Logistics

A Power of Attorney (POA) authorizes a third party to handle primarily customs matters for importers or exporters. POA requirements vary by country.

A Shipper’s Letter of Instruction (SLI) is an exporter’s directive to a forwarder or carrier on how & where to ship a shipment, essential for U.S. exports.

A commercial invoice is a document that details goods, participants, pricing, and other data elements required by Customs for global trade.

Congestion surcharge is a fee imposed by carriers on shipments via congested ports to cover extra operational costs & manage logistical challenges.

Customs clearance is a mandatory process for global shipments that involves cargo inspection, proper paperwork and cargo loading.

The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC ) oversees & regulates U.S. global ocean commerce to safeguard the shipping public from unfair competition.

NVOCCs are vessel-less ocean carriers that consolidate shipments, issue House Bills of Lading, and negotiate rates using their own tariff structure.

A Bill of Lading is a legal document for shipped goods serving as a receipt, carriage contract, and title document.

A Tailgate Exam is a visual inspection of a container’s interior by Customs officials to check for anomalies or contraband.

Certificate of Origin (CoO) confirms the product’s country of origin, which is essential for customs clearance and relevant duties determination.

A Forty-Foot Equivalent Unit (FEU) denotes a 40-foot container’s volume, instrumental for cargo capacity assessment & shipping costs calculation.

Break bulk is the shipment of oversized or non-standard size and shape goods, requiring labor-intensive handling & specialized equipment.

Customs Bond is a type of financial guarantee required for certain imports to ensure payment of duties and help streamline customs clearance.

A Service Level Agreement (SLA) in logistics is a contract defining service quality and performance metrics between provider and client.

The Merchandise Processing Fee (MPF) is an ad-valorem fee at 0.3464% of imported goods’ value, imposed by U.S. Customs for processing of imports.