Shipping Terms Glossary

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.

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

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.

A receipt for goods issued by a carrier with an indication that the goods were damaged when received. Compare Clean Bill of Lading.

A pallet designed so that the forks of a fork lift truck can be inserted from all four sides. See Fork lift.

The seller must deliver the goods to a pier and place them within reach of the ship’s loading equipment. See Terms of Sale.

An astray shipment (a lost shipment that is found) sent to its proper destination without additional charge.

Cost of loading and unloading a vessel is borne by the charterer/shipper.

A marine insurance term meaning that the assurer will not allow payment for partial loss or damage to cargo shipments except in certain circumstances, such as stranding, sinking, collision or fire.

Shipped under a rate that includes costs of delivery to and the loading onto a carrier at a specified point. – FOB Freight Allowed: The same as FOB named inland carrier, except the buyer pays the transportation charge and the seller reduces the invoice by a like...

See Terms of Sale.

Cost of unloading a vessel is borne by the charterer.

A restricted area at a seaport for the handling of duty-exempted import goods. Also called a Foreign Trade Zone.

The U.S. government does not issue certificates of free sale. However, the Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, Maryland, will issue, upon request, a letter of comment to the U.S. manufacturers whose products are subject to the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic...

That amount of time that a carrier’s equipment may be used without incurring additional charges. (See Storage, Demurrage or Per Diem.)

A port designated by the government of a country for duty-free entry of any non-prohibited goods. Merchandise may be stored, displayed, used for manufacturing, etc., within the zone and re-exported without duties.

Refers to either the cargo carried or the charges assessed for carriage of the cargo.

A document issued by the carrier based on the bill of lading and other information; used to account for a shipment operationally, statistically, and financially. An Invoice.

A person whose business is to act as an agent on behalf of the shipper. A freight forwarder frequently makes the booking reservation.

See Ships.