10 Shipping Terms Every International Shipper Should Be Aware Of

Effective communication is the key to progression in the international trading industry, and it is not possible to be good at it without knowing the shipping terminology. With the ICC (International Chamber of Commerce) taking a step to introduce the incoterms every year, traders should understand the integrity this business demands. From exporters and importers to the freight forwarders and custom house agents, everyone is either giving instructions or following them. So, if traders fail to use the appropriate expressions or do not understand the common ones, a freight shipment cannot be successful! Therefore, understanding shipping terms becomes a part of the process.

Ace traders who make business deals and partners overseas have the confidence to communicate using the appropriate shipping terms at the precise time. It does not only show their intellect but also their involvement in the business. To get the entire list and read shipping blogs to know more. But let us first begin with a few essential words to acknowledge.

Learning the shipping terminology is the first step one should take in the international market.

The List Of Words Every Shipper Must Know About

Beginners should pay enough attention to understanding shipping terms and their uses rather than memorizing the entire terminology. The purpose of it is to serve as a common medium of communication between two trading parties in the international business. So let us understand the role of uses of these words.

#1 Proforma Invoice

The Proforma Invoice is the first document that initiates the shipping journey of a cargo. It is a detailed document that the exporters need to send the importers/buyers to quote the shipping contract with all the charges and information of the freight.

#2 LCL (Less than Container Load)

LCLs are the second type of containers that include cargo of various importers. In the case of small cargos, traders have to opt for this option which might cost higher at times. Since LCL containers take stoppage at different ports for delivering the consignments, chances of theft or loss of cargo increases in this case.

#3 FCL (Full Container Load)

This refers to the containers which one can book for one particular consignment. FCL containers are comparatively cheaper and efficient as the trader has the authority to own the full capacity. It also avoids wear and tear of cargo during the shipping journey.

#4 DT (Detention)

Detention is the fee that the importers are liable to pay for not returning the shipping container to the port within the defined time. The port authorities offer a free period for returning a cargo just like collecting it. If an importer fails to abide by the rule and return the container within that period, he has to pay detention to the port.

#5 DM (Demurrage)

Demurrage is a fee levied on the importers for not picking up their containers after the free period expires. The port authorities will charge a fee on a per-day basis. The amount of demurrage may vary from port to port or country to country. It is somewhat the opposite of Demurrage in the shipping terms.

#6 FOB (Free On Board)

This term explains the responsibilities between the two parties involved in the trade regarding the shipment. As per this rule, the seller is liable to safely board the cargo from the departing port after which the risk and cost of safe shipment fall upon the buyer.

#7 CYCY (Container Yard to Container Yard)

The term CYCY is the abbreviated term for explaining the shipping responsibility of an exporter/carrier. With the use of this term, the liable party agrees to ship the cargo from the container yard of the shipping port to the container yard of the delivery port. It is one of the lesser-known shipping terms we have in the terminology.

#8 Shipping Bill

The shipping bill is a kind of an application that an exporter or his CHA sends to the customs department to get the customs clearance. It contains all the details of the freight and the two parties involved in the shipping contract.

#9 Bill of Entry

Bill of Entry is the document an importer needs to acquire before his consignment reaches the port of delivery. It is an essential document and one of the shipping terms for the import customs clearance process. One should know about all its content and details to ensure the approval of the freight.

#10 Bill of Lading

Bill of Lading is issued by the shipping line responsible for the transportation of cargo and is handed over to the receiving party. Details of the shipper, consignee, cargo, and port of loading are all mentioned in the bill. Damage to this document can incur a loss in the business.

New and existing traders should know all of these shipping terms to make a strong stand in every business communication. The industry is far-fledged to the corner of every world, and the only way shippers can reach out to them is through their impactful conversation!