABOTAGE
Where cargo is carried on what is essentially a domestic flight and therefore not subject to international agreements that fix set rates. Cabotage rates are negotiable between shipper and airline and apply on flights within a country and to its overseas territories.
CAD
The acronym meaning "cash against documents," a method of payment for goods in which documents transferring title are given to the buyer upon payment of cash to an intermediary acting for the seller.
CARGO
Merchandise/commodities carried by means of transportation.
CARGO RECEIPT
Receipt of cargo for shipment by a consolidator (used in ocean freight).
CARNET
A customs document permitting the holder to carry or send merchandise temporarily into certain foreign countries without paying duties or posting bonds.
CARRIER(S) CONTAINER(S)/SHIPPER(S) CONTAINER(S)
The term Carrier(s) Container(s) or Shipper(s) Container(s) means containers over which the carrier or the shipper has control either by ownership or by the acquisition thereof under lease or rental from container companies or container suppliers or from similar sources. Carriers are prohibited from purchasing, leasing or renting shipper owned containers.
CARRIER, COMMON
A public or privately owned firm or corporation that transports the goods of others over land, sea, or through the air, for a stated freight rate. By government regulation, a common carrier is required to carry all goods offered if accommodations are available and the established rate is paid.
CAGE
The transporting of goods by truck to or from a vessel, aircraft, or bonded warehouse, all under customs custody.
CARTEL
An association of several independent national or international business organizations that regulates competition by controlling the prices, the production, or the marketing of a product or an industry.
C.C.E.F.
Customs Centralized Examination Facility.
CERTIFICATE OF ANALYSIS
A certificate required by some countries as proof of the quality and composition of food products or pharmaceuticals. The required analysis may be made by a private or government health agency. The certificate must be legalized by a foreign consul of the country concerned, as is the case with such similar certificates as the phytosanitary certificate.
CERTIFICATE OF INSPECTION
A certificate usually required for industrial equipment and mean products. There are companies in every port city that specialize in issuing certificates of inspection for machinery. The Meat Inspection Division of the U.S. Department of Agriculture issues certificates of inspection for meat products that are recognized throughout the world.
CERTIFICATE OF MANUFACTURE
A document used under a letter of credit, containing an affidavit that goods have been manufactured and are being held for the account and risk of the buyer. In war times, when transportation facilities are disrupted, it is common for letter of credits to be paid against presentation of a certificate of manufacture. This is rare in ordinary times, except in the case of specially manufactured goods.
CERTIFICATE OF ORIGIN
A document containing an affidavit to prove the origin of imported goods. It is used for customs or foreign exchange purposes or both. Certificates of origin are commonly certified by a chamber of commerce in the exporting country and frequently must be advised by a consul of the foreign country involved.
C&F
Quoted price includes cost of goods and freight.
CFS (CONTAINER FREIGHT STATION)
The term CFS at loading port means the location designated by carriers for the receiving of cargo to be packed into containers by the carrier. At discharge ports, the term CFS means the bonded location designated by carriers in the port area for unpacking and delivery of cargo.
CFS/CFS (PIER TO PIER)
The term CFS/CFS means cargo delivered by break-bulk to Carrier's CFS to be packed by Carrier into containers and to be unpacked by Carrier from the container at Carrier's destination port CFS.
CFS/CY (PIER TO HOUSE)
The term CFS/CY means cargo delivered break-bulk to Carrier's CFS to be packed by Carrier into containers and accepted by consignee at Carrier's CY and unpacked by the consignee off Carrier's premises, all at consignee's risk and expense.
CFS CHARGE (CONTAINER FREIGHT CHARGE)
The term CFS Charge means the charge assessed for services performed at the loading or discharging port in packing or unpacking of cargo into/from containers at CFS.
CFS RECEIVING SERVICES
The term "CFS Receiving Services" means the service performed at loading port in receiving and packing cargo into containers from CFS to CY or shipside. "CFS Receiving Services" referred herein are restricted to the following
1.
