Common shipping terms
1) Accessorial Services & Charges
Accessorial Services are the special services offered by carrier companies in addition to their standard transportation solutions. These services include Inside Delivery, White Glove Service, Hazardous Materials Handling, and more.
2) Accord Dangereux Routier (ADR)
Accord Dangereux Routier is a European agreement (or regulation) that controls and manages international transportation of dangerous goods.
3) Actual Time of Arrival (ATA)
Actual Time of Arrival refers to the exact time when the transportation vehicle (ship/plane/truck) reaches its destination shipping point.
4) Actual Time of Departure (ATD)
Actual Time of Departure is the exact time when the transportation vehicle, such as a ship, aircraft, or truck, leaves the point of origin or the original shipping point.
5) Advance Freight
When you pay for the transportation service or cargo shipping in advance (before the delivery arrives at its destination), it’s called Advance Freight. In other words, it’s a freight booking or reserving method with prepayment for secure transportation services.
6) Advanced Shipping Notice (ASN)
Advanced Shipping Notice is a document that provides every subtle detail regarding a pending or upcoming delivery. These details include the estimated delivery date, carrier information, and shipment number.
7) Agency Tariff
An agency tariff is a document that includes the rates and conditions for the transportation services provided by the agency. These tariffs help maintain pricing transparency between the agency and its clients.
8) Aggregate Shipment
Aggregate shipment is a shipping process where multiple individual shipments from different vendors are delivered to the buyer as a single shipment. It’s one of the best ways to save shipping costs and reduce carbon footprint. Sometimes, an aggregate shipment is also called a consolidated shipment or groupage shipment.
9) Aggregator
In shipping, aggregators work as intermediaries that help businesses connect with multiple logistics providers. They mainly centralize shipping services and information from different carriers and let you choose as per your needs. They’re also known as “courier or shipping aggregators.”
10) Air Freight
Air freight (also known as air cargo) is the process of delivering goods or commodities via aircraft. Air Freight becomes convenient when your customers request priority shipping. In fact, it’s a helpful method to send high-value and perishable goods to a long-distance delivery point.
11) Air Traffic Control (ATC)
Air Traffic Control is a standardized service offered by controllers to prevent ground or mid-air collisions and ensure aircraft safety in both airspace and airports.
12) Air Waybill (AWB)
An Air Waybill (AWB) is a document or receipt offered by shipping companies. It mainly works as an agreement between the shipper and the carrier. The AWB consists of essential information such as AWB no., consignee’s signature, shipper’s signature, terms & conditions, and so on.
13) All-Risk Cargo Insurance
All-Risk Cargo Insurance is an insurance policy offered by carrier companies to provide protection for in-transit goods. It means if any internal and external damages or losses occur during transportation, this insurance indemnifies the sender for said losses.
14) American Bureau of Shipping (ABS)
American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) is the global leader in the maritime classification organization. It’s committed to providing best-in-class ship classification solutions, conducting surveys of offshore installation, and risk assessment services.
15) American Wire Gauge (AWG)
American Wire Gauge is a system used for measuring the diameter of the electric wire used to ensure the safety of the ship.
16) Anti-Dumping Duty
Anti-dumping duty is a tax the domestic government imposes on foreign imported goods that usually have lower prices according to the domestic country’s market value. This practice helps the government secure their local businesses against sabotage and protect the national economy.
17) Anti-Piracy Measures
Anti-piracy measures are some strategies and security procedures adopted by ship owners or maritime authorities to keep the vessels safe from pirate attacks. These measures include armed guards, secure zones, and crew training.
18) Application Programming Interface (API)
In the shipping industry, Application Programming Interfaces allow different software applications to exchange information with each other. You can integrate shipping APIs with your eCommerce store or business system to simplify tasks like shipping label generation, rate calculation, or order manifestation.
19) Arrival Port
The last destination port where a ship's cargo enters and completes its shipping journey is called Arrival Port.
20) Astern
When the ship/vessel moves in the backward direction to its usual forward movement, it’s called the astern direction. So, Astern refers to the reverse movement of a ship.
21) ATA Carnet
“ATA” in ATA Carnet stands for “Admission Temporaire/Temporary Admission.” ATA Carnet refers to the international customs document that eases the importation and exportation of goods/commodities on a temporary basis - without the extra hassle of going through complex customs processes. ATA Carnet has been issued across 78 countries including India.
22) Authorized Economic Operator (AEO)
Authorized Economic Operator is a certification issued by the customs authorities to businesses for seamless international trade. With the help of AEO, businesses can significantly ease inspection procedures associated with complex customs regulations.
23) Automated Broker Interface (ABI)
Automated Broker Interface is an electronic system of transferring data. It helps customs brokers send all importing process-related information to importers and automate customs clearance.
24) Automated Delivery
Automated Delivery is a premium shipping process where advanced technology is used to automate delivery-related tasks like customer communication, real-time tracking, order manifestation, etc.
25) Automated Export System (AES)
Automated Export System is an electronic filing system used by U.S. exporters to notify the international export information to the U.S. Census Bureau. This data further helps them compile and manage the export and trade statistics of the country.
26) Automated Shipment Tracking
Automated shipment tracking refers to when software is used to automate the monitoring of packages at each step of their journey and get real-time insights about the shipping.
27) Automated Case Picking
Automated case picking is a premium order-picking process where automation and robotic technology are used to pick cartons and boxes in the warehouse after an order has been placed.
28) Automated Manifest System (AMS)
In the United States, a special computerized system is used to ease and secure the international export and import processes. It’s called the Automated Manifest System. AMS mainly transfers the shipment-related data electronically - which further helps customs authorities manage the whole process.
29) Automated Order Manifestation
When automation is integrated to facilitate order processing tasks like generating shipping labels and AWB and streamlining packing lists, it’s called Automated Order Manifestation.
30) Automated Label Generation
Most of the time, retailers eliminate manual printing jobs and leverage print automation to generate shipping labels. This process is known as Automated Label Generation.
31) Automatic Identification System (AIS)
The Automatic Identification System is a tracking technology that helps understand the position of vessels in the sea. The international maritime organization uses AES to ensure the safety of the vessels and efficiently manage vessel traffic services.
32) Average Order Value (AOV)
In eCommerce, Average Order Value is a metric used to define the average total of every order within a specific timeframe. It’s calculated by dividing the total revenue by the number of orders.
33) Backhaul
Backhaul is a shipping method where the vehicle delivers goods on its way back to the point of origin after shipping packages to one destination. This backhauling process is specially introduced to enhance transportation efficiency in a cost-effective way.
34) Backorder
Customers often order products that are temporarily unavailable in the inventory. In such cases, those orders are accepted, but there may be delays in the order fulfillment process. This situation is called backorder.
35) Balance of Trade (BOT)
Balance of Trade is a metric used to measure the difference between the value of a country’s export and import goods over a specific period.
36) Ballast
Ballast is a heavy material used for controlling a vessel’s stability in situations like weight changes and adverse sea conditions.
37) Balloon Freight
When the weight of the products in freight is lesser than its volume, it’s defined as balloon freight.
38) Baltic and International Maritime Council (BIMCO)
The Baltic and International Maritime Council is one of the largest shipping organizations in the world. It mainly represents the shipowners and other stakeholders related to the maritime industry and manages international shipping policies.
39) Barcode
In shipping, barcodes are the parallel vertical lines printed on shipping labels. These barcodes are scanned by machines to fetch product information.
40) Barge
A barge refers to a flat-bottomed boat mainly used to transfer goods via rivers or canals.
41) Basic Ocean Freight (BOF)
Basic ocean freight is the fundamental fee charged by shipping companies for transportation via sea. Basic Ocean Freight is also known as ocean freight rate or freight rate.
42) Batch Fulfillment
Batch Fulfillment is a process where multiple customer orders are compiled together for delivery. It’s a great way to enhance work efficiency and reduce transportation costs.
43) Batch Picking
In warehouses or distribution centers, customer orders of the same type are often picked in batches. This process is known as Batch Fulfillment. The main purpose of batch fulfillment is to optimize the efficiency and speed of order picking and packing.
44) Belay
In shipping terminology, sailors often use the word “belay” to order the crew members to fasten the ship so it doesn’t sail away.
45) Belly Cargo
When the freight is stored under the main deck of the aircraft, it’s called Belly cargo.
46) Beneficial Cargo Owner (BCO)
Beneficial cargo owner refers to the person who solely takes charge of the cargo at the destination - without relying on any third-party providers like freight forwarders.
47) Bill of Exchange
A Bill of Exchange is a crucial legal document required in the export process. It includes every shipment detail like product information, payment time & method, arrival time, etc.
48) Bill of Lading (BoL)
A Bill of Lading is a legal document issued by a carrier company to the sender. It contains crucial shipping information, such as shipping type, quantity, and delivery point. BoL also works as a receipt of the shipments.
49) Bill of Materials (BOM)
The bill of materials is mainly a document where raw materials, components, or instructions needed to manufacture a product are enlisted.
