Resources
Freight forwarding & customs glossary.
Plain-English definitions for the terms a freight forwarder's back office runs on, and how TIO handles each one.
Customs
ACE (Automated Commercial Environment)
The Automated Commercial Environment is the U.S. government's single-window system for processing import and e…
CBP (U.S. Customs and Border Protection)
U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the federal agency responsible for regulating and facilitating internati…
Customs Broker
A customs broker is a person or firm licensed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection to file customs entries an…
Customs Entry
A customs entry is the formal declaration filed with CBP to import goods into the United States. It includes t…
HTS Code (Harmonized Tariff Schedule)
The Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States is the classification system that assigns a numeric code t…
ISF (Importer Security Filing)
An Importer Security Filing, often called ISF-10 or the "10+2", is a U.S. Customs and Border Protection requir…
Operations
Blank Sailing
A blank sailing is a scheduled vessel departure that the carrier cancels, removing that capacity from the mark…
Demurrage
Demurrage is a charge the carrier or terminal levies when a container stays at the port beyond the allotted fr…
Detention
Detention is a charge the carrier levies when a container is kept outside the port or terminal beyond the allo…
Drayage
Drayage is the short-distance trucking of a container, typically between a port or rail terminal and a nearby …
FCL (Full Container Load)
Full Container Load is a shipping arrangement where a single shipper's cargo fills an entire container. The sh…
Freight Forwarder
A freight forwarder arranges the movement of cargo on behalf of shippers, coordinating carriers, documentation…
General Rate Increase
A General Rate Increase is a carrier-announced increase to ocean freight rates across a trade lane, effective …
Last Free Day
Last Free Day is the final day a container can remain at the port terminal or with the consignee without incur…
LCL (Less Than Container Load)
Less Than Container Load is a shipping arrangement where multiple shippers' cargo is consolidated into a singl…
NVOCC (Non-Vessel Operating Common Carrier)
An NVOCC is a carrier that provides ocean freight services and issues bills of lading but does not operate its…
Pre-Alert
A pre-alert is the package of documents an overseas agent or origin office sends ahead of a shipment's arrival…
TEU (Twenty-Foot Equivalent Unit)
A Twenty-Foot Equivalent Unit is the standard measure of container shipping capacity. One TEU equals one 20-fo…
Vessel Rollover
A vessel rollover happens when booked cargo is not loaded onto its scheduled vessel and is moved to a later sa…
Documents
Arrival Notice
An arrival notice is the document the carrier or forwarder sends to inform the consignee that a shipment has a…
Bill of Lading
A bill of lading is the contract of carriage between the shipper and the carrier. It serves as a receipt for t…
Commercial Invoice
A commercial invoice is the seller's bill for the goods. It states the buyer and seller, description, quantity…
Packing List
A packing list is the document that itemizes the contents, weight, dimensions, and packaging of a shipment. It…
Trade
CIF (Cost, Insurance and Freight)
Cost, Insurance and Freight is an Incoterm for sea transport where the seller pays the cost and freight to bri…
FOB (Free On Board)
Free On Board is an Incoterm for sea and inland waterway transport. Under FOB, the seller delivers the goods o…
Incoterms
Incoterms are the standardized international commercial terms published by the International Chamber of Commer…