1. Moving empty containers from CY to CFS
2. Drayage of loaded containers from CFS to CY and/or ship's tackle
3. Tallying
4. Issuing dock receipt/shipping order
5. Physical movement of cargo into, out of and within CFS
6. Stuffing, sealing and marking containers
7. Storage
8. Ordinary sorting and stacking
9. Preparing carrier's internal container load plan
CHARGEABLE KILO
Rate for goods where volume exceeds six cubic metres to the tonne.
CHARTER
Originally meant a flight where a shipper contracted hire of an aircraft from an airline. Has usually come to mean any non-scheduled commercial service.
CHARTER PARTY
The contract between the owner of a ship and the individual or company chartering it. Among other specifications, the contract usually stipulates the exact obligations of the ship-owner (loading the goods, carrying the goods to a certain point, returning to the charterer with other goods, etc.); or it provides for an outright leasing of the vessel to the charterer, who then is responsible for his own loading and delivery. In either case, the charter party sets forth the exact conditions and requirements agreed upon by both sides.
CHARTER PARTY BILL OF LADING
A bill of lading issued under a charter party. It is not acceptable by banks under letters of credit unless so authorized in the credit.
CHASSIS
A wheel assemble including bogies constructed to accept mounting of containers.
C & I
Quoted price includes cost of goods and insurance.
C & I
Quoted price includes cost of goods and insurance.
CIA
The acronym meaning "cash in advance," a method of payment for goods whereby buyer pays seller in advance of shipment of goods.
C.I.F.
Quoted price includes cost of goods, insurance and freight.
C.I.T.E.S.
Committee on International Trade of Endangered Species.
CLASS RATES
A class of goods or commodities is a large grouping of various items under one general heading. All items in the group make up a class. The freight rates that apply to all items in the class are called class rates.
CLASSIFICATION
A customs term. The placement of an item under the correct number in the customs tariff for duty purposes. At times this procedure becomes highly complicated; it is not uncommon for importers to resort to litigation over the correct duty to be assessed by the customs on a given item.
CLAUSED BILL OF LADING
A bill of lading which has exemptions to the receipt of merchandise in "apparent good order" noted.
CLEAN BILL OF LADING
A bill of lading which covers goods received in "apparent good order and condition" and without qualification.
CLEAN DRAFT
A draft to which no documents have been attached.
cm
CNS
Cargo Network Services, an IATA company. See IATA.
COLLECTIVE PAPER
All documents (commercial invoices, bills of lading, etc.) submitted to a buyer for the purpose of receiving payment for a shipment.
COMBI
An aircraft with pallet or container capacity on its main deck as well as in its belly holds.
COMBINATION VESSELS
Container/Break-bulk vessel - this type of ship accommodates both container and break-bulk cargo. It can be either self sustaining or non-self sustaining.
COMMERCIAL INVOICE
An itemized list of goods shipped, usually included among an exporter's collection papers.
CONFERENCE
A group of vessel operators joined together for the purpose of establishing freight rates.
-
- RoRo/Container
Vessel - Ship designed to accommodate containers and roll-on
roll-off cargo. It can be self sustaining.
- RoRo/Container/Break-bulk
Vessel - Designated to accommodate three types of cargo,
usually self sustaining.
COMMERCIAL CODE
A published code designed to reduce the total number of words required in a cablegram.
COMMODITY SPECIALIST
An official authorized by the U.S. Treasury to determine proper tariff and value of imported goods.
COMMON CARRIER
A firm or individual that transports persons or goods for compensation.
CONFIRMED LETTER OF CREDIT
A letter of credit, issued by a foreign bank with validity confirmed by a U.S. bank.
CONFISCATION
The taking and holding of private property by a government or an agency acting for a government. Compensation may or may not be given to the owner of the property.
CONSIGNEE
The individual or company to whom a seller or sipper sends merchandise and who, upon presentation of necessary documents, is recognized as merchandise owner for the purpose of declaring and paying customs duties.
CONSIGNEE MARKS
A symbol laced on packages for identification purposes; generally consisting of a triangle, square, circle, diamond, cross, with letters and/or numbers as well as port of discharge.
