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Freight Shipping Dictionary

It’s hard to say if there are parts of our lives still untouched by logistics, which allows commerce and business to run like clockwork. This is a very complex job, so people often get confused by the logistics glossary and get lost.

For such situations, we have prepared a dictionary of logistics terms and definitions for you. Familiarization with it will help to navigate in logistic terminology and understand the processes that take place both under your control and in the background.

All

A

Accessorial Charges — additional fees, applied to the basic tariff rate after the transportation service

Accessorials — services that typically require special equipment or include non-standard delivery locations.

Agent — an individual authorized to conduct business on behalf of another person or company, with various levels of decision-making authority.

Air Freight — cargo shipping by air carrier

Air Waybill — non-negotiable contract for carriage between a shipper and an air carrier.

Amazon (FBA) warehouse shipping — a logistic service that allows Amazon sellers to delegate their shipping processes to Amazon.

Attempted pickup — a situation, that occurs in case the carrier arrives to collect freight that is not ready for shipment.

Axle Load — weight that each axle of a truck places on the highways.

B

Back Haul —  return portion of a truck's route, which can be offered at a discounted rate.

Barge Carriers — vessels designed to transport barges. Some also can function as containerships carrying both containers and barges simultaneously.

Beneficial Owner — true owner of the cargo, even if the cargo's title is held by another party.

Bill of Lading (BOL) — a document that outlines the terms of the agreement between a transport company and a shipper.

Billing adjustment — fees charged after delivery due to differences between the quoted and actual details of the shipment.

Blanket Rate — a tariff that applies to a broad group of points rather than a specific route.

Blind Shipment — special shipment arrangement when the carrier needs to keep the shipper and receiver information confidential.

Blocking and bracing — a process used to secure pallets during transit.

Bobtail — driving a tractor unit without its trailer.

Bogie — wheeled frame used for mounting containers during over-the-road transport.

Bonded Freight - freight under bond to U.S. Customs which must be delivered under specific conditions.

Bonded Warehouse — storage facility authorized by Customs for storing goods with deferred duty payments.

Booking — a process of arranging space on a carrier for freight transport.

Break Bulk —an act of unloading and distributing part or all of a shipment from a rail car, container, or trailer.

Broker or Freight Broker – a person who arranges the transportation of goods by matching shippers with carriers for a share of the revenue.

Brokerage - compensation for a freight broker as determined by contract.

Brokerage License — certification for brokers arranging land, sea, or air freight transport. It is mandatory.

Bulk Cargo — cargo not shipped in packages or containers, but in loose form such as grains or oils.

C

Carrier or Freight Carrier — entity taking part in the transportation process by performing the actual transport of freight

Carrier lanes — regular routes that a freight carrier operates along.

Carrier liability — the financial responsibility assumed by a carrier.

Cartage — transport of freight within a limited area, typically within a city or its suburbs.

CBM — stands for Cubic Meter, which is a measurement unit used to determine freight charges based on volume.

Chassis — the frame used to transport ocean containers over land.

Classification — The process of categorizing freight to determine appropriate transportation. Usually based on factors like weight, density, and handling.

COD — stands for Collect on Delivery, a transaction in which payment is made at the time of delivery rather than in advance.

Commodity — a type of freight being transported.

Common Carrier — a public transport set rate service provider.

Concealed Damage — not apparent until the package is opened type of freight damage

Consignee — the recipient of a shipment.

Consignor — the sender of a shipment.

Container — standard-sized large metal box used for transporting goods.

Container Load — a shipment large enough to fill a container by weight or volume.

Consolidation — several shipments merging in favor of reducing costs.

Contract Carrier — a carrier that operates only under contract with specific shippers.

Crating — packing fragile items in wooden crates.

Cross docking — direct transfer of cargo from an incoming to an outgoing transport vehicle.

Cross-Town — a route that involves transportation from one part of a town to another.

Cubic Capacity — the total volume capacity of a vessel involved in transportation, expressed in cubic feet.

Cubic Foot — one foot wide, one foot long, and one-foot high measure of volume.

Cubic Dimensions — the internal trailer parameters, used to calculate volume (length, width, and height of a trailer).

Customs Broker — broker assisting with navigating customs regulations for importing and exporting goods.

D

D.O.T. — stands for the Department of Transportation, which sets overarching transportation policies in the U.S.

Deadhead — a trip segment where the trailer is empty, usually when repositioning equipment or traveling to pick up a load.

