Glossary

Shipments that contain both regulated and exempt commodities or have items described in and rated under two or more rate items within a tariff.

The percentage of total transportation that is carried by each mode of transport and often broken out by mileage, weights, and revenue.

A business that offers transportation services via motor vehicle and is typically responsible for the movement and delivery of goods.

A basic logistical function, the physical transfer of goods from one location to another.

See Maintenance, Repair, and Operating Supplies (MRO).

MRO-related parts and supplies. See Maintenance, Repair, and Operating Supplies (MRO).

See Material Requirements Planning (MRP).

See Manufacturing Resource Planning (MRP-II).

See Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS).

The ability to conduct business using a variety of currencies for pricing and billing.

The ability to conduct business using a variety of languages, verbal and written.

A BOL that provides for carriage of goods by more than one mode of transport with each carrier responsible for loss or damage during its respective segment.

One with production or marketing operations in more than one country, and requires coordination activities across multiple borders.

A railroad pricing incentive that offers a lower rate for shipping more than one carload at a time.

Persons who are certified and able to perform a variety of tasks.

See North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).

Serves as the shippers voice to engage all sectors of the industry to develop a modern, safe and efficient freight transport system (in the U.S.). https://www.nitl.org

Governmental ownership, financing, and operation of a business entity.

Formerly an industry association that represented common and charter bus firms and now known as the American Bus Association.

A system that provides descriptions and classifications of commodities and rules for domestic movement primarily by LTL motor carriers in the U.S.

Better known as Amtrak, it is a for-profit corporation that operates intercity passenger rail services in 46 states and the District of Columbia.

Document that represents the ownership of the goods being shipped, can be transferred between parties, and is often used as collateral in financing arrangements.

A series of strategic discussions that resolves an issue or issues in a way that both parties find acceptable.

The the total assets of an entity, minus its total liabilities. Often referred to as equity, the amount of retained earnings that are left in the business.

The weight of goods excluding packaging.