50) Bill-to Party
Bill-to-Party is a person or a company responsible for financial activities associated with a shipment.
51) Bill of Sale
A Bill of Sale is a legal document used to transfer the right of commodities from one person to another.
52) Billed Weight
Billed weight is the weight used for billing purposes. The carrier companies consider the greater of the actual weight and the dimensional weight to determine the billed weight.
53) Blind Shipping
Blind shipping is a shipment method where the retailer/seller doesn’t disclose the identity of the original supplier to maintain their profit margin. It’s one of the common shipping methods dropshippers use.
54) Block Stowage
Block Stowage is a specific cargo storing method in a ship where all the containers that are going to offload in a specific location are segregated together.
55) Bonded Goods
Bonded Goods refer to the imported goods stored under customs authorities’ control and supervision in a bonded warehouse. Custom duties or any taxes on behalf of these goods are yet pending.
56) Bonded Warehouse
A bonded warehouse is a secure storage area where newly imported goods and commodities are stocked and processed. When the goods are stored in bonded warehouses, shippers don’t need to pay import taxes, customs duties, or taxes.
57) Bond Port
Bond port refers to the port of the destination country where the ship reaches initially.
58) Bottom-Air Delivery Units
Bottom-air delivery Units are specially related to air conditioning or ventilation. These units supply conditioned air from the bottom side of a warehouse or storage room.
59) Breakbulk
When goods are transported as individual pieces instead of a bulk shipment, it’s called breakbulk.
60) Break-Even Point (BEP)
Often, a shipping company’s earnings from a single shipment get similar to the cost for that particular transportation. In such a situation, that company neither makes a profit nor suffers from losses. This exact situation is called the break-even point.
61) Broken Stowage
When irregularly shaped cargo items are stored in a container, it leaves some empty spaces that can’t be used. As a result, it reduces the overall cargo shipping capacity. This situation is called broken stowage.
62) Brokerage
A brokerage is an intermediary that streamlines work from the sides of both the supplier and the carrier. It facilitates tasks like cargo movement, rate negotiation, logistics coordination, etc.
63) Bulk Cargo
Bulk Cargo is a type of shipping process where loose or unpackaged goods are shipped in large quantities - without containers.
64) Bull Ring
A bull ring is a device that helps keep the cargo securely stored.
65) Bunker Adjustment Factors (BAF)/Bunker Surcharge
When fluctuation arises in the cost of the bunker fuel, extra charges are added to the fundamental cost of the freight. It’s known as Bunker Adjustment Factors.
66) Bunker Fuel
The fuel that’s used to power a ship or a vessel is called bunker fuel.
67) Buyers’ Consolidation
When multiple smaller shipments are combined together as a huge single shipment and sent to a common buyer or consignee, this process is called Buyer’s consolidation. It’s one of the cost-effective ways to reduce transportation expenses.
68) Branded Tracking Page
Branded tracking page is a customized (with the brand theme, color, and cross-selling features) online portal that’s given to customers to track their packages real-time.
69) Cabotage
Cabotage is the right to operate a transportation process within the same country by a shipper/company from a foreign country. The cabotage rule was mainly introduced to protect domestic shipping.
70) CAFTA-DR
CAFTA-DR is also known as DR-CAFTA. It stands for Dominican Republic-Central America- United States Free Trade Agreement. It helps build a strong trade relationship and stability throughout the U.S., Central America, and the Dominican Republic.
71) Cargo
Cargo is the products, goods, or commodities that are transported via air, rail, truck, and ocean.
72) Cargo Manifest
The Cargo Manifest is a comprehensive document that contains every subtle detail related to the cargo that’s ready for transportation. These details include transportation vehicle information, consignee information, cargo description, container number, port of discharge, etc.
73) Carriage and Insurance Paid To (CIP)
Carriage and Insurance Paid To is an international commercial term that portrays the responsibilities of the buyer and the seller in a transportation process. It also specifies that once the goods are handed over to the first carrier, the seller would no longer be responsible for the transportation. It’d be the buyer’s responsibility. However, the seller would still take care of the cost of carriage and insurance coverage.
74) Carrier
A carrier refers to a company responsible for the order fulfillment on behalf of the seller/retailer. Typically, it provides services like order management, order processing, transportation, customs clearance services, final-mile delivery, and so on.
75) Carrier’s certificate
The carrier’s certificate is a legal document issued by the carrier company. It contains information about transportation. Sometimes, the carrier’s certificate also works as a formal acknowledgment of the shipment.
76) Cash on Delivery
Cash on Delivery is a payment method where the customers pay at the time of delivery - mainly in cash.
77) CCC Mark
The CCC Mark stands for the China Compulsory Certificate mark. It’s mainly a Chinese product certification system. It helps ensure that the imported products maintain certain safety and quality standards in China.
78) Certificate of Origin (CO)
A certificate of origin is a legal document that demonstrates the origin of goods exported from one country to another. This certificate of origin comes in handy to verify the eligibility of the products for trade agreements.
79) Certification of Conformity (COC)
A certification of conformity assures that supplied goods have undergone several inspections, tests, and assessments and meet the importing countries’ safety standards.
80) Change of Destination (COD)
The change of destination is a modification in the registered delivery address. It often occurs because of customer unavailability or operational issues.
81) Chassis
The chassis is a specialized undercarriage that helps intermodal containers move from the port to their final destination via truck.
82) Clean on Board
The term Clean on Board is often used in the bill of lading. It means the goods or commodities have been delivered in good condition, and no damage occurred with them during the shipment.
83) Commercial Invoice
A commercial invoice is a financial document used for the payment of goods and services. It includes a detailed breakdown of the product pricing, transaction, and fees for other additional services.
84) Commodity
Commodities refer to the basic goods or raw materials that are interchangeable with other goods of the same type. Mostly, they are used to manufacture finished materials. For example, crude oil is refined to produce petroleum products like gasoline, diesel fuel, etc, and that’s why it’s widely traded in the global marketplace. Here, crude oil is a commodity.
85) Congestion Surcharge
Oftentimes, the carrier company needs to pay for the extra expenses for the congestion at the post. In such cases, they impose an extra fee on the seller. This additional fee is called the congestion surcharge.
86) Consignee
The person or company to whom the shipments are delivered is known as the consignee. For D2C brands, a consignee refers to the end customer. On the other hand, for a B2B brand, a consignee may refer to another company.
87) Consignment
Consignment refers to a specific arrangement of goods and services related to the shipping process. These include packaging, paperwork, coordination, and transportation.
88) Consolidation
When multiple shipments from different sellers are grouped together into a larger shipment, this process is called “consolidation,” “consolidated shipping,” or “groupage.”
89) Contactless Delivery
Contactless delivery is a special delivery process where the agent leaves the parcel at customer-specified locations like the doorstep, pickup point, or curbside to avoid physical contact.
90) Container
A container refers to a metal box used for the storage of cargo.
91) Container Freight Station (CFS)
A container freight station is a facility center or a warehouse where goods are consolidated and unconsolidated before export or after import. These container freight stations are mainly found near ports and transportation hubs.
92) Container Load
Container load refers to the extent of container capacity being used for a shipment. It’s often categorized as Full Container Load (FCL) and Less than Container Load (LCL). To put it simply, container load indicates how much a standard shipping container has been packed.
93) Container Yard (CY)
Container Yard is a facilitation hub where containers are stored before they are loaded onto a ship and offloaded.
94) Contraband
When an item is illegal or prohibited for sale or possession, those items are referred to as contraband.
95) Contract Carrier
A contract carrier is a specific transportation provider that works under an exclusive agreement with a limited number of clients/shippers. This agreement includes the delivery route, carrier pricing, and delivery responsibilities.
96) Contract Logistics
When a company (mainly a seller/retailer) outsources the whole supply chain management and logistics services to another carrier company that specializes in these services, it’s called contract logistics.
97) Cost and Freight (CFR)
The Cost and Freight is a term used in international trade. It specifies that the seller pays the cost and freight fees for delivering the goods to the destination port.
98) Cost, Insurance, and Freight (CIF)
Cost, Insurance, and Freight (CIF) is mainly an international shipping agreement that contains the charges a seller pays for the cost, insurance, and freight of a customer’s order. CIF is often used in ocean transportation.
99) Cost Net Freight (CNF)
Cost Net Freight is the total charges a seller pays for the freight-related services. Here, note that the Cost Net Freight doesn’t include the insurance for the shipping.
100) Country of Origin
The country of origin refers to the country from where a product is manufactured, produced, and shipped to other countries.
101) Courier Allocation
Courier Allocation is an automated system that allocates orders to the best-suited carrier company by determining various factors needed to fulfill the orders efficiently. These factors include delivery location, delivery types, or shipping goals.
102) Courier Charges
The courier charges are the fees imposed by a courier company for the transportation of goods.
103) Courier Management Software (CMS)
A courier management software offers a bunch of tools and features to help manage the tasks related to shipments - from order processing to final delivery.