CONSIGNMENT
Is the physical transfer of goods from a seller (consignor) with whom the title remains, to another legal entity (consignee) who acts as a selling agent, selling the goods and remitting the new proceeds to the consignor.
CONSIGNOR
A term used to describe any person who consigns goods to himself or to another party in a bill of lading or equivalent document. A consignor might be the owner of the goods, or a freight forwarder who consigns goods on behalf of his principal.
CONSOLIDATED SHIPMENT
An arrangement whereby various shippers pool their boxed goods on the same shipment, sharing the total weight charge for the shipment.
CONSOLIDATOR
An agent which brings together a number of shipments for one destination to qualify for preferential airline rates.
CONSORTIUM
The name for an agreement under which several nations or nationals (usually corporations) of more than one nation, join together for a common purpose. It could be for management or exploitation of a natural resource, as in the case of some international petroleum consortiums.
CONSUL
A government official residing in a foreign country, charged with representing the interests of his or her country and its nationals.
CONSULAR DOCUMENTS
Special forms signed by the consul of a country to which cargo is destined.
CONSULAR INVOICE
A document, required by some foreign countries, describing a shipment of goods and showing information such as the consignor, consignee, and value of the shipment. Certified by a consular official of the foreign country, it is used by the country's customs officials to verify the value, quantity and nature of the shipment.
CONTAINER
The term container means a single rigid, non-disposable dry cargo, insulated, temperature controlled flatrack, vehicle rack portable liquid tank, or open top container without wheels or bogies attached, having not less than 350 cubic feet capacity, having a closure or permanently hinged door that allows ready access to the cargo (closure or permanently hinged door not applicable to flatrack vehicle rack or portable liquid tank). All types of containers will have constructions, fittings and fastenings able to withstand without permanent distortion, all the stresses that may be applied in normal service use of continuous transportation. All containers must bear manufacturer's specifications.
CONTAINER SHIP
Ocean going ship designed to carry containers both internally and on deck. Some are self sustaining.
CONTAINERIZATION
Concept for the ultimate unitizing of cargo used by both steamship lines and air cargo lines. Containers allow a greater amount of cargo protection from weather, damage, and theft.
CONTAINERS (AIR CARGO)
Many types of air cargo containers are offered: The containers are designed in various sizes and irregular shapes to conform to the inside dimensions of a specific aircraft.
CONTAINERS (AIR CARGO)
Many types of air cargo containers are offered: The containers are designed in various sizes and irregular shapes to conform to the inside dimensions of a specific aircraft.
CONTAINERS (OCEAN)
Designed to be moved inland on its own chassis and can be loaded at the shippers plant for shipment overseas. Basic types of containers are; dry van, open top, half high, hi cube, flat rock, tank container, refrigerated container, insulated container, tilting container. Average outside dimensions are generally 20, 35, and 40 feet in length, 8 feet wide and 8 feet high standard.
CONTINUOUS BOND
Annual customs bond insuring compliance with all regulations and requirements.
COUNTERTRADE
A reciprocal trading arrangement, which includes a variety of transactions involving two or more parties.
COUNTERVAILING DUTIES
Special duties imposed on imports to offset the benefits of subsidies to producers or exporters of the exporting country.
CUSTOMS BONDED WAREHOUSE
A warehouse where imported goods may be stored for a total of three years without the payment of duty or taxes.
CUSTOMS BROKER
A service company that transacts customhouse formalities on behalf of an importer. In the United States, a customs broker must be licensed by the Treasury Department and pass a government examination covering a broad range of knowledge, including all phases of import regulations, rates of duties, customs law, etc.
CUSTOMS COURT
The court to which importers might appeal or protest decisions made by Customs officers.
CUSTOMS TARIFF
A schedule of charges assessed by the federal government on imported goods.
CUSTOMS UNION
An agreement between two or more countries in which they arrange to abolish tariffs and other import restrictions on each other's goods and establish a common tariff for the imports of all other countries.
CWO
The acronym meaning "cash with order," a method of payment for goods where cash is paid at the time of order and the transaction becomes binding on both buyer and seller.
