Resources

LINKS :

Inco Terms 2000
Coversion Tables
Container Specifications
World Time

INTERNATIONAL TRADE TERMS

ATA Carnet

A customs document, which enables one to carry or send goods temporarily into certain foreign countries without paying duties or posting bonds.

Airway Bill

The carrying agreement between shipper and air carrier, which is obtained from the airline, used to ship the goods.

Automated Broker Interface

Permits transmission of data pertaining to merchandise being imported into the U.S. directly to U.S. Customs.

Bill Of Lading

A document, which provides the terms of the contract between the shipper and the transportation company to move freight between, stated points at a specified charge.

Bill-to

The party paying for the charges.

Carrier

A transportation line that hauls cargo.

Claim
A process for loss or damaged freight by the customer.

Certificate of Origin
A document containing an affidavit to prove the origin of imported goods. Used for customs and foreign exchange purposes.

CFR
(Cost & Freight) (C&F) An international trade term of sale in which the seller/exporter/manufacturer clears the goods for export and is responsible for delivering the goods past the ships rail at the port of shipment (not destination).

COD
Collect (cash) on Delivery; shipper's money.

Commercial Invoice
A document created by the seller. It is an official document which is used to indicate, among other things, the name and address of the buyer and seller, the product(s) being shipped, and their value for customs, insurance, or other purposes.

Consignee
The person, firm, or representative, to whom a seller or shipper sends merchandise and who, upon presentation of the necessary documents, is recognized as the owner of the merchandise for the purpose of the payment of customs duties. This term is also used as applying to one to whom goods are shipped, usually at the shipper’s risk, when an outright sale has not been made.

Consignment
A term pertaining to merchandise shipped to a consignee abroad when an actual purchase has not been made, under an agreement by which the consignee is obligated to sell the goods for the account of the consignor, and to remit proceeds as goods are sold.

Container
Alternate way to pack freight. They are usually supplied by the airlines.

Country of Origin
The country in which a product or commodity is manufactured or produced.

Customs
The agency or procedure for collecting duties imposed by a country on imports or exports.

Custom Broker / Customhouse Broker
A firm that represents importers/exporters in dealings with customs. Normally responsible for obtaining and submitting all documents for clearing merchandise through customs, arranging inland transport, and paying all charges related to these functions.

Custom Clearance
The act of obtaining permission to import merchandise from another country into the importing nation.

Door-to-Door
The pickup agent takes the goods directly from his premises to the consignee's location. The pickup agent is responsible for proper stowage and security of the cargo.

Duty
The tax imposed by a government on merchandise imported from another country.

Export
To send goods to a foreign country or overseas territory.

Export Broker
One who brings together the exporter and importer for a fee and then withdraws from the transaction.

Export License
A governmental permit required to export certain products to certain destinations.

Federal Aviation Administration
The federal agency that administers federal safety regulations governing air transportation.

FCCOD
Freight Charge Cash on Delivery (to the forwarder).

FCL
Full Container Load.

FOB
Free on Board.

Government Bill of Lading (GBL)
The bill of lading used for shipments made by U.S. Government agencies.

Gross Weight
The weight of the goods, including packaging, wrapping, and internal and external containers.

HAWB
This is the company's bill of lading number.

Import
To bring merchandise into a country from another country or overseas territory.

Import License
A governmental document which permits the importation of a product or material into a country where such licenses are necessary.

Just-in-Time (JIT)
An in-bound manufacturing strategy that smoothes material flow into assembly and manufacturing plants. JIT minimizes inventory investment by providing timely, sequential deliveries of product exactly where and when it is needed, from a multitude of suppliers. Traditionally an automotive strategy, it is being introduced into many other industries.

LCL
Less than container load.

Logistics
The function which encompasses materials management and physical distribution.

Maquiladora Transportation
A program which allows foreign manufacturers to ship components into Mexico duty-free for assembly and subsequent re-export.

NAFTA
North American Free Trade Agreement.

Net Weight
The weight of the commodity only.

NVOCC (Non-Vessel Operating Common Carrier)
A firm that offers the same services as an ocean carrier, but which does not own or operate a vessel. NVOCCs usually act as consolidators, accepting small shipments (LCL) and consolidating them into full container loads. They then act as a shipper, tendering the containers to ocean common carriers. They are required to file tariffs with the Federal Maritime Commission and are subject to the same laws and
statutes that apply to primary common carriers.

Ocean Container
A single rigid, sealed, reusable metal box in which merchandise is shipped by vessel, truck or rail.

OFD
Out for Delivery.

"On Board" Bill of Lading
A bill of lading in which a carrier acknowledges that goods have been placed on board a certain vessel.

"Order Bill of Lading"
A bill of lading, negotiable, made out to the order of the shipper.

POD
Proof of Delivery

Refridgerated Truck (Reefer)
A specialized type of truck with built in diesel power generator, engineered for the transportation of refrigerated and perishable commodities.

Standard Industrial Classification (SIC)
A numerical system developed by the U.S. Government for the classification of commercial services and industrial products. Also classifies establishments by type of activity.

Standard Industrial Trade Clarification (SITC)
A numerical system developed by the United Nations to classify commodities used in international trade as an aid to reporting trade statistics.

Straight Bill of Lading
A bill of lading, non-negotiable, in which the goods are consigned directly to a named consignee.

Tarrif
A document issued by a carrier setting forth applicable rules, rates, and charges for the movement of goods. The document sets up a contract of carriage between the shipper, consignee, and carrier.

Third-Party Provider
A firm that supplies goods and services such as transportation and logistics to another company.

Tracing
Determining a shipment's location during the course of a move.

Tracking
A carrier's system of recording movement intervals of shipments from origins to destination.

TSA
Transportation Security Administration – The TSA protects the nation's transportation systems to ensure freedom of movement for people and commerce.

Click here to download our company profile