Deficit Weight — the shipment's weight falls below the minimum required weight.

Delivery appointment fee — charged when a specific appointment time for delivery is needed.

Deliver order — authorization for the release of goods.

Density — measures the weight of cargo per unit volume.

Density calculator — a tool used to determine freight classification based on the shipment's density.

Detention — charges applied when a shipper or receiver delays the carrier's equipment beyond the allotted time. Can also refer to the waiting time for loading or unloading beyond scheduled slots.

Dispatch — the primary coordination and rate negotiation contact within a carrier's operations.

Dock — area for loading and unloading cargo near the ship docking.

Dolly — a set of wheels used to support and transport the front end of a container.

Drayage — transport of freight over a short distance, particularly in intermodal transport.

Driver Assist — the driver needs to participate in the loading or unloading process.

Drop deck — a type of flatbed trailer designed to accommodate taller cargo.

Dry van — fully enclosed trailer commonly used in truckload shipping.

Dunnage — materials, such as wood and nails, used to secure cargo during transport by preventing its movement.

E

Edge Protector — protective devices placed on the edges of packages to prevent damage.

EDI — stands for Electronic Data Interface, a system used for exchanging business documents and data electronically, adhering to standard formats.

Embargo — prohibition on handling or accepting freight.

En Route — Indicates that the shipment is currently in transit.

ETA — stands for Estimated Time of Arrival, indicating when a vehicle or shipment is expected to arrive for dispatch.

Exceptions — notations made on a bill of lading before signing to indicate discrepancies.

Expedited shipping — a service chosen for urgent deliveries.

Exclusive Use of Truck — reserve of the entire truck for the shipment, regardless of whether the full space is used.

F

FAK — stands for Freight All Kinds, a simple freight class that includes various types of goods.

FCL — stands for Full Container Load, a shipment occupying the entire space of a container.

Fifth Wheel — a device that connects a trailer to a tractor. Enables pivotal movement and weight distribution between the tractor and trailer.

Flatbed — trailer without sides, used for large or heavy loads that might not fit in a standard enclosed trailer.

FCFS — stands for First Come, First Serve, a method of managing warehouse operations without appointments.

Free on board — liability and ownership of goods transfer from the seller to a buyer.

Freight — items shipped by different transportation modes.

Freight class — a classification system used to designate the type of freight.

Freight class calculator — a tool used to determine the appropriate freight class.

Freight cost or Rate — a charge levied by carriers for transporting goods.

Freight Forwarder — an agent who organizes shipments to get goods from the manufacturer or producer to a market, customer, or final point of distribution.

Freight insurance — coverage used to protect the cargo value from potential shipping risks.

Freight liability — carrier’s legal responsibility for the delay, damage, or loss of a shipment.

Freight shipping — the process of transporting bulk merchandise via common carriers.

Freight shipping quote — estimate cost of shipping specific freight provided by a carrier.

Freight terminal — a facility where freight is organized and consolidated for shipment.

FSC — stands for Fuel Surcharge, an additional fee charged by carriers to cover the cost of fuel.

FTL — stands for Full Truckload, a shipping method where a truck carries one shipper's goods exclusively, filling an entire truck.

Full Containerships — vessels designed to carry only containers, with no capacity for other types of cargo.

G

General Cargo Carriers — vessels that transport unpackaged bulk cargo, such as cars, livestock, or timber.

Ground freight - cargo transportation by land.

Gross Vehicle Weight Rating — maximum allowable total weight of a vehicle, including its cargo, fuel, and passengers.

Gross Weight — total weight of the cargo, packaging, and transportation equipment.

H

HAZMAT - stands for Hazardous Material, a type of freight that can cause harm to living and non-living environment on contact.

Headhaul — initial, outbound load carried by a transport vehicle.

Heavy haul — service providing oversized load transportation.

High Cube — trailer designed with height greater than standard, measuring up to 110 inches internally from front to back.

Hopper — trailer engineered to unload cargo through the bottom.

I

Inbound Freight — cargo coming from suppliers.

Inside pickup and delivery — cargo needs to be picked up or delivered inside a building.

Interline — freight transported using multiple carriers from its origin to destination.

Interline Carrier — a carrier that takes over freight from another carrier to complete its delivery.

Intermodal — usage of more than one mode of transportation to move goods.

Interstate — transport activities between different states.

Intrastate — transport activities within the same state.

