Shipping Terms Glossary
Search from a comprehensive list of commonly used shipping terms used in the freight logistics and transportation industry.
Place of Receipt
Location where cargo enters the care and custody of carrier.
Plimsoll Mark
A series of horizontal lines, corresponding to the seasons of the year and fresh or saltwater, painted on the outside of a ship marking the level which must remain above the surface of the water for the vessel’s stability
POD
Abbreviation for: – Port of Discharge. – Port of Destination. – Proof of Delivery. A document required from the carrier or driver for proper payment.
Point of Origin
The place at which a shipment is received by a carrier from the shipper.
POL
Abbreviation for: – Port of Loading. – Petroleum, Oil, and Lubricants. Pomerene Act, Also known as (U.S.) Federal Bill of Lading Act of 1916. U.S. federal law enacting conditions by which a B/L may be issued. Penalties for issuing B/L’s containing false data include...
Port
– Harbor with piers or docks. – Left side of a ship when facing forward. – Opening in a ship’s side for handling freight.
Port of Call
Port where a ship discharges or receives traffic.
Port of Entry
Port where cargo is unloaded and enters a country.
Port of Exit
Place where cargo is loaded and leaves a country.
Pratique Certificate
Lifts temporary quarantine of a vessel; granted pratique by Health Officer.
Pre-cooling
A process employed in the shipment of citrus fruits and other perishable commodities. The fruit is packed and placed in a cold room from which the heat is gradually extracted. The boxes of fruit are packed in containers that have been thoroughly cooled and transported...
Prepaid (Ppd.)
Freight charges paid by the consignor (shipper) prior to the release of the bills of lading by the carrier.
Pro Forma
A Latin term meaning “For the sake of form.”
Pro Forma Invoice
An invoice provided by a supplier prior to the shipment of merchandise, informing the buyer of the kinds and quantities of goods to be sent, their value, and specifications (weight, size, etc.).
Pro Rata
A Latin term meaning “In proportion.”
Project Rate
Single tariff item, established to move multiple commodities needed for a specified project, usually construction.
Public Service Commission
A name usually given to a State body having control or regulation of public utilities.
Publishing Agent
Person authorized by transportation lines to publish tariffs or rates, rules, and regulations for their account.
Pulp Temperature
Procedure where carrier tests the temperature of the internal flesh of refrigerated commodities to assure that the temperature at time of shipment conforms to prescribed temperature ranges.
Pup
A short semi-trailer used jointly with a dolly and another semi-trailer to create a twin trailer.
Quarantine
A restraint placed on an operation to protect the public against a health hazard. A ship may be quarantined so that it cannot leave a protected point. During the quarantine period, the Q flag is hoisted.
Quay
A structure attached to land to which a vessel is moored. See also Pier and Dock.
Quoin
A wedge-shaped piece of timber used to secure barrels against movement.
Quota
The quantity of goods that may be imported without restriction during a set period of time.
Quotation
An offer to sell goods at a stated price and under stated terms.
Rag Top
A slang term for an open-top trailer or container with a tarpaulin cover.
Rail Division
The amount of money an ocean carrier pays to the railroad for overland carriage.
Rail Grounding
The time that the container was discharged (grounded) from the train.
Ramp
Railroad terminal where containers are received or delivered and trains loaded or discharged. Originally, trailers moved onto the rearmost flatcar via a ramp and driven into position in a technique known as “circus loading.” Most modern rail facilities use lifting...
Ramp-to-Door
A movement where the load initiates at an origin rail ramp and terminates at a consignee’s door.
Ramp-to-Ramp
A movement of equipment from an origin rail ramp to a destination rail ramp only.
Rate Basis
A formula of the specific factors or elements that control the making of a rate. A rate can be based on any number of factors (i.e., weight, measure, equipment type, package, box, etc.).
Reasonableness
Under ICC and common law, the requirement that a rate not be higher than is necessary to reimburse the carrier for the actual cost of transporting the traffic and allow a fair profit.
Rebate
An illegal form of discounting or refunding that has the net effect of lowering the tariff price. See also Malpractice.
Reconsignment
Changing the consignee or destination on a bill of lading while shipment is still in transit. Diversion has substantially the same meaning.
Recourse
A right claim against the guarantors of a loan or draft or bill of exchange.
Red Label
A label required on shipments of flammable articles.
Reefer
Refrigerated container.
Related Points
A group of points to which rates are made the same as or in relation to rates to other points in group.
Relay
To transfer containers from one ship to another when both vessels are controlled by the same network (carrier) manager.
Remittance
Funds sent by one person to another as payment.
Restricted Articles
Articles handled only under certain conditions.
Revenue Ton (RT)
A ton on which the shipment is freighted. If cargo is rated as weight or measure (W/M), whichever produces the highest revenue will be considered the revenue ton. Weights are based on metric tons and measures are based on cubic meters. RT=1 MT or 1 CBM.
Reverse IPI
An inland point provided by an all water carrier’s through bill of lading in the U.S. by first discharging the container in an East Coast port.
RFQ
Request for quotation.
Roll
To re-book cargo to a later vessel.
Rolling
The side-to-side (athwartship) motion of a vessel.
Route
The manner in which a shipment moves; i.e., the carriers handling it and the points at which the carriers interchange.
Running Gear
Complementary equipment for terminal and over the road handling containers.
RVNX
Abbreviation for “Released Value Not Exceeding.” Usually used to limit the value of goods transported.The limitation refers to carrier liability when paying a claim for lost or damaged goods.
S/D
Abbreviation for: – Sight draft. – Sea damage.
SABS
South African Bureau of Standards
Sanction
An embargo imposed by a Government against another country.
SCAC Code
See Owner Code.
Schedule B
The Statistical Classification of Domestic and Foreign Commodities Exported from the United States.
Sea Waybill
Document indicating the goods were loaded onboard when a document of title (b/L) is not needed. Typically used when a company is shipping goods to itself.
Sea-Bee Vessels
Ocean vessels constructed with heavy-duty submersible hydraulic lift or elevator system at the stern of the vessel. The Sea-Bee system facilitates forward transfer and positioning of barges. Sea-Bee barges are larger than LASH barges. The Sea-Bee system is no longer...
Seaworthiness
The fitness of a vessel for its intended use.
SED
U.S. Commerce Department document, “Shipper’s Export Declaration.”
Service
A string of vessels which makes a particular voyage and serves a particular market.
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