Air Waybill
The carrying agreement between shipper and air carrier which is obtained from the airline used to ship the goods.
ATA Carnet
A customs document which enables one to carry or send goods temporarily into certain foreign countries without paying duties or posting bonds.
Bill of Lading
A document which provides the terms of the contract between the shipper and the transportation company to move freight between stated points at a specified charge.
Bonded Warehouse
A building authorized by customs authorities for the storage of goods without payment of duties until removal.
Carrier
A transportation line that hauls cargo.
Certificate of Origin
A document in which certification is made as to the country of origin of the merchandise.
Chamber of Commerce
An association of businessmen whose purpose is to promote commercial and industrial interests in the community.
Collection
The procedure involved in a bank's collecting money for a seller against a draft drawn on a buyer abroad, usually through a correspondent bank.
Commercial Invoice
A trade invoice.
Consignee
The person, firm, or representative to whom a seller or shipper sends merchandise and who, upon presentation of the necessary documents, is recognized as the owner of the merchandise for the purpose of the payment of customs duties. This term is also used as applying to one to whom goods are shipped, usually at the shipper's risk, when an outright sale has not been made.
Country of Origin
The country in which a product or commodity is manufactured or produced.
Customs
The agency or procedure for collecting duties imposed by a country on imports or exports.
Distributor
A firm that sells directly for a manufacturer, usually on an exclusive basis for a specified territory, and which maintains an inventory on hand.
Drawback
The repayment, up to 99%, of customs duties paid on merchandise which later is exported, as part of a finished product, is known as a drawback. It refers also to a refund of a domestic tax which has been paid, upon exportation of imported merchandise.
Drayage
Trucking service from an ocean port to a rail ramp, warehouse, or other destination.
Duty
The tax imposed by a government on merchandise imported from another country.
Export
To send goods to a foreign country or overseas territory.
Export License
A governmental permit required to export certain products to certain destinations.
Foreign Trade Zone
An area where goods of foreign origin may be brought in for re-export or transhipment without the payment of customs duty.
Freight Forwarder
An agent who assists his exporter client in moving cargo to a foreign destination.
Gross Weight
Total weight of goods, packing, and container, ready for shipment.
Import
To bring merchandise into a country from another country or overseas territory.
Import License
A governmental document which permits the importation of a product or material into a country where such licenses are necessary.
Inco Terms
Indicate whether the buyer or the seller carries the risk, responsibility, liability, or costs at specific points during a transaction.
Net Weight
Weight of the goods alone without any immediate wrappings; e.g., the weight of the contents of a tin can without the weight of the can.
Packing List
A list which shows number and kinds of packages being shipped, totals of gross, legal, and net weights of the packages, and marks and numbers on the packages. The list may be requested by an importer or may be required by an importing country to facilitate the clearance of goods through customs.
Pro Forma Invoice
An invoice forwarded by the seller of goods prior to shipment to advise the buyer of the weight and value of the goods.
Quota
The total quantity of a product or commodity which may be imported into a country without restriction or the penalty of additional duties or taxes.
Rate of Exchange
The basis upon which money of one country will be exchanged for that of another. Rates of exchange are established and quoted for foreign currencies on the basis of the demand, supply, and stability of the individual currencies.
Schedule B
Refers to "Schedule B, Statistical Classification of Domestic and Foreign Commodities Exported from the United States." A seven-digit Schedule B number must be entered on the shipper's U.S. Export Declaration for every commodity shipped.
Shipper's Export Declaration
A form required by the U.S. Treasury Department and completed by a shipper showing the value, weight, consignee, destination, etc., of export shipments as well as Schedule B identification number.
Shipping Documents
Commercial invoices, bills of lading, insurance certificates, consular invoices, and related documents.
Ship's Manifest
A true list in writing of the individual shipments comprising the cargo of a vessel, signed by the captain.
Straight Bill of Lading
A bill of lading, non-negotiable, in which the goods are consigned directly to a named consignee.
Tariff
A schedule or system of duties imposed by a government on goods imported or exported; the rate of duty imposed in a tariff.