K

Knocked Down — items disassembled to minimize space during transport, later reassembled.

L

Layover — the driver is required to stay overnight at a location due to scheduling.

Last mile delivery — final delivery phase from a transportation hub to the final delivery destination.

LCL — stands for Less than Container Load, a small amount of cargo that does not fill an entire container.

Lift gate — a mechanical device used to raise cargo from ground level to the level of the truck.

Limited Access — a situation when additional fees may be incurred for deliveries to locations with restricted access or requiring special documentation.

Line haul — a main segment of cargo transportation from one city to another, excluding local delivery and pickup.

Live Bounce — reassigning a load to another carrier in case the initial carrier cannot provide an empty vehicle in time.

Loaded Miles — the distance a truck travels while carrying cargo.

Log Book — record maintained by drivers noting their hours, routes, and fuel usage.

Logistics — organization, and implementation of a complex operation involving freight shipping.

Load Locks — Devices inside a trailer used to prevent freight from shifting during transportation.

LTL — stands for Less Than Truckload, cargo loads that are smaller than the truck's full capacity.

Lumper — workers hired at warehouses to help load or unload cargo.

M

Manifest — list of a ship's cargo in terms of quantity, type, and destination.

Minimum Charge — smallest amount that will be charged for transporting a shipment, regardless of size or distance.

Mode — method of transport, such as by truck, rail, air, or sea.

Motor Carrier — company or individual that provides road transportation services for compensation.

N

NMFC - stands for National Motor Freight Classification, a standard that categorizes goods for freight pricing.

Nested freight — packing method where items are stacked inside each other to reduce the space required for shipping.

Net Weight — the weight of the freight excluding any packaging material.

NOI — stands for Not Otherwise Indexed/Indicated, used in freight classification to categorize unlisted items, when no specific rate is listed in the NMFC.

NVOCC – stands for Non-Vessel Operating Common Carrier, a firm that organizes shipments for individuals or corporations without owning any vessels.

O

Origin — starting point of a shipment.

OS&D — stands for Over, Short, and Damaged, which is noted when discrepancies occur during cargo unloading.

Overcharge — charging more than the established rate or agreed-upon price.

Overheight Cargo — cargo exceeding standard height limits for shipping containers or trailers.

Oversize freight — cargo exceeding standard dimensions or weight limits for shipping containers or trailers.

Owner Code — Standard Carrier Abbreviation Code (SCAC) used to identify transportation firms and their equipment.

Owner Operator — a truck driver who owns and operates their own truck.

P

Pallet — flat transport structure supporting freight while being lifted by a jacking device.

Pallet Jack — a tool used to lift and move pallets within a warehouse.

Pallet labels — Labels affixed to pallets to ensure accurate and efficient delivery.

Pallet shipping — shipping goods that are stacked on pallets.

Package shipping — shipping smaller, individual packages.

Partial Containerships — vessels designed to carry both containerized and non-containerized cargo in different sections.

Perishable Freight — items that can deteriorate over time.

Piggyback — usage of rail flatcar to transport trailers or containers.

Placard — label affixed to shipping containers or vehicles that displays information about the contents.

POD — stands for Proof of Delivery, a document that confirms a shipment has been delivered and received.

Point of Origin — a location where a shipment is first picked up by the carrier.

Port of Entry — port at which goods are imported into a country.

Port of Exit — port through which goods leave the country.

Power Unit — engine or motor of a transportation vehicle.

Prepaid — transportation charges paid in advance by the shipper.

Protective Service — service offered by carriers to protect temperature-sensitive freight.

Pup — short trailer used with another trailer and dolly for transporting large loads.

R

Rag Top — open-top trailer or container covered with a tarpaulin.

Rebate — discounting or refunding that lowers the tariff price unfairly, is considered illegal practice.

Reconsignment — changing the consignee or destination of a shipment while in transit process.

Reefer — fully enclosed refrigerated trailer used to transport perishable goods.

Refrigerated LTL Trucking — Less Than Truckload shipping that requires temperature control.

Residential location — delivery to residential area.

RFQ — stands for Request for Quotation, a formal request for shipping services pricing.

Ro/Ro — stands for Roll On/Roll Off, a method where vehicles are driven on and off the ship using ramps.

Roll-on/Roll-off vessels — ships specifically designed to transport wheeled and other vehicles using ramps.

S

Said to Contain (STC) — a phrase used to indicate the number of units within a single package.