104) Courier Time Calculator
Courier Time Calculator is a tool that carrier companies often integrate into their tech stack. With a Courier Time Calculator, you can assume how long it’ll take to deliver a parcel to the end consumer. As a result, you can provide a clear estimated delivery time to the recipient.
105) Cross-border Shipment
Cross-border shipping refers to the shipments of goods or cargo across national or state borders.
106) Cross-docking
Cross-docking is a process where the items are immediately delivered to the outbound carriers after receiving them from producers - without any storing in between.
107) Cubic Capacity
Cubic capacity refers to the space a container or cargo takes in the storage. It’s mainly measured in cubic feet or cubic meters. The formula that’s used to calculate cubic capacity is “height x width x length” of a particular item.
108) Currency Adjustment Factors (CAF)
Currency Adjustment Factors is an additional fee charged for the fluctuations in the currency exchange rate on trades between the U.S. and Pacific Rim countries.
109) Customs
Some regulatory procedures like document verification, duty collection, and goods inspection are performed while transporting goods from one country to another or one state to another. These activities at borders are called customs.
110) Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
U.S. Customs and Border (CBP) Protection is a law enforcement organization that regulates the customs and security laws to safeguard America’s borders and maintain secure trade.
111) Customs Invoice
The customs invoice is a legal document often used in international trade and shipping for customs clearance. It consists of detailed information regarding goods descriptions and the value of those goods.
112) Customs of the Port (COP)
Customs of the Port refers to the rules, regulations, and procedures needed for customs authorities at the port. These include customs inspection, customs documentation, tariffs, and so on.
113) Cut-off time
Cut-off time is the specific date or deadline that’s imposed on the carrier so the goods reach their destination on time.
114) Dangerous Cargo Service
Dangerous cargo service is a specialized solution often offered by the carrier provider to manage the transportation of dangerous goods without hampering any laws.
115) Dangerous Goods
Dangerous goods refer to any goods that can cause risks to health, property, and the environment when transported to another country or state. They’re also known as hazardous materials.
116) Deadweight tonnage (DWT)
The deadweight tonnage refers to the carrying capacity of a vessel.
117) Delivered-at-Place (DAP)
Delivered-at-Place means that the seller would be responsible for all the risks and costs of shipping the cargo to the agreed-upon place.
118) Delivered at Place Unloaded (DPU)
Delivered at Place Unloaded is an incoterm that specifies the seller is responsible for delivering the cargo at the destination point, including customs clearance and for unloading them from the transportation vehicle.
119) Delivered Ex Ship (DES)
Delivered Ex Ship is an international trade rule that entails that the sellers must fulfill their contractual obligations by delivering the cargo to the port assigned by the buyer.
120) Delivery
Delivery is the transportation of goods from one place (the warehouse/fulfillment center) to the customers’ requested address.
121) Delivery at Terminal (DAT)
Delivery at Terminal means the seller will be responsible for delivering the cargo to the pre-planned terminal. From there, the buyer will take the charge for the shipment.
122) Delivery Authorization Document (DAD)
Delivery Authorization Document is a certificate that authorizes the delivery of goods to the recipient.
123) Delivery Companies
Delivery companies are organizations that are experts and specialized in providing shipping services to B2B or B2C companies or individuals.
124) Delivery Duty Paid (DDP)
The delivery Duty Paid (DDP) is an agreement where the seller takes all the charges and responsibilities, including cargo taxes until they’re delivered to customers.
125) Delivery Duty Unpaid (DDU)
Delivery Duty Unpaid is an invoice that means the seller will only be responsible for delivering the products to the buyer. He will not pay for the customs duties.
126) Delivery management software
Delivery management software is a tool that offers multiple features like route optimization, delivery tracking, and delivery scheduling to efficiently manage the shipping process.
127) Delivery note
A delivery note is a document that includes the details of the shipment. The recipient must sign it as proof of delivery.
128) Delivery Order (DO)
The delivery order is a document issued by the carrier company or the shipper - giving permission for delivery to another party.
129) Delivery Receipt
The delivery report serves as proof of delivery, showing that the buyer has successfully received the parcel. The delivery receipt includes the recipient’s signature, delivery time and date, contact information, product information, and more.
130) Delivery Route planning
Delivery route planning is the process of strategizing delivery ways for timely delivery.
131) Demurrage
Demurrage is the additional charge incurred when the cargo doesn’t get picked up within the free period at the terminal.
132) Destination Control Statement (DCS)
The Destination Control Statement is an official document used in export transactions. It acts as a notice to the parties to clearly communicate legal export requirements and restrictions.
133) Destination Interchange Terminal (DIT)
Destination Interchange Terminal is a facility where shipping containers are exchanged between different delivery modes to ensure the seamless movement of cargo.
134) Detention
Detention is an additional cost imposed upon the shipper if they use the containers and other shipping equipment beyond the allotted/free time outside the depot.
135) DHL Ecommerce
DHL Ecommerce is a shipping and parcel delivery service provided by the Deutsche Post Group that enables businesses to reach customers across the globe at affordable prices. DHL Ecommerce aims to make cross-border shipping more efficient by tying up with local 3PL providers.
136) Dimensional Weight
Dimensional weight is a pricing method used to determine the cost of shipping. A package’s height, length, and width are calculated to find the dimensional weight.
137) Direct Exporting
Direct Exporting is the process of selling products directly to the international market without any third-party involvement.
138) Dispatch
Dispatch refers to the releasing of goods for transportation.
139) Distribution center (DC)
The distribution center refers to where the cargo is temporarily stored and then distributed to the final destinations.
140) Diversion
Diversion refers to the change of routes or delivery destinations for operational reasons.
141) Diversion Charge
The fee charged for the change of routes or final delivery destination is known as the diversion charge.
142) Digital Commerce
Digital commerce is a medium of buying and selling products and services online through digital channels like social media platforms, ecommerce platforms like WooCommerce etc. Digital commerce is mostly an automated commerce system that requires minimal manual intervention. Mobile commerce, too, is a part of digital commerce.
143) Dock Receipt
A dock receipt is an official document that proves the cargo has arrived at its destination port.
144) Dock to Stock
Dock-to-stock is the process where the products are immediately stocked in the warehouse as soon as they reach the loading dock.
145) Domestic courier service
Domestic courier service refers to the transportation of goods within a single country’s borders. It’s also known as a domestic shipping service.
146) Door-to-door service
Door-to-door is a shipping service where the courier company picks up the products from the sender’s location and delivers them directly to the customer’s location.
147) Drayage
Drayage is the short-distance transportation process (mainly by truck) between ports or in-transit storage hubs.
148) Dropshipping
Dropshipping is a selling method where the retailer doesn’t keep the products in stock. Instead, they ship the products to the customers directly from the suppliers.
149) Dunnage
Dunnage refers to materials like plastic, wood, or cardboard that are used to secure cargo during transportation.
150) Dutiable item
Dutiable items are the goods that you need to pay the tax for while importing them.
151) Duty-free zone
A duty-free zone is a specific geographical area within a country’s border where goods can be imported, processed, sorted, or manufactured without paying customs duties and taxes.
152) Ecommerce fulfillment
The eCommerce fulfillment is an integrated term. It refers to the processes of order processing, transportation, and the delivery of the parcel to the end customer.
153) Ecommerce shipping integrations
The eCommerce shipping integration is a process where an eCommerce platform is integrated with an eCommerce shipping software. It further helps the retailer automate and centralize the order fulfillment process in just one place.
154) Ecommerce shipping platforms
An eCommerce shipping platform or software is a tool that helps eCommerce businesses optimize their shipping process with the help of various shipping APIs.
155) Ecommerce
Ecommerce, or electronic commerce or internet commerce, can be defined as the buying and selling of goods or services and the payment or receipt of funds over the internet. Ecommerce can be a part of some or all of the industries like B2B, B2C, C2C, D2C, etc.
156) Economic Operator Registration and Identification (EORI)
Economic Operator Registration and Identification is a unique identity used in customs procedures to keep an eye on each member involved in it.
157) Economic Shipping Instruction
Economic Shipping Instructions are some practices a company must abide by to successfully manage economic shipping.
158) Economy International Shipping
Economy international shipping is a cost-effective shipping method across country borders.
159) Efficient Consumer Response (ECR)
Efficient Consumer Response is a strategy adopted by companies to enhance the workflow among every party related to the supply chain. It further reduces overall costs and helps meet customers’ demands.
160) E-fulfillment
E-fulfillment is the process of digitally managing most of the order fulfillment tasks like inventory management, order processing, handling customer queries, etc.
161) Electronic Certificate of Origin (e-CO)
The electronic certificate of origin is a digital version of the certificate of origin. You can apply online to generate an electronic certificate of origin without going through hundreds of manual paperwork.
162) Electronic Data Interchange (EDI)
Electronic Data Interchange is an electronic communication process among systems that helps in data transfer.
163) Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT)
Electronic Funds Transfer is the digital movement of financial assets for better efficiency.
164) Embargoes
Oftentimes, the government imposes some restrictions and prohibitions on trade for specific political and security purposes; it’s called embargoes.
