The logistics dictionary

Coilcars (also referred to as “steel coil cars” or “coil steel cars”) are modified Gondolas to Transport Coils of steel strip by rail. Disclaimer Our content is not in any way legal advice or binding. The information provided by might […]

A cold chain is a low temperature-controlled supply chain. An unbroken cold chain is an uninterrupted series of refrigerated production, storage and distribution activities, along with associated equipment and logistics, which maintain quality via a desired low-temperature range. It is used to preserve and […]

A document created by the seller with their contact information, and information on the products being shipped such as their value for customs and insurance. Commercial invoice is the statement of account of sale provided by the seller to the […]

A commodity code is a code used for defining the type of goods and the applicable tariffs when importing or exporting. A commodity code can be an HTS Code (Harmonized Tariff Schedule), which are product classification codes between 8-10 digits. […]

The consignee is the receiver of the goods being shipped.  A consignee is a customer or client. The ultimate owner of the product is the consignee, so it is important to keep in mind that shipments destined for a 3rd […]

A consignor is a person or a company that is responsible for initiating and organising a shipment. A consignor could be a seller or an exporter (who ships goods from one country to the other). This means the Consignor is […]

The Consular Invoice describes the shipment of goods and shows information such as the consignor, consignee, and value of the shipment. Certified by the consular official of the foreign country, it is used by the country’s customs officials to verify the value, […]

A container ship is a ship which is designed to carry goods stored in containers. Disclaimer Our content is not in any way legal advice or binding. The information provided by might not be the official legal or full definition. […]

A contract of carriage ofwel Transport document is a contract between a carrier of goods or passengers and the consignor, consignee or passenger. Contracts of carriage typically define the rights, duties and liabilities of parties to the contract, addressing topics such as acts of […]

Corporate Social Responsibility is a management concept whereby  companies integrate social and environmental concerns in their business  operations and interactions with their stakeholders. CSR is generally  understood as being the way through which a company achieves a balance  of economic, […]

A Coverd wagon os a railroad car that is enclosed and generally used to carry freight. These Covered wagons are also called Boxcars, Covered (goods) Van, Louvre / Covered van. While not the simplest Freight car design, it is probably […]

Covered hopper wagons are used for cargo transported by rail that must be protected from the elements (chiefly rain) such as grain, sugar, and fertilizer. They are mostly self-discharging using gravity-unloading. They are also called Covered hopper car. Disclaimer Our […]

CPT, Carriage Paid to (insert place of destination) is an IncoTerm which can be used for any Transport mode, or where there is more than one Transport mode. The seller arranges the customs clearance, pays the export fees and arranges […]

A Curtain Van or Curtainside Trailer is generally a flatbed with an upper structure installed to the flatbed as a tarping system. This system works very just like an accordion or as a curtain. When pulled forward, the tarp exposes the […]

The customs value is value of the imported goods on which duties will be assessed. Usually includes the price of the goods themselves including the pro-rated price of the Freight or air shipping. Disclaimer Our content is not in any […]

Direct-to-Consumer refers to selling products directly to end-customers, bypassing any third-party retailers, wholesalers, or any other middlemen. Disclaimer Our content is not in any way legal advice or binding. The information provided by might not be the official legal or full definition. […]

Dangerous good, abbreviated DG, (also known as hazardous material or hazmat) is any substance or material that is capable of posing an unreasonable risk to health, safety, and property when transported in commerce. Certain dangerous goods that pose risks even […]

The Dangerous Goods Declaration is a declaration given by the party that organizes the Transportation of dangerous (the Shipper) goods to the carrier. The DGD is an undertaking that all applicable national and international laws (CFR49, ICAO, IATA, AND IMDG Code […]

DAP, Delivered at Place (insert named place of destination) is an IncoTerm whereby the seller delivers the goods to the buyer at the time the truck arrives at the agreed place. When the delivery ends, the truck comes to stop […]

DDP, Delivered Duty Paid (Insert place of destination) is an IncoTerm whereby the seller responsible is for the entire Transport process, including the payment of import duties. Delivery Duty Paid is basically the opposite of Ex Works: at EXW whereby […]

DEQ or “delivered ex quay” was an IncoTerm or contract specification where the seller had to deliver the goods to the quay or wharf at the destination port. In 2010, delivered ex quay was replaced with DAT, Delivered at Terminal. […]

Under both the Export Administration Regulations (regulated by the Bureau of Industry & Security) and the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (regulated by the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls), exports are legally required to state that the goods being exported are destined for […]

A Freight Marketplace or Digital Freight Marketplace (DFM) are online plaforms where shippers and carriers can bypass traditional brokerages and interact directly, posting or picking loads that meet each other’s criteria. Actually it is extising technology as you know it […]

The dock receipt is used to transfer accountability when an export item is moved by the domestic carrier to the port of embarkation and left with the international carrier for movement to its destination. Dock receipts are mostly prepared by forwarders or shippers. Disclaimer Our content is not in any way […]

Dock to Dock is a term which is used to ascertain if there is a lift gate or a dock at the end location, so that the truck can pick up from one dock, deliver to another, no lift gate […]

