Shipping Terminology – what the abbreviations mean.

Are you confused by shipping terminology?! We have compiled the most common used abbreviations used in the shipping world…read on and never be confused again!

ALH: Air line handling:Fee established by airline for handling shipment

AWB: Airway bill: Document containing agreement details between the shipper and air carrier

Arrival notice: A notification by carrier of goods arrival to consignee

BAF: Bunker adjustment factor: A charge to compensate carriers for fluctuating fuel costs

BOL or B/L: Bill of lading: A legal document which establishes the terms of a contract between the shipper and the shipping line, also provides details of consignee, and place of origin and place of discharge. Click here for more info

Bunkers: A maritime term meaning fuel aboard a vessel

CAF: Currency adjustment factor: A charge to compensate carriers for currency fluctuations

Carrier: Method of transport carrying the goods

CBM Cubic metre: A measurement used to calculate sea freight rates and to establish amount of space goods will take up in transit

Certificate of origin: A certified document showing the origin of the goods

CIF value: Cost of goods, insurance and freight

Commercial invoice: A record of the transaction between the importer and the exporter regarding the goods sold. Should contain value of goods and the amount of goods

Commodity: Name given to goods or article shipped

C’NEE: Consignee: Person or company goods are being shipped to

Container: The detachable body of a lorry which goods are stored into whilst in transit

Customs: Official government department responsible for enforcing rules and procedures to protect the country’s import and export revenues

Customs entry: A requirement for all countries where the importer must make a declaration on incoming foreign goods, the importer will then pay a duty on the imported goods

Demurrage: A penalty charge against a shipper or consignee for delaying the loading or unloading of a cargo ship

Duty:Tax to be paid on imported goods. Click here for more info

ETA: Expected time of arrival: Date goods are expected to arrive at destination

ETD: Expected time of departure: Date goods are expected to leave origin

Export: Shipment of goods to another country

FCL: Full container Load: When one shipment takes up a whole container load

Gross weight: Weight of goods and their packaging combined

Import: Goods coming in from a foreign country

LCL: Less than container load: Term given to smaller shipments when they take up less space than a full container

L/C: Letter of credit: Financial document which is issued by the bank as requested by the consignee, guarantees payment to the shipper details the products bought and if certain terms and requirements have been met.

LO/LO: Load on load of: Charge given by a shipping line for a full container when unloaded from vessel if not using shipping line inland haulage

Net weight: Weight of goods alone, without any packaging

Origin:Location where shipment begins

Packing list: Itemized list of goods packed

Place of delivery: Where the goods leave the care and custody of the carrier

Place of receipt: Where goods enter the care and custody of the carrier

POD: Port of departure: The port from which the goods depart from

Point of origin:The place where a shipment is received by a carrier from the shipper

POL: Port of loading: Name of port where the goods are loaded onto the vessel

Pro forma invoice: An invoice given to the importer prior to shipment detailing the goods, the costs, the amount of items, the sizes, weights and dimensions.

Shipper: Name given to the person who the goods are being sent from

Surcharge: Additional or extra charges

Terminal: The area where goods are prepared for loading onto whichever method of transport and the area where the goods are stacked once unloaded

Waybill: Document prepared by transportation company detailing, point of origin, destination, route, shipper, consignee, description of goods and cost of transportation

W/M: Weight and measure: How see freight is worked out on smaller shipments

If your looking for something we have not covered, get in touch, we will resolve for you and add it to our list!

Happy Shipping!