A
Accessorials or Accessorial Charges/Service - a service offered by Carrier in addition to the transportation of goods, such as stopping in transit to complete loading or to partially unload or storage.
Advanced Charge - the amount of freight or other charge on a shipment advanced by one transportation line to another, or to the shipper to be collected from the consignee.
Agent - a person authorized to transact business for and in the name of another.
Aggregate Shipments - numerous shipments from different shippers to one consignee that are consolidated and treated as a single consignment.
Agreed Weight - the weight prescribed by agreement between carrier and shipper for goods shipped in certain packages or in a certain number.
Allowance - a sum granted as reimbursement or repayment, or a deduction form the gross weight or value of goods.
Alternative Rates - two or more rates, of which the one that produces the lowest charge is applicable.
Any-Quantity Rate - a rate applicable to an article in any quantity.
Application of Rates - the points from, to, or between which the rates and routes shown in the publication, pricing agreement or customer contract applies.
Arrival Notice - a notice, furnished to the consignee, of the arrival of freight.
Assign - to transfer to another party.
Axle Load - maximum load permitted to be carrier on each axle of a motor vehicle.
Axle Weight - amount of weight carried by one axle of a tractor or trailer.
B
Backhaul - To haul a shipment back over part of a route that it has already traveled; return movement of cargo, usually opposite from the direction of its primary cargo destination.
Bailment - a contract (such as a bill of lading) which allows Carrier to take possession of goods without ownership.
Balance Due Bill - a bill rendered by the carrier for under-charges.
Basing Rate - a rate used only for the purpose of constructing other rates.
Begin Receive Date (aka First Return date) – This is the first date that the port will allow us to return export containers. The port does not want to store containers too long so they limit how soon they will accept export containers before the arrival of the vessel that will be taking them overseas. CAUTION: there is a time component to first return dates so always make sure that you get the first return date and time for an export booking or a driver may try to turn a container in on the first return date and get turned away at the gate because the first return time is 5pm the day of return.
Bill of Lading (BOL) - a commercial shipping document which serves three distinct purposes in connection with the carriage of goods. An itemized list of goods contained in a shipment. It is a receipt from Carrier for the goods, represents the contract for carriage and serves as a document of title.
Billing Sequence for HM - the description of HM freight on a bill of lading that requires the following information in this order; proper shipping name, hazard class, U.N. or N.A. number, packaging group, if applicable and 24-hour emergency contact telephone number.
Straight Bill of Lading - a non-negotiable document by which a transportation company acknowledges receipt of freight and contracts for its movement. The surrender of the original straight bill of lading is not required by transportation lines upon delivery of the freight, except when necessary for the purpose of identifying the consignee.
Order Bill of Lading - a negotiable document by which a transportation line acknowledges receipt of freight and contracts for its movement. The surrender of the original straight bill of lading, properly endorsed, is required by transportation lines upon delivery of the freight, in accordance with the terms of the bill of lading.
Blanket Bond - a bond covering a group of persons, articles or properties.
Blanket Rate - the rate applicable from and/or to a group of points, or a special rate applicable on several different articles in a single shipment.
Blocking or Bracing - wood or metal supports used to keep shipments in place in or on trailers.
Bonded carrier - A transportation carrier authorized by customs authorities for transportation of goods on which payment of duties is deferred. Bonded goods travel between the port and a bonded warehouse. Ace is a bonded carrier. We do not charge extra for this service.
Bonded Warehouse - a warehouse approved by the Treasury Department, utilized for storing goods until duties are paid or goods are otherwise properly released.
Bonded Indemnity - an agreement made with a transportation line relieving it from liability for any action on its part for which it would otherwise be liable.
Breakbulk - a large terminal which separates composite loads into individual shipments, and the route them to different destinations. Also called break or hub or distribution center.
Brokerage License - authority granted by the Interstate Commerce Commission to persons to engage in the business of arranging for transportation of persons or property in interstate commerce.
Broker - A person who arranges for transportation of loads for a percentage of the revenue from the load. Ace is not a broker but our office has the ability to broker freight through our parent company.
Bulkhead - A structure to resist water; a partition separating one part of a ship from another part. It can also be a structure built inside of a container to keep bulk loaded cargo from falling out. If you loaded a container with beans, they would fall out the back so they build a small wall at the bottom half of the container and then send the beans in with a conveyor to load the container.
Bulk Freight - freight not in packages or containers.
Business Hours - 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays.
C
Capacity - amount of freight which can be carried in a truck or trailer, expressed in terms of weight and measurement.
