FREIGHT GLOSSARY
Accessorials
Accessorials (required and optional) enhance the shipping services you receive.
Bill of Lading (BOL)
A bill of lading or “BOL” is a document that establishes a contract between the customer, FreightCenter and the carrier.
Billing Adjustment
A billing adjustment represents a portion of unpaid freight shipping costs as reported by the carrier.
Blanket Wrapped Freight
Blanket Wrapped Freight involves wrapping thick blankets around goods to cover and cushion them during shipment.
Blind Shipment
A blind shipment uses a bill of lading that does not provide the customer or consignee information.
Cargo Carriers
A cargo carrier is a company that transports goods by air, rail, or ship.
Cargo Companies
Cargo companies provide freight services for commercial and residential shippers.
Cargo Containers
A truck trailer that can be detached and loaded onto a ship, rail car or stacked in warehouses.
Carrier Lanes
Also known as freight lanes, shipping lanes and trucking lanes. Lanes matter to carriers and shippers.
Cartage Services
Cartage refers to short hauls moving cargo containers.
Cheapest Freight
Cheapest freight services offered by Freight Center exist due to a high volume of shipments processed each month.
Commercial Trucking
Any truck that is used for trasnporting goods over roads.
Common Carriers
A transportation company that provides movement of goods on behalf of customers at published rates.
Consignor / Consignee
Two strange-sounding freight shipping terms explained.
Consolidated Freight
Consolidated Freight service saves shippers money by combining multiple shipments in one conveyance.
Container Freight
Shipments that fill containers that may be ventilated, insulated, refrigerated, open top, liquid-fill body, or equipped with other devices or racks.
Crating Services
A container constructed of wood and affixed to a pallet, which is is used to transport fragile, unboxed items.
Curbside Pickup
A bill of lading that does not include inside pickup or delivery.
Density Calculator
A Density Calculator is used to determine the density of a shipment, an important factor in a shipment’s freight class.
Discount Freight
Understanding the factors that influence shipping discounts will help you save money..
Domestic Freight
Shipments transported within the continental United States.
Drayage
A freight term commonly used to mean two very different things.
Drop Deck
A type of specialized truckload equipment has a lower deck system that rolls on to an upper deck.
Drop Shipping
When the goods are shipped from the manufacturer, wholesaler or another retailer (like Amazon) which ships the goods to the end customer on behalf of the consignor.
Dry Van
An enclosed cargo trailer used to transport goods that do not require refrigeration or other devices.
Ebay Freight Shipping
Freight shipping options for eBay sellers.
Engine Shipping
Shipping of engines, transmissions and heavy auto parts can all be categorized as Auto Shipping.
Equipment Shipping
Transportation for heavy equipment and machinery, like pinball machines, arcades, CNC milling machines, MRI machines, etc.
Estate Shipping
Residential freight shipping for goods sold at auction or during an estate sale.
Expedited Freight
Time sensitive freight that utilizes guaranteed and time-critical services to meet short delivery windows.
Fast Freight Services
Fast Freight Services recognizes that getting freight delivered within a given time frame can be as important as finding the lowest overall rate.
Final Mile
This service includes inside delivery and debris removal. If more services are needed, let us know and we will help you secure those requirements.
First Mile
First Mile service includes an inside pickup from the origin and packaging. After the freight is picked up and packaged, the carrier will take it to its destination.
Freeze Protection
Freeze protection is a service provided by many carriers to prevent freight from being exposed to frigid temperatures.
Freight
Boxed, crated or palletized shipments weighing in excess of 150 lbs or more or with a dimension greater than 4 feet in most cases.
Freight Agency
A brokerage that acts as a liaison between customers and freight carriers or forwarders.
Freight Agents
A broker authorized to transact business on behalf of another person or company.
Freight Bill Audit
An inspection of an invoice to a customer, and from a carrier to determine a remaining balance or difference in cost of services rendered.
Freight Broker
A company that transports goods on behalf of customers and under contract with asset-based carriers and transportation companies.
Freight Carrier
A Freight Carrier may also be known as a common carrier, freight company or trucking carrier.
Freight Center
An assigned area where shipping activity takes place.
