
Shipping Lingo Explained: Most Common Shipping Terms Used in Freight Industry
In the world of shipping freight , there are many common shipping terms. Shipping lingo might seem like a language all its own, but knowing what these freight terms actually mean is important to your success.
A
- Accessorial: Extra services on freight shipments.
- Accessorial Charges: Charges for extra services.
- Accounts Payable: Billing department personnel that make payments.
- Accounts Receivable: Personnel in the billing department collecting payments.
- Adjustments: Costs happening after shipment delivery.
- Agent: Professional with some decision-making authority to represent someone else.
- Air Bill: Air transportation documentation about shipment.
- Air Cargo: Freight that flies by plane.
- Air Freight Forwarder: Indirect air carriers who do pickup and deliveries.
- Arrival Notice: Agents receive these when cargo is at its destination.
- Articles of Extraordinary Value: Must be listed in published classifications for liability coverage.
- Auditing: Determines additional charges prior to the final bill.
- Axle Load: Weight that freight puts on roads.
B
- Backhaul: Transit for repositioning a truck after an initial load.
- Beneficial Owner: Property rights of freight belonging to someone else other than the shipper.
- Billing: Business department handling payment and invoices.
- Bill of Lading: BOL documentation is given to the carrier when freight is picked up.
- Blind Shipment: The receiver and shipper aren’t aware of each other.
- Blocking and Bracing: Wood or other supports that keep shipments in their place during transit.
- Bogie: Rail shipping terms for a wheeled frame to move containers.
- Bonded Warehouse: Customs warehouse to keep imports until duties are paid.
- Bracing: Technique to secure freight in a full truck.
- Breaking Bulk: One heap is distributed from a single shipper to various agents.
- Break Bulk Point: Place where break bulks happen.
- Broker: 3PL connects customers with carriers.
- Brokerage License: Mandatory document brokers need to make arrangements for freight shipping.
- Bulk Freight: Not in containers or packages.
- Bundle: Products grouped together, usually unassembled.
- Business to Business: B2B shipments happen between companies.
C

