Scaling — a requirement to weigh the truck before and after loading to determine the weight of the cargo.

Scaling in Reverse — the driver weighs the loaded truck after pickup and again after delivery.

Seal — security device used to ensure trailer doors remain closed until delivery.

Shipment — a process of freight transportation from origin to destination under a single bill of lading.

Shipper — entity responsible for sending goods to a consignee.

Shipper Load and Count (SLC) — the shipper is responsible for loading and counting the goods not verified by the carrier.

Shipping labels — labels used to provide shipping information.

Ships, Bulk Carriers — vessels designed to transport large quantities of unpackaged freight.

Shrink Wrap — material used to secure items together on a pallet.

Skid — more durable pallet used for heavier loads.

Sliding Fifth Wheel — a mechanism used for adjustment of weight distribution between a tractor and its trailer.

Sliding Tandems — trailer feature used for the redistribution of weight over the axles.

Small business shipping — service that compares rates and booking shipments, simplifying logistics for small businesses.

Small parcel shipping — shipping service for lightweight small items.

Sort and Segregate (Sort and Seg) — counting and sorting of cargo during unloading.

Stevedore — individuals or companies that manage the loading and unloading of ship cargo.

Straight Bill of Lading — bill of lading type that specifies to whom the goods are to be delivered.

Straight Truck — tractor and trailer combined single truck.

Straps — alternate for chains, used to prevent freight damage on flatbed trailers.

Supply Chain — a system of producing and delivering a product or service, from the initial sourcing of materials to the final delivery to the consumer.

Surface Transportation Board (STB) — U.S. regulatory body that oversees economic regulations of various transportation modes.

T

Tailgate - A service where cargo is moved to the rear of a trailer for easier unloading, often using a liftgate.

Tankers — ships equipped with tanks for transporting liquids.

Tariff — schedule of rules and charges applied by shipping companies for freight services.

Tarps — protection for flatbed trailers used to cover freight from weather and road debris.

Temperature controlled shipping — maintaining cargo at specified temperatures throughout transit.

Terminal, Yard — facilities used by trucking companies for freight management.

Third-party logistics (3PL) — companies providing services to support aspects of shipping operations.

Through Rate — shipping rate from origin to destination excluding intermediate stops.

Tender — offering goods for transportation or presenting them for loading.

Terminal — area where loading or unloading cargo using different modes of transport happens.

TL — stands for Trailer Load, the amount of cargo that fills the trailer.

Tonnage — the weight or quantity of cargo being shipped.

TONU — stands for Truck Order Not Used, a fee charged when a scheduled truck is not needed as no cargo is available for pickup.

Traffic — a movement of vehicles and freight in a transportation network.

Tradeshow shipping - transporting exhibit materials from and to trade shows.

Tractor — driving unit of a truck, used for hauling trailers.

Trailer — a truck component that carries the cargo.

Transit Time — time needed for cargo to be delivered from its origin to its destination.

Transship — transfer of cargo between different sea vessels during the transportation process.

Truckload — a truck filled with cargo from a single customer, making it more cost-effective for large shipments.

TWIC Card — credential required for workers who need access to secure areas of maritime facilities and vessels.

Two-Way Pallet — pallet designed to be lifted by a forklift from two opposite sides.

Time-Critical — shipping options that ensure delivery by a specific, critical deadline.

Time-Definite — service guaranteeing of delivery at a specified time or on a specified day.

U

UFC — stands for Uniform Freight Classification, the system used to standardize the classification of freight.

V

Validated Export License — official document needed to ensure compliance with legal export regulations, required for the export of certain goods.

Ventilated Container — shipping container designed featured with air circulation vents.

Viz — A term used to specify or clarify something within a document or discussion.

Volume Rate — freight rate applied based on the volume of the cargo.

W

War Risk — insurance covering cargo loss or damage due to acts of war.

Warehouse — A facility used for storing goods before related operations.

Warehouse Entry — document declaring goods stored in a warehouse.

Warehouse Withdrawal for Transportation (WDT) — allows goods to be transported from one bonded warehouse to another.

Warehouse Withdrawal for Transportation Exportation (WDT&E) — permits the transportation of goods from a bonded warehouse to be exported without paying domestic duties.

Warehouse Withdrawal for Transportation Immediate Exportation (WDEX) — enables immediate export of goods from a bonded warehouse without paying domestic duties.

Warehousing — storing goods in a warehouse.