CY (CONTAINER YARD)
The term CY means the location designated by Carrier in the port terminal area for receiving, assembling, holding, storing and delivering containers, and where containers may be picked up by shippers or re-delivered by consignees. No container yard (CY) shall be a shipper's, consignee's, NVOCC's, or a forwarder's place of business, unless otherwise provided.
CY/CFS (HOUSE TO PIER)
The term CY/CFS means containers packed by shipper of carrier's premises and delivered by shipper to Carrier's CY, all at shipper's risk and expense and unpacked by Carrier at the destination port CFS.
CY/CY (HOUSE TO HOUSE)
The term CY/CY means containers packed by shipper off Carrier's premises and delivered by shipper to Carrier's CY and accepted by consignee a t Carrier's CY and unpacked by consignee off Carrier's premises, all at the risk and expense of cargo.
D
DANGEROUS GOODS
Articles or substance capable of posing a significant risk to health, safety or property, and that ordinarily require special attention when being transported.
DAT
Dangerous articles tariff.
DATE DRAFT
A draft that matures in a specified number of days after issuance without regard to date of acceptance.
DCA
Department of Civil Aviation. Commonly used term to denote the government department of any foreign country that is responsible for aviation regulation and granting traffic rights.
DDP
Delivered duty paid. Also known as "free domicile."
DDU
Delivered duty unpaid. Reflects the emergence of "door-to-door" intermodal or courier contracts or carriage where only the destination customs duty and taxes (if any) are paid by consignee.
DEAD LEG
A sector flown without payload.
DEAD FREIGHT
Freight charges paid by the charterer of vessel for the contracted space, which is left partially unoccupied.
DECK CARGO
Cargo carried on deck rather than stowed under deck. On deck carriage is required for certain commodities, such as explosives.
DEFERRED REBATE
The return of a portion of the freight charges by a carrier or a conference shipper in exchange for the shipper giving all or most of his shipments to the carrier or conference over a specified period of time (usually 6 months). Payment of the rate is deferred for a further similar period, during which the shipper must continue to give all or most of his shipments to the rebating carrier or conference. The shipper thus earns a further rebate which will not, however, be paid without an additional period of exclusive or almost exclusive patronage with the carrier of conference. In this way, the shipper becomes tied to the rebating carrier or conference. Although, the deferred rebate system is illegal in U.S. foreign commerce, it generally is accepted in the ocean trade between foreign countries.
DEMURRAGE
A penalty for exceeding free time allowed for loading or unloading at a pier or freight terminal. Also a charge for undue detention of transportation equipment or carriers in port while loading or unloading.
DENSITY
Density means pounds per cubic foot. The cubage of loose articles or pieces, or packaged articles of a rectangular, elliptical or square shape on one plane shall be determined by multiplying the greatest straight line dimensions of length, width and depth in inches, including all projections, and dividing the total by 1728 (to obtain cubic feet). The density is the weight of the article divided by the cubic feet thus obtained.
DEQ
Delivered ex quay/duty paid.
D.F.
DGR
Dangerous Goods Requirement.
DIM WEIGHT
(Dimensionalized Weight) Determined by calculating length x width x height and dividing by 166. Charged when actual weight is less than the dim. weight.
DOCK RECEIPT
When cargo is delivered to a steamship company at the pier, the receiving clerk issues a dock receipt.
DOT
Department of Transportation
DRAFT
(also Bill of Exchange) An unconditional order in writing from one person (the Drawer) to another (the Drawee), directing the drawee to pay a specified amount to a named drawer on a fixed date.
DRAWBACK
A remission of duty or charges paid, in whole or in part. In the case of raw materials to be used in the manufacture of articles for export, the United States customs law allows remission of up to 99% of duty at the time the finished products are exported. As an alternative, in many cases the raw materials may be imported under bond, which eliminated the payment of duty and obtaining of a refund.
DRAWEE
The individual or firm on whom a draft is drawn and who owes the stated amount to the drawer.
DRY LEASE
The rental of a "clean" aircraft without crew, ground staff or supporting equipment.
