The Complete Glossary of International Logistics Terms

Whether you’re shipping a car, motorcycle, or heavy equipment overseas, you’ve probably come across logistics terms that sound complicated — from “Bill of Lading” to “Demurrage.”

This complete glossary of international logistics terms by All Cargo Export breaks down the most common words and abbreviations used in global trade, so you can ship with confidence and understand every step of the process.

 

A

Agent (Freight Agent) — A person or company that handles shipments and logistics operations on behalf of the exporter or importer.

ATA Carnet — An international customs document that allows goods to be temporarily imported duty-free for exhibitions or testing.

Arrival Notice — A document sent by the carrier to notify the consignee that a shipment has arrived at its destination.

 

 

B

Bill of Lading (B/L) — The most important shipping document issued by a carrier to acknowledge receipt of goods. It acts as a contract and a title of ownership.

Bonded Warehouse — A secured storage facility where imported goods can be stored without paying customs duties until released for local sale.

Broker (Customs Broker) — A licensed specialist who helps clear goods through customs on behalf of importers or exporters.

Bulk Cargo — Goods that are shipped unpackaged in large quantities, such as oil, grain, or minerals.

 

C

Carrier — The shipping line, airline, or transport company responsible for moving goods.

Certificate of Origin (COO) — A document certifying the country in which goods were produced.

Consignee — The person or company receiving the shipment.

Containerization — The practice of shipping goods in standardized containers for easier handling and transport.

Customs Clearance — The process of submitting documentation and paying duties to move goods across borders legally.

 

D

Delivery Order (D/O) — An instruction from the carrier allowing the consignee to take possession of goods.

Demurrage — A fee charged when a container remains at a terminal beyond the allotted free time.

Detention Fee — A fee for holding a carrier’s equipment (like a container) longer than the agreed period.

Dispatch — The act of sending goods out from a warehouse or terminal.

Duty-Free — Refers to goods exempt from import taxes and duties.

 

E

ETA (Estimated Time of Arrival) — The date and time a shipment is expected to arrive at its destination.

ETD (Estimated Time of Departure) — The scheduled date and time for a shipment to leave the port of origin.

Export Declaration (EEI / AES Filing) — A mandatory U.S. filing that reports the details of exports to the Census Bureau.

Ex Works (EXW) — A shipping term meaning the buyer is responsible for all transportation costs starting from the seller’s location.

 

F

Freight Forwarder — A logistics company that arranges transportation, documentation, and insurance for exporters.

Free Zone (FTZ / Free Trade Zone) — A designated area near ports where goods can be stored or processed duty-free before export.

FCL (Full Container Load) — When one shipper uses an entire container for their shipment.

Freight Rate — The price charged by a carrier for transporting goods.

 

G

Gross Weight — The total weight of a shipment, including packaging and container.

Gateway Port — A major entry or exit point for international cargo, like Savannah or Jebel Ali.

General Cargo — Goods that are packaged or containerized, not in bulk form.

 

H

HS Code (Harmonized System Code) — A standardized international code used to classify traded goods for customs.

Handling Charges — Fees for loading, unloading, and moving cargo within terminals or warehouses.

 

I

Import Duty — A tax imposed by the destination country on imported goods.

Incoterms (International Commercial Terms) — Globally recognized trade rules that define responsibilities between buyers and sellers (like FOB, CIF, DDP).

Insurance Certificate — A document showing proof of cargo insurance coverage during transport.

Intermodal Transport — The use of multiple transport modes (truck, ship, rail) to move goods efficiently.

 

L

LCL (Less than Container Load) — When multiple shippers share space in one container.

Loading Certificate — Proof that cargo has been loaded onto a vessel.

Logistics Provider — A company that manages the transportation, warehousing, and coordination of shipments (like All Cargo Export).

 

M

Manifest — A detailed list of all cargo carried by a ship or plane.

Marine Insurance — Insurance that protects goods against loss or damage during transit over water.

Multimodal Shipping — Combining several modes of transport under one contract for efficiency.

 

N

NVOCC (Non-Vessel Operating Common Carrier) — A company that arranges ocean transport but does not operate ships itself.

Net Weight — The weight of the goods without packaging or container.

 

O

Origin Port — The port where cargo begins its international journey.

Overland Transport — The trucking or rail movement of cargo within a country before export or after import.

 

P

Packing List — A detailed document listing contents, weights, and dimensions of each shipment.

POD (Proof of Delivery) — Confirmation that goods were received in good condition by the consignee.

Port of Discharge — The port where cargo is unloaded.

Port of Loading — The port where cargo is loaded onto the vessel.

 

R

Ro/Ro (Roll-on/Roll-off) — A shipping method for wheeled vehicles that are driven on and off the vessel.

Reefer Container — A refrigerated container for transporting temperature-sensitive goods.

Receiver — Another term for consignee or end customer.

 

S

Shipment Tracking — Monitoring cargo in real time during its journey.

Shipping Line — A company that owns and operates cargo vessels.

Short Sea Shipping — Coastal or regional shipping within close distances.

Stuffing — The process of loading goods into a container.

Stripping — The process of unloading goods from a container.

 

T

Tariff — A tax or duty imposed by a government on imported goods.

Terminal Handling Charges (THC) — Fees for services provided at the port terminal.

Transit Time — The total time taken for cargo to reach its destination.

Tracking Number — A unique code used to monitor shipment progress.

 

 

U–Z

UN Number — A four-digit number identifying hazardous materials for transport safety.

Warehouse Receipt — A document proving goods are stored in a warehouse.

Waybill — A transport document that accompanies goods but is not a title of ownership.