Capacity Load - that quantity of freight which, in the manner loaded, fills a vehicle to the extent that no additional article in the shipping form tendered identical in size to the largest article in the shipment can be loaded.
Caretaker - an individual accompanying a shipment requiring special attention while en route.
Carrier - Any person or entity who, in a contract of carriage, undertakes to perform or to procure the performance of carriage by sea, inland waterway, rail, road, air, or by a combination of such modes. Ace is considered a carrier. A steamship line is also considered a carrier.
Carrier’s Freight Terminal - the freight depot of freight station of the carrier at which shipments are ordinarily loaded or unloaded.
Cargo - the lading of a motor vehicle.
Carrier - an individual, partnership or corporation engaged in the business of transporting goods or persons, for a fee.
Cartage - freight hauling between locations in the same city, town, suburb, or local area.
Chassis - A frame with wheels and container locking devices to secure the container for movement. Chassis are owed by pools that manage the use of the chassis. We own about 60 chassis. All chassis have a numbering system that generally represents 3 letters, a Z and then 6 numbers.
Certificate of Weight - an authoritative statement of the weight of a shipment.
Claim - a written demand made upon Carrier for payment because of loss or damage alleged to have occurred while shipment was in Carrier’s possession. Demand of a refund due to overcharge.
Claim Tracer - a request for information concerning the status of a claim.
Classification (rating) - the class to which an article is assigned for the purpose of applying transportation charges.
Clean Bill of Lading - a bill of lading received by Carrier for merchandise in good condition which does not bear such notation as “Shipper Load and Count,” etc.
Clear Record - a record which shows that a shipment was handled without any loss or damage being sustained.
Clearance - The size beyond which vessels, cars, or loads cannot pass through, under, or over bridges, tunnels, highways, and so forth.
Cleat - a strip of wood or metal used to afford additional strength, to prevent warping or to hold in position.
Closed Van - a unit with metal sides and top completely enclosing the freight being transported.
COD - cash or check paid for goods at delivery, which may include the cost of shipping.
Collector of Customs - a representative of the U.S. Treasury Department acting for the government in connection with foreign traffic.
Combination Rate - a rate made by combining two or more rates in different publications.
Combination Through Rate - a through rate made by combining two or more rates in different publications.
Commercial Zone - a geographical area of commercial influence of a specified point.
Commodity - any article of freight. Goods shipped.
Commodity Rate - a rate applicable to an article described or named in the publication containing the rate.
Common Carriers - those required to serve the general public on demand, at reasonable rates without discrimination.
Concealed Loss or Damage - loss or damage to the contents of a package which is not apparent until opened.
Concentration Point - a point at which less-than-truckload shipments are brought together to be reforwarded as a truckload.
Connecting Carrier - a carrier which has a direct physical connection with another or forms a connecting link between two or more carriers.
Consignee - the person or organization to whom freight is shipped.
Consignee Marks - a symbol placed on packaged for export, generally consisting of a square, triangle, diamond, circle, cross, etc., with designation letter and/or numbers for the purpose of identification.
Consolidation - Cargo consisting of shipments of two or more shippers or suppliers. Container load shipments may be consolidated for one or more consignees.
Container - Steel or aluminum frame forming a box in which cargo can be stowed meeting International Standard Organization (ISO)-specified measurements, fitted with special castings on the corners for securing to lifting equipment, vessels, chassis, rail cars, or stacking on other containers. Containers come in many forms and types, including: refrigerated, flat rack, open top, dry, high cube and isotank. Typical containers may be 20 feet, 40 feet, 45 feet for ocean shipments and 48 feet or 53 feet in length for rail shipments. A standard container is 8 feet in width, and 8.5 feet (standard) or 9.5 feet (high cube) in height.
Container freight station (CFS) - A dedicated port or container terminal area, usually consisting of one or more sheds or warehouses and uncovered storage areas where cargo is loaded (“stuffed”) into or unloaded (“stripped”) from containers and may be temporarily stored in the sheds or warehouses.
Container terminal - An area designated for the handling, storage, and possibly loading or unloading of cargo into or out of containers, and where containers can be picked up, dropped off, maintained, stored, or loaded or unloaded from one mode of transport to another (that is, vessel, truck, barge, or rail).
Container yard - A container handling and storage facility either within a port or inland.
Containerization - shipping system based upon large cargo-carrying containers which can be easily be interchanged between trucks, trains and ships without rehandling of contents.
