Logistics jargon, clearly explained.

An external logistics provider that manages services such as transport, storage, fulfilment or distribution for a customer.

A supply-chain management model in which one lead partner coordinates multiple logistics providers, processes, data and technology on the customer's behalf.

The company that physically transports the cargo by road, sea, air, rail or inland waterway.

The party named to receive the goods at destination.

The party that sends or presents the goods for transport.

Expected arrival and departure times used for transport planning. They can change during the movement.

A logistics specialist that coordinates transport, documents, carriers and related services on behalf of a shipper or consignee.

Confirmation that a shipment was delivered, commonly including a date, signature or digital delivery record.

The expected duration between agreed transport points. It does not automatically include every collection, customs or delivery step.

The recorded time at which a vehicle, vessel or shipment actually arrived or departed, as distinct from the estimated time.

A carrier, forwarder or terminal reference used to identify a transport booking and connect instructions, documents and status updates.

A document confirming the country in which goods originate. Customs or the buyer may require it, and the exact form depends on the product, destination and trade arrangement.

The seller's invoice for the goods, normally stating the parties, product description, value, currency and agreed Incoterm. It is a key source document for customs clearance.

The latest time by which cargo, documents or instructions must be received for a planned departure or operational process.

A consolidated list of cargo carried on a vessel, aircraft or vehicle, containing shipment information used for operations and regulatory reporting.

The structured computer-to-computer exchange of business messages such as bookings, status updates, invoices or transport instructions.

An agreed range of time during which delivery may take place, rather than one fixed appointment time.

A bank undertaking used in international trade under which payment depends on presenting documents that comply with the stated credit conditions.

A movement using two or more transport modes while the goods remain in the same loading unit, such as a container transferred between vessel, train and truck.

The combined cost of obtaining goods at destination, potentially including purchase price, transport, insurance, duties, taxes, handling and other applicable charges.

The use of suitable restraints, blocking and securing methods to prevent cargo from shifting, tipping or moving during handling and transport.

The empty weight of transport equipment or packaging, excluding the cargo or net contents.

A shipment document describing how the goods are packed, commonly including package counts, marks, dimensions and gross and net weights.

A preliminary invoice issued before the final commercial invoice, commonly used to communicate expected values and terms or support an application or advance arrangement.

The controlled movement of products or materials back through the supply chain for return, repair, reuse, refurbishment, recycling or disposal.

An additional charge applied on top of a base freight rate for a defined cost or service, such as fuel, security, peak season or special handling.

A destination-country cargo document or electronic filing required for certain trade lanes, often also called an ECTN, BESC or similar local name.

A non-intrusive scan used by customs, security or terminal authorities to examine cargo or equipment without immediately unloading it.

A sea-freight transport document that records the cargo, parties and carriage terms and can also function as a document of title, depending on its form.

Cargo loaded as individual pieces, units or packages rather than inside a standard container, often requiring dedicated lifting, stowage and securing arrangements.

A facility where LCL cargo is consolidated into or deconsolidated from containers.

A terminal area where full containers are received, stored and released.

A charge that may arise when booked vessel space is not used as agreed and the carrier cannot fill the unused capacity. Contract and booking terms determine whether it applies.

A charge that can apply when a container remains inside the terminal beyond the permitted free period.

A charge that can apply when carrier equipment remains outside the terminal longer than the allowed free period.

The agreed period during which container use or terminal storage does not yet trigger detention or demurrage charges.

A container platform with end walls but no fixed side walls or roof, used for heavy, wide, tall or otherwise out-of-gauge cargo that can be secured to the floor structure.

A low, unpowered roll trailer used mainly in roll-on/roll-off operations to move heavy or oversized cargo aboard vessels and around terminals.

A refrigerated container transported with its cooling machinery switched off and used as dry equipment, subject to carrier approval and reduced internal dimensions.

The recorded entry of equipment into, or exit from, a terminal or depot gate.

A container booked for cargo from one shipper rather than shared as an LCL consolidation.

A smaller container vessel that connects regional ports with a larger hub port, where containers may transfer to or from a deep-sea service.

A freight-rate expression indicating that specified loading and discharge handling is included in the ocean rate. The booking confirmation must be checked for the exact inclusions and exclusions.

Ocean cargo that shares container space with shipments from other parties.

The contractually allowed time for loading or discharging a chartered vessel before additional time-related charges may arise.

