Bill of Lading (B/L)
The shipment's “receipt + title to the goods.” Ocean shipments use a B/L, air shipments an AWB (air waybill); you collect the cargo against it
Plain-English logistics glossary
Bill of lading, Incoterms, CBM, THC, customs value… the terms you'll run into on any import or export, explained in plain English. When a term has you stumped, this is the place to look it up
Import & export terms, in plain English
Incoterms
The standard rules dividing freight, insurance and risk between buyer and seller — such as FOB, CIF and DDP
CBM (Volume)
Cubic meters (length × width × height). Ocean freight is often charged on whichever is greater, volume or weight
Revenue Ton
The ocean freight billing unit: 1 revenue ton = 1 CBM or 1,000 kg, whichever is greater
THC
Terminal Handling Charge — the port fee for loading and unloading containers
Customs Value
The basis for assessing customs duty, in Taiwan usually the CIF value (goods + freight + insurance)
HS Code
The international tariff classification code that sets the duty rate and import requirements. Misclassify it and you'll overpay duty or get held up at customs
DDP (Delivered Duty Paid)
An Incoterm where the seller covers delivery to the destination, including duty and clearance. Common on FBA first-leg shipments
FOB (Free On Board)
An Incoterm where the seller covers loading the goods at the export port; freight and risk from there are the buyer's
CIF (Cost, Insurance & Freight)
An Incoterm where the seller covers the goods, freight and insurance to the destination port
Customs Declaration
The legal process of declaring import/export goods to Customs, classifying them under the right HS code, and paying duty
Customs Clearance
The whole process of goods passing Customs inspection, paying duty, and being released
Bonded
A regime that lets goods sit in a bonded warehouse with duty deferred — useful for transshipment and managing cash flow
Chargeable Weight (Air)
The greater of actual weight and volumetric weight; volumetric weight = length × width × height ÷ 6000
AEO
Authorized Economic Operator — a Customs security accreditation; certified businesses clear faster and face fewer inspections
These definitions are general explanations; the actual definitions and charges follow Customs regulations and each carrier's published terms. Another term you want defined? Tell Jumping Freight ›
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