International Moving Glossary

Your comprehensive guide to international moving terminology, shipping terms, and relocation definitions. Understand the language of international removals.

A B C D E F G H I K L M N O P R S T U V W

A

Access: The ease of accessibility to the property, including factors such as parking for the removals vehicle, distance to the front door, availability of lifts, etc.
Accessorial Charges: Fees for services in addition to the basic transportation of household goods, such as packing, unpacking, or extra stops.
Accessorial Services (Additional Services): Services such as packing, unpacking, extra stops, or shuttles requested by the customer, charged in addition to transportation costs.
Accessory Buildings: A structure secondary to the main building on the property.
Actual Cash Value (A.C.V.): Money equal to the cost of replacing lost, stolen, or damaged property after depreciation.
Actual Charges: The total cost of the move from start to finish.
Additional Services Performed at Origin/Destination Service and Delivery Report (A.S.P.O.D.): A form that serves as proof that additional services were performed at origin and/or destination points, verified by the customer's signature.
Additional Transportation Charge (A.T.C.): Charge to compensate the carrier for services in areas with higher labor rates or traffic congestion.
Adjuster: An employee who handles and settles claims against the moving company for damage and/or loss of household goods.
Advanced Charges: Charges for services performed by a third party contracted by the moving company at the customer's request, added to the Bill of Lading.
Agent: An appointed removals company at the destination (or origin) to handle the shipment, including customs clearance and delivery. Also, origin or destination agent for estimating, packing, and loading.
Agent Overseas: Usually another moving company appointed to act as a partner in your move, often at destination for receiving, clearing, and delivering the shipment.
Agreed Delivery Date (A.D.D.): Two or more dates mutually agreed upon between the customer and the carrier for the delivery of the shipment.
Agreed Pickup Date (A.P.D.): The mutually agreed date for pickup of the shipment.
Air Cargo: Freight that is moved via air transportation.
Air Cargo Containers: Containers designed to conform to the inside of an aircraft.
Air Freight (Airfreight): The method of transporting shipments by air.
Air Waybill (AWB): A contract between the shipper and the air carrier, including shipping terms and conditions. Issued in non-negotiable form as a receipt for the shipper.
Alongside: Refers to the side of a ship. Goods delivered alongside are placed on the dock or barge within reach of the ship's rigging (e.g., Free Alongside Ship).
Amendment to the Order for Service: A form used to record changes to the shipment, such as additional services, destination, valuation, or dates.
Annual Carrier's Performance Report: A yearly report on a carrier's performance in estimating, claims settlement, and on-time delivery, provided to the customer during the estimate.
Antidumping Duty: A special duty imposed to offset the price effect of dumping harmful to domestic producers.
Appliance Dolly: A wheeled platform for moving heavy household items between the home and the van.
Appliance Service: Preparation of appliances to make them safe for transportation, excluding disconnecting plumbing or electrical.
Apparent Good Order: When freight appears free of damage after assessment.
Arbitration: Independent dispute settlement program.
Arrival Notice: Notification by the carrier of the shipment's arrival to the consignee or notify party.
Assessed Value: The cash value assigned to items in a shipment for valuation purposes.
Assignee: The employee being assigned abroad in corporate removals.
Assembly/Disassembly: Taking apart household goods and furniture for transportation and reassembling at destination.
Audit Trail: A system storing records of business processes, including export compliance screenings to demonstrate due diligence.
Automobile Handling Charge: An additional charge for movement of an automobile, beyond the shipment weight.
Auxiliary Service: Service when a shipment cannot be handled by a road van, requiring a smaller unit for transfer (also Shuttle Service).
Average Transit Time: The average time for shipping from one point to another.