Waybill (WB) — a document that gives instructions and details related to the freight shipment.

Weight Tickets — documents used to verify the weight of a loaded vehicle at weigh stations.

Wharfage — A fee charged for the use of a wharf for loading, unloading, or storing goods.

Accessorial Charges — additional fees, applied to the basic tariff rate after the transportation service

Accessorials — services that typically require special equipment or include non-standard delivery locations.

Agent — an individual authorized to conduct business on behalf of another person or company, with various levels of decision-making authority.

Air Freight — cargo shipping by air carrier

Air Waybill — non-negotiable contract for carriage between a shipper and an air carrier.

Amazon (FBA) warehouse shipping — a logistic service that allows Amazon sellers to delegate their shipping processes to Amazon.

Attempted pickup — a situation, that occurs in case the carrier arrives to collect freight that is not ready for shipment.

Axle Load — weight that each axle of a truck places on the highways.

Back Haul —  return portion of a truck's route, which can be offered at a discounted rate.

Barge Carriers — vessels designed to transport barges. Some also can function as containerships carrying both containers and barges simultaneously.

Beneficial Owner — true owner of the cargo, even if the cargo's title is held by another party.

Bill of Lading (BOL) — a document that outlines the terms of the agreement between a transport company and a shipper.

Billing adjustment — fees charged after delivery due to differences between the quoted and actual details of the shipment.

Blanket Rate — a tariff that applies to a broad group of points rather than a specific route.

Blind Shipment — special shipment arrangement when the carrier needs to keep the shipper and receiver information confidential.

Blocking and bracing — a process used to secure pallets during transit.

Bobtail — driving a tractor unit without its trailer.

Bogie — wheeled frame used for mounting containers during over-the-road transport.

Bonded Freight - freight under bond to U.S. Customs which must be delivered under specific conditions.

Bonded Warehouse — storage facility authorized by Customs for storing goods with deferred duty payments.

Booking — a process of arranging space on a carrier for freight transport.

Break Bulk —an act of unloading and distributing part or all of a shipment from a rail car, container, or trailer.

Broker or Freight Broker – a person who arranges the transportation of goods by matching shippers with carriers for a share of the revenue.

Brokerage - compensation for a freight broker as determined by contract.

Brokerage License — certification for brokers arranging land, sea, or air freight transport. It is mandatory.

Bulk Cargo — cargo not shipped in packages or containers, but in loose form such as grains or oils.

Carrier or Freight Carrier — entity taking part in the transportation process by performing the actual transport of freight

Carrier lanes — regular routes that a freight carrier operates along.

Carrier liability — the financial responsibility assumed by a carrier.

Cartage — transport of freight within a limited area, typically within a city or its suburbs.

CBM — stands for Cubic Meter, which is a measurement unit used to determine freight charges based on volume.

Chassis — the frame used to transport ocean containers over land.

Classification — The process of categorizing freight to determine appropriate transportation. Usually based on factors like weight, density, and handling.

COD — stands for Collect on Delivery, a transaction in which payment is made at the time of delivery rather than in advance.

Commodity — a type of freight being transported.

Common Carrier — a public transport set rate service provider.

Concealed Damage — not apparent until the package is opened type of freight damage

Consignee — the recipient of a shipment.

Consignor — the sender of a shipment.

Container — standard-sized large metal box used for transporting goods.

Container Load — a shipment large enough to fill a container by weight or volume.

Consolidation — several shipments merging in favor of reducing costs.

Contract Carrier — a carrier that operates only under contract with specific shippers.

Crating — packing fragile items in wooden crates.

Cross docking — direct transfer of cargo from an incoming to an outgoing transport vehicle.

Cross-Town — a route that involves transportation from one part of a town to another.

Cubic Capacity — the total volume capacity of a vessel involved in transportation, expressed in cubic feet.

Cubic Foot — one foot wide, one foot long, and one-foot high measure of volume.

Cubic Dimensions — the internal trailer parameters, used to calculate volume (length, width, and height of a trailer).

Customs Broker — broker assisting with navigating customs regulations for importing and exporting goods.

D.O.T. — stands for the Department of Transportation, which sets overarching transportation policies in the U.S.

Deadhead — a trip segment where the trailer is empty, usually when repositioning equipment or traveling to pick up a load.

Deficit Weight — the shipment's weight falls below the minimum required weight.

Delivery appointment fee — charged when a specific appointment time for delivery is needed.