165) Ecommerce platform
eCommerce platform is an online marketplace that allows businesses to sell their products online. On an ecommerce platform, customers can complete their purchase by paying for the product through any number of online payment gateways like net banking, UPI, credit/debit cards, or cash on delivery.
166) Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)
Enterprise resource planning is a software system that manages some core business processes and activities like decision-making, providing real-time insights, and so on.
167) Entry Summary Declaration (ESD)
Before goods are exported to the destination country, exporters must submit an official declaration regarding the information of goods to the customs authorities. It’s known as the Entry Summary Declaration.
168) Equalization
When different parties go for a single freight (consolidated shipment), the total cost is divided among them equally to maintain fair business. It’s called equalization.
169) Equipment Interchange Receipt (EIR)
Equipment Interchange Receipt is an official document required for moving cargo from one ship to another or from a vessel to the terminal port.
170) Estimated Time of Arrival (ETA)
The Estimated Time of Arrival is the expected time that projects when the cargo will reach its destination.
171) Estimated Time of Completion (ETC)
The Estimated Time of Completion denotes when a delivery vehicle is estimated to complete its transportation journey.
172) Estimated Delivery Date (EDD)
The estimated delivery date is an approximate date that shows when the customer is going to receive the order.
173) Estimated time of departure (ETD)
The estimated time of departure is the indicated time when an order is expected to leave the point of origin and start its shipping journey.
174) Estimated Time of Readiness (ETR)
The estimated time when a shipping vehicle is fully prepared to leave the origin is known as the estimated time of readiness.
175) Estimated time of sailing (ETS)
The estimated time of sailing is an anticipated date showing when a vessel is going to leave the port of origin.
176) Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)
The exclusive economic zone is a 200-nautical mile area in the ocean that starts from a coastal state’s baseline. Here, the nation has rights over every living and non-living resource.
177) Exclusive use
Exclusive use refers to when a shipper reserves an entire container or transport vehicle for secure delivery.
178) Expected Receipt Date (ETD)
The expected receipt date is the anticipated time that shows when the customers will receive the delivery.
179) Expedited shipping
In Expedited shipping, delivery vehicles rarely stop along the way, going directly from pickup to delivery. Same-day, next-day, and express delivery all fall under the bracket of expedited shipping.
180) Export
Export is a trading process where the goods are sent from one country to another.
181) Export Compliance Programme (ECP)
Export Compliance Programme is a set of policies a shipping company implements to keep up with export regulations and laws during international trade.
182) Exported Products
Exported goods are those commodities that are produced in one country but sold to foreign marketplaces.
183) Exporter Identification Number (EIN)
The Exporter Identification Number is a unique code the exporter needs to track the shipment and ensure activities like documentation or transactions are properly held.
184) Export license
An export license is a government-authorized certificate that gives permission to an individual to conduct an export.
185) Export Packing List
An export packing list is a document used in export trade. It contains details like how the product is packed, the dimensional weight of each package, and the box number.
186) Export Trading Company (ETC)
An export trading company is an individual organization that facilitates and eases export-related tasks like market research, distribution, or shipping for suppliers.
187) Express BoL
The Express Bill of lading is a type of BoL where no original bill of lading is created. It’s designed to reduce time-consuming paperwork and speed up shipment.
188) Express International Shipping
Express International shipping is a premium expedited shipping offered by shipping companies. In this service, the shipping is supposed to be delivered within 1-3 days from one country to another.
189) Extra Loader
When there’s an overflow of cargo, additional transportation vehicles are needed to accommodate those extra cargo. This situation is called extra loader.
190) Federal Maritime Commission (FMC)
The Federal Maritime Commission is a U.S. government agency that regulates international maritime transportation - ensuring fair activities as per the authorized laws.
191) First In, First Out (FIFO)
First In, First Out is mainly an inventory management system. Under this method, the oldest items are processed for orders and sold before the latest ones.
192) First-mile delivery
First-mile delivery is the very first step in the transportation process, where the cargo is shipped from a warehouse to the first distribution hub.
193) Flatbed
A flatbed is a kind of truck that has a flat cargo bed without sides or a roof. These flatbed trucks are used to ship oversized cargo.
194) Flat rack container
A flat rack container is a type of container that has open sides to help you store irregular-sized items like machinery.
195) Flat Rate Shipping
Flat rate shipping is a pricing model where the shipper pays a fixed rate for the shipment instead of the dimensional weight or destination-based rate.
196) Force Majeure
Force majeure is the circumstances or events that are beyond the control of the parties involved in shipping. These situations may hinder them from fulfilling the shipment.
197) Foreign Trade Regulation
Foreign trade regulations are the policies or rules created by the government to regulate international trade activities.
198) Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ)
A foreign trade zone is a particular area in a country where imported goods can be stored temporarily without paying customs duties.
199) Forwarder’s Cargo Receipt (FCR)
Forwarder’s cargo receipt is an official document issued by international freight forwarding, confirming that the shipper has received the cargo.
200) Fourth-party Logistics (4PL)
Fourth-party logistics (4PL) are those shipping companies that take care of the entire supply chain alongside the logistics solution. For example, they manage warehouses, shipping, and delivery and can even handle 3PLs under their wing. 4PLs are also responsible for manufacturing, assessing, and devising strategic logistic plans. They are usually the single point of contact between a business and its supply chain management unit.
201) Free Alongside Ship (FAS)
Free Alongside Ship is an agreement that shows that the seller is responsible for delivering the cargo to the ship selected by the buyer.
202) Free Carrier (FCA)
Free carrier is an international trade term that says the seller must deliver the cargo to a particular location specified by the buyer. Until the cargo reaches that point, it’d be the seller’s responsibility to manage invoices and documentation. Here, “Free” mainly refers to the buyer being free of obligations until the shipment reaches him.
203) Free on Board (FOB)
Free on Board is a trade term that entails that the seller is in charge of the delivery until it’s shipped to a certain location mutually decided before.
204) Free shipping
Free shipping is a promotional tactic where the seller covers the cost of shipping on behalf of the buyer.
205) Free Time
Free time is a specific allotted time during which the cargo container must be stored at the port or terminal.
206) Free Trade Agreement (FTA)
A free trade agreement is a formal agreement introduced to reduce trade barriers like tariff elimination and optimize cost-effective operations among countries.
207) Freight
When goods are shipped via train, aircraft, rail, or truck, it’s called freight.
208) Freight All Kinds (FAK)
Freight all kinds is a pricing system where the carrier company sets a uniform rate for different types of goods - without allocating a different pricing range for different cargo.
209) Freight Bill
A freight bill is mainly an invoice that details every cost or fee associated with freight.
210) Freight Broker
A freight broker is an intermediary between the carrier and the shipper. He handles seamless communication between these parties and facilitates a seamless shipping process.
211) Freight Forwarding
Freight forwarding is a standard service offered by the carrier companies. It includes handling various tasks related to transportation and logistics. These are cargo booking, arranging transportation, documentation management, efficient shipping, and so on.
212) Freight Insurance
Freight insurance or cargo insurance is insurance coverage where the shipping company compensates for any damages of in-transit goods that may occur for internal and external reasons.
213) Freight Release
When all the payment and contractual obligations are properly cleared, the carrier company releases a legal document to order cargo release; it’s called freight release.
214) Freight Shipment
Freight Shipment is the process of delivering goods via various modes of transportation like rail, truck, ship, or aircraft.
215) Fulfillment
From order receipt, picking, and packaging to transportation to order tracking and delivery, the whole process is known as fulfillment.
216) Full Container Load (FCL)
Full container load is a shipping mode where a container is filled with a single cargo.
217) Fulfillment center
Fulfillment centers are the warehouses where the order is processed, packed, and dispatched for delivery.
218) Full Truckload (FTL)
Full truckload is a transportation system where the entire storage capacity of a truck is dedicated to delivering a single cargo.
219) Gas Carrier
Some transportation vehicles like ships and trucks are specially designed to deliver LPG, LNG, and chemical gasses. These carriers are called gas carriers.
220) Gate In & Gate Out
Gate In refers to when the cargo checks in the container yard. Then, the cargo is inspected and documented for further procedures. Gate Out is when the cargo leaves the yard after necessary activities.
221) Garment on Hanger (GOH) Container
Certain expensive clothes are shipped by hanging via string within a container. The main reason behind it is to keep up the quality and design of those garments. These containers are called Garment on Hanger (GOH) Containers.
222) General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT)
General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade was an international trade agreement that operated till 1994. Its main purpose was to promote fair international trade among member countries and eliminate trade barriers like tariffs.
223) Global shipping
Global shipping is the process of delivering goods across different countries in the world.
224) Global Sourcing
Global sourcing is a supply chain strategy where goods/materials are sourced from various countries. Global sourcing helps merchants find the most cost-effective and efficient source so they can better run their business.
225) Goods Capacity
Goods capacity is a term used to describe the maximum amount of goods a transportation vehicle or a container can properly accommodate.
