Agency for International Development.

American Trucking Association.

Always Afloat (In some ports the ship aground when approaching, or at berth.)

Abbreviation for:- Against All Risks (insurance clause). – Association of American Railroads.

A point beyond the midpoint of a ships length, towards the rear or stern

Abbreviation for “Bill of Lading.”

To haul a shipment back over part of a route it has traveled.

Abbreviation for “Bunker Adjustment Factor.” Used to compensate steamship lines for fluctuating fuel costs. Sometimes called “Fuel Adjustment Factor” or FAF.

Light, bulky articles.

Obsolete, albeit heavily used, term of sale meaning “cargo and freight” whereby Seller pays for cost of goods and freight charges up to destination port. In July, 1990 the International Chamber of Commerce replaced C&F with CFR.

Water transportation term applicable to shipments between ports of a nation; commonly refers to coast-wise or inter-coastal navigation or trade. Many nations, including the United States, have cabotage laws which require national flag vessels to provide domestic interport service.

Abbreviation for “Currency Adjustment Factor.” A charge, expressed as a percentage of a base rate, that is applied to compensate ocean carriers of currency fluctuations.

A document prepared by the captain of a vessel on arriving at port; shows conditions encountered during voyage, generally for the purpose of relieving ship owner of any loss to cargo and shifting responsibility for reimbursement to the insurance company.

Abbreviation for “Dangerous and Hazardous” cargo.

Abbreviation for “Doing Business As.” A legal term for conducting business under a registered na

Department of Transportation.

Eastern Central Motor Carriers Association.

Eastern Weighing and Inspection Bureau.

An angle piece fitted over the edge of boxes, crates, bundles and other packages to prevent the pressure from metal bands or other types from cutting into the package.

Abbreviation for “Electronic Data Interface.” Generic term for transmission of transactional data between computer systems. EDI is typically via a batched transmission, usually conforming to consistent standards.

International data interchange standards sponsored by the United Nations. See UN/EDIFACT.

charges assessed for the handling of grain through grain elevators.

An act of Congress (1903) prohibiting rebates, concession, misbilling, etc. and providing specific penalties for such violations.

Order to restrict the hauling of freight.

The sovereign power to take property for a necessary public use, with reasonable compensation.

Contraction for Empty Repositioning. The movement of empty containers.

A legal signature usually placed on the reverse of a draft; signifies transfer of rights from the holder to another party.

Customs documents required to clear an import shipment for entry into the general commerce of a country.

A monetary allowance to the customer for picking up or delivering at a point other than the destination shown on the bill of lading. This provision is covered by tariff publication.

A document transferring a container from one carrier to another, or to/from a terminal.

Estimated time of arrival.

A gas produced by many fruits and vegetables that accelerates the ripening and aging processes.

When used in pricing terms such as “Ex Factory” or “Ex Dock,” it signifies that the price quoted applies only at the point of origin indicated.

Contraction for “Shipper’s Export Declaration.”

Notations made when the cargo is received at the carrier’s terminal or loaded aboard a vessel. They show any irregularities in packaging or actual or suspected damage to the cargo. Exceptions are then noted on the bill of lading.

Abbreviation for Export-Import Bank of the United States. An independent U.S. Government Agency which facilitates exports of U.S. goods by providing loan guarantees and insurance for repayment of bank-provided export credit.

Issued in connection with documents such as letters of credit, tariffs etc. to advise that stated provisions will expire at a certain time.

Shipment of goods to a foreign country.

A government document declaring designated goods to be shipped out of the country. To be completed by the exporter and filed with the U.S. Government.

A government document which permits the “Licensee” to engage in the export of designated goods to certain destinations.

A rate published on traffic moving from an interior point to a port for transshipment to a foreign country.

Food and Drug Administration.

See “Free of Particular Average.”

A factor is an agent who will, at a discount (usually five to 8% of the gross), buy receivables.

Abbreviation for “Freight All Kinds.” Usually refers to full container loads of mixed shipments.

Misrepresenting freight or weight on shipping documents.

Abbreviation for “Free Alongside Ship.”

Abbreviation for “Full Container Load.”

Abbreviation for “Free Discharge.”

Cargo to/from regional ports are transferred to/from a central hub port for a long-haul ocean voyage.

A short-sea vessel which transfers cargo between a central “hub” port and smaller “spoke” ports.

Abbreviation for “Forty-Foot Equivalent Units.” Refers to container size standard of forty feet. Two twenty-foot containers or TEU’s equal one FEU.

The semi-circular steel coupling device mounted on a tractor which engages and locks with a chassis semi-trailer.

See Free In and Out.

A capacity measurement equal to one-fourth of a barrel.

Costs that do not vary with the level of activity. Some fixed costs continue even if no cargo is carried. Terminal leases, rent and property taxes are fixed costs.

A rail car without a roof and walls.

A container with no sides and frame members at the front and rear. Container can be loaded from the sides and top.

Federal Maritime Commission. The U.S. Governmental regulatory body responsible for administering maritime affairs including the tariff system, Freight Forwarder Licensing, enforcing the conditions of the Shipping Act and approving conference or other carrier agreements.

See Free On Board. See also Terms of Sale, FOB.

the same as FOB named inland carrier, except the buyer pays the transportation charge and the seller reduces the invoice by A like amount.

the same as FOB named inland carrier, except the seller pays the Freight charges of the inland carrier.

seller is responsible FOR the cost of placing the goods at A named point of exportation. Some European buyers use This Form when they actually mean FOB vessel.

seller is responsible FOR goods and preparation of export documentation until actually placed aboard the vessel.

Abbreviation for “Free on Rail.”

The title of a common clause in contracts, exempting the parties for non-fulfillment of their obligations as a result of conditions beyond their control, such as earthquakes, floods or war.

The direction on a vessel parallel to the center line.

Under U.S. tax law, a corporation created to obtain tax exemption on part of the earnings of U.S. products in foreign markets. Must be set-up as a foreign corporation with an office outside the USA.

A free port in a country divorced from Customs authority but under government control. Merchandise, except that which is prohibited, may be stored in the zone without being subject to import duty regulations.

A machine used to pick up and move goods loaded on pallets or skids.

See Brokerage.