Shipping Glossary
Explore commonly used shipping, freight forwarding and international trade terminology with clear explanations.
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Air Waybill AWB
A transport document issued for air cargo shipments. It serves as evidence of the contract of carriage and contains details of the shipment, consignor and consignee.
Bill of Lading B/L
A transport document issued by or on behalf of a carrier acknowledging receipt of goods for shipment. It also evidences the contract of carriage and may function as a document of title, depending on its type.
CBM Cubic Metre
A standard unit of measurement for cargo volume. One CBM represents a volume of one cubic metre.
Chargeable Weight
The weight used by a carrier to calculate freight charges. For air cargo, it is generally the greater of actual gross weight and volumetric weight.
Consignee
The person or organisation named in the transport document as the party to whom the goods are to be delivered.
Consignor
The person or organisation identified as the sender or shipper of the goods.
Customs Clearance
The process of completing required customs declarations, documentation, assessments and formalities for goods entering or leaving a country.
Demurrage
A charge that may be imposed when a container remains inside a terminal beyond the permitted free time. The applicable rules depend on the carrier and terminal.
Detention
A charge that may apply when a container is kept outside the terminal beyond the permitted free time before being returned to the carrier.
ETA Estimated Time of Arrival
The estimated date and time at which a vessel, aircraft or other transport vehicle is expected to arrive.
ETD Estimated Time of Departure
The estimated date and time at which a vessel, aircraft or other transport vehicle is expected to depart.
FCL Full Container Load
A shipping arrangement in which a container is booked for the exclusive use of one shipment, subject to the carrier's booking terms.
Freight Forwarder
A service provider that arranges and coordinates the transportation of goods on behalf of shippers.
Gross Weight
The total weight of cargo including its packaging and any applicable packing materials.
HS Code Harmonized System Code
An internationally recognised product classification code used by customs authorities to identify traded goods.
LCL Less than Container Load
A shipping arrangement in which cargo shares container space with shipments belonging to other parties.
Manifest
A document or electronic record containing details of cargo carried on a vessel, aircraft or other transport vehicle.
POD Proof of Delivery
A record confirming that a shipment has been delivered to the designated recipient or delivery location.
TEU Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit
A standard unit used to describe container capacity. One TEU represents the capacity of a standard 20-foot container.
Volumetric Weight
A calculated weight based on the space occupied by a shipment. It is used by carriers when determining applicable freight charges.
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