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.
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.