Logistics, trade, and GTM terms in plain English.

Third-Party Logistics provider. A company that outsources logistics functions for clients — warehousing, transportation, distribution, and fulfillment. Different from 4PL (which manages 3PLs).

The electronic cargo manifest filed with US Customs through the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) portal. Carriers must transmit ACE manifest data before cargo arrival — ocean filings 24 hours before loading at origin, truck filings one hour before border arrival. The dataset is the authoritative public source for US import shipment records used by freight prospecting tools.

Advance Commercial Information. Canada Border Services Agency's equivalent of US ACE — the mandatory pre-arrival electronic manifest system for cargo entering Canada. Filing windows are mode-specific: ocean 24 hours, air 4 hours, rail 2 hours, highway 1 hour before arrival.

Automated Export System filing. The mandatory electronic export declaration submitted to US Customs for shipments leaving the United States valued over $2,500 per Schedule B line, or any value if licensed. AES data populates US export statistics and powers outbound trade-data tools for freight forwarders chasing US exporter accounts.

Automated Manifest System filing. The legacy ocean-cargo manifest system that ACE replaced, still referenced in some freight conversations and customs broker workflows. The 24-hour rule for ocean manifest pre-filing originated in AMS and carries forward.

An international customs document that allows temporary import/export of commercial samples, professional equipment, and goods for exhibitions across 80+ countries duty-free. Valid for one year. Used heavily by freight forwarders supporting trade shows, broadcast equipment, and product demonstrations.

A tariff imposed when imported goods are sold below fair market value ("dumped") to the detriment of domestic producers. Anti-dumping duties stack on top of normal customs duties and can run 50–300%+ on a single HTSUS line. Common categories include steel, aluminum, solar, and chemicals.

A variable surcharge on ocean freight that adjusts for fluctuations in marine fuel (bunker) costs. Recalculated by carriers on a monthly or quarterly basis. BAF appears as a separate line on the freight invoice and can move 10–30% between recalculation windows when fuel prices swing.

A legal document filed by importers (or their customs brokers) declaring goods entering the country. Contains HTSUS classification, declared value, country of origin, and duty calculation. Often used interchangeably with "customs entry" in conversation.

A legal shipping document issued by a carrier acknowledging receipt of cargo and specifying the terms of carriage. Functions as receipt, contract of carriage, and document of title.

A shipment where the shipper's or consignee's identity is hidden from one party in the transaction — typically used when a distributor doesn't want a buyer to know the source manufacturer. The BOL is reissued with the broker or forwarder named as shipper to mask the supplier.

A secure facility authorized by customs where imported goods can be stored without duties being paid until they are withdrawn for entry into commerce or re-exported. Useful for cash-flow management on high-duty goods or for goods awaiting re-export. Typical bond period in the US: up to 5 years.

The fee charged by a customs broker to file an entry and clear goods through customs. US brokerage fees typically run $25–$150 per entry on standard shipments, higher on complex classifications or anti-dumping/countervailing cases. Distinct from freight charges or duties.

A surcharge on ocean freight that adjusts for fluctuations between the carrier's revenue currency (typically USD) and operating currencies. Recalculated quarterly. CAF is most visible on routes where origin operating costs are denominated in non-USD currencies that move against the dollar.

The US federal agency responsible for enforcing customs, immigration, and trade laws at US ports of entry. CBP administers HTSUS classification, collects duties, enforces import quotas and forced-labor rules (UFLPA), and publishes the public ACE trade data used by freight prospecting tools.

A facility where less-than-container-load (LCL) shipments from multiple shippers are consolidated into a single container for export, or deconsolidated on import. Located near ports and inland rail hubs. Critical infrastructure for LCL freight forwarders.

A federally licensed agent authorized to file customs entries and clear goods on behalf of importers. The CHB license is issued by CBP after passing a certification exam. CHBs may operate independently or within freight forwarding firms.

Cost, Insurance, and Freight. An Incoterms rule where the seller pays for ocean freight and insurance to destination port. Buyer assumes risk on import clearance and inland delivery.

