Glossary

Formal statement made to the consul of a country describing goods to be shipped to the consul’s country and for which approval must be obtained before shipment.

Specific forms signed by the consul of a country to which cargo is destined.

A document used by some foreign countries to certify information about a shipment of goods such as the consignor, consignee, and value of the shipment.

A database focused on information about a retailer’s individual consumers and used primarily for marketing and promotion.

A document used in international trade to declare goods that have been consumed. It is also used to calculate the duty owed.

Weatherproof metal box, usually 20 or 40 feet long and designed for shipping freight via chassis, rail, and vessel; stackable, and generally for overseas shipments.

See Container.

See Chassis.

When the scheduled time to deliver is not met and the container will be delivered late. Causes can vary from port congestion to carrier issues to weather problems.

Facility where empty containers are stored. May be operated by the shipping line that owns the containers, a freight forwarder, or a third party logistics provider.

A facility, usually near a shipping point (such as a port), where freight shipments are consolidated or de-consolidated and staged between transport legs.

The charge assessed for services performed, such as consolidation or deconsolidation, at the freight station.

A steamship-line service where cargo is transported between CFS's and containers may be stuffed, stripped, or consolidated. Usually used for LCL shipments.

See Container Number.

The technique of using a container to store and protect cargo and handle it as a single unit in transit from origin to destination.

Goods that are shipped in a container. See Container.

The movement of freight made by using a container. See Container.

Actions that occur to containers that identify their status and location. Examples: Loaded, Embarked, Arrived, Discharged, Available, etc.

The standard international identification consists of eleven alphanumeric characters specifying the owner, equipment identifier, serial number and check digit.

A container is transported on a rail flatcar. The container is loaded onto a flat car without chassis, bogies or wheels. Often used for moving freight long distances.

See Container Vessel.

Designated area used for the stowage of cargo in containers that may be accessed by truck, rail, or ocean transportation.

Identifying the location of containers throughout their transit. See Tracking and Tracing.

Describes an event where the container departs from one location and is enroute to the next location.

A seagoing vessel designed to transport containers. Designed to carry a large number of containers and also known for high speed and efficiency.