B

Backhaul: Cargo carried on a return journey.
BAF (Bunker Adjustment Factor): Adjustment in shipping charges to compensate for fluctuating fuel costs. Also called Fuel Adjustment Factor or FAF.
BAG—Baggage: Export license exception allowing individuals to take personal baggage, commodities, software, and technology when leaving the U.S.
BAR (British Association of Removers): UK association of moving companies; BAR Overseas specializes in international removals.
Bike Carton: A shipping container for bikes.
Bill of Lading (B/L, BoL, BOL): Contract between shipper and carrier acknowledging goods receipt, serving as receipt, title document, and carriage contract.
Billable Charges: Net charges billed for the move.
Billing Weight: The weight on which interstate charges are based.
Binding Quote: Guaranteed price based on inventory or estimator's assessment.
Bingo Sheet: Form for checking off items as delivered (also Check Off Sheet).
Biosecurity (formerly AQIS): Australian department managing quarantine to minimize exotic pests and diseases; inspects incoming containers.
Blanket Wrap: Wrapping furniture in cloth or heavy-duty paper blankets for protection during transportation.
Block Stowage: Loading cargo close together to minimize movement in transit.
Blocking or Bracing: Wood or metal supports to secure cargo (also dunnage).
Bona Fide: Made in good faith without fraud or deceit.
Bond Port (First Port of Call): Port of initial Customs entry for a vessel.
Bonded Warehouse: Warehouse approved by Customs for storing goods with deferred duties.
Book Box (Book Carton): Shipping container for books.
Booker (Booking Agent): Company or agent accepting the order, registering it, and coordinating the move.
Booking Number: Number to reserve equipment and act as control before Bill of Lading.
Bottom Line Discount (B.L.D.): Discount program applying a single percentage to transportation and accessorial charges for U.S. and Canada shipments.
Breach of Contract: Violation or default of a contract by not performing a task.
Broken Stowage: Empty space in a container not occupied by cargo.
Bulky Article: Large, awkward items like pianos, autos, hot tubs requiring special handling.
Bulky Article Charge: Extra charge for items needing extra handling due to size or shape.
Bulk Cargo: Cargo shipped loose, not in packages (e.g., grain, coal).
Bulkhead: Partition to stabilize load in a vehicle or container.
Bunker Surcharge: Extra fee by steamship line for fuel price increases, as percentage of freight rate.