An Incoterms 2020 rule where the seller pays freight to the named destination but risk transfers to the buyer when goods are handed to the first carrier. Used across all transport modes including multimodal. CPT does not require the seller to provide insurance — CIP does.

Insurance coverage protecting goods in transit against loss, damage, or theft. Standard policies cover marine, air, road, and rail movements. The two main coverage types are All Risks (broadest) and Free of Particular Average (excludes partial losses except in specified events).

The distribution of an account's shipment volume across multiple ocean carriers. A signal of carrier loyalty, contract structure, and freight maturity — carrier-mix shifts often precede RFP cycles.

A signed document declaring the country where goods were manufactured. Required for preferential tariff treatment under free trade agreements (USMCA, GSP, CAFTA-DR) and for compliance with country-of-origin marking rules. Form variants differ by trade agreement.

The party named on the bill of lading to receive the goods at destination. Typically the importer or buyer; the actual customer when freight is sold to a consignee-paying account.

Resolving a company name into verified decision-maker contacts — title, email, phone, LinkedIn — for outbound sales. Critical step between identifying a shipper and reaching the buyer.

A refundable charge collected by ocean carriers when a container is released to a consignee or trucker, returned when the empty container is brought back to the terminal within free time. Deposits run $500–$5,000 per container depending on equipment type. Designed to incentivize fast empty return.

The ISO 6346 standard for ocean container identification: four owner-prefix letters + six serial digits + one check digit (e.g., MSCU1234567). The check digit is calculated from the prefix and serial number to detect transcription errors in manifest filings and gate-pass scans.

The unique identifier stamped on every shipping container, formatted as 4 letters + 7 digits (e.g. MSCU1234567). Tracks the container across ocean carriers, terminals, and rail moves.

Cargo transported inside standardized intermodal shipping containers. Distinct from breakbulk (loose cargo), bulk (grains/ore), and ro-ro (vehicles).

A negotiated freight rate that locks in pricing for a defined period (typically 12 months on Asia-US ocean trades) in exchange for committed volume.

The country where goods were manufactured, produced, or grown — not necessarily the country from which they were shipped. Determined by substantial-transformation tests under US law. Country of origin drives tariff rate, FTA eligibility, and forced-labor screening (UFLPA).

A logistics practice where inbound shipments are unloaded and immediately reloaded onto outbound vehicles with minimal or no warehouse storage. Common in retail and e-commerce fulfillment.

A shipment that moves between two countries neither of which is the freight forwarder's home country. Example: a US-based forwarder coordinating a shipment from Vietnam to Germany. Cross-trade requires forwarder partner networks at both origin and destination and represents a high-margin growth segment.

A financial guarantee posted with CBP ensuring duties, taxes, and penalties will be paid. Required for any commercial import valued over $2,500. Single-entry bonds cover one shipment; continuous bonds (minimum $50,000) cover a year of imports. Issued by surety companies and arranged by the customs broker.

A licensed agent who clears imports through customs on behalf of importers. Files entry documentation, calculates duties, and ensures regulatory compliance with CBP or equivalent agencies.

Government-filed records describing all cross-border cargo movements. Combines import data, export data, manifest data, and tariff classifications — the foundational dataset of trade intelligence.

The formal declaration filed with CBP to admit imported goods into US commerce. Includes HTSUS classification, declared value, country of origin, and applicable trade-remedy claims. Filed within 15 days of cargo arrival. Entry types include consumption (most common), warehouse, and FTZ.

Delivered Duty Paid. An Incoterms rule where the seller takes full responsibility — including duties, taxes, and final-mile delivery — to the buyer's address. Most buyer-friendly term.

The US federal department under which CBP, ICE, and TSA operate. DHS sets overall border-security and trade-compliance policy direction for the agencies actually enforcing customs and immigration law at US ports of entry.

The transaction value of goods as declared on the customs entry, used to calculate ad valorem duties and freight insurance premiums. Must reflect the price actually paid or payable in arm's-length transactions. Under-declared value is a customs violation; over-declared inflates duties.

A penalty fee charged by ocean carriers and terminals when containers sit at the port beyond their free time. Designed to incentivize fast pickup. Demurrage rates escalate daily, often $100–$300/day per container in tiers. Distinct from detention, which covers container time off-terminal.

