Depending on the size of your shipment, it may be considered parcel, less-than-load (LTL) or a full truckload (FTL) shipment. Your shipment may be too small for certain carriers, or conversely, if you have a large shipment, you may have to rely on a carrier certified to ship large containers. There are also unique considerations depending on the mode of transport—whether you’re shipping via air, sea, road or rail. The wide variety of terms that relate to the process of moving goods through a supply chain may seem overwhelming. Understanding the different types of shipment and related terms is crucial to ensure your goods get shipped on time, within compliance and in good shape. Here is some Weesholic suggest that it is Critical Import Export Terms You Must Know.
ACE
The Automated Commercial Environment is the online web portal used to report data to the Automated Export System (AES) for exports leaving the United States, and also for customs filing for imports entering the United States.
AES
The Automated Export System is used by the U.S. government to collect data on exports. This data is called Electronic Export Information (EEI), and in many cases, exporters are legally required to file the EEI through AES for each shipment. The U.S. Census Bureau uses this data to calculate trade statistics such as gross domestic product (GDP), while U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) uses it to make sure exporters are following U.S. export regulations.
Aggregate shipment
Multiple shipments—from different sellers to a single consignee—that are consolidated by the carrier into a single shipment.
Air waybill (AWB)
The AWB is a document that controls the routing of an exporter’s cargo while it is in the hands of the air carrier or a consolidator. It is a contract for carriage; however, it cannot be negotiated.
ALADI
The Latin American Integration Association (ALADI) is an international association of Latin American countries. Its function in Latin America is comparable to the function of the former European Economic Community—which has now become embedded in the framework of the European Union—in Europe. The goal of ALADI is to harmonize trade across the member states. There are currently 13 member countries representing a population of more than 500 million people. ALADI has its own commodity classification system similar to the global Harmonized System (HS).
Alongside
Refers to the side of a ship. Goods delivered alongside are placed on the dock or barge within reach of the ship’s rigging so it can be easily loaded onto the ship. For example, it’s used in the Incoterms 2010 trade term
Apparent good order
When freight appears to be free of damage after being assessed it is said to be in apparent good order.
Arrival notice
Notification provided by the carrier when a shipment has arrived to the consignee or notify party.
Astern
Means either “behind a ship” or “to move a ship in the reverse direction.”
ATDNSHINC
Stands for Any Time, Day or Night, Sundays and Holidays Included, referring to when a vessel will operate.
Athwartships
A direction across the width of a ship.
Audit
A thorough examination of a business’s processes to determine if the business is compliant with a particular set of standards. A government agency may audit a company’s processes or records as part of an investigation related to a potential compliance violation. In some industries, companies must pass periodic government audits to maintain their authorizations. Companies may also conduct internal audits (self-audit), or hire a third party to audit their processes. The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), the export control arm of the U.S. Department of Commerce, recommends that U.S. exporters periodically self-audit to ensure compliance procedures are working properly and are up-to-date with regulation changes.
Audit trail
A system that stores and maintains records of business processes. With regards to exporting, companies are strongly encouraged to maintain an audit trail documenting their compliance screenings in order to demonstrate due diligence in case of an audit. Having an audit trail may protect your company from fines or penalties in the case of an export compliance violation.
Automatic identification system (AIS)
A satellite system used by ships and vessel tracking service (VTS) to identify and locate ships.
Backhaul
Cargo carried on a return journey.
Balloon freight
Freight that is low weight but high volume (light but bulky).
Bank Draft
A financial instrument provided by a bank and drawn on another bank.
Beam
The width of a ship.
Beneficiary
The party that receives payment.
Bilateral
A bilateral agreement is one in which both parties agree to provide something for the other.
Bill of lading
A document issued by a carrier or their agent acknowledging receipt of cargo for shipment. Often abbreviated as BOL, BoL, B/L or BL. If there were no issues with the cargo stated on the BOL, it is said to be a clean bill of lading. Weesholic -suggest this is one of the most Critical Import Export Terms, hence the separate blogs is also available.
Bill of sale
A document that confirms transfer of goods in exchange for money.
Bill-to party
The party paying for goods or services in a transaction.
BIS
The Bureau of Industry and Security, an agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce tasked with enforcing the Export Administration Regulations (EAR).
Blocking or bracing
Wood or metal supports used to secure cargo while in transit. Also called dunnage.
Block stowage
Loading cargo close together to minimize movement of goods while in transit.
Bolster
A piece of equipment attached to a chassis or railcar to secure the container.
Bond port
The initial port of entry where a vessel transporting goods first arrives at a country.
Booking
Arrangements made with a carrier for the movement of cargo; space reservation.
Bow
The front of a vessel.
Broken stowage
Empty space in a container not occupied by cargo.
Bulk cargo
Cargo that is shipped loose as opposed to being shipped in packages or containers. Grain and coal are examples of goods usually shipped as bulk cargo.
Bull ring
A device attached to the floor of a container which is used to secure cargo.
Cabotage
Transport of goods between two places in the same country by a transporter from another country.
Cargo
Any goods being transported, regardless of the mode of transport.
Cargo declaration
Information submitted prior to, upon arrival or upon departure of an international shipment required by a country’s customs authority.
Cargo manifest
A document detailing the cargo carried on a ship, often provided to a customs authority.
Carnet
A document permitting the holder to temporarily send goods to certain foreign countries for display or demonstration purposes without having to pay duties.
Cash on delivery (COD)
The sale of goods in which payment is made upon delivery rather than in advance.
Carrier
A carrier is a party that transports goods for another person or company and is responsible for any possible loss of or damage to the goods during transport. A common carrier provides transportation services to the public in return for compensation. A contract carrier provides this service under special contracts, often for government clients.
CBP
Customs and Border Protection, part of the Department of Homeland Security, is the agency within the U.S. government tasked with controlling the flow of people and goods into and out of the country, and with enforcing import and export regulations.
CCC Mark
A label indicating cargo conforms to standards established by the Chinese government.
We Weesholic hope these Critical Import Export Terms will you in startup & long run !
