International Shipping Glossary: Understanding Key Terms & Processes

Organizing Transportation

Unit Load Device

Pallet or container used to load luggage, freight, and mail on wide-body aircraft and specific narrow-body aircraft.

Full Container Load

Standard container that is loaded and unloaded under the risk and account of the shipper or consignee.

Container Yard

Port facility at which containers are accepted for loading onboard ships, and off-loaded containers are delivered to the consignees.

Less Container Load

Shipping term for cargo that is insufficient either in quantity or weight to qualify for the freight rates applied to a standard shipping container.

Customs Policy

Customs is an authority or agency in a country responsible for collecting tariffs and for controlling the flow of goods into and out of a country. Each country has its own laws and regulations for the import and export of goods, which its customs authority enforces. In most countries, customs are attained through government agreements and international laws. A customs duty is a tariff or tax on the importation or exportation of goods. All authorized ports are recognized customs areas.

Economic Operator Registration and Identification Number (EORI)

In order to lodge a customs declaration or a summary declaration, the correspondent company needs an EORI number. The exporter should request an EORI number from the authorities of the first EU member state to which they export.

Summary Declaration

You must file an entry summary declaration for goods that enter the first seaport or airport of the EU customs territory. The declaration applies to all the goods on board a means of transport and must be filled before the means of transport enters the EU. Must be done by the carrier.

Single Administrative Document (Customs Declaration)

Customs form developed by the EU to control the import and export of goods arriving into and departing from EU nations. The document uses harmonized codes, we need it in order to show that the products have left the country.

Airway Bill

Document made out by or on behalf of the shipper which evidences the contract between the shipper and the carrier of goods over routes of the carrier. Records: contracting parties, merchandise carried, means of transport, freight. It can be: airline airway bill (with pre-printed issuing carrier identification), neutral airway bill (without pre-printed identification).

Bill of Lading

Contract between the owner of the goods and the carrier. The shipping company states the number of packages and a contract for the transportation of same. It helps to guarantee exporters to receive the money and importers the merchandise.

Automated Export System

Allows the electronic filing of export information and ocean manifest information directly to US Customs and Border Protection.

Packing List

Detailed and informative package list which itemizes the material in each individual package and indicates the type of package, the weights, and measurements for each one of them. Whether the correct cargo is being shipped.

Convention Merchandise Route

Constitutes proof of the contract of carriage by road, determines the scope and responsibility for the operation performed and identifies the parties involved and the goods being transported. Made by carriers.