Freight and customs glossary

Terms A to Z

ADR

European agreement on the international carriage of dangerous goods by road; sets the orange plates, packing and driver training.

ATA carnet

A customs document for temporary import of goods such as exhibition items and professional equipment, without paying duties.

Bill of lading (B/L)

The sea transport document: receipt for the goods, evidence of the contract of carriage and, if negotiable, document of title.

Bonded warehouse

A warehouse under customs control where goods can be stored without paying duties until they are imported or re-exported.

Breakbulk

Cargo shipped as separate pieces, bundles or crates rather than in containers.

CMR

The consignment note and convention for international road transport.

CTU Code

The IMO/ILO/UNECE code of practice for packing and securing cargo in containers and trucks.

Demurrage

Charge for keeping a container in the port or terminal beyond the free time.

Detention

Charge for keeping the carrier's container outside the terminal beyond the free time.

Dry port

An inland terminal linked to a seaport by rail or road, where cargo can be cleared and stored.

eTIR

The electronic version of the TIR system, replacing the paper carnet on more routes.

Free time

The days allowed before demurrage or detention starts.

Free zone

An area with special customs rules where goods can be stored, processed and re-exported without import duties.

HS code

The Harmonized System number that classifies goods for customs tariffs and statistics.

Incoterms

ICC rules that define who pays and who carries the risk at each step of a sale.

INSTC

The International North–South Transport Corridor linking India and the Persian Gulf with Russia through Iran.

Lashing

Straps, chains and wires used to hold cargo in place during transport.

Out of gauge (OOG)

Cargo larger than a standard container or trailer allows.

Reefer

A refrigerated container or trailer.

SMGS

The rail consignment note and agreement used on the broad-gauge railways of the former Soviet countries and their partners.

TEU / FEU

Twenty-foot and forty-foot equivalent units, used to count containers.

TIR carnet

An international customs transit document that lets sealed road vehicles cross several countries with a single guarantee.

Transhipment

Moving cargo from one ship or vehicle to another on the way.

Transit declaration

The customs declaration that places goods under transit, so they cross the country without paying import duties.

Twistlock

The rotating lock that fixes a container to a chassis, wagon or another container through its corner castings.

VGM

Verified gross mass: the weighed weight of a packed container, required before loading on a ship.

General guidance, last reviewed November 2026. Rules change often; ask us to confirm the requirements for your shipment.