The freight industry has a unique lexicon, much of it rooted in a long history of transportation. The vocabulary can be a bit overwhelming and confusing for a newcomer.
We’ll explore some of the most commonly used terms here:
Decrease – A discount allowed for damage or surcharge
Accessory – Any service that is not considered ‘standard’ and will incur additional charges. This may include in-house delivery, insurance, liftgate service, and other services.
bill of lading (BOL) – Essential shipping documents indicating relevant names and addresses, places of origin and destination, description of the goods shipped, payment instructions and other relevant information
Booking – Organize the transport of goods by a carrier
car box – A closed freight wagon
Conveyor – The transportation entity that undertakes to move cargo by rail, truck, sea, air or any combination of these modes
Bearing – Transportation of local cargo (as opposed to interstate or international) in trucks
Claim – A claim made to the carrier for payment due to damages or other losses as a result of the carrier’s negligence in transportation.
Classification – Rating assigned to a particular type of product, generally identifying the size, value, and difficulties inherent in transporting that product. The correct class is essential for an accurate freight quote
consigned – The person or company to which the cargo is sent
Consignor – The person or company identified as the shipper of the cargo
container – A large metal box resembling the body of a truck trailer that can be shipped by ship or rail and then attached to a trailer chassis for further transportation, containers come in many sizes and types.
Stowaway – When a truck delivers a load and then completes a leg of a trip without any load
declared value – Sometimes a shipper may receive a lower rate if they under-declare a shipment, which can be risky in the event of loss.
Density – The weight of the cargo per cubic foot, this measurement is important for an accurate freight quote
double fall – An open bed trailer with a raised section at the front and rear and a lower section in the middle that can be used to haul unusually tall cargo
haulage – Local hauling of cargo by truck Same as Bearing
Container – Refers to a 53′ trailer that can be heated or ventilated but is not refrigerated
Exception -When a carrier receives a shipment (usually at its terminal), the carrier notes any actual or suspected damage to the cargo prior to transportation.
transportation – Used in a number of different ways, it can refer to the actual cargo or the fees charged to a shipper by a carrier for transporting that cargo.
Gross weight – Accumulated weight of cargo, packaging and wagon or cargo container
MAKE MATTE – Dangerous material
intermodal – Using multiple modes of transportation to move cargo containers – can include ocean, rail, road, and air cargo transportation
LTL or less truckload – Shipping where the load is not large enough to require a full truckload on its own, LTL shipments are typically in the 100lb to 20,000lb range
NMFC – National Classification of Freight Transportation (see Classification up)
Piggyback – An intermodal transportation arrangement in which loaded truck trailers are placed on a rail car and moved to a destination.
PRO number – The tracking number assigned by the carrier to a specific shipment
Proof of delivery – Delivery receipt of a shipment
puppies – A short trailer used in conjunction with another short trailer to create a twin or tandem trailer
quote or quote – An offer to provide freight transportation at a specific price based on certain information and shipping terms
reefer – Refrigerated container or trailer
stack train – A special wagon that can transport containers stacked two heights
step deck – An open trailer with a standard flat section at the front and a drop section at the rear, used to haul taller cargo
tare weight – The weight of the empty railcar or empty container in rail, sea or intermodal shipments
Tariff – A publication that establishes the rates and requirements of a specific transport company
Terminal – An area where cargo is staged and prepared for loading and shipment to the final destination, the cargo will often go to a carrier’s terminal after being picked up and then placed in another container or trailer for transport to its destination, Intermodal cargo is often unloaded at a terminal before being arranged and placed for final delivery.
TL – Truck loading (when the amount of cargo is enough to fill an entire trailer or container)
Tractor – The power unit used to pull a trailer
Trailer – The part of the truck in which the cargo is loaded and transported.
ventilated trailer – A trailer with small openings in the walls to allow outside air to circulate when the doors are closed
storage -Charge storage
While this list may seem long, there are hundreds of other key industry terms and phrases you may come across. Whether you are a novice or experienced sender, you may hear a new term from time to time. Feel free to contact us to find out what any words related to freight transport mean at any time.