226) Goods Inspection
Goods Inspection is the process where the cargo is examined and assessed to meet the required safety standards of a country.
227) Goods-in-transit
Goods-in-transit refers to the situation when the cargo leaves the origin and is now in the transportation journey.
228) Goods receipt
A goods receipt is a document used when the goods/cargo reaches a specific location - be it a warehouse or the receiving dock, or the customer’s location.
229) Goods Receipt Note (GRN)
Goods Receipt Note (GRN) is an official document that acknowledges the shipment has been successfully delivered to the customer.
230) Goods Return Authorization (GRA)
Goods Return Authorization is a system companies use to manage product returns. It includes obtaining approval by the seller and deciding how to deal with that return. Goods Return Authorization is also known as Return Merchandise Authorization (RMA).
231) Green logistics
Green logistics is a type of sustainable logistics management system that’s designed to control negative impacts on nature. These include reducing greenhouse gas emissions, adopting energy-saving measures, etc.
232) Gross Register Tonnage
The total internal volume or capacity of a vessel is called gross register tonnage.
233) Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
Gross Vehicle Weight is the total weight of a transportation vehicle, including cargo, passenger, fuel, and other required items.
234) Ground handling
Ground handling is the process of managing various tasks at airports to ensure better and more secure operation of an aircraft. These services include flight handling, cargo management, passenger services, and more.
235) Groupage
Groupage is one of the cost-effective delivery processes where goods from multiple shippers are consolidated in a single container for transportation.
236) Guaranteed Minimum Charge (GMC)
Guaranteed Minimum charge is a fixed amount charged by a carrier company for shipments, irrespective of the weight, size, or type of the delivery.
237) Handling Charges
The fees charged for managing goods throughout the supply chain process are called handling charges.
238) Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS)
The Harmonized Tariff Schedule is a classification of tariff rates and statistical categories for all imported and exported goods.
239) Haulage
Haulage is the process of handling goods from one place (supplier) to another (warehouse/consumer/retailers) via different transportation modes.
240) Haulier
A haulier is an individual or an organization specialized in transporting goods via truck or road.
241) Hazardous Materials
Hazardous materials refer to those goods that can cause harm to nature or people due to their characteristics.
242) Headless commerce
Headless commerce is a specific eCommerce approach where the front end is usually separated from the back end. They are mainly connected via APIs. This approach opens the door for retailers to get creative with their storefronts and helps them provide the best-in-class experience to the customers.
243) Heavy Lift Vessel
The heavy-lift vessel is a special type of vessel with a crane system, having the capacity to transport exceptionally bulky items.
244) High-cube Container
Those containers that have increased height to store taller goods are called high-cube containers. These containers are generally 40-45 feet long.
245) High-value Cargo
High-value cargo mainly refers to expensive goods. These types of goods include luxury items, jewelry, and so on.
246) Highway Bill of Lading
A highway bill of lading is a legal document that works as a goods receipt between the shipper and the carrier, especially when moving cargo via highway.
247) House Bill of Lading
A house bill of lading is a mutual agreement between the shipper and the carrier company. It mainly confirms that the carrier has received the goods for shipment.
248) House-to-House
House-to-house is a special service often offered by shipping companies. Here, the goods are picked from the shipper’s residential address and then delivered to the recipient’s residential address.
249) House WayBill (HAWB)
A House Waybill is an official document issued by a freight forwarder as a receipt of shipment. It includes information like description of goods, consignee & shipper information, charges, etc.
250) Hub
Hub is where transportation goods are collected, sorted, and reloaded.
251) Hybrid Order Fulfillment
When multiple order fulfillment methods like in-house fulfillment, drop shipping, and 3PL are adopted to process and deliver customer orders, it’s called Hybrid order fulfillment.
252) Hyperlocal delivery
Hyperlocal delivery is a shipping process where the courier company serves a small geographic area and delivers parcels within just a few hours.
253) Import
Import is a trading process in which goods are brought to one country from another.
254) Import Declaration
An import declaration is a document that acts as an official record and streamlines import-related communication between the importer and the customs authorities.
255) Importer of Record (IOR)
An Importer of Record is a person/party who ensures that the shipment must abide by the country’s customs and legal requirements.
256) Import License
An import license is a certification issued by the government to a company/an individual, giving permission to import specific goods.
257) In-bond Shipment
In-bond shipment refers to those cargoes that can be moved through a country’s territory without paying customs taxes or duties.
258) Inbound logistics
Inbound logistics is the process of bringing and receiving goods/materials into a company. This process includes supply chain management, reverse logistics, etc.
259) Incoterms
Incoterms are the international commercial terms invented by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC). These terms are used in trade contracts.
260) Indirect Exporting
Indirect Exporting is an export process where the exporter sells the products to a domestic company, and this domestic company then exports those products to foreign.
261) Independent Carrier
Independent Carrier is a shipping company that operates independently and isn’t a part of any larger logistic organization. These carriers mainly work on a contract basis.
262) Inland carrier
An inland carrier is a company that provides overland transportation services, mainly between inland locations or ports.
263) Integrated Logistics
Integrated logistics is a logistics management model where multiple firms associated with logistics and supply chain work together to improve product fulfillment and promote cost-effectiveness.
264) Interchange Point
Interchange point is where the freight is transferred from one carrier to another.
265) Intermediate Bulk Container (IBC)
An Intermediate Bulk Container is a huge container specially designed to transport and store liquid, semi-liquid, powder, and granular materials.
266) Intermodal transportation
When multiple modes of transportation (air, sea, rail, road) are used to deliver cargo, this process is called intermodal transportation.
267) International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG)
International Maritime Dangerous Goods is a guideline issued by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). These guidelines have been launched to promote safe transportation of hazardous goods via sea.
268) International Maritime Organization (IMO)
International Maritime Organization is a specialized agency in the United Nations. It maintains the safety and security of the maritime industry and promotes efficient international shipping.
269) International shipping
International shipping is the transportation process where the cargo is delivered across different country borders.
270) International speed post
International speed post is an expedited service offered by postal authorities in various countries. Via this service, you can send parcels or documents globally.
271) In-transit
In-transit refers to when the product is dispatched but yet to be delivered to the recipient.
272) In-transit Inventory
In-transit inventory is the cargo that has been shipped by the seller and is now on the journey to get delivered to the customer.
273) Insurance Certificate
An insurance certificate is a document that lists the type and the amount of insurance coverage issued for a particular shipment.
274) Inventory
Inventory is a company’s stock of goods or raw materials for selling or production.
275) Inventory carrying costs
Inventory carrying costs are the overall costs a company expenses to manage its inventory. These costs include storage costs, labor costs, maintenance costs, etc.
276) Inventory management
Inventory management refers to the process of performing various tasks like planning, storage maintenance, and tracking to ensure efficient management of a company’s stock of goods. It’s also known as inventory control.
277) Inward Processing Relief
Inward Processing Relief is a custom process where businesses can import goods for manufacturing without paying any duty. Meanwhile, a condition is imposed on the business that they must export the finished goods. It further promotes economic activities between countries.
278) Invoice Reconciliation
Invoice Reconciliation refers to verifying or finding discrepancies between the supplier’s invoice and the receipt of the goods to ensure everything is on point.
279) Joint Rate
When a shipment needs to be shipped via multiple modes of transportation, an overall freight rate is charged to the shipper, covering each transportation cost. This single freight rate is called the joint rate.
280) Just-In-Time (JIT)
Just-in-time is an inventory management strategy. Here, the production time is reduced with tight coordination so the shipment can be delivered to the destination at the exact time. It further eliminates storage costs and optimizes the supply chain strategy.
281) Kanban methodology
Kanban methodology is an inventory management system often used in JIT. It mainly sends signals to send more goods so the company can meet customer demands.
282) Kerbside Delivery
Kerbside Delivery is a shipment process where the agent leaves the parcel at the nearest access point (edge of a road) outside the delivery location. The customer then receives it from there.
283) Lading
Lading refers to the loading of cargo to the transportation vehicle.
284) Landed cost
Landed cost is the total amount the shipper charges for the entire shipment. This means the landed cost encompasses freight charges, duties, handling, and product costs.
285) Last In First Out (LIFO)
Last In First Out is an inventory management system, meaning the last loaded items/commodities would be the first to be sold out.
286) Last-mile carrier tracking
Last-mile carrier tracking is a process of keeping track of the shipment status when they are moved from the final distribution hub to the end customer location.
287) Last-mile delivery
Last-mile delivery refers to transporting goods from the last in-transit hub to the final destination.
288) Lead Time
Lead Time is the time between when an order is placed and when it reaches the end customer.
289) Less than container load (LCL)
Less than container load refers to when a shipping container is loaded with multiple freight under different BoL.
290) Less Than Truckload (LTL)
Less Than Truckload (LTL) is a shipping method where multiple smaller shipments from different customers are transported together. This type of shipment doesn’t need the whole truck space.
291) Letter of Credit
Letter of Credit is a contractual financial document used in international trade. It guarantees that payment for exported goods from the buyer to the seller is successfully done. It further secures the international transaction process by maintaining transparency between both parties.
