Sea40FT
OriginMersin (TRMER)Turkey
DestinationAlexandria (EGALY)Egypt
- Transit Time
- 5 Days
- Mode
- Sea
- Scope
- 40FT
Freight Glossary
Shipping, Customs & Contract Terms Explained Simply
This page provides a clear and structured reference for the most commonly used terms and abbreviations in freight, logistics, customs clearance, and commercial contracts.
Sea Freight Terms
| Term | Abbreviation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Bill of Lading | B/L | Sea freight transport document |
| Original Bill of Lading | OBL | Original negotiable B/L |
| Master Bill of Lading | MBL | Main B/L issued by carrier |
| House Bill of Lading | HBL | B/L issued by freight forwarder |
| Full Container Load | FCL | Full container shipment |
| Less than Container Load | LCL | Shared container shipment |
| Port of Loading | POL | Port where cargo is loaded |
| Port of Discharge | POD | Port where cargo is unloaded |
| Demurrage | — | Charges for late container pickup |
| Detention | — | Charges for container usage |
| Telex Release | — | Electronic B/L release |
| Verified Gross Mass | VGM | Verified container weight |
About Sea Freight Terms
These terms are commonly used in ocean shipping and containerized cargo movements between international ports.
Air Freight Terms
| Term | Abbreviation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Air Waybill | AWB | Air cargo transport document |
| Master Air Waybill | MAWB | Main air shipment document |
| House Air Waybill | HAWB | Forwarder-issued AWB |
| Chargeable Weight | — | Weight used for air pricing |
| Volumetric Weight | — | Volume-based weight |
| Dangerous Goods | DG | Regulated hazardous cargo |
| Transit Time | — | Air shipment duration |
About Air Freight Terms
These terms apply to air cargo operations, pricing, documentation, and regulatory requirements.
Inland Transportation Terms
| Term | Abbreviation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Inland Transportation | — | Cargo movement by land |
| Trucking | — | Road freight transport |
| Door-to-Door | — | Pickup and delivery service |
| Last-Mile Delivery | — | Final delivery stage |
| Pre-Carriage | — | Transport before main leg |
| On-Carriage | — | Transport after main leg |
| Heavy Cargo | — | Oversized or heavy shipment |
| Project Cargo | — | Specialized transport projects |
| Reefer Transport | — | Temperature-controlled transport |
About Inland Transportation Terms
These terms relate to land-based cargo movement, including trucking, specialized transport, and final delivery.
Customs & Clearance Terms
| Term | Abbreviation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Customs Clearance | — | Import or export customs process |
| Advanced Cargo Information | ACI | Pre-shipment cargo data system |
| Certificate of Origin | COO | Document stating cargo origin |
| HS Code | HS | Harmonized System code |
| Import Declaration | — | Customs import filing |
| Export Declaration | — | Customs export filing |
| Customs Duty | — | Government import/export tax |
| Customs Inspection | — | Cargo examination process |
| Bonded Warehouse | — | Customs-controlled storage |
| Release Order | RO | Customs cargo release approval |
About Customs Terms
These terms are related to regulatory compliance, customs documentation, inspections, and cargo release procedures.
Contracts & Commercial Terms
| Term | Abbreviation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial Invoice | CI | Seller’s invoice for customs |
| Packing List | PL | Detailed cargo packing document |
| Purchase Order | PO | Buyer’s order document |
| Sales Contract | — | Buyer-seller agreement |
| Letter of Credit | LC | Bank payment guarantee |
| Letter of Indemnity | LOI | Liability guarantee letter |
| Freight Contract | — | Transport service agreement |
| Insurance Policy | — | Cargo insurance document |
| Claim | — | Compensation request |
About Contract Terms
These terms are commonly used in trade agreements, payments, liability management, and freight service contracts.
Incoterms® 2020
| Term | Abbreviation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Ex Works | EXW | Buyer collects from seller |
| Free On Board | FOB | Seller loads goods on vessel |
| Cost & Freight | CFR | Seller pays freight |
| Cost, Insurance & Freight | CIF | Freight and insurance included |
| Delivered At Place | DAP | Delivered to named place |
| Delivered Duty Paid | DDP | All costs and duties paid |
| Delivered At Place Unloaded | DPU | Delivered and unloaded |
About Incoterms
Incoterms define the responsibilities of buyers and sellers regarding cost, risk, and delivery in international trade.
Final Note
This glossary is designed as a quick reference to help shippers, importers, exporters, and logistics teams understand commonly used freight and trade terms.
For shipment-specific guidance, documentation support, or customs coordination, Live Freight is here to help.