ETA=ESTIMATED TIME OF ARRIVAL, Estimated time of arrival at anchorage
ETB=ESTIMATED TIME OF BERTHING, Planned berthing time
ETD=ESTIMATED TIME OF DEPARTURE, Departure time
FCL=FULL CONTAINER LOAD – Cargo in a container shipped by one consignor and delivered to one consignee, generally FCL=FCL.
LCL=LESS THAN CONTAINER LOAD – The same container is used for cargo belonging to multiple consignors and consignees, abbreviated as (groupage).
DDP=Delivered Duty Paid, “Delivered Duty Paid (…named place of destination)” means the seller delivers the goods to the buyer at the designated destination after completing import customs clearance procedures, with the goods still on the delivery vehicle. The seller must bear all risks and costs of transporting the goods to the specified destination, including any “duties and taxes” payable at the destination when customs clearance is required (including responsibility and risks for customs clearance, as well as handling fees, tariffs, taxes, and other charges).
DDU=Delivered Duty Unpaid, “Delivered Duty Unpaid (…named place of destination).” The seller delivers the goods directly to the designated location in the importing country and bears all costs and risks of transporting the goods to the specified location (excluding customs duties, taxes, and other official fees payable upon import).
MSDS – Abbreviation for Material Safety Data Sheet. An MSDS is a form containing all possible information related to hazardous goods. It provides guidance on handling the goods as well as the characteristics and composition of related items.
NVOCC – This abbreviation stands for NON-VESSEL OPERATING COMMON CARRIER.
NVO Contract – A contract signed between a shipping company and a freight forwarding company with NVOCC qualifications.
BCO Contract – Beneficial Cargo Owner – Refers to contracts signed directly between shipping companies and large enterprises, which can be direct customers, sellers, or buyers.
BAF – Stands for Bunker Adjustment Factor, a fee charged by shipping companies to cover onboard fuel costs.
CAF – Stands for Currency Adjustment Factor, a surcharge implemented by certain countries on their trade routes to compensate for fluctuations in their currency against major trade currencies such as the US dollar and euro. Domestically, it is referred to as currency depreciation surcharge, exchange rate adjustment surcharge, or currency value adjustment surcharge.
POD
1. PORT OF DISCHARGE – Port of unloading
2. Proof of Day – Under FOB terms, the seller is responsible for export customs clearance and delivery at the ship’s rail. The buyer can only charter a vessel and book space after confirming the cargo is ready and the delivery date is set.
3. Proof of Delivery – Delivery receipt (usually for truck deliveries, POD confirmation is returned to prove successful delivery).
POL=PORT OF LOADING – Port of loading/origin
Vessel: Ship name Voyage: Voyage number
AMS=American Manifest System, 24-hour manifest pre-declaration; also known as the US Customs Anti-Terrorism Manifest. Must be submitted to US Customs 24 hours before loading. Late or missing submissions may affect loading and incur penalties.
ISF=Importer Security Filing – Import security declaration. Must be submitted to US Customs 24 hours before loading. Late or missing submissions may affect loading and incur a $5,000 penalty.
MBL – Abbreviation for MASTER BILL OF LADING, carrier’s bill of lading.
HBL – Abbreviation for HOUSE BILL OF LADING, freight forwarder’s bill of lading.
SLAC – Abbreviation for “SHIPPER’S LOAD AND COUNT” – Cargo loaded by the shipper into the container, counted by the shipper, with the carrier not verifying the quantity or confirming the same.
ISPS – Stands for International Ship and Port Facility Security Code (ISPS Code). Requires governments to ensure port facility security assessments are conducted according to the ISPS Code and to develop, implement, and review port facility security plans.
VGM – Abbreviation for VERIFIED GROSS MASS. Every export container must be weighed and declared to the shipping company before loading.
LP – Loading Plan: Container loading plan
FBA Shipment ID: Product number automatically generated by Amazon’s system
Warehouse Code: Amazon’s warehouse code
SKU: Stock Keeping Unit, unique product code
FBA Label: Product label (FBA label) automatically generated by Amazon’s system
Booking Confirmation: Shipping company’s space confirmation
Cut-off Date for Cargo Return: Deadline for returning loaded containers to the terminal.
Customs Cut-off Date: Deadline for the carrier to receive customs release documents for all containers booked and loaded on the upcoming voyage. Customs cut-off date = cargo cut-off date = cargo deadline.
Customs Clearance Date: The date when an international vessel completes customs procedures and settles all dues before departure, allowing it to sail.
Rolling: When a shipping company cancels a confirmed booking. Cancellation: CARRIER; Confirmation: CONFIRM, ACKNOWLEDGE.
T/R: Three interpretations
1. TRUCKING – Trucking fee, tonnage fee;
2. Sometimes refers to TELEX RELEASE – Telex release fee;
3. TRUST RECEIPT – Trust receipt.
T/T: Two interpretations
1. In “payment terms,” it stands for TELEGRAPHIC TRANSFER – Wire transfer;
2. In shipping or schedules, it stands for TRANSIT TIME – Transit time.
Telex Release: Short for telegraphic release of cargo. The bill of lading information is sent electronically to the destination port’s shipping company. The consignee can exchange the telex-released bill of lading and a telex release guarantee for cargo pickup.
Bank Slip: Proof of bank transfer, used as evidence that the payer has transferred funds to the payee’s designated account. Commonly used among familiar parties or companies. The FORWARDER issues the original B/L to the SHPR upon receiving the FAX or COPY of the freight payment slip. For collect freight, cargo is released upon receiving the payment slip.