Charges incurred when a container sits in a port or terminal beyond the free time allowed for pickup. Distinct from detention, which applies once the container leaves the terminal.

Charges incurred when a shipper or consignee holds a container outside the terminal beyond the free time allowed for return. Once the container returns, demurrage may apply if storage time elapsed.

A penalty fee charged when a container is held off-terminal beyond the allowed free time before being returned empty. Functions as the trucking-side equivalent of demurrage. Detention plus demurrage together can drive D&D billing into the thousands per container on a stuck shipment.

A refund of 99% of duties paid on imported goods that are subsequently exported or destroyed. Drawback claims can be filed up to five years after import. Underused by mid-market importers — the program returns ~$1B+ annually to qualifying companies.

Short-distance trucking of containers between ports, rail terminals, and warehouses. The first or last leg of an intermodal move, typically under 50 miles.

The forecast date a shipment is expected to reach the final consignee. Calculated from ETA at port plus inland transit time and clearance buffer. EDD reliability is the metric shippers most often use to evaluate forwarder performance.

A device mandated for commercial trucks that records hours-of-service automatically. ELD compliance is enforced by FMCSA. Has reshaped trucking capacity since the 2017 mandate by tightening adherence to the 11-hour driving limit and 14-hour on-duty window.

The forecast date and time a shipment is expected to arrive at destination port or airport. ETAs shift as vessels encounter weather, port congestion, or routing changes. Real-time ETA updates feed the demurrage clock and inform downstream drayage scheduling.

The forecast date and time a vessel, aircraft, or truck is expected to depart origin. Published by carriers on schedule boards and updated as conditions shift. ETD discipline is critical for cutoff-driven processes like LCL consolidation and refrigerated cargo loading.

Ex Works. An Incoterms rule where the buyer takes responsibility at the seller's premises and pays for all transport, customs, and risk thereafter. Most seller-friendly term.

A government-ordered restriction on trade with a specific country, entity, or class of goods. Embargoes can be comprehensive (Cuba, North Korea, Iran sectors) or targeted (sanctioned-party lists). Freight forwarders must screen every transaction against OFAC SDN and BIS Entity List rosters.

Customs-filed records of goods leaving a country. Less consistently public than import data — only about a dozen countries publish it openly. Critical for prospecting in export-led sectors.

A government authorization required for certain controlled exports. In the US, BIS issues licenses for dual-use items under the EAR; State Department licenses cover defense articles under ITAR. License requirements depend on the item's ECCN classification and the destination country.

The legal entity responsible for the export declaration and compliance at origin. Often the seller, but can be a third-party EOR service for cross-border e-commerce.

An Incoterms 2020 rule where the seller delivers cleared-for-export goods to the buyer's nominated carrier at a named place. Risk transfers when goods are loaded onto the buyer's carrier. FCA is the recommended Incoterm for containerized cargo over FOB in modern practice.

Full Container Load. A shipment that fills an entire container with cargo from a single shipper to a single consignee. Contrasts with LCL where multiple shippers share container space.

Any additional charge layered on top of base FCL ocean freight rates — BAF, CAF, GRI, PSS (peak-season surcharge), war risk, congestion, low-sulfur fuel. Surcharges often total 30–60% of the base rate. Freight rate negotiations increasingly focus on surcharge caps as much as base rate.

Forty-foot Equivalent Unit. Equal to one 40-foot ISO container or two TEUs. The dominant container size on most ocean trades today.

Free On Board. An Incoterms rule where the seller delivers cargo to the named port of loading and the buyer assumes risk and cost from that point. Common in Asia-to-US trade.

A treaty between two or more countries eliminating or reducing tariffs and other trade barriers. The US is party to 14 FTAs covering 20 countries including USMCA (Mexico, Canada), KORUS (Korea), and CAFTA-DR. Qualifying goods clear at lower or zero duty.

A reference rate or KPI used to compare an account's freight cost or service level against market norms. Used in QBRs, RFP analysis, and pricing-leverage conversations.