Continuous Seals - a term denoting that seals on a truck remain intact during the movement of the truck from point of origin to destination; or if broken in transit that it was done by the proper authority and without opportunity for loss to occur before new seals were applied.
Contract Carriers - a company which engages in for-hire transportation of property under an individual contract or agreement with one of a limited number of shippers.
Convertible - a unit that can be used wither as a flat-bed or open top through the use of removable side panels.
Cubic Foot - 1,728 cubic inches.
Cubic Ton - 40 cubic feet.
Cubic Capacity - the carrying capacity of a truck according to measurement in cubic feet.
Customs broker - A person or firm, licensed by the customs authority of their country when required, engaged in entering and clearing goods through customs for a client (importer).
Cut-off time - The latest time a container may be delivered to a terminal for loading to a scheduled barge, vessel, train, or truck. If a container misses being turned into the port by Cut-off then it could miss the vessel and the customer would charge us for any fees caused by this.
Vessel Cut-off - The time the container must be on the dock
Document Cut-off - The time the documents must be submitted. Generally a container number is required and container must be on the document cut-off so container must be pulled before Document cut-off.
CWT - per hundred weight.
D
Dead Head - movement of freight without charges or movement of empty trailer.
Delivering Carrier - the transportation line by which a shipment is delivered to the consignee.
Delivery - the act of transferring possession, such as the transfer of property from shipper to carrier, one carrier to another or carrier to consignee.
Demurrage - A penalty charge against shippers or consignees for delaying the carrier’s equipment beyond the allowed free time. The free time and demurrage charges are set forth in the charter party or freight tariff. Demurrage is usually $100-$400 per day and charges depend on the steamship line involved and the type of equipment. We must get the Last Free Day (LFD) from the steamship line after the container discharges from the vessel so we know when we have to get the container out of the port.
Department of Transportation (DOT) - federal agency that regulates the highway transportation of freight including commodities designated as hazardous material.
Destination - the place to which a shipment is consigned.
Detention - a charge made for a vehicle held by or for shipper or consignee for loading or unloading, for forwarding directions or for any other purpose.
Direct - via the route of a single carrier.
Dispatching - the scheduling and control of trucks for pickup and delivery or travel between major terminals.
Distance Rate - rate that is applicable according to distance.
Distribution - generally considered to be the act of delivering less-than-truckload shipments within a city or an area beyond.
Diversion - Any shipment relinquished to the shipper, consignee or his agent at point of origin or intermediate point or before the shipment has reached its ultimate destination.
Dock - the platform where trucks are loaded and unloaded.
Dock Receipt - a receipt given for a shipment received or delivered at a pier or dock. When delivery of a foreign shipment is completed, the dock receipt is surrendered to the transportation line and a bill of lading is issued.
Dolly - an auxiliary axle assembly equipped with a fifth wheel that is used to convert a semi-trailer to a full trailer or a small platform on rollers or wheels used to handle freight in a warehouse.
Domestic goods – Goods that are transported within the US. We do not handle domestic transportation.
DOT (Department of Transportation) - federal agency that regulates the highway transportation of freight including commodities designated as hazardous materials..
Double Bottom - a combination of two semi-trailers or a semi-trailer and a full trailer, pulled by a tractor.
Doubles Trailer - Any vehicle less than 35 feet in length handled as one unit, propelled or drawn by a single power unit.
Drag Line - a mechanized system consisting of a continuous chain, either overhead of recessed in the floor, used in a freight terminal to move shipments on carts from one part of the platform to another.
Draying - the charge made for handling freight on carts, drays or trucks.
Drop & Hook – When a driver drops a container at a warehouse or loading facility so they can load and/or unload the container without having the driver have to wait. Generally, we drop and hook within the Garden City and Port Wentworth for free and outside of that are we charge for two trips. If a customer asks us to drop and hook they must give us 24 hours advance notice of when the container is empty for us to schedule the container to return to the port.
Dry bulk - Loose, mostly uniform cargo, such as agribulk products, coal, fertilizer, and ores, that are transported in bulk carriers.
Dry Run – This is when a customer schedules us to pick up a container or drop off a container and then cancels after the driver gets to the location because of a problem of some kind. We charge extra for dry runs.
Dry Van – A 48’ or 53’ trailer used for transportation of Domestic goods. We do not have dry vans.
Dunnage - the material used to protect or support freight in or on trucks.
Duty - a tax levied by a government on the import, export, use or consumption of goods.
E
En route - on the way.
End-of-line(EOL) - a terminal which receives inbound freight from the breakbulk for delivery and sends outbound freight to the breakbulk that has been picked up.