C

Cabotage: Transport of goods within a country by a foreign transporter.
CAF (Currency Adjustment Factor): Adjustment in charges to compensate for currency fluctuations.
CAFTA-DR: Central America Free Trade Agreement-Dominican Republic, with provisions for trade, investment, and disputes.
Can: Large metal containers for holding lift vans or loose goods for overseas transport.
Canada Customs Invoice: Special invoice for U.S. exports to Canada over $2,500 CAD or subject to duties.
Cancellation Charges: Charges if removal is cancelled after confirmation within a time frame.
Cancellation Document: Written agreement to terminate a sales contract.
Cancellation Fee: Fee if customer cancels a confirmed move, for carrier inconvenience.
Cargo: Any goods being transported, by any mode.
Cargo Claim: Claim for damage to household goods during transport.
Cargo Declaration: Information submitted to customs prior to or upon arrival/departure.
Cargo Manifest: Document detailing cargo on a ship, provided to customs.
Car Pre-shipment Condition Survey: Inspection of a car prior to shipment.
Carriage: Movement of goods by a carrier.
Carrier: Company transporting goods, responsible for loss or damage.
Carrier Liability: Financial liability for loss or damage based on declared value.
Carrier Packed: Boxes or cartons packed by the carrier.
Carrier's Certificate and Release Order: Document advising U.S. Customs of shipment details, certifying owner for release.
Cartage: Transporting goods to or from storage.
Cartman: Person transporting goods within a port (also Drayman).
Cartons: Cardboard boxes used to pack items for moving.
Cash in Advance: Payment from buyer to exporter before receiving products, least risky for exporter.
Cash on Delivery (COD or Carried on Docket): Payment made at delivery; in FIDI, same as 'Collect before delivery'.
Cash Settlement: Cash paid in claims settlement for loss or damage.
CATASTROPHIC Coverage: Insurance against warehouse fire or other catastrophes.
CBM (Cubic Meter or CM): Metric unit for volume of goods or space.
C.E.R.S. (Carrier Evaluation and Rating System): System for evaluating carrier performance.
CE Mark: Label indicating conformity to European Union standards.
Certificate of Conformity (CoC): Document stating product meets quality and performance standards.
Certificate of Free Sale: Document indicating product is marketed in U.S. or eligible for export, no FDA actions pending.
Certificate of Inspection: Certifying merchandise in good condition prior to shipping.
Certificate of Origin (COO): Certifying where goods were made; for duty treatment or customs requests.
Certification of Origin: Document determining country of product manufacture.
Certification of Title: State-issued statement verifying vehicle ownership and liens.
Certification of Weight: Authoritative statement of shipment weight by weigh master.
CFR (Cost and Freight): Incoterm: Seller delivers on board vessel, bears freight to destination port; buyer assumes risks thereafter.
Change Order: Form to amend estimate due to added/deleted items or services.
Chargeable Weight: Weight used for air freight charge.
Chassis: Base frame of wheeled vehicle to secure container.
Check Off Sheet: Form for marking items as delivered (also Bingo Sheet).
Chock: Material placed next to cargo to prevent movement.
CIF (Cost, Insurance, Freight): Incoterm: Seller bears freight and minimum insurance to destination port; buyer handles unloading and import.
CIP (Carriage and Insurance Paid To): Incoterm: Seller delivers to carrier, pays transport and insurance to named place.
Claim: Demand for payment due to loss or damage in carrier's possession.
Claim File: File with documents for processing a claim.
Clean Bill of Lading: Bill of Lading with no noted issues.
Clean Receipt/Clean Bill of Lading: Bill of Lading for goods in apparent good condition.
Climate Controlled Storage: Storage maintaining constant environment for protection.
Commercial Invoice: Document with shipment details for international transaction, basis for other documents.
Commercial Shipment: Shipment of non-household goods.
Commercial Shipper: Company shipping a commercial shipment.
Commission: Portion of fees paid to agents or hauler.
Complete Occupancy: When shipment fully occupies van, charged on weight or cubic foot minimum.
Compliance: Fulfilling government regulations on shipping documents.
Concealed Damage: Damage to package contents without apparent external damage.
Consideration: Item of value to motivate contract or discourage lawsuit.
Consignee: Person or company receiving the shipment.
Consignment: Shipment of goods to a consignee.
Consolidation (Groupage): Combining multiple shipments into one container load (LCL).
Consolidator: Company collecting LCL shipments to fill a container.
Consular Invoice: Document for customs describing shipment, certified by consular official.
Container: Rectangular steel box for goods, standardized sizes (20ft, 40ft).
Container Load: Load filling a container (FCL).
Container Manifest: Document stating container contents, origin, destination.
Container Number: Unique reference for a container.
Container on Flat Car (C.O.F.C.): Rail transport of container not on chassis, requiring special transfer.
Container Terminal: Area in port for loading/unloading containers.
Container Vehicle: Truck designed to transport shipping containers.
Containerization: Using boxes, cartons, etc., for transport.
Contraband: Prohibited cargo.
Contract Carriage: Transportation under contract, not tariff.
Contractual Liability Insurance: Insurance by remover for liabilities including loss, damage, costs. Also cargo liability.
Conveyance: Means of transportation (car, truck, boat).
Coordinator: Person supervising shipment disposition and coordination.
Corporate Account: Company paying/arranging moves for individuals.
Corporate Removals: Relocation paid by company for individual or group.
Corrective Billing: Invoice correcting charges/rates on original.
Cosigner: Additional person signing document, jointly responsible.
Cost of Living Allowance: Money for employee repairs, improvements, or higher living costs in relocation.
Country of Origin: Country where product manufactured, not shipped from.
Crating: Packing into wooden container for shipment.
Crew Leader: Staff supervising crew on job.
Cube (CU): Measurement of truck or container capacity; average 7 lbs per cubic foot.
Cube Out: Container reaches volumetric capacity before weight.
Cube Sheet: Sheet with measurements of items (Table of Measurement).
Cubic Foot / Cubic Meter: Volume measurement; assessed for total move volume.
CUFT (Cubic Feet): Imperial unit for volume.
Custom: Fee on imports/exports; U.S. Customs Service collects.
Customs: Department enforcing import/export rules; place for examination or fees.
Customs Bond: Guarantee to Customs for duties and penalties.
Customs Broker (Customs Clearance Agent): Licensed individual/company managing shipments, clearing customs, handling docs.
Customs Clearance: Permission for goods to enter/leave; includes docs, excludes handling.
Customs Declaration: Document with exported goods info: nature, value, consignee.
Customs Duty: See Duty.
Customs Entry (Entry Summary or Form 7501): Document to CBP with import details for duties.
Customs Forms (Customs Documentation): Forms for shipping overseas.
Customs Inspections: Inspection at Customs.
Customs Invoice: Document with invoice data plus verification; may substitute commercial invoice.
Customs Value Only: Monetary value on invoice for duty assessment when no transaction.
CWT (Centum Weight): Rate per 100 pounds.

