Logistics Dictionary

Logistics can be complex, but understanding the terminology doesn’t have to be!

Our comprehensive dictionary is your go-to resource for decoding the language of the supply chain.

1. 3PL (Third-Party Logistics): Outsourcing logistics functions to a specialized provider.

2. Bill of Lading (BOL): A legal contract between the shipper and carrier detailing the goods, quantity, destination, and terms of shipment.

3. Cabotage: A domestic transport carried out by a carrier in a country other than the one where it is established

4. Carrier: The company or individual responsible for physically transporting goods.

5. CMR document: serves as an international agreement of road freight transportation

6. Consignee: The person or company designated to receive the shipped goods.

7. Consignor/Shipper: The person or company sending the goods.

8. EDI (Electronic Data Interchange): The electronic exchange of business documents (e.g., purchase orders, invoices) between computer systems.

9. ETA (Estimated Arrival Time): The expected date and time a shipment will reach its destination.

10. ETD (Estimated Time of Departure): The expected date and time a shipment will leave its origin.

11. Express Transportation: It’s the fastest delivery method with items dispatched at short notice

12. Freight Forwarder: A company that arranges the shipping process on behalf of a shipper, often handling multiple aspects of logistics.

13. Freight: Goods being transported, typically in bulk.

14. FTL (Full Truckload): A large shipment to fill an entire truck trailer.

15. Intermodal Transportation: Using multiple modes of transportation (e.g., truck, rail, ship) to move goods.

16. Logistics: The planning and management of the movement and storage of goods from origin to destination.

17. LTL (Less Than Truckload): A shipment smaller than a full truckload, often combined with other shipments.

18. POD (Proof of Delivery): A document signed by the consignee confirming receipt of the goods.

19. POD (Proof of Discharge): A place where a vessel discharges or unloads some or all of its shipments.

20. RFID (Radio Frequency Identification): Uses radio waves to track and identify items in the supply chain.

21. SKU (Stock Keeping Unit): A unique code assigned to each product for inventory tracking.

22. Supply Chain: The entire network of people, organizations, activities, and resources involved in getting a product to the end user.

23. Transit time: The time spent shipping products from a warehouse to a delivery place.

24. Transportation Management System (TMS): Software that helps companies optimize shipping processes, manage freight costs, and track shipments.

25. WMS (Warehouse Management System): Software that helps manage warehouse inventory, orders, and operations.

26. POA (Power of Attorney): A legal document authorising a customs broker to act on behalf of the shipper.

27. HS codes (Harmonized System codes): Codes used to classify goods for customs purposes. Learn more about HS codes.

28. Consignee: The recipient of the shipped goods.

29. Consignor: The shipper or exporter of the goods.

30. GMR (Goods Movement Reference): A unique number assigned to a shipment by GVMS. It combines all customs declarations for that shipment, streamlining border checks.

31. GVMS (Goods Vehicle Movement Service): A new UK customs clearance platform introduced in response to Brexit. It’s mandatory at certain UK ports to comply with new border checks implemented by the UK and EU.

32. Incoterms (International Commercial Terms):  Standardised rules for interpreting international trade contracts.

33. NCTS codes (New Computerised Transit System codes): Codes for tracking goods within the EU.

34. EAD (Export Accompanying Document): A certificate issued by a customs authority confirming that an export shipment complies with all necessary regulations. It is issued after the exporter submits an export declaration and the goods are inspected.

35. EX: Export

36. LRN:  The declarant’s unique number for a consignment cannot be duplicated. Each transit declaration requires a separate LRN.

37. SAD (Single Administrative Document), C88 in the UK: A form used for customs declarations in the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Turkey, the Republic of North Macedonia, and Serbia. It consists of eight copies, each serving a different function.

38. SIVEP (Veterinary and Phytosanitary Border Inspection Office): A rigorous inspection process is required for all imports and exports of animal or plant products, including livestock, food items, medical supplies, and other products derived from animals or plants.

39. C88: SAD in the UK

40. MRN (Movement Reference Number): Unique customs registration number assigned by the customs authority in each member state. This MRN number allows customs officials to easily track and process shipments in the customs system.