Entry (Customs) - a statement of the kinds, quantities and values of goods imported together with duties due, if any, and declared before a customs office or other designated officer.
E.P.A. - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, a federal agency which regulates hazardous substances in the environment.
Estimated Weight - the weight specifically stated in publications for goods shipped in a manner.
Exchange Bill of Lading - a bill of lading issued in exchange for another bill of lading.
Exclusive Use of Trailer - a request made by a shipper, on the bill of lading, for the complete use of a trailer.
Exempt Trailer - trucks hauling certain commodities are exempt from Interstate Commerce Commission economic regulation. The largest portion of exempt commodities are agricultural commodities or seafood.
Expediting - to accelerate transportation. Expedited freight service is usually faster than normal service.
Expiration Notice - a notice in a publication that all, or some part of it, will expire at a stated time.
Export - any traffic having a subsequent movement to a foreign country.
Extended Service - a service offered by Carrier in addition to the transportation of goods, such as
stopping in transit to complete loading or to partially unload or storage.
F
Freight All Kinds (FAK) - the abbreviation applied to a pooling of different commodities for simplification of rating or pricing.
False Billing - describing freight on shipping documents so as to misrepresent the actual contents of lading.
Fifth Wheel - part of a coupling device mounted on tractor which engages and locks with circular steel pin on a trailer.
First Return Date (aka Begin Receive Date)– This is the first date that the port will allow us to return export containers. The port does not want to store containers too long so they limit how soon they will accept export containers before the arrival of the vessel that will be taking them overseas. CAUTION: there is a time component to first return dates so always make sure that you get the first return date and time for an export booking or a driver may try to turn a container in on the first return date and get turned away at the gate because the first return time is 5pm the day of return.
Fixed Charges - charges which do not vary with an increase or decrease in traffic.
Flat Bed - a semitrailer with no sides and with floor of unit a standard height from the ground. We do not have flatbed equipment.
Flat rack – A type of equipment that sits on a chassis used to transport machinery and equipment overseas. The machinery is set on the flat rack and strapped down. It has no protective sides or top like a container. This equipment is owned by the steamship line. We only handle flat racks that are legal width and height.
Fork Lift - a machine used to pick up and move goods loaded on pallets or skids.
Free Time - the period allowed the owner to accept delivery before storage charges begin to accrue.
Freight - merchandise hauled by a transportation line.
Freight-Astray - a shipment miscarried or unloaded at the wrong terminal, billed and forwarded to the correct terminal, free of charges, on account of being astray, hence the term “freight-astray”.
Freight Bill - Document for common carrier shipment. Gives description of the freight, amount of charges, taxes and whether prepaid or collect. Charges paid by the shipper are called prepaid freight bills. Charges collected at designation are called destination or collect freight bills.
Freight forwarder - Person or company who arranges for the carriage of goods and associated formalities on behalf of a shipper. The duties of a forwarder include booking space on a ship, providing all the necessary documentation, and arranging customs clearance.
Freight Line Charge - the cost of transporting freight.
Freight Claim - a demand upon Carrier for the payment of overcharge or loss or damage sustained by the shipper or consignee.
Freight Forwarder - one who assembles small shipments into one large shipment which is then tendered to a regulated over-the-road carrier. Upon reaching destination, the shipments is separated into small shipments.
Fuel Surcharge (FSC) – A charge that is a percent of the base or flat rate that fluctuates based on weekly fuel prices to help compensate the driver for changing fuel prices.
G
Gateway - a point which freight moving form one territory to another is interchanged between transportation lines.
G.B.L. - Government Bill of Lading.
Genset – The unit attached to the front of a reefer container or underneath (belly mounted) a reefer container that keeps the temperature of the cargo cool.
Nose Mount Genset
Belly Mount Genset
Glad hands – a connector on the back of a truck that the driver connects to the chassis to give the brakes on the chassis air pressure to operate.Gross Ton - 2,240 pounds, commonly called a long ton.
Gross Weight - the weight of an article, together with the weight of its container and the material used in packing. As applied to a truck, the weight of the truck, together with the weight of its entire contents.
H
Hazard Class - numerical designation of the primary transportation hazard based upon the chemical and physical properties of the hazardous chemical. For example, the hazard class assigned to acetone is 3, which corresponds to a flammable liquid. See list of hazard classes that Carrier transports.
Hazardous Material (HM) - a substance or material which has been determined by the Department of Transportation to be capable of posing an unreasonable risk to health, safety and property when transported in commerce. A complete listing of hazardous material can be found in 49 CFR 172.101.