Freight Class
A number between 50 and 500 that classifies or codes the goods inside a shipment.
Freight Companies
Another name for a transportation company or common carrier.
Freight Consolidation
Freight Consolidation lowers costs by pairing several orders in one truck, ship or aircraft.
Freight Cost
Freight Cost is determined by a number of variables, some of which shippers can control directly.
Freight Forwarder
A company that acts on behalf of a customer to transport goods overseas.
Freight Forwarding
When a third party that does not carry freight itself organizes freight shipments for businesses, that activity is sometimes called Freight Forwarding.
Freight Hauler
International Freight Quote uses only high-quality Freight Haulers.
Freight Hauling
Transporting goods weighing in excess of 150 lbs or more or with a dimension greater than 4 feet in most cases.
Freight Insurance
Freight insurance is additional coverage you can purchase through one of International Freight Qoute’s full-service coverage partners, or on your own. Freight insurance coverage protects the full value of your shipment beyond what is covered by limited liability.
Freight Liability
Every booked freight shipment comes with included limited liability coverage. This amount is determined by the carrier and dependent on the commodity type.
Freight Lines
Another name for a transportation company.
Freight Load
Another term for cargo or shipment.
Freight Matching
Automation that pairs the details of a shipment with the capabilities of a freight company.
Freight Quote
An estimated cost of shipping goods before pickup is made and the shipment is measured and weighed.
Freight Rate Calculator
How International Freight Quote‘s online quote system saves shippers money.
Freight Rates
The base tariff or contract rate charged by a carrier.
Freight Services
The product offered by brokers, forwarders and carriers to transport goods by various modes like LTL, TL, rail/intermodal, cargo container and air freight.
Freight Shipping
See Freight. A service that transports goods weighing in excess of 150 lbs or more or with a dimension greater than 4 feet in most cases.
Freight Shipping Calculator
A calculator you can place on any eCommerce site so customers can calculate shipping charges..
Freight Shipping Cost
The actual cost of shipping cargo.
Freight Shipping Quotes
See Freight Quote. An estimated cost of shipping goods before pickup is made and the shipment is measured and weighed.
Freight Shipping Rates
The cost of shipping goods via freight service.
Freight Shipping Services
Services that transport goods and packages weighing in excess of 150 lbs or more or with a dimension greater than 4 feet in most cases.
Freight Terminal
Where a carrier receives incoming freight that is then prepared for reloading into a truck, rail car, vessel or plane.
Freight Transportation
See Freight Shipping. A service that transports goods weighing in excess of 150 lbs or more or with a dimension greater than 4 feet in most cases.
Freightways
A lane or route taken by a transportation company or carrier.
Government Shipping
Both military and non-military agencies require Government Shipping services.
Ground Freight
Service that involves transporting goods by truck over surface roads.
Handling Unit
Every distinct piece of packaged freight that will be moved with a forklift, pallet jack or by hand is a handling unit.
Hazmat
Hazardous material that is considered to have the capability to cause an unreasonable risk to human health or safety or the environment when transported in commerce, used incorrectly, or if not properly stored or contained is considered a hazardous material. Hazardous materials include fuels, bio-chemicals and pharmaceuticals.
Heavy Freight
Freight weighing in excess of 8,000 lbs that occupies the space and weight maximums of an entire truck.
Inside Delivery & Pickup
Standard freight pickup and delivery is loading dock to loading dock or curb to curb. Inside pickup and delivery go beyond the curb.
International Freight Shipping
Any movement of freight that occurs outside the United States (excluding Canada) is considered international.
Interstate Freight
Any freight shipment that moves from one state to another, whether a full truckload or less than a truckload, is Interstate Freight.
Interstate Truckers
A truck driver that transports freight along a domestic interstate highway.
Lift Gate
If the pickup or delivery site does not have a loading dock and the cargo weighs too much for an individual to handle, a lift gate will be required.
Limited Access
At a limited access location, such as a school or an airport, trucks do not have clear and unfettered access to the exact pickup or delivery spot.
Freight Logistics Companies
Logistics companies help businesses transport freight while streamlining their supply chain.
LTL
Abbreviation for “Less than Truckload”.