292) Letter of Indemnity (LOI)
A Letter of Indemnity is a legal document used when one party between the shipper and carrier company indemnifies another against risks or complexities related to the B/L.
293) Liquidation
Liquidation is the process in which unsold or returned goods are either discarded or sold via secondary channels.
294) LNG Carrier
An LNG Carrier is a transportation vehicle (a vessel or a truck) that is specially designed to ship liquified natural gas.
295) Local delivery
Local delivery is a standard shipping method where the products are shipped or distributed on a local level, mainly within a city or a small area.
296) Logistics
Logistics is a part of the supply chain management process. It involves all the activities, from the moment an order is placed to the delivery to the end customer. These are order processing, inventory management, product dispatch, transportation management, and last-mile delivery. In fact, logistics also encompasses the return process (from the customer to the point of origin).
297) Logistics Provider
A logistics provider is an organization or a company that offers logistics services like warehousing, inventory management, order fulfillment, and more. Sometimes, they also provide special services like order tracking, custom packaging, customs clearance, etc.
298) Longshoreman
Longshoremen are those workers who are in charge of loading or unloading cargo from a vessel to the port/terminal.
299) Main Line Operator
The main line operator is a company that employs vessels across major routes or ports in shipping.
300) Make-to-stock (MTS)
Make-to-stock is a production management system where businesses produce goods by predicting customer demand for the next season.
301) Malpractice
Malpractice refers to unethical or improper behavior that can hamper shipping operations. These are improper packaging, improper cargo handling, and so on.
302) Manifest
Manifest is a non-official document that contains the list of items that are being transported as a single consignment.
303) Master Bill of Lading (MBL)
A Master Bill of Lading is a contractual document issued by the carrier owner. It’s mainly used as a cargo receipt when they are transported from one port to another.
304) Marine Insurance
Marine Insurance is an insurance policy that compensates for ship and cargo damages in ocean transportation.
305) Material Safety Data Sheet
Material Safety Data Sheet is a document that lists comprehensive information on hazard evaluation, emergency procedures, and safe handling of products.
306) Merchant Haulage
Merchant Haulage is a shipping process where the shipper solely takes charge of the transportation and appoints a vehicle company to ship the cargo instead of relying on a carrier.
307) Micro-Fulfillment Center (MFC)
Micro-fulfillment centers are small storage facilities near urban areas or end customers’ locations. These micro-fulfillment centers are technically chosen for fast shipping and reducing transportation costs.
308) Mid-mile Delivery
Mid-mile Delivery is the process of transporting cargo from the central hub to the local distribution facility.
309) Milk Run
Milk Run is a delivery method where a truck visits multiple shippers to collect goods to deliver to a single customer.
310) Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ)
Minimum Order Quantity is a certain amount of products a retailer or a buyer must order from a manufacturer or a seller. It, in turn, improves cost efficiency and production capacity.
311) Mixed Shipment
When different types of goods are loaded into a single container or vehicle, it’s called mixed shipment.
312) Motor carrier
A motor carrier is a company that uses trucks, buses, or motor vehicles for transporting goods.
313) Multi-carrier parcel management software
Multi-carrier parcel management software is a tool or system that helps businesses centralize their parcel management while dealing with multi-carrier shipping methods.
314) Multi-carrier shipping
When a business relies on multiple carrier service providers to ship goods, it’s called multi-carrier shipping.
315) Multi-carrier tracking
Multi-carrier tracking is a standard service offered by multi-carrier shipping software. It helps you keep track of all your shipments that are handed over to different carrier companies.
316) Multi-Country Consolidation
Multi-country consolidation is a shipping activity where different smaller shipments from multiple countries are consolidated and built into a full container load shipment.
317) Magento
Magento is an open-source ecommerce selling platform written in PHP that businesses can use to sell their goods and services online. Magento is absolutely free to download, but features like web hosting, web development, and integration come at an additional cost.
318) Multimodal transport operator
A multimodal transport operator is a company or organization that facilitates integrated shipment methods via multiple modes of transportation.
319) Net weight
Net weight is the actual weight of the goods, excluding packaging materials, the weight of containers, and the weight of other objects associated with the goods.
320) Non-Delivery Report (NDR )
Non-delivery report is a notification initiated by the carrier company to the shipper. It notifies that the particular shipment was unsuccessful due to multiple reasons and marked as failed delivery.
321) Non-dumping certificate
A non-dumping certificate is a legal document that confirms the exported goods aren’t being sold below the fair market rate to ensure secure trade.
322) Non-Pickup Report (NPR)
A non-pickup report is a notification generated by the shipping company to the business. It declares that the scheduled pickup hasn’t been fulfilled as planned.
323) North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)
North American Free Trade Agreement (1994-2020) was an agreement that was signed among Mexico, U.S., and Canada. This agreement eliminated most tariffs and trade barriers among the member countries.
324) Notify Party
Notify Party is a person who needs to be notified of the information of shipment status along with the consignee.
325) Ocean Bill of Lading
Ocean Bill of Lading is a legal document used in ocean transportation. It works as an acknowledgment of receipt of goods and carrier contracts.
326) Ocean Carrier
Ocean Carrier is a shipping company that operates vessels for cargo transportation via ocean.
327) Ocean Freight
The transportation of goods via sea or ocean is called ocean freight.
328) Ocean Transport Intermediary (OTI)
An Ocean Transport Intermediary is an individual or a company that works as a middleman between the shipper and the carrier company. It facilitates and eases ocean transportation processes.
329) Omnichannel fulfillment
Omnichannel fulfillment is a fulfillment system where various distribution methods like brick-and-mortar shops, eCommerce stores, and mobile apps are adopted and synchronized to increase sales.
330) On-carriage
On-carriage is the transportation process from the discharge port to the final location. On-carriage shipping mainly takes place after certain primary shipping processes.
331) On-Time In Full (OTIF)
On-Time In Full is a KPI (Key Performance Indicator) used to determine the efficiency of order fulfillment and delivery processes as per customer demands.
332) Operating Ratio
Operating Ratio is a financial metric used to calculate a company’s effectiveness in terms of logistics.
333) Order Fulfillment
Order fulfillment is the process of accurate order receiving, processing, and transportation to the end customer’s location.
334) Order management system (OMS)
An order management system is a tool or platform companies use to seamlessly manage customer order fulfillment-related activities like order processing, tracking, packaging, etc.
335) Order processing
Order processing is the first step of the order fulfillment journey. It includes activities like order receiving, verification, packing, labeling, AWB no. generation, etc.
336) Order Release Time (ORT)
Order Release Time refers to the time when an order will be released to get processed and fulfilled.
337) Order tracking
Order tracking is the process of monitoring shipment status at each step - from the moment it leaves the warehouse to the final destination.
338) Opencart
OpenCart is a free, PHP-based, open-source online shopping cart or ecommerce platform that enables the buying and selling of goods and services. Being open-source, it is fully customizable and is available for a large set of languages and currencies. It provides fraud management services.
339) Original Terminal Handling Charges
Original Terminal Handling charges are the expenses associated with product receiving, inspection, and cargo loading at the departure terminal.
340) Origin Charge Catalog
Origin Charge Catalog is a comprehensive list containing shipping-related fees at the origin point. These are product handling fees, loading fees, documentation fees, and so on.
341) Outbound logistics
Outbound logistics is the whole order fulfillment process, from the company/warehouse to the end customer. It mainly consists of multiple tasks like order processing, carrier selection, transportation, order tracking, final mile delivery, etc.
342) Out-of-Gauge cargo
Out-of-gauge cargo refers to those products/commodities that have extra dimension or weight compared to standard cargo.
343) Overland
When transportation usually occurs on land (via rail, truck, or motor carriers), it’s called overland.
344) Oversized shipping
When comparatively huge cargo like machinery items and industrial products is shipped, extra care and handling are required for successful transportation. This type of shipping process is called oversized shipping.
345) Overweight Surcharge
When the shipping goods exceed a particular weight limit, additional costs are incurred by the shipper to transport those goods. These charges are known as overweight surcharges.
346) Package Stuck
When a delivery gets stuck in its shipping journey because of multiple reasons like government declarations or natural calamities, this situation is known as package stuck.
347) Packing Slip
A Packing Slip is a document used in shipment. It entails details regarding the cargo and acts as an order receipt.
348) Pallet
A pallet is a flat wooden platform where heavy goods are placed so they can be easily moved by a pallet jack or forklift truck.
349) Pallet Exchange
When two companies exchange their pallets during transportation for cost-efficiency, it’s known as pallet exchange.
350) Pallet Jack
A pallet jack is a tool often seen in a warehouse or facility. It helps move small pallets from one place to another within the warehouse.
351) Parcel delivery
Parcel delivery is the process of transporting small & large parcels, documents, and letters from one place to another.
352) Parcel Insurance
Certain insurance coverage is provided by the shipping company to secure the parcels from any damages or losses during transportation. It’s called parcel insurance.
