Glossary

Chargeable weight in freight shipping is calculated based on the greater of the shipment’s gross weight or volume, balancing space and weight costs.

The Commerce Control List (CCL) categorizes dual-use items (commercial and military-use goods) to confirm U.S. export license requirements.

Blank sailing is an ocean carrier’s intentional cancellation of a port call or voyage of a fixed rotation due to demand or operational efficiency.

An Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) is an entity in global trade approved by Customs for meeting WCO security standards & granting customs benefits.

An Export Control Classification Number (ECCN) classifies U.S. dual-use exports in the CCL with alpha-numeric codes, identifying licensing requirements.

Delivered Duty Paid (DDP) is an incoterm that outlines the seller’s obligation to cover all delivery costs, including import duties and customs taxes.

The Harbor Maintenance Fee (HMF) is a fee imposed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) on freight shipments imported through U.S. ocean ports.

Wharfage is the cost incurred when using a wharf at a port terminal to unload freight cargo.

A general rate increase (GRI) is a market rate increase that carriers may adopt over a specific timeframe for all or certain ocean routes.

Emergency Bunker Surcharge (EBS) is introduced by ocean carriers to deal with energy price hikes that are beyond expectation.

A cargo ready date (CRD) is the date when a shipment is expected to be ready for pick up at a specified location.

A single customs bond is a type of one-off entry custom bond that acts as a legal contract to guarantee all import duties, taxes, and fees are paid.

A container yard (CY) cut-off date is the last day that the shippers must gate-in their loaded containers before any scheduled departure.

The continuous customs bond is similar to a single customs bond but is renewable, and covers multiple entries within one year at different costs.

Customs disbursement service fees are charged by freight forwarders and customs brokers to freight customers who do not make duty payments directly to the customs authorities.