Deliver order — authorization for the release of goods.

Density — measures the weight of cargo per unit volume.

Density calculator — a tool used to determine freight classification based on the shipment's density.

Detention — charges applied when a shipper or receiver delays the carrier's equipment beyond the allotted time. Can also refer to the waiting time for loading or unloading beyond scheduled slots.

Dispatch — the primary coordination and rate negotiation contact within a carrier's operations.

Dock — area for loading and unloading cargo near the ship docking.

Dolly — a set of wheels used to support and transport the front end of a container.

Drayage — transport of freight over a short distance, particularly in intermodal transport.

Driver Assist — the driver needs to participate in the loading or unloading process.

Drop deck — a type of flatbed trailer designed to accommodate taller cargo.

Dry van — fully enclosed trailer commonly used in truckload shipping.

Dunnage — materials, such as wood and nails, used to secure cargo during transport by preventing its movement.

Edge Protector — protective devices placed on the edges of packages to prevent damage.

EDI — stands for Electronic Data Interface, a system used for exchanging business documents and data electronically, adhering to standard formats.

Embargo — prohibition on handling or accepting freight.

En Route — Indicates that the shipment is currently in transit.

ETA — stands for Estimated Time of Arrival, indicating when a vehicle or shipment is expected to arrive for dispatch.

Exceptions — notations made on a bill of lading before signing to indicate discrepancies.

Expedited shipping — a service chosen for urgent deliveries.

Exclusive Use of Truck — reserve of the entire truck for the shipment, regardless of whether the full space is used.

FAK — stands for Freight All Kinds, a simple freight class that includes various types of goods.

FCL — stands for Full Container Load, a shipment occupying the entire space of a container.

Fifth Wheel — a device that connects a trailer to a tractor. Enables pivotal movement and weight distribution between the tractor and trailer.

Flatbed — trailer without sides, used for large or heavy loads that might not fit in a standard enclosed trailer.

FCFS — stands for First Come, First Serve, a method of managing warehouse operations without appointments.

Free on board — liability and ownership of goods transfer from the seller to a buyer.

Freight — items shipped by different transportation modes.

Freight class — a classification system used to designate the type of freight.

Freight class calculator — a tool used to determine the appropriate freight class.

Freight cost or Rate — a charge levied by carriers for transporting goods.

Freight Forwarder — an agent who organizes shipments to get goods from the manufacturer or producer to a market, customer, or final point of distribution.

Freight insurance — coverage used to protect the cargo value from potential shipping risks.

Freight liability — carrier’s legal responsibility for the delay, damage, or loss of a shipment.

Freight shipping — the process of transporting bulk merchandise via common carriers.

Freight shipping quote — estimate cost of shipping specific freight provided by a carrier.

Freight terminal — a facility where freight is organized and consolidated for shipment.

FSC — stands for Fuel Surcharge, an additional fee charged by carriers to cover the cost of fuel.

FTL — stands for Full Truckload, a shipping method where a truck carries one shipper's goods exclusively, filling an entire truck.

Full Containerships — vessels designed to carry only containers, with no capacity for other types of cargo.

General Cargo Carriers — vessels that transport unpackaged bulk cargo, such as cars, livestock, or timber.

Ground freight - cargo transportation by land.

Gross Vehicle Weight Rating — maximum allowable total weight of a vehicle, including its cargo, fuel, and passengers.

Gross Weight — total weight of the cargo, packaging, and transportation equipment.

HAZMAT - stands for Hazardous Material, a type of freight that can cause harm to living and non-living environment on contact.

Headhaul — initial, outbound load carried by a transport vehicle.

Heavy haul — service providing oversized load transportation.

High Cube — trailer designed with height greater than standard, measuring up to 110 inches internally from front to back.

Hopper — trailer engineered to unload cargo through the bottom.

Inbound Freight — cargo coming from suppliers.

Inside pickup and delivery — cargo needs to be picked up or delivered inside a building.

Interline — freight transported using multiple carriers from its origin to destination.

Interline Carrier — a carrier that takes over freight from another carrier to complete its delivery.

Intermodal — usage of more than one mode of transportation to move goods.

Interstate — transport activities between different states.

Intrastate — transport activities within the same state.

Knocked Down — items disassembled to minimize space during transport, later reassembled.

Layover — the driver is required to stay overnight at a location due to scheduling.

Last mile delivery — final delivery phase from a transportation hub to the final delivery destination.