D

Dangerous Goods: Corrosive, flammable, etc.; may need special docs/packaging.
Dangerous Goods Declaration: Document for shipping HazMat; versions for air, ocean, lithium batteries.
DDP (Delivered Duty Paid): Incoterm: Seller bears all risks/costs to destination, cleared for import.
Deadhead: Miles traveled by unloaded truck to pick up shipment.
Deconsolidation Point (Deconsolidation Point): Place where cargo ungrouped for delivery.
Deconsolidator: Company receiving consolidated shipment, breaking into individuals.
Declared Valuation: Value declared for possessions, establishing carrier liability.
Declared Value: Value declared by shipper for insurance or customs.
Declared Value Protection: Valuation option declaring value per pound or lump sum for charge.
Delay Claim: Claim for expenses from late pickup/delivery (e.g., motel, meals).
Delivery: Transporting goods to location.
Delivery Date (D.D.): Actual date goods released to customer.
Delivery Order: Permission from consignee to carrier for cargo release to inland carrier.
Delivery Receipt: Signed document confirming receipt and condition upon delivery.
Delivery Report: Customer-signed report verifying delivery; part of additional services.
Delivery Window: Time period for expected delivery.
Demurrage (Demur-rage): Penalty for delaying carrier beyond free time; for cargo or equipment.
Density Factor: Ratio of weight to volume; affects freight costs.
Destination Address (Delivery Address): Location where shipment turned over to consignee.
Destination Agent: Company at destination handling receipt, clearance, delivery.
Destination Control Statement: Statement on invoice specifying goods to ultimate consignee only; anti-diversion.
Destination Port: Docking where shipment arrives/unloaded in destination. Also Port of Entry.
Destination Service: Services for overseas transition beyond removal.
Devanning: Unloading or discharging goods.
Direct Exporting: Sale by exporter directly to foreign importer.
Dismantling: Taking apart furniture.
Dock: Platform for loading/unloading; cargo area by shoreline.
Dock Receipt: Acknowledging cargo receipt for ocean Bill of Lading.
Domestic: Origin and destination in same country.
Domestic Removal: Relocation not crossing borders.
Door to Door (Door-to-Door, Home-to-Home): From origin residence to destination residence.
Door-Curbside: From origin inside to curbside at destination, not inside.
Door to Port: From origin residence to destination port.
Door-to-Port: From origin inside to port at destination; customer handles onward.
DPU (Delivered at Place Unloaded): Incoterm: Seller pays for unloading; bears risks/costs to named place.
Drawback: Partial refund of import fee if re-exported.
Dutiable Value: Amount for customs duty calculation.
Duties (Duty): Tax on incoming shipments by destination customs.
Dunnage: Packaging components like bubble wrap, paper to secure/support.