353) Peak Season Surcharge
Pick Season Surcharge refers to the additional costs the shipping company charges in their peak demand time to counterbalance increased operational costs.
354) Physical distribution
Physical distribution is the process of moving shipments or goods from the warehouse to the end user.
355) Pick and Pack
Pick and pack is the process of picking customers’ orders from inventory and directly packing them.
356) Picklist
A pick list is a comprehensive list that details customers' orders and helps workers accurately process them.
357) Place of Delivery
The Place of Delivery is a location where the customers receive their packages.
358) Place of Receipt
Place of Receipt is a specific location where the goods are received by the carrier for further delivery processes. It can be a warehouse, arrival port, etc.
359) Point of Origin
Point of Origin is the place where the cargo is picked up for transportation.
360) Point of Sale (POS)
Point of Sale is the system (or place) where customers make the payment transaction for the goods.
361) Port
A Port is a specific docking location on the coastline where the cargo is either loaded onto vessels for transportation or unloaded.
362) Port of Discharge
The Port of Discharge is mainly the arrival port where the cargo is unloaded from the vessel.
363) Port of Loading
The Port of Loading is that specific harbor where the goods are loaded onto a vessel.
364) Post-dispatch activities
Post-dispatch activities are the tasks performed by the carrier company after the order successfully leaves the warehouse. These tasks are time-to-time status updates, seamless transportation, and delay handling.
365) Post-purchase activities
Post-purchase activities are those initiatives taken by the seller/carrier company to increase brand loyalty and customer retention. These activities are seamless on-time delivery, shipment notification, active customer support, hassle-free reverse logistics, etc.
366) Pre-carriage
Pre-carriage is the first stage of the transportation process, where the goods are moved from the point of origin to the pre-determined destination. And then again, those goods are loaded into another vehicle for further transportation.
367) Prepaid shipping label
When a shipping label has been paid for beforehand, it’s called a prepaid shipping label.
368) Priority Mail flat rate
Priority Mail flat rate is a special service offered by the USPS. Here, you can ship mail or documents at any size or weight at a flat rate.
369) Priority shipping
Priority shipping is expedited shipping offered by carrier companies to help you better meet customers’ demands. Via this service, you can deliver products to your customers on their agreed-upon time.
370) Primage
Primage is the additional charge that was incurred by the shipowner to the shipper for extra care of the goods. Now, it has been added to the freight costs.
371) Proof of Delivery (POD)
Proof of Delivery is an acknowledgment that shows the delivery has been successfully received by the customer. Example: taking signature, payment confirmation.
372) Public Warehouse
Public Warehouses are those warehouses that multiple businesses can use on a contract or rental basis for storage and logistics facilities.
373) Purchase Order
Purchase Order is a detailed document issued by the buyer to the seller. It includes the quantity of products, pricing, delivery date, payment methods, etc.
374) Purchase regret
Purchase regret is a psychological state faced by customers when they get disappointed after making a purchase.
375) Quality Control
Quality Control is the method of inspecting and assessing shipped products’ quality to improve customer experience.
376) Quality Management System (QMS)
Quality Management system is a framework undertaken by courier companies for the betterment of their services. As a result, they would be able to meet the company's satisfaction, and the company, in turn, would be able to meet customer demands.
377) Quay
Quay is a platform in a port alongside the water body where you can secure the ship to load and unload cargo. It’s also known as a wharf.
378) Rail Carrier
Most carrier companies offer rail freight service to move cargo from one place to another. These carrier companies are called rail carriers.
379) Reefer
Reefers are refrigerated containers or ships to carry temperature-sensitive goods like fresh flowers and foods.
380) Relay
Relay is a shipping process where cargo is transferred from one delivery vessel to another under the same ocean carrier to maintain timely delivery.
381) Remote Location Surcharge
Carrier companies charge extra fees to deliver to remote locations like rural areas and islands for lack of transportation availability and extra timing. It’s known as the remote location surcharge.
382) Repackaging
When certain circumstances like label changing, custom packaging, and changing packaging materials come in, the products are taken out of the original packages and again packaged. This process is called repackaging.
383) Replenishment
Replenishment is the process of restocking or maintaining goods in-store or inventory so companies can always meet customers’ demands.
384) Return Cargo
Return cargo refers to those cargo that are in the reverse logistics process.
385) Return label
A return label is a shipping label used to send goods back to the seller. It includes information like customer and shipper’s address, AWB no., special instructions, etc.
386) Return management/Reverse Logistics
Return management/Reverse logistics is the process of handling returns as per customers’ requests. These include return approval, assigning a carrier company, reverse logistics tracking, NPR handling, etc.
387) Return-to-Origin (RTO)
When delivery failure occurs, the shipment is returned to the seller’s warehouse or the point of origin. It’s called return-to-origin (RTO).
388) Risk Assessment
Risk Assessment is the process of predicting, identifying, and managing potential risks associated with a shipment.
389) Roll-on/Roll-off ships
Roll-on/Roll-off ships are those transportation vessels specially designed to carry vehicles or wheeled cargo. In these types of ships, wheelers can be easily loaded and unloaded before and after the journey.
390) Route optimization
Route optimization is an approach to planning suitable routes or paths to deliver a shipment. It further eliminates extra transportation costs and speeds up the delivery.
391) Safety stock
Safety stock is an additional inventory a company keeps on top of the needed product stock. It helps businesses always keep up with their sales if any product gets out of stock.
392) Self-fulfillment
When businesses handle the whole order fulfillment process on their own - from product inventory to delivering goods to the customers. In this process, they don’t rely on third-party logistics providers.
393) Service Level Agreement (SLA)
Service Level Agreement is a document the carrier companies provide to the retailers. It provides comprehensive terms and conditions regarding shipments. These are the carrier's responsibilities, service description, expected delivery date, and more.
394) Sea waybill
A Sea waybill is a legal document used in ocean transportation. It acts as a receipt of goods and an agreement between the supplier and the carrier.
395) Shipped on Board
Shipped on Board means that the goods/cargo have been successfully loaded onto a vessel and are now ready to start their journey.
396) Shopify Dropshipping
Shopify dropshipping is a retail model that helps Shopify retailers connect to hundreds of dropshippers and vendors to source their products and sell them online. To start Shopify dropshipping through numerous apps, Ecommerce companies need to create a Shopify account.
399) Shipper Owned Containers (SOC)
Those containers that are owned and managed by a company or shipper are called shipper-owned containers. Shipper-owned containers give shippers more control over their shipments and help them eliminate the fees of renting containers.
400) Shipping API
Shipping API is a type of API that you can integrate with your eCommerce store or your system to pull off shipping activities like order processing, order tracking, shipping label generation, and shipping rate calculation in a single centralized platform.
401) Shipping cost
Shipping cost is the overall expense the shipper needs to pay for transporting goods from the point of origin to the destination point.
402) Shipping delays
When the delivery takes longer than the EDD for multiple reasons like adverse weather, government rules, or delays in customs processing, it’s called shipping delays.
403) Shipping label
A shipping label is a document attached to the packages. It provides details like a unique identification number, barcode, shipping cost, tracking information, etc.
404) Shipping line
A shipping line, also known as a shipping carrier, is a shipping solutions provider for cargo movement via ocean. They operate vessels and provide route optimization and other special services to ensure seamless cargo transportation.
405) Shipping marks and number
Shipping marks and numbers are a set of symbols and digits attached to a container or cargo box. They help in cargo identification and tracking and provide information regarding the cargo.
406) Shipping Policy
Shipping policy is the terms & conditions a carrier company provides. This policy shows how it handles the shipping process. These include shipping methods, costs, customs clearance, shipping insurance, etc.
407) Shipping Policy Generator
Shipping Policy Generator is software or a platform that helps eCommerce businesses generate shipping policies to streamline their communication with customers.
408) Shipping Rate Calculator
A shipping rate calculator is a tool/software used by companies or customers to calculate the overall shipping cost. To calculate the shipping rate, you have to enter certain factors like point of origin, destination point, product weight, etc.
409) Shipping solutions
Shipping solutions are the services a carrier company offers. These include inventory management, route optimization, order tracking, order fulfillment, return management, and many more.
410) Shipping zones
Shipping zones are the geographical areas and regions carrier companies generally take into consideration for calculating shipping rates and delivery time.
411) Shipment
When goods are transported from one place to another, it’s called shipment.
412) Shipment tracking
Shipment tracking is the process of monitoring orders at each step of their shipping journey.
413) Shipment visibility
Shipment visibility mainly refers to real-time shipment tracking that will help you monitor your parcel throughout the whole transportation process.
414) Sourcing
Sourcing is an efficient process of identifying product suppliers and obtaining products from them in the most cost-effective way.
415) Split shipment
A huge shipment is often split into multiple small shipments for customers’ choices, product unavailability, or different delivery destinations. It’s referred to as a split shipment.
416) Standard International Shipping
Standard International Shipping is a faster international delivery solution where you can ship products within 3-5 business days with some extra costs.