Heater Service - the protection of freezable freight by heat.
High Cube - a trailer body with above average cubic content. A container that is taller 9’6” instead of the standard 8’ 6”.
Hot Tag - a shipment requiring special handling to achieve earlier-than-normal delivery service.
Hub - terminal serving regionally located end-of-line terminals as breakbulk. The hub of a “hub and spoke system” is the breakbulk and the spokes lead to the EOL terminals it serves.
Hundred Weight - a statement of weight meaning 100 pounds, abbreviated CWT.
I
Icing - refrigeration applied to preserve perishables.
Icing Charge - a charge made for icing perishable freight.
IMDG (International Maritime Dangerous Goods) - regulations that govern the transportation of hazardous material by water outside the territorial boundaries of the United States.
Import - any traffic having a prior movement from a foreign country.
In Bond - shipments moving under U.S. Customs Bond.
Initial Carrier - the transportation line to which a shipment is delivered by the shipper.
Initial Point - the point at which a shipment originates.
Inland Carrier - a transportation line which hauls export or import traffic between ports and inland points.
Insulated Van - a closed van with insulated body to assist in protecting freight from heat and cold.
Interchange - transfer of freight from one carrier to another.
Interline - between two or more carriers.
Interline Freight - freight moving form point of origin to destination over the lines of two or more transportation providers,
Intermediate Carrier - a transportation line over which a shipment moves but on which neither the point of origin or destination is located.
Intermodal - Movement of cargo containers interchangeably between transport modes where the equipment is compatible within the multiple systems.
Interstate - traffic having origin in one state and destination in another state.
Interstate Commerce Act - an act of Congress regulating the practices, rates and rules of transportation lines engaged in handling interstate traffic.
Intrastate - traffic having origin, destination, and entire transportation within the same state.
Isotank – A tank designed to haul bulk liquids that is built inside of a steel frame that is the same size as a container so it can be stowed on a ship just like a container.
J
Jacket - a wood or fiber cover placed around such containers as cans or bottles.
Jockeying - Placing a container where required to be loaded or unloaded.
Jockey Truck – A truck designed to move containers around on a yard or to and from a warehouse dock door. It generally does not move on the roads.
Joint Rate - a rate from a point located in one point located in one transportation line or a point located on another transportation line. A joint rate is made by agreement or arrangement between the carriers and published in a single publication under the concurrence of all transportation lines involved.
Joint Routes - routes established by two or more carriers for the continuous through movement of traffic via their respective lines.
Joint Traffic - traffic moving between stations located on one transportation line and stations located on another transportation line..
K
Knocked Down - an article taken apart, folded or telescoped so as to reduce its normal cubage when set up or assembled by 33 1/3%.
Knocked Down Flat - an article taken apart, folded or telescoped so as to reduce its normal cubage when set up or assembled by 66 2/3%.
Known Loss - a loss discovered before or at the time of delivery of a shipment.
L
Label, Hazard - a diamond shaped designation that has a unique pictorial symbol that describes each of nine hazard classes.
Lading - that which constitutes a load. The freight in a vehicle.
Landing Gear – The mechanism on a trailer that the driver turns to crank the front legs of the chassis up and down.
Last Free Day – This is a date, designated by the steamship line, that an import container must be picked up from the port or demurrage charges will be charged to us and must be paid in order for us to pick up the container. The port does not want to store a container too long after it discharges from the vessel so they give a little time after the container arrives for us to pickup before storage (aka demurrage) charges apply.
LCL (Less than Container Load) – this term refers to shipments that come in quantities that are less than a full container load. This is LTL’s overseas equivalent. If you lived in Savannah and ordered a pallet of cleaning supplies for your business from a company in China then they would ship it to you via LCL. There are LCL warehouses that specialize in this type of shipment and consolidate many LCL shippers into one container load to move the freight. We generally do not get involved in this as it is done by the warehouse and by the time it gets to a trucker the load is consolidated and looks like one shipment to us.
LTL (Less-than-load) - a quantity of freight less than that required for the application of truckload rate.
Lien - a legal claim upon goods for the satisfaction of some debt or duty.
Limited Quantity (LTD QTY) - is a hazardous material that due to the quantity of material and type of packaging container may be exempt form labeling requirements, if it is not classified as a 6.1 poison
Line haul - the movement of freight between cities, excluding pickup and delivery service.
Line haul truck - vehicles used to haul freight long distances, usually a tractor-trailer combination of three or more axles.