A licensed intermediary that arranges trucking services between shippers and motor carriers. Distinct from freight forwarders, who operate primarily on ocean and air.

An NMFC-assigned classification (50–500) used in US LTL trucking to determine freight rate. Based on density, stowability, handling, and liability. Higher classes (denser, easier handling) pay lower rates. Freight class disputes are a common LTL billing issue.

A company that organizes shipments for shippers without operating the transport themselves. Freight forwarders book carrier capacity, handle customs, and provide door-to-door logistics across modes.

The systematic process of identifying, researching, and reaching out to potential shipper customers. Modern freight prospecting starts with shipment data and lane match, not generic firmographic lists.

An aggregated index that tracks ocean, air, or trucking freight prices across major lanes. Examples include the Drewry WCI, Shanghai Containerized Freight Index (SCFI), and Freightos Baltic Index (FBX).

The category LIT defines: combining shipment data, company intelligence, contact enrichment, CRM, and outbound execution into one workspace for logistics sales teams. Goes beyond raw trade data tools.

A CRM purpose-built for freight teams — combining shipper account context, lane data, contact enrichment, and outreach history. Distinct from generic CRMs which lack trade-data integration.

The total dollars a shipper allocates to transportation across all modes and lanes over a given period. The total addressable market for any freight provider's account-level pitch.

A document certifying that wooden packaging materials (pallets, crates) have been treated to prevent the spread of pests, per ISPM 15 international standard. Required for most cross-border shipments using untreated wood. Missing or invalid certificates trigger customs holds at destination.

A blanket rate hike announced by ocean carriers on a specific trade lane, typically with 30 days' notice. GRIs are most common on the trans-Pacific in late spring as carriers anchor contract negotiations. Shippers track GRI announcements as leading indicators of rate direction.

A US trade program providing duty-free entry for designated products from beneficiary developing countries. GSP coverage has lapsed and been renewed multiple times in recent years; importers should verify current status before claiming preferential treatment.

Hazardous materials regulated for transport by the US Department of Transportation, IMO (ocean), and IATA (air). Shippers must classify under nine UN hazard classes, package per DOT/IMDG rules, and use certified carriers. HAZMAT freight carries 2–5× standard freight rate.

A bill of lading issued by a freight forwarder or NVOCC to its actual customer, naming the customer as shipper or consignee. Distinct from the Master Bill of Lading (MBL) issued by the ocean carrier to the forwarder. Most BOL trade-data tools capture both HBL and MBL records.

Harmonized System Code. A 6-digit international classification for traded products set by the World Customs Organization. Drives tariff rates, trade statistics, and import/export controls.

The process of assigning the correct Harmonized Tariff Schedule code (10-digit US, 8-digit EU) to imported goods. Classification determines duty rate, applicable trade-remedy tariffs (Section 232, 301, 232 stacks), and any quota or licensing requirements. Misclassification penalties can run 2–4× the duty owed.

Harmonized Tariff Schedule code. The 10-digit US extension of the international HS code, used by CBP to determine duty rates and trade-program eligibility for imports.

An internationally standardized system of 6-digit codes classifying traded products, maintained by the World Customs Organization. The US extends HS to 10 digits as HTSUS for tariff purposes. HS codes determine duty rate, FTA eligibility, and trade statistics across 200+ countries.

The bill of lading issued by a freight forwarder to the actual shipper. Names the real shipper and consignee — making HBL data the foundation of freight sales prospecting.

The trade association for the world's airlines. IATA sets cargo safety and handling standards, manages the Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR) used globally for air HAZMAT, and accredits cargo agents through the IATA Cargo Agency Program (CASS).

Importer Security Filing. The 10-element advance filing required from US importers (or their brokers) plus 2 elements from the carrier, submitted to CBP at least 24 hours before loading at origin. Failure to file accurately triggers $5,000 penalties per violation.

Customs-filed records of goods entering a country, including shipper, consignee, container, vessel, port, HS code, and weight. The largest open dataset of B2B trade activity in the world.

A structured dataset of companies actively importing into a country, sourced from customs filings. The foundational data source for any inbound-freight sales motion.

