Freight glossary
Freight & shipping terms, in plain English
Shipping runs on jargon. Here's what the important terms actually mean — and why each one changes what your shipment costs or how fast it moves.
Freight forwarder
A company that arranges the movement of goods across borders on your behalf — booking transport, handling customs, insurance and the final mile.
FCL vs LCL
FCL (full container load) is a whole container that's yours; LCL (less-than-container load) shares a container with other shippers' cargo.
Bill of lading (BOL)
The core shipping document — a receipt for the cargo, a contract of carriage, and a document of title all in one.
HS code
The Harmonized System code — a 6-to-10 digit number that classifies a product for customs and sets its duty rate.
Chargeable weight
The greater of a shipment's actual weight and its volumetric (dimensional) weight — what carriers actually bill.
Incoterms
Standardized trade terms (EXW, FOB, CIF, DDP…) that define who pays for and who is responsible for each leg of a shipment.
Customs broker
A licensed specialist who files your import entry with customs, classifies goods and calculates duties and taxes.
De-minimis
The shipment value below which a country waives duty (and sometimes import tax).
Drayage
The short-haul trucking of a container between a port or rail terminal and a nearby warehouse or the next leg.
Demurrage & detention
Penalty fees for keeping a container or using port space beyond the free time allowed.
LTL vs FTL
LTL (less-than-truckload) shares a truck with other freight; FTL (full truckload) is a whole truck for your shipment.
Door-to-door
A shipment managed end to end — from the seller's door to yours — including freight, customs and both final miles.