E

Estimate (Indicative Quote): Initial estimated quote; unfixed.
Estimator (Surveyor): Staff assessing volume, providing estimate.
ETA (Estimated Time of Arrival): Estimated arrival date.
ETD (Estimated Time of Departure): Estimated departure date.
Exclusions: Charges or items not in contract.
Exclusive Container: See FCL.
Export: Shipment over borders.
Export Wrap (Export Wrapping / Packing): Packing with specialist materials for overseas.
Extended Liability Insurance: See Contractual Liability Insurance.
Extra Handling Charge: For goods needing specialist handling/labor.
Extra Man: Additional staff needed.
Extra Pick Up (Extra Delivery): Additional pickup/delivery beyond quoted.

F

FAIM (FIDI Accredited International Mover): Quality mark for international movers.
FAIM Standards: Criteria for FIDI accreditation.
FAS (Free Alongside Ship): Incoterm: Seller delivers alongside vessel; buyer assumes risks/costs.
FCA (Free Carrier): Incoterm: Seller loads to buyer's transport, handles export; risk transfers.
FCL (Full Container Load): Container with only your goods; exclusive use.
FIDI Association: Global alliance of international removal companies.
FIDI Moving Company: Accredited by FAIM standard.
Fire Insurance: Additional insurance for stored items against fire.
Flat Pack: Dismantled furniture packed flat; may lose stability if reassembled multiple times.
FO B (Free On Board): Rate including delivery, loading, transport to point; risk to consignee.
FOB (Free on Board): Incoterm: Seller delivers on board; buyer assumes risks/costs.
Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ): Areas for manufacturing/storage without duties.
Frame: Wooden frame above car for additional goods in container.
Freight: Goods transported; charges for transportation.
Freight All Kinds (FAK): Full container with mixed cargo.
Freight Forwarder (Freight Forwarders): Company handling export arrangements, docs; licensed.
Freight Transport Services: Services by origin agent for transport modes, routing.
Fumigation: Preventing pests; often heat treatment for wood.
FX (Foreign Exchange): Specialist service for currency exchange.

G

General Average: Maritime provision for shared costs if vessel sinks or cargo sacrificed.
Global Mobility Company: Company arranging international moves for business.
GRI (General Rate Increase): Annual/semi-annual adjustment in ocean freight.
Gross Weight: Total weight including goods, packaging, container.
Groupage (Shared Container): Shared container for smaller shipments.
GST (Goods and Service Tax): Value-added tax on goods/services.

H

HAWB (House Air Waybill): Papers for individual shipments in consolidated air cargo.
Haulage: Transporting goods by road.
HHG (Household Goods): Personal belongings for home use.
Hoist (Lift): Equipment for lifting/lowering load.
House Bill of Lading (HBL): Bill issued by forwarder to shipper as receipt.

I

IAM (International Association of Movers): US-based association for moves.
IATA (International Air Transport Association): Trade association for freight airlines.
Import: Goods from another country.
Import Permit: Permit allowing items into foreign country pre-shipping.
In Bond: Shipment under Customs with unpaid duty.
In Home Visit: See Survey.
In Transit: Shipment en route from loading port.
Inbound Shipment: Import of household goods.
Incoterms: Universal trade terms allocating tasks, costs, risks.
Indemnity Cover: Cost less depreciation considering age, wear.
Insurance Certificate: Official document detailing insurance cover.
Insurance Inventory: Inventory of insured items.
Intermodal Transportation (Multimodal Transportation): Using multiple modes without unloading.
International Removal (International Removals Firm): Moving goods across borders; company providing.
Inventory / Packing List: List of items, condition; for customs, insurance.
IPT (Insurance Premium Tax): Tax on insurance premium.
ISO Container: Standard 20ft or 40ft steel container.