The legal entity responsible for declaring an imported shipment to customs and paying duties. Often the buyer, but can be a third-party IOR service when the buyer lacks local presence.

A status allowing imported goods to move between US ports or to a bonded warehouse without customs entry and duty payment at the port of arrival. Common for shipments transiting from an East Coast port to an inland or West Coast distribution point before formal entry.

International Commercial Terms. Standardized rules published by the ICC defining responsibilities of buyers and sellers — including who pays for freight, insurance, and customs.

Less than Container Load. A shipping mode where multiple shippers share container space because no single party has enough cargo to fill a container. Consolidated by a freight forwarder at origin.

The aggregate cargo volume (in TEU, containers, or weight) moving across a specific trade lane over a defined period. The base metric for lane prioritization and pricing.

The final leg of a shipment from a local distribution hub or warehouse to the end recipient. Often the most cost- and time-intensive leg of fulfillment.

The structured cargo declaration carriers submit to customs before vessel arrival. Includes all bills of lading on a vessel, container details, and HS classification. Source of public BOL records in the US (CBP AMS).

The bill of lading issued by an ocean carrier directly to a freight forwarder, naming the forwarder as shipper and the destination agent as consignee. Covers consolidated cargo at the container level.

Non-Vessel Operating Common Carrier. A freight forwarder licensed to issue their own bills of lading without owning ships. NVOCCs lease space from ocean carriers and resell it to shippers.

The third party notified on cargo arrival at destination — often a customs broker, forwarder, or buyer's freight contact. Notify Party data sometimes reveals the destination broker an importer uses.

A company that operates container ships, transporting freight across oceans. Major ocean carriers include Maersk, MSC, CMA CGM, Hapag-Lloyd, ONE, Evergreen, COSCO, and HMM.

A specific origin port × destination port combination, e.g. Shanghai → Long Beach. The atomic unit of ocean-trade-lane analysis.

The seaport where cargo is unloaded from a vessel at destination. POD pairs with POL to define an ocean-freight lane.

The seaport where cargo is loaded onto a vessel for ocean transport. The first official port in a shipment record. Origin-side anchor of any ocean lane.

Standard Carrier Alpha Code. A 2-to-4-letter unique identifier for transportation companies, used across BOL data, EDI feeds, and trucking operations. SCAC = MAEU is Maersk; MSCU is MSC.

A US trade-remedy statute allowing the President to impose tariffs or quotas on imports deemed to threaten national security. Section 232 tariffs are currently active on steel, aluminum, and (since April 2026) copper. Stacks on top of base HTSUS duties and other Section 301 tariffs.

Turning raw shipment records into actionable signals — new lane activity, carrier changes, volume shifts, and supplier diversification. Powers freight-sales prospecting at scale.

The party named on the bill of lading as sending the goods. Typically the seller or origin-side exporter. The shipper field in BOL data is a primary lead source for freight sales.

Identifying companies actively shipping freight on lanes a forwarder, broker, or 3PL serves. Driven by BOL data, intent signals, and lane match — not generic firmographic lists.

An account-level metric measuring total cargo moved over a defined period. Often expressed in TEU, containers, weight, or USD value. The primary dimension of shipper segmentation.

The market price for a single shipment booked outside of a contract — typically subject to capacity, season, and lane volatility. Spot rates often diverge significantly from contract rates.

Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit. The standard measure of containerized cargo capacity, equivalent to one 20-foot ISO container. Two TEUs equal one FEU.

A specific origin × destination corridor for international freight — typically port → port for ocean and city/airport → city/airport for air. The atomic unit of lane-level volume and pricing analytics.

Transferring cargo from one transport mode to another mid-route — typically from an ocean container into 53-foot domestic trucks or rail cars at a transload facility near the port of discharge.

Vessel Operating Common Carrier. A carrier that owns or charters the vessels they operate. Distinct from NVOCCs which only sell space without owning ships.

The name of the ocean ship a shipment is loaded onto. Pairs with voyage number to identify a specific sailing. Public on every BOL filing.

The unique sailing identifier for a vessel's specific trip on a route. Combined with vessel name, defines the exact ship-trip a container moved on.