LTL Transportation
The movement of loads belonging to multiple customers that are consolidated to occupy the space of a single dry van trailer.
LTL Trucking
Defined as transporting freight that is larger than parcel and smaller than truckload, LTL shipments usually weigh more than 150 lbs, but less than 20,000 lbs.
Military Freight
As a veteran-owned third-party logistics company (3PL), International Freight Quote is proud to provide our military and government the shipping services they require.
Motor Freight
Transporting goods by motor carrier over public highways.
Motorcycle Shipping
Motorcycle Shipping transports your bike where you need it next.
Moving Companies
A company that relocates household property over short or long distances.
Moving Freight
See Freight Shipping. A service that transports goods weighing in excess of 150 lbs or more or with a dimension greater than 4 feet in most cases.
Not Otherwise Indicated (NOI)
Abbreviation for “Not Otherwise Indicated”. Use the linked calculator to determine the freight class for goods and commodities not classified by the NMFCA.
Oversize Freight
The transporting of goods that are longer, wider or taller that the footprint of a trailer.
Overweight or Heavy freight
See Heavy Freight. Shipments weighing in excess of 8,000 lbs that occupies the space and weight maximums of an entire truck.
Parcel Shipping
A standard package transported by a parcel company like the United States Parcel Service.
Personal Effects
Another term used for household goods or personal property.
Pounds per Cubic Feet (PCF)
Density (the number of pounds occupying a cubic foot of space) is an essential measurement for calculating freight class.
Proof of Delivery
Also known as the Delivery Receipt, the Proof of Delivery serves three important functions.
Refrigerated Freight
Transporting goods that require refrigeration or freezing. Trucks used to transport these goods are known as “Reefers”.
Sea Cargo Container
See Container Freight. Shipments that fill containers that may be ventilated, insulated, refrigerated, open top, liquid-fill body, or equipped with other devices or racks.
Shippers
A shipper is a person who ships goods. Also referred to as a customer or consignor.
Shipping
A service that transports freight weighing in excess of 150 lbs or more or with a dimension greater than 4 feet in most cases.
Shipping Companies
Another name for a company that transports goods on behalf of a customer.
Shipping Cost
See Freight Shipping Cost. The actual cost of shipping cargo.
Shipping Furniture
Shipping Furniture can be difficult, especially if you’re a newbie. International Freight Quote has the experience you need.
Shipping Labels
Shipping labels help make sure your cargo is delivered to the correct location.
Shipping Motorcycles
Shipping Motorcycles means transporting your bike where you need it next.
Shipping Rates
Prices charged by freight carriers based on a variety of factors.
Shipping Service
See Freight Shipping Service. The transportation of goods and packages weighing in excess of 150 lbs or more or with a dimension greater than 4 feet in most cases.
Small Business Shipping
A Small Business Shipping service that combines world class technology with personally delivered freight shipping expertise allows small business operators to focus on what they do best.
Supply Chain Logistics
Times change. The right Supply Chain Logistics plan responds to those changes.
Third-Party Logistics (3PL)
Outsourced provider of freight brokerage and supply chain services.
Tradeshow Shipping
Reserving your booth space is just step #1. Tradeshow Shipping gets that booth to the show on time.
Transportation Brokers
See Freight Broker. A company that transports goods on behalf of customers and under contract with asset-based carriers and transportation companies.
Transportation Companies
In the freight industry, a term referring to a common carrier or trucking company.
Trucking
Transporting goods over the road (OTR) via truck.
Trucking Broker
See Freight Broker. A company that transports goods on behalf of customers and under contract with asset-based carriers and transportation companies.
Trucking Business
A general motor carrier that provides freight transportation by truck.
Trucking Companies
A transportation company that services ground freight.
Trucking Cost per Mile
The cost incurred for each mile that goods are transported by trucks.
Trucking Rates
See Freight Rates. The base tariff or contract rate charged by a carrier, or spot market rate as determined by a national trucking index.
Trucking Service
The most common way of shipping freight in the USA is via Trucking Service.
White Glove Service
Service that involves inside delivery and light installation, and packaging removal.
Yellow Freight
Now known as YRC. Yellow Freight is a subsidiary of YRC Worldwide and YRC Freight, Inc.