417) Standard shipping
Standard shipping is the most common and basic delivery service carrier companies offer. These standard shipping services are the most cost-effective solutions, take moderate delivery time & speed, and offer limited automated services.
418) Stock Keeping Unit (SKU)
The stock-keeping unit is a unique code that consists of letters and numbers. It’s mainly attached to every product in the inventory. SKUs help identify the characteristics (types, brands, colors, etc.)of the products, which further facilitates efficient inventory management.
419) Stockout
Stockout is a situation where a certain product is not available, and the company needs to restock it to meet customer orders.
420) Storage fees
When businesses store the products in a warehouse or facility, they must pay for the storage. These charges are called storage fees.
421) Storage in-transit
When cargo is temporarily stored in different in-transit facilities during transportation, it’s called storage-in-transit.
422) Store-Door Delivery
Store-door delivery is a shipping process where the shipments are delivered to the customer’s business location or retail store.
423) Stuffer
Stuffer is a small item or advertising material added to custom packaging for brand promotions and to improve brand awareness.
424) Supply chain
The supply chain is a series of activities, from acquiring raw materials for production to order fulfillment.
425) Supply chain management
Supply chain management is the process of successfully managing all the activities like production, order processing, order fulfillment, shipment tracking, and return management.
426) Surcharges
An additional fee you need to pay to the shipping company for certain circumstances like fluctuations in currency rate or fuel costs, credit card processing, oversized shipping, and more. These extra costs are called surcharges.
427) Switch bill of lading
A switch bill of lading is another version of the bill of lading issued by the consignee. When something needs to be changed in the original BoL, this switch bill of lading works as a replacement during transit.
428) Tail-lift
Tail-lift is a small platform or device attached to a truck for easy cargo loading and unloading.
429) Tare weight
Tare weight is the weight of an empty container or vehicle.
430) Tariff
A tariff is a customs tax or duty the government imposes on the trading process.
431) Tariff Classification
Tariff classification is the process of categorizing goods for customs clearance in international trade.
432) Temperature-controlled shipping
Temperature-controlled shipping is a special service carrier companies offer to safely transport temperature-sensitive goods by taking additional care like allocating special containers, adopting refrigerated trucks, etc.
433) Terminal
A terminal is the location where the cargo is processed, loaded, unloaded, or transferred between two different modes of transportation.
434) Terminal Handling Charge (THC)
Terminal Handling Charges are the fees incurred for handling cargo (storage/positioning) at a terminal.
435) Terms of carriage
Terms of carriage is a contractual agreement that details the responsibilities and rights of the parties involved in the shipping process.
436) Third-party Logistics (3PL)
Third-party Logistics is the process where logistics and supply chain services are delegated to third-party organizations that specialize in providing these services.
437) Total cost of distribution
The total cost of distribution is the entire amount charged for the whole process, from the moment goods are received from the manufacturer to the end delivery to the customers. These charges include inventory management charges, transportation costs, customs duties, and so on.
438) Tracking number
A tracking number is a unique code/number attached to each shipment. It allows businesses and customers to track their deliveries in real-time.
439) Transit time
Transit time is the overall time an order takes to reach its destination from the sender’s location.
440) Transload
Transferring cargo from one mode of transportation to another is known as transload.
441) Trans-shipment
When cargo is transferred from one transportation vehicle to another so it can successfully reach its destination, the process is known as trans-shipment.
442) Transporter Allocation
Transporter Allocation is the process of strategically allocating transportation providers based on business preferences, delivery location, delivery timing.
443) Transport Management System (TMS)
A Transport Management System is a software or platform that helps businesses seamlessly manage transportation operations, route planning, tracking, etc.
444) Truck Tonnage
Truck tonnage is the total weight of cargo a truck can bear.
445) Two-Day Shipping
Two-day shipping is a delivery option often offered by different eCommerce brands and marketplaces. It means the customers would receive the product within two days after the order is shipped.
446) Ultra Large Container Ship
Ultra Large Container Ships are exceptionally large vessels used to carry huge commodities/cargo. These ships have the capacity to load 14,000 TEUs or more.
447) Unclaimed Freight
When recipients don’t accept the cargo within a specific period (this can be for a variety of reasons like refusals, incorrect address, and more), the cargo is sold in auction. This cargo is called unclaimed freight.
448) Undercarriage
The undercarriage is the portion underneath the main cabin of a vehicle. It supports the entire framework of the system.
449) United Parcel Service (UPS)
United Parcel Service is a global logistics and supply chain management company. This company also offers various special services like air freight, same-day delivery, next-day delivery, contract logistics, and more.
450) United States Postal Service (USPS)
United States Postal Service, a.k.a. USPS, is the U.S. government-authorized agency that provides postal services across the country.
451) Unit Load
Unit Load is a storage unit where goods are assembled in a specialized manner to ease cargo handling.
452) Unit Load Device (ULD)
A unit load device is a removable container or pallet (mainly used in an aircraft) that’s specially designed to load and unload cargo. Unit load devices also help in safety maintenance and space utilization in an aircraft.
453) Unit Train
Unit-Train is a rail freight that delivers the same commodities in all its wagons.
454) Universal Postal Union (UPU)
Universal Postal Union is the postal service organization of the United Nations. It harmonizes international postal standards and policies among the member countries.
455) Unloading
Unloading is the process of removing cargo from a transportation vehicle once it reaches its destination.
456) UN-no
UN-no refers to the United Nations number. It helps identify dangerous goods in international trade.
457) Urgent Cargo
Urgent Cargo is mainly those goods that need immediate delivery. There can be various reasons behind an urgent cargo. For example, they are either time-sensitive and temperature-sensitive goods or fall under priority shipping.
458) USPS Shipping label
A USPS Shipping label is a document that’s attached to each USPS package. This shipping label contains barcodes, tracking information, and sender & recipient details so all the parcels can successfully reach their destination through the USPS postal service.
459) Valuation charge
When the value of goods is higher than the value the carrier sets, an additional fee is charged to the shipper to balance the cargo insurance and customs duties. This fee is known as the valuation charge.
460) Value Chain
Value Chain refers to the whole supply chain network, from the initial production to the delivery to the end customer.
461) Vendor
A vendor is a seller who mainly sells the items to another party. He can be a manufacturer, retailer, or a wholesaler.
462) Vendor Management Inventory (VMI)
When the vendor or manufacturer takes the responsibility of inventory management for the retailer/seller, it’s called Vendor Management Inventory. It ensures that the products are always in stock - maintaining customer demands.
463) Ventilated container
Ventilated containers are those containers that have air vents on both the upper and bottom sides. These ventilated containers help to ship temperature-sensitive or climate-sensitive goods like coffee.
464) Vessel Operating Common Carrier (VOCC)
Vessel Operating Common Carriers are ocean shipping companies with their own vessels and often offer them for cargo transportation.
465) Vessel Sharing Agreement (VSA)
A Vessel Sharing Agreement is mainly a collaborative agreement between two or more shipping carriers. Via this agreement, they can share and utilize the capacity of vessels on specific trade routes.
466) Vessel Traffic Service (VTS)
Vessel Traffic Service is an ocean traffic management system that takes care of the vessel movement in the port and ocean to ensure safety.
467) Volume charge
When a carrier charges the shipper based on the total volume of the shipment, it’s called the volume charge.
468) Volume weight
Volume weight is a pricing technique carriers use. Here, the overall volume of the box is calculated, including its height, actual weight, and width.
469) Warehouse
A warehouse is a place or large building where inventory/goods are kept and processed before shipment.
470) Warehouse entry
Warehouse entry is a documentation process - declaring the imported cargo will be stored in a bonded warehouse.
471) Warehouse kitting
Warehouse kitting is the process of grouping multiple SKUs together and creating a single unit before shipments.
472) Warehouse Management System (WMS)
A Warehouse Management System is a software system that helps manage and automate warehouse-related activities like inventory management, order processing, picking, packing, etc.
473) Warehouse-to-warehouse Clause
The warehouse-to-warehouse clause is an insurance policy that covers the damages caused while moving goods from one warehouse to another.
474) Warehouse receipt
A warehouse receipt is a legal document issued by the warehouse manager. It acts as proof of keeping goods in the warehouse and details all the inventory information like quality, quantity, etc.
475) Warehousing
Warehousing is the process of storing and managing inventory for distribution and shipments.
476) War risk
War risk is insurance coverage that compensates for goods damages caused by war, strikes, and riots.
477) Weight per measure
Weight per measure is a term often used for billing purposes. It refers to the weight of goods as per a specific measurement unit.
478) Where Is My Order (WISMO)
Where Is My Order (WISMO) refers to those calls or messages related to order status an eCommerce company receives from their customers.
479) White-glove delivery
White-glove delivery is a premium shipping service where fragile or high-value items are delivered with extra care and precautions.
480) White-label shipping
When retailers partner with other third-party manufacturers for supply chain management and product delivery to the end customer - without handling them on their own, it’s called white-label shipping.
481) Zip-code serviceability
Zip-code serviceability is the process that helps business owners know whether a particular area is serviceable or not.