LCL — stands for Less than Container Load, a small amount of cargo that does not fill an entire container.

Lift gate — a mechanical device used to raise cargo from ground level to the level of the truck.

Limited Access — a situation when additional fees may be incurred for deliveries to locations with restricted access or requiring special documentation.

Line haul — a main segment of cargo transportation from one city to another, excluding local delivery and pickup.

Live Bounce — reassigning a load to another carrier in case the initial carrier cannot provide an empty vehicle in time.

Loaded Miles — the distance a truck travels while carrying cargo.

Log Book — record maintained by drivers noting their hours, routes, and fuel usage.

Logistics — organization, and implementation of a complex operation involving freight shipping.

Load Locks — Devices inside a trailer used to prevent freight from shifting during transportation.

LTL — stands for Less Than Truckload, cargo loads that are smaller than the truck's full capacity.

Lumper — workers hired at warehouses to help load or unload cargo.

Manifest — list of a ship's cargo in terms of quantity, type, and destination.

Minimum Charge — smallest amount that will be charged for transporting a shipment, regardless of size or distance.

Mode — method of transport, such as by truck, rail, air, or sea.

Motor Carrier — company or individual that provides road transportation services for compensation.

NMFC - stands for National Motor Freight Classification, a standard that categorizes goods for freight pricing.

Nested freight — packing method where items are stacked inside each other to reduce the space required for shipping.

Net Weight — the weight of the freight excluding any packaging material.

NOI — stands for Not Otherwise Indexed/Indicated, used in freight classification to categorize unlisted items, when no specific rate is listed in the NMFC.

NVOCC – stands for Non-Vessel Operating Common Carrier, a firm that organizes shipments for individuals or corporations without owning any vessels.

Origin — starting point of a shipment.

OS&D — stands for Over, Short, and Damaged, which is noted when discrepancies occur during cargo unloading.

Overcharge — charging more than the established rate or agreed-upon price.

Overheight Cargo — cargo exceeding standard height limits for shipping containers or trailers.

Oversize freight — cargo exceeding standard dimensions or weight limits for shipping containers or trailers.

Owner Code — Standard Carrier Abbreviation Code (SCAC) used to identify transportation firms and their equipment.

Owner Operator — a truck driver who owns and operates their own truck.

Pallet — flat transport structure supporting freight while being lifted by a jacking device.

Pallet Jack — a tool used to lift and move pallets within a warehouse.

Pallet labels — Labels affixed to pallets to ensure accurate and efficient delivery.

Pallet shipping — shipping goods that are stacked on pallets.

Package shipping — shipping smaller, individual packages.

Partial Containerships — vessels designed to carry both containerized and non-containerized cargo in different sections.

Perishable Freight — items that can deteriorate over time.

Piggyback — usage of rail flatcar to transport trailers or containers.

Placard — label affixed to shipping containers or vehicles that displays information about the contents.

POD — stands for Proof of Delivery, a document that confirms a shipment has been delivered and received.

Point of Origin — a location where a shipment is first picked up by the carrier.

Port of Entry — port at which goods are imported into a country.

Port of Exit — port through which goods leave the country.

Power Unit — engine or motor of a transportation vehicle.

Prepaid — transportation charges paid in advance by the shipper.

Protective Service — service offered by carriers to protect temperature-sensitive freight.

Pup — short trailer used with another trailer and dolly for transporting large loads.

Rag Top — open-top trailer or container covered with a tarpaulin.

Rebate — discounting or refunding that lowers the tariff price unfairly, is considered illegal practice.

Reconsignment — changing the consignee or destination of a shipment while in transit process.

Reefer — fully enclosed refrigerated trailer used to transport perishable goods.

Refrigerated LTL Trucking — Less Than Truckload shipping that requires temperature control.

Residential location — delivery to residential area.

RFQ — stands for Request for Quotation, a formal request for shipping services pricing.

Ro/Ro — stands for Roll On/Roll Off, a method where vehicles are driven on and off the ship using ramps.

Roll-on/Roll-off vessels — ships specifically designed to transport wheeled and other vehicles using ramps.

Said to Contain (STC) — a phrase used to indicate the number of units within a single package.

Scaling — a requirement to weigh the truck before and after loading to determine the weight of the cargo.

Scaling in Reverse — the driver weighs the loaded truck after pickup and again after delivery.

Seal — security device used to ensure trailer doors remain closed until delivery.