Dock to Stock is a receiving method where specified quality and packaging requirements are met before the product is released. The received materials are than delivered directly to point of use (storage or manufacturing), skipping the normal receiving inspection. Disclaimer […]

In Incoterms 2010, this rule was referred to as Delivered At Terminal (DAT). Prior to this DAT, is was called DEQ, Delivered ex Quay. Today this is called DPU. There are no restrictions on the named place – for example […]

Dropshipping is a method of order Fulfillment in which a company sells products by delivering them directly from the E-Commerce store/manufacturer or third party. Dropshipping merchants do not warehouse nor ever handle their inventory. Disclaimer Our content is not in […]

A dry Van is any truck trailer, used in road transport, that is enclosed and protected from the elements. Think of your typical semi-truck or ‘box’ truck with a door on the back. Although the cargo is protected from rain […]

A dump truck, also known as a dumping truck, dump trailer, dumper trailer, dump lorry, dumper lorry or a dumper for short, is used for transporting materials (such as dirt, gravel, or demolition waste) for construction as well as coal. […]

Duty drawback is the refund of customs duties, taxes and fees paid on imported items that are matched with exported or destroyed items. This refund can be in part or the full amount paid by the trader against the import […]

The vessel dwell time is the time a ship spends at port securing the vessel, discharging or loading cargo, and other activities. A Container Excess Dwell Fee can come into place when containers exceed specific dwell time at the ports. Disclaimer Our content […]

E-fulfillment (eCommerce Fulfillment), consists of receiving and storing inventory, processing orders, picking and packing items, Shipping orders to their final destination, and facilitating ecommerce returns. Disclaimer Our content is not in any way legal advice or binding. The information provided […]

ESG stands for Environmental Social and Governance, and refers to the three key factors when measuring the sustainability and ethical impact of an investment in a business or company. ESG is a generic term used in capital markets and commonly used by investors to […]

The estimated time of arrival (ETA) is the time when a ship, vehicle, aircraft, cargo, emergency service, or person is expected to arrive at a certain place. Disclaimer Our content is not in any way legal advice or binding. The information […]

The Estimated Time of Departure is the projection of time at which a Transport is expected to depart its point of origin. Disclaimer Our content is not in any way legal advice or binding. The information provided by might not […]

An EUR1, also known as a ‘movement certificate’, enables importers in certain countries to import goods at a reduced or nil rate of import duty, especially within the framework of several bi- and multilateral trade agreements of the Pan-European preference […]

Expediting is the movement of shipments through regular channels at an accelerated rate. It also refers to take extraordinary action because of an increase in relative priority. Disclaimer Our content is not in any way legal advice or binding. The […]

An export broker is a company that intermediates between a buyer and seller. They require a fee for their services. The opposite could be referred to as Logistics, Freight and Transport disintermediation. Disclaimer Our content is not in any way […]

An export license is a document issued by government bodies. It allows registered companies or individuals to legally ship goods that are otherwise restricted. Disclaimer Our content is not in any way legal advice or binding. The information provided by […]

EXW,  Ex Works (insert place of delivery) is an IncoTerm whereby the seller only responsible is for the availability of the goods at his warehouse or factory. He basically needs to open the door for the person who comes to collect […]

FAS, Free Alongside Ship (insert name of port of loading) is an IncoTerm which is restricted to goods transported by sea or inland waterway. Under FAS, the seller ensures that the goods are packed correctly and includes an invoice and […]

FCA, Free Carrier (Insert named place of delivery) is an IncoTerm which can be used for any Transport mode, or where there is more than one Transport mode. The seller is responsible for all customs activities in the country of […]

A FCL or a Full Container Load relates to seafreight and means that a shipment occupies the entire space of a container, without having to share it with other shippers. In an FCL cargo, the complete goods in the container […]

The FIATA Bill of Lading serves as a Shipping contract and a proof that the goods have been carried with the use of more than one mode of transportation. It also determines the responsibility of the freight forwarder. When issued “to order”, it is a […]

A Flatbad trailer is an open trailer for Transportation of goods by road. Load 20-25 tonnes. Also called flat car, flatbed wagon, flat wagon, flatbed, platform wagon Most flatbed trailers come in lengths of 45′, 48′, or 53′. The size […]

A Fkatcar is an open trailer for Transportation of goods by road. Load 20-25 tonnes. Also called flat car, flatbed wagon, flat wagon, flatbed, platform wagon Most flatbed trailers come in lengths of 45′, 48′, or 53′. The size needed […]

A Flatwagon is an open trailer for Transportation of goods by road. Load 20-25 tonnes. Also called flat car, flatbed wagon, flat wagon, flatbed, platform wagon Most flatbed trailers come in lengths of 45′, 48′, or 53′. The size needed […]

Float on, Float off ships are Specialized Heavy Lift Ships, also known as Float-on/Float-off (FLO/FLO) or semisubmersible ships. Such Flo-Flo ship provide the capability to load, Transport and offload outsized cargo independent of port equipment traditionally used for handling large […]

FOB, Free on Board (insert named port of loading) is an IncoTerm which is restricted to goods transported by sea or inland waterway (barge). The seller is responsible for the invoice, packaging, Export License (if necessary) and other customs formalities. […]