DST
The acronym meaning "double stack train" service, which is the transport rail between two points of a trainload of containers with two containers, one on top of the other, per chassis.
d.w.
Deadweight (tons of 2,240 lbs.)
d.w.c.
E
E.A.O.N.
Except as otherwise noted.
EDI or EDIFACT
Electronic Data Interchange for Administration, Commerce and Transport, from the UN-backed electronic data interchange standards body, to create electronic versions of common business documents that will work on a global scale. One digital document under consideration, the International Forwarding and Transport Message will do the jobs of six different electronic messages currently in use.
EMPTY LEG
Results from an aircraft primarily chartered outbound having cargo capacity inbound or vice versa. A cheap form of airfreight.
ENDORSEMENT IN BLANK
- Commonly
used on a bank check, an endorsement in blank is an endorsement
to the bearer. It contains only the name of the endorser and specifies
no particular payee.
- Also,
a common means of endorsing bills of lading dawn to the order of
the shipper. The bills are endorsed "For..." (see Bill
of Lading, Order).
Ex. B.L.
EXPORT BROKER
The individual who brings together buyer and seller for a fee, eventually withdrawing from any transaction.
EXPORT DECLARATION
A form
to be completed by the exporter or their authorized agent and filed
in triplicate by a carrier with the United State Collector of customs
at the point of exit. It serves a twofold purpose:
-
- Primarily,
it is used by the U.S. Bureau of Census for the compilation
of export statistics on United States foreign trade (for this
reason an export declaration is required for practically all
shipments from the United States to foreign countries and the
United States possessions, except for mail shipments of small
value, or for those of a non commercial character);
- The
declaration also serves as an export control document because
it must be presented, together with the export license, to the
United States Customs at the port of export. If the goods may
be exported under general export license, this fact must be
stated on the export declaration.
EXPORT LICENSE
A document secured from a government, authorizing an exporter to export a specific quantity of a particular commodity to a certain country. An export license is often required if a government has place embargoes or other restrictions upon exports. See General Export License.
EXPORT TRADING COMPANY
A corporation or other business unit organized and operated primarily for the purpose of exporting goods and services, or of providing export related services to other companies.
EXPRESS
Premium-rated service for urgent deliveries.
EXW
Ex works. Same as the former "Ex Works."
F
F.A.S.-FREE ALONGSIDE
Quoted price includes the cost of delivering the goods alongside a designated vessel.
FAK
Freight All Kinds - uniform airline charging scale applying to a number of commodities; as opposed to SCR (Specific Commodity Rate) applying to one commodity only.
FAS
FATHOM
(Nautical) Conversion equivalents: 6 feet; 1.83 meters.
F.C.L.
Full container load, full car load.
F.c.s.
Free of capture and seizure.
f.c.s.r.c.c.
Free of capture, seizure, riots and civil commotions.
F.&.D.
FEU
FIATA
International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations.
FIFTH FREEDOM FLIGHT
Where cargo is carried by an airline between two countries in neither of which it is based.
F.i.b.
Free in bunkers; free into barge.
FLAG CARRIER
An airline of one national registry whose government gives it partial or total monopoly over international routes.
F.O.B.-FREE ON BOARD
Quoted price includes the cost of loading goods into transport vessels at the specified place.
F.o.d.
FOLDED
An article folded in such a manner as to reduce its bulk 33 1/3% from its normal shipping cubage when not folded.
FORCE MAJEURE
The title of a standard clause found in marine contracts exempting the parties for nonfulfillment of their obligations by reasons of occurrences beyond their control, such as earthquakes, floods or war.
FOREIGN TRADE ZONE
A free port in the United Stated divorced from Customs authority but under Federal control. Merchandise, except that which is prohibited, may be stored in the zone without being subjected to the United States tariff regulation. Also called Free Trade Zone.
FOREIGN TRADE ZONE ENTRY
A form declaring goods which are brought duty free into a Foreign Trade Zone for further processing or storage and subsequent exportation.
FORWARDER, FREIGHT FORWARDER, FOREIGN FREIGHT FORWARDER
An independent business that dispatches shipments for exporters for a fee. The firm may ship by land, air |