A container without a fixed steel roof, normally closed with a removable cover and used when cargo must be loaded from above or exceeds standard door height.

Cargo that exceeds the standard external dimensions of the selected container or equipment and therefore requires special stowage, handling and approval.

A container with extra internal width designed to accommodate standard European pallets more efficiently than a conventional ISO dry container.

A terminal storage charge that may apply when cargo or equipment remains on the quay or terminal beyond the included free period.

A mobile terminal vehicle with a telescopic lifting boom used to lift, move and stack loaded or empty containers.

An insulated container with an integrated refrigeration unit used to maintain a controlled temperature for suitable cargo during transport and storage.

A tank mounted within an ISO frame for transporting compatible liquids, gases or powders. Product compatibility, cleaning and dangerous-goods requirements must be confirmed.

A standard capacity measure: one 20-foot container equals one TEU and one 40-foot container generally equals two TEU.

The verified total weight of a packed export container, required before loading aboard a vessel under SOLAS rules.

Wording used on transport documents to indicate that the stated package contents were declared by the shipper and were not necessarily verified by the carrier.

The convention and commonly used consignment note for international carriage of goods by road in participating countries.

Transport without an actively controlled chilled or frozen temperature setting. Cargo is carried under normal surrounding conditions unless other protection is agreed.

A rigid-sided enclosed trailer that protects cargo from weather and provides better physical security, normally loaded through rear doors.

A trailer with flexible curtain sides that can be opened for fast side loading while the roof, front wall and rear doors remain fixed structures.

A vehicle reserved for one shipment or customer, normally providing a more direct movement without combining the load with unrelated freight.

A point-to-point road movement with no planned cross-dock or groupage terminal transfer between collection and delivery.

A dedicated light commercial vehicle used for urgent, relatively small consignments that require fast point-to-point transport.

An insulated road trailer with refrigeration equipment used for chilled, frozen or otherwise temperature-controlled cargo. Set point, tolerances and monitoring must be agreed.

A specialist trailer fitted with rails or hanging systems for garments transported on hangers. The term is not fully standardised, so the required internal equipment should always be confirmed.

A road movement where the vehicle or trailer capacity is dedicated to one shipment or shipper.

A network service that consolidates smaller shipments from multiple customers through scheduled terminals and linehauls.

One linear metre of trailer floor space across the full usable width, used to price cargo that occupies floor space.

A shipment that uses only part of a truck and is transported together with other compatible freight.

A reserved date and time at which a vehicle is expected at a site for loading. Arriving early or late may require rebooking or cause waiting charges.

A specialist trailer with a low loading deck used for tall, heavy or mobile machinery. Permits, escorts and route surveys may be required for abnormal loads.

A high-volume trailer with a lowered floor and approximately three metres of internal height, commonly used for automotive and other bulky cargo.

Loading arranged for a fixed appointment time rather than an open collection window. The carrier plans arrival against that confirmed slot.

Delivery required at a specific confirmed time. It normally requires advance coordination and may be priced differently from standard delivery.

A powered platform fitted to the rear of a vehicle to raise or lower goods where a loading dock or suitable forklift is unavailable.

Additional logistics activities such as labelling, repacking, assembly, quality checks, kitting or customisation performed alongside storage and distribution.

A detachable freight body designed to transfer between compatible road vehicles and, for suitable units, rail transport without unloading the cargo itself.

Time a vehicle spends waiting beyond the agreed or included loading or unloading allowance. Additional charges may apply under the transport agreement.

A larger partial road load, often handled more directly than small groupage but without booking a complete vehicle.

The air-cargo transport document containing shipment, routing and party details. It is not a document of title.

The weight used for pricing, normally the greater of actual gross weight and calculated volumetric weight.

The International Air Transport Association, which publishes standards and operational rules widely used in air cargo.

The master document covers the forwarder-to-airline movement; a house document covers the individual customer shipment.

An aircraft pallet or container designed to consolidate and secure cargo for loading into an aircraft.

A calculated weight based on cargo dimensions, used when a shipment occupies substantial space relative to its actual weight.

Advance shipment data submitted to a country's border or customs authority before arrival or loading. Required data, deadlines and responsible parties vary by jurisdiction and transport mode.

A duty, tax or charge calculated as a percentage of the relevant value rather than as a fixed amount per unit, weight or quantity.