Live Load/Unload – When a driver stays with the container during the process of loading or unloading the container.
Loading—Furnishing to Carrier the Bill of Lading, forwarding directions, or other documents necessary for forwarding the shipment.
Notification to Carrier that the vehicle is loaded and ready for forwarding.
Local Delivery - Those points served direct and are within 25 miles of the original destination point.
Local re-consignment - is re-consignment within the local (direct) delivering area of the original destination terminal. Local deliveries are those points served direct and are within twenty-five (25) miles of the original destination point.
Local Terminal - a local facility of a transportation line.
Log Book - a book carried and kept by truck drivers containing daily records of hours, routes, etc.
Longshoreman (or docker, port worker, or dock worker) - Individual employed locally in a port to load and unload ships.
Long Ton - 2,240 pounds.
Loose - not packed.
Low Boy - a semi-trailer with no sides and with the floor of the unit close to the ground.
Usually used in transporting heavy machinery or large objects.
Lumper - A person that the driver hires to unload or load the customers products at the origin or destination
M
Marks - letters, numbers or characters placed on a package for the purpose of identification.
Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) - an informational bulletin prepared by a manufacturer that identifies the chemical or trade name of the hazardous ingredients, the potential hazards associated with these chemicals, emergency first aid procedures associated with the overexposure to thechemicals, precautions for safe handling of the chemicals and procedures for cleanup and proper disposal of any material that has been spilled. An MSDS contains this information: Control measures Identity ~ Emergency telephone numbers ~ Physical and chemical ~ Fire and explosion hazard data characteristics ~ Hazardous ingredients Precautions ~ Reactivity (if mixed) Health hazard data ~
Maximum Rate - the highest rate that may be charged.
Memorandum Bill of Lading - the third part of a multiple set bill of lading.
Mile - 5,280 feet.
Mileage Rate - rates applied according to distance.
Minimum Charge - the least charge for which a shipment will be handled.
Minimum Rate - the lowest rate that a carrier charges.
Mixed Truckload - a truckload of different articles combined into a single shipment.
Mode - means of transportation by one of the following methods: air, water, highway, rail.
Mullen Test - a device to test the strength of fiberboard or similar material used as a substitute for wood in making shipping containers.
Motor Vehicle - any vehicle, machine, tractor, trailer or simi-trailer propelled or drawn by mechanical power and used upon the highways in transportation of passengers or property.
N
National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC) - a publication for motor carriers containing rules, descriptions and ratings on all commodities moving in commerce.
Nested - packed one within another.
Net Ton - 2,000 pounds.
Net Weight - the weight of an article clear of its packing and contents of the truck.
Nonvessel operating common carrier (NVOCC) - A cargo consolidator in ocean trades who buys space from a carrier and resells it to smaller shippers. The NVOCC issues bills of lading, publishes tariffs, and otherwise conducts itself as an ocean common carrier, except that it does not provide the actual ocean or intermodal service.
Notice - information given signifying the accomplishment of an act, such as the placement of a trailer for loading or unloading.
O
Open Top - a unit with sides but no roof.
Operating Expense - the cost incident to the actual handling of traffic.
Operating Ratio - the relation of operating expenses to gross receipts.
Overage - excess freight over the quantity believed to have been shipped, or mare than the quantity shown on the shipping document.
Out of Gauge – Items loaded in an open top container or on a flat rack that stick out beyond the dimensions of the unit.
O S & D (Over, Short and Damaged) - a term used to describe a shipment that has been damaged or lost in transit or that arrives with more containers than originally shipped.
P
Packing Group - a designation that corresponds to the degree of danger presented by a hazardous material. Packing Group I indicates GREAT DANGER. Packing Group II indicates MEDIUM DANGER. Packing Group III indicates MINOR DANGER.
Packing List - a detailed inventory of items contained in a shipment.
Pallet - a small wooden, paper or metal platform usually with top and bottom, on which packaged goods are placed to facilitate movement by some type of freight handling equipment.
P & D - pickup and delivery of freight.
Peddle Run - pickup or delivery route traveled by a city truck.
Peeled Cap Holding Air – a tire that the tread has separated from the tire but the tire is still holding air pressure. The chassis pools in the port use mostly recapped tires and it is not uncommon for the cap to peel off of the tire in transit. This is not due to anything the driver has done but just a product of using recapped tires. We do not use recaps on our chassis.
Perishable freight - freight subject to decay or deterioration.
Per Diem – charges from the steamship line for keeping their container out of the port more than the free time. These charges range from $100 to $500 per day.