Shipment — a process of freight transportation from origin to destination under a single bill of lading.

Shipper — entity responsible for sending goods to a consignee.

Shipper Load and Count (SLC) — the shipper is responsible for loading and counting the goods not verified by the carrier.

Shipping labels — labels used to provide shipping information.

Ships, Bulk Carriers — vessels designed to transport large quantities of unpackaged freight.

Shrink Wrap — material used to secure items together on a pallet.

Skid — more durable pallet used for heavier loads.

Sliding Fifth Wheel — a mechanism used for adjustment of weight distribution between a tractor and its trailer.

Sliding Tandems — trailer feature used for the redistribution of weight over the axles.

Small business shipping — service that compares rates and booking shipments, simplifying logistics for small businesses.

Small parcel shipping — shipping service for lightweight small items.

Sort and Segregate (Sort and Seg) — counting and sorting of cargo during unloading.

Stevedore — individuals or companies that manage the loading and unloading of ship cargo.

Straight Bill of Lading — bill of lading type that specifies to whom the goods are to be delivered.

Straight Truck — tractor and trailer combined single truck.

Straps — alternate for chains, used to prevent freight damage on flatbed trailers.

Supply Chain — a system of producing and delivering a product or service, from the initial sourcing of materials to the final delivery to the consumer.

Surface Transportation Board (STB) — U.S. regulatory body that oversees economic regulations of various transportation modes.

Tailgate - A service where cargo is moved to the rear of a trailer for easier unloading, often using a liftgate.

Tankers — ships equipped with tanks for transporting liquids.

Tariff — schedule of rules and charges applied by shipping companies for freight services.

Tarps — protection for flatbed trailers used to cover freight from weather and road debris.

Temperature controlled shipping — maintaining cargo at specified temperatures throughout transit.

Terminal, Yard — facilities used by trucking companies for freight management.

Third-party logistics (3PL) — companies providing services to support aspects of shipping operations.

Through Rate — shipping rate from origin to destination excluding intermediate stops.

Tender — offering goods for transportation or presenting them for loading.

Terminal — area where loading or unloading cargo using different modes of transport happens.

TL — stands for Trailer Load, the amount of cargo that fills the trailer.

Tonnage — the weight or quantity of cargo being shipped.

TONU — stands for Truck Order Not Used, a fee charged when a scheduled truck is not needed as no cargo is available for pickup.

Traffic — a movement of vehicles and freight in a transportation network.

Tradeshow shipping - transporting exhibit materials from and to trade shows.

Tractor — driving unit of a truck, used for hauling trailers.

Trailer — a truck component that carries the cargo.

Transit Time — time needed for cargo to be delivered from its origin to its destination.

Transship — transfer of cargo between different sea vessels during the transportation process.

Truckload — a truck filled with cargo from a single customer, making it more cost-effective for large shipments.

TWIC Card — credential required for workers who need access to secure areas of maritime facilities and vessels.

Two-Way Pallet — pallet designed to be lifted by a forklift from two opposite sides.

Time-Critical — shipping options that ensure delivery by a specific, critical deadline.

Time-Definite — service guaranteeing of delivery at a specified time or on a specified day.

UFC — stands for Uniform Freight Classification, the system used to standardize the classification of freight.

Validated Export License — official document needed to ensure compliance with legal export regulations, required for the export of certain goods.

Ventilated Container — shipping container designed featured with air circulation vents.

Viz — A term used to specify or clarify something within a document or discussion.

Volume Rate — freight rate applied based on the volume of the cargo.

War Risk — insurance covering cargo loss or damage due to acts of war.

Warehouse — A facility used for storing goods before related operations.

Warehouse Entry — document declaring goods stored in a warehouse.

Warehouse Withdrawal for Transportation (WDT) — allows goods to be transported from one bonded warehouse to another.

Warehouse Withdrawal for Transportation Exportation (WDT&E) — permits the transportation of goods from a bonded warehouse to be exported without paying domestic duties.

Warehouse Withdrawal for Transportation Immediate Exportation (WDEX) — enables immediate export of goods from a bonded warehouse without paying domestic duties.

Warehousing — storing goods in a warehouse.

Waybill (WB) — a document that gives instructions and details related to the freight shipment.

Weight Tickets — documents used to verify the weight of a loaded vehicle at weigh stations.

Wharfage — A fee charged for the use of a wharf for loading, unloading, or storing goods.