EU customs status for businesses that meet defined compliance, record-keeping, financial and, where applicable, security standards. The available facilitations depend on the type of authorisation.

A document used for eligible goods in customs-union trade between the EU and Türkiye to evidence free-circulation status. It is not, by itself, proof of preferential origin.

An international customs document used in participating countries for the temporary admission and re-export of eligible goods, for example professional equipment or exhibition goods. Conditions and validity limits apply.

The EU mechanism that applies carbon-related obligations to imports of specified emissions-intensive goods. Product scope, thresholds, authorisation, reporting and certificate duties must be checked against current EU rules.

The formal submission of shipment and goods data to customs for an import, export or transit procedure.

The process of preparing, submitting and completing the customs formalities required to place goods under the intended import, export or transit procedure.

A declaration containing the prescribed dangerous-goods information needed for transport acceptance, handling and regulatory compliance.

An electronic cargo filing required by certain destination countries, commonly for advance shipment registration and import control. Requirements vary by country.

The customs decision allowing goods to proceed under the declared procedure after required checks, data and obligations have been satisfied.

A customs representation arrangement in which the representative acts in the name and on behalf of the represented party. Written authority and the applicable legal conditions are required.

Goods, software or technology that can have both civilian and military applications. Export, transit, brokering or technical assistance may require control checks or authorisation.

A Netherlands-specific permit that allows eligible businesses to report import VAT in their periodic Dutch VAT return instead of paying it to Customs when the goods are imported. Conditions apply and the arrangement does not defer customs duties.

The value determined under customs valuation rules and used as the basis for calculating import duties. It can also form part of the taxable amount used to calculate import VAT.

An identification number used by businesses and persons for customs activities in the European Union.

Safety and security data submitted before goods enter the EU customs territory. Filing responsibility and deadlines depend on the transport mode and supply-chain arrangements.

A document generated from accepted export declaration data that can accompany goods to the EU office of exit and carries the declaration's movement reference.

Government authorisation required before certain controlled goods, technologies or destinations may be exported. The exporter must verify whether licensing or other restrictions apply.

A proof of preferential origin used for eligible trade under certain agreements. Whether it can be used depends on the relevant agreement and its origin rules.

Operational shorthand commonly used for a standard export declaration for Union goods leaving the EU. The official declaration data and status in the current customs system remain decisive.

A product-classification code used to determine customs treatment, controls, duties and trade statistics.

Customs charges that may become payable when goods enter a customs territory. The amount depends on factors such as the commodity code, customs value, origin and applicable tariff measures.

VAT due when goods are imported from outside the EU. In the Netherlands it is normally collected at import, unless an applicable arrangement such as an Article 23 permit allows it to be reported through the VAT return. Deduction depends on the importer's entitlement and documentation.

Goods that do not have Union customs status, including goods arriving from outside the EU that have not yet been released for free circulation.

Operational shorthand commonly used for a standard import declaration, often for release into free circulation. The declared procedure and official customs-system status determine the legal treatment.

A unique reference assigned to a customs declaration or movement for identification and tracking.

The electronic system used for Union and common transit procedures to exchange declaration and movement messages between traders and customs authorities.

The digital platform used by companies, terminals, shipping lines, logistics providers and authorities to exchange information for processes in the Dutch seaports.

A Portbase-supported process for securely transferring the right to collect import containers in participating Dutch port chains, replacing the use of freely shared PIN codes.

Compliance checks on parties, destinations, ownership, goods and transactions against applicable sanctions and trade restrictions before accepting or executing a shipment.

An external Union transit procedure used to move non-Union goods under customs control between authorised points.

A measure allowing a limited quantity of specified goods to be imported at a reduced or zero customs-duty rate during a defined period. Availability and conditions must be checked at declaration time.

Goods with Union customs status, including qualifying goods wholly obtained in the EU or imported goods that have been released for free circulation.

A four-digit United Nations identification number assigned to a dangerous substance or article for transport classification and documentation.

An authorised facility where goods can be stored under customs control before duties and taxes become due or another procedure is applied.

Moving goods from inbound to outbound transport with little or no storage in between.

Removing cargo from a container, often followed by checking, sorting, palletising or onward loading.

Securing goods on pallets to support mechanical handling, protection and efficient storage or transport.

Selecting goods from inventory and packing them for individual orders or onward distribution.

Software used to control inventory locations, receipts, movements, picking and dispatch activities.