Permits - authority or permit granted by the Interstate Commerce Commission to contract carriers by motor vehicle to operate in interstate commerce.
Pickup - service of a carrier in calling for and collecting freight to be transported over its line.
Pickup or Delivery Allowance - a discount offered by Carrier to the consignee for pickup or shipper for delivery of freight to its terminal.
Piggyback - transportation of a highway trailer on a railroad flat car.
Placard - a diamond shaped sign of specified dimensions placed on both sides of trailer, and from and rear that communicates the hazard of freight inside the trailer
Point of entry - a port at which foreign goods are admitted into the receiving country. Ports of entry are officially designated by the government.
Point of Origin - the terminal which picks up freight from a shipper.
Premises - The entire property or facilities of the consignor, consignee, or other designated party.
Prepaid - a term denoting that transportation charges have been paid or are to be paid at the point of shipment.
Prior to Tender of Delivery - before shipment has been loaded on delivery vehicle (in cases where shipment is transferred to city delivery vehicle for delivery) or before shipment has been dispatched for delivery (in cases where shipment is not transferred to city vehicle for delivery).
Private Carrier - a transportation line not engaged in business as a general public employment.
Private Residence - apartments, churches, schools, camps and other such locations not generally recognized as commercial locations and shall apply to the entire premises, except any portion of the premises where commercial or business activity is conducted that involves the sales of services, products or merchandise to the walk-in public during normal business hours.
PRO - a number issued to each shipment of freight by the carrier and used for computer tracking of the shipment to it’s destination.
Prohibited Articles - articles which will not be handled.
Proof of Delivery - (also called P.O.D.) the delivery receipt copy of freight bill by receiver at time of delivery.
Proper Shipping Name - the name of a hazardous material designated by the DOT for highway transportation in 49 CFR 172.101. For example, the proper shipping name for the refrigerant R-12 is “dichlorodifluoromethane.”
Proportional Rate - a rate specifically published to be used only as a factor in making a combination through rate.
Pup - a trailer usually connected in tandem to another trailer for over-the-road travel. A set of two pups connected together is often called “double bottoms.”
Q
R
Rate - the charge for transporting freight.
Rate Base Number - number used to determine rates applicable between two points.
Rate Basis Point - point on which rate are made or at which the rate is divided; or point to which other points are assigned for purposes of determining rates.
Rate Scale - a table of rates graduated according to distances or zones.
Reefer - Refrigerated container or vessel designed to transport refrigerated or frozen cargo.
Re-consignment - a change in the route made in a consignment before the arrival of the goods at their billed destination; or any change made in a consignment after the arrival of goods at their billed destination, when the change is made under conditions which make it subject to the re-consignment rules and charges of Carrier.
Released Value - value of goods set by shipper in consideration of rate to be charged.
Reportable Quantity (RQ) - a hazardous substance defined by the DOT with specific quantity limits per package that require notification of the National Response Center and if the specified quantity is released as the result of a spill.
Reshipment - goods reshipped under conditions which do not made the act subject to the reconsignment rules and charges of the carrier.
Restricted Articles - articles which are handled only under certain conditions.
Return to Shipper - any shipment returned to the same location at which it was originally tendered to the carrier.
Route - the course or direction that a shipment moves.
S
Seal - also called (security seal) - a device for fastening or locking the doors of a truck. Seals are usually numbered and the number written on the bill of lading. Shipper is responsible for providing and applying seals to containers.
Scale of Rates - numerous rates adjusted with reaction to each other.
Script Sheet - form of statement, carried by the driver, showing essential details of all shipments loaded in his truck.
Semi-trailer - a vehicle without motive power designed to be drawn by another vehicle and so constructed that some part of its weight and that of its load rests upon, or is carried by, a towing vehicle.
Set-Up - a term denoting complete assembly of an article or an assembled article.
Ship Shoe - a device placed between containers while on the vessel to keep them locked in place
Shipment - one or more pieces of freight with the same shipper or consignee.
Shipper - company or individual who initiates the transport of goods.
Shipping Order - Carrier’s copy of the bill of lading.
Shipper Load and Count - the process by which the shipper places goods into Carrier’s trailer at his own site. With shipper Load and Count there is no opportunity for joint check of the goods by shipper and Carrier. The shipper is responsible for the proper loading and verification of the goods being shipped.
Shortage - a deficiency in quantity shipped.
Site - A specific location at or on the premises of the consignor, consignee, or other designated party.
Slider - a trailer with a rear axle set that may be moved forward to the rear of the trailer to adjust the turning radius or weight balance for the type of load being hauled.
Split Pickup or Delivery - picking up or delivering volume shipments at more than one place within confines of origin or destination points.
Spotting - The placing, detaching and leaving in possession of a trailer unaccompanied by a tractor or power unit at a specific site designated by the consignor, consignee, or other party designated.
Standard Rate - a rate established via direct routes from one point or another in relation to which the rates via other routes between same points are made.
Standard Route - line or lines which maintain standard rates.
Statute of Limitation - a statement within the bill of lading contract which places a limit on the time in which claims or suit may be instituted.
Stopoff – When we quote a rate to a customer it is to pick up in one location and deliver to one location. If the customer needs us to pick-up or deliver to more than one location, this is called a stop off. We charge extra for each stop off after the first one.
Storage - a charge made on property stored.
Storage-in-Transit - storage of property at a point other than the origin or destination of a shipment under application of a through rate.
Store Door Delivery - the movement of goods to the consignee’s place of business.
Straight truck - has both the power unit and freight storage as one vehicle.
Stripping (unstuffing) - Unloading of a container.
Surcharge - a charge above the usual or customary charge.
Surtax - an additional or extra tax.
T
Tare Weight - the weight of a container and the material used for packing.
Tender - to offer goods for transportation, or to offer to place trucks for loading or unloading.
Terminal - a building for the handling and temporary storage of freight pending transfer between locations.
Terminal Carrier - the transportation line making delivery of a shipment at its destination.
Third Party - a payor of the freight charges shown on the bill of lading that is neither the shipper or consignee.
Through Rate - a rate applicable form a point of origin to destination. A through rate may be either a joint rate or a combination of two or more rates.
Tolerance - an allowance made for difference in weights due to variations in scales or inherent nature of goods.
Ton-Mile - a unit used in comparing freight earnings or expenses. The amount earned form or the cost of hauling a ton of freight one mile.
Tonnage - the number of tons of freight handled.
Trace - to follow the movement of a shipment.
Tractor - A mechanically powered unit to propel or draw a trailer or trailers upon the highways.
Traffic - persons and property carried by transportation lines.
Trailer - Mobile units, with or without wheels, used to transport property.
Trailer Interchange - transfer of trailer and lading from one transportation line to another.
Transload – Unloading directly from a container to a dry van.
Transport - to move traffic form one place to another.
Triaxle – A chassis with 3 axles in the back to carry heavier loads. We charge extra to use our triaxle chassis. We have a large fleet of triaxle chassis.
Truckload (TL) - quantity of freight required to fill a truck. When used in connection with freight rates, the quantity of freight necessary to qualify shipment for a truckload rate.
Twist locks – the part of the chassis that has a handle that the driver turns to lock the container down on the chassis to keep it from coming off.
U
Unclaimed Freight - freight which has not been called for by the consignee or owner.
Unit of Traffic - the average number of tons of freight hauled one mile.
Unloading -
Surrender of the Bill of Lading to Carrier on shipments billed “To Order.”
Payment of lawful charges to the carrier when required prior to delivery of the shipment.
Notification to Carrier that vehicle is unloaded and ready for forwarding.
Signing of delivery receipt.
UN Number - a four-digit number assigned to hazardous material required by the DOT for highway transportation, by IMDG for water transit, and by ICAO for air. It is used to help designate the emergency response procedure in the event of a spill or release.
Unstuffing (or stripping) - Unloading of a container.
U. S. Mainland - the 48 contiguous states.
V
Valuation, Actual - actual value of goods required to be shown on the bill of lading by shippers, where rate applied is dependent upon that fact.
Vehicle - Any vehicle or combination of vehicles handled as one unit, of not less than 35 feet in length, propelled or drawn by a single power unit. When the vehicle consists of a power unit and two or more trailers or containers, the combined length of the trailers or containers must not exceed 60 feet.
Vessel - Ship equipped with cells into which containers can be stacked; container ships may be full or partial, depending on whether all or only some of its holds are fitted with container cells.
Volume Rate - commodity rates which are specifically made subject to a minimum weight of 10,000 pounds or more.
W
Warehouse - a place for the receipt and storage of goods.
Warehouse Receipt - a receipt given for goods placed in a warehouse.
Waybill - description of goods sent with a common carrier freight shipment (Same as freight bill).
Weight Sheets - itemized list furnished by shippers to weighing bureaus showing articles in each consignment.
Wet Goods - liquids.