K

kg (Kilogram): Metric unit for mass.

L

Ladder Lift: Apparatus for high-level access.
lbs. (Pounds): Imperial unit for mass.
LCL (Less than Container Load): Cargo not filling container, consolidated.
Letter of Credit (LC): Bank document authorizing payment if terms met.
Lift Van (Liftvan): Wooden crate for groupage or storage.
Linen Carton: Box for clothing/linen.
Loading Time: Time to load onto vessel or container.
Long Carry: Lengthy distance due to poor access or stairs without lift.
Lump Sum: Single price for all services; or money for employee move costs.

M

Marine Insurance: Covering loss/damage in sea transit.
Marine/Transit/Cargo Insurance: Arranged for consignment during removal, transit, delivery.
Master Bill of Lading (MBL): Bill issued by carrier to forwarder for container.
Move Consultation: See Survey.
Move Manager (Move Co-ordinator): Specialist managing relocation support.
Multimodal Shipment: Using different transport types.

N

NET Weight: Weight without packaging/container.
NOVCC (Non-Vessel Operating Common Carrier): Forwarder issuing bills but not owning vessels.

O

OBL (Original Bill of Lading): Hard copy requiring signatures.
Ocean Bill of Lading: Contract and title for ocean cargo.
On Board: Notation cargo loaded on ship.
On Deck: Notation cargo on open deck.
Origin Address: Starting location. Also Point of Origin.
Origin Agent: Company at start handling estimate, packing, loading.
Origin Port: Docking where loaded/departs origin. Also Port of Dispatch/Exit.
Origin Service: Service in origin country.
Outbound Shipment: Export of household goods.
Overflow: Surplus goods exceeding container capacity.
Owner Packed / PBO (Packed by Owner): Customer-packed; may not be insured or acceptable.

P

Packing List: Document listing products, packaging (no prices).
Packing Materials: Materials like boxes, bubble wrap for protection.
Pantechnican: Truck for furniture removals (old term).
Part Load: Consignment not filling vehicle, transported with others.
PBO (Packed by Owner): See Owner Packed.
Perm (Permanent Storage): Storage for longer/unspecified period.
Place of Delivery: Where cargo leaves carrier's custody.
Place of Receipt: Where cargo enters carrier's custody.
Port: Harbor with piers; ship side; opening for freight.
Port of Call: Port where ship discharges/receives traffic.
Port-to-Door Shipment: From port to destination residence.
Port-to-Port Shipment: From origin port to destination port.
Pre-move Survey: Survey at home to assess volume/weight for quote.
Prepaid: Freight paid by shipper before Bill release.
Private Move: Individual arranging and paying for own move.

R

Replacement Value: Value equal to replacement cost at destination.
Ro-Ro (Roll-on/Roll-off): Vessels for wheeled cargo rolling on/off.

S

S.I.T. (Storage in Transit): Temporary storage awaiting further transport.
Shared Container: See Groupage.
Shipper: Person/company supplying/owning commodities. Also consignor.
Shipping Container: Modular steel box for transport; 20'/40' standard.
Shipping Documents: Paperwork like packing lists, Bills of Lading.
Shortage: Fewer units received than stated (opposite overage).
Shuttle: Smaller vehicle for difficult access.
Storage Container: Wooden or steel for storage.
Storage Extension: Insurance premium to extend cover for storage risks.
Stripping: Removing cargo from container.
Stuffing: Putting cargo into container.
Survey / Estimate / In Home Visit: Representative visit to assess volume, requirements, budget.

T

Tare Weight: Weight of empty container.
TEU (Twenty-Foot Equivalent Unit): Standard 20ft container.
Terminal: See Container Terminal.
THC (Terminal Handling Charge): Charge by port for handling; crane costs.
Third Party Services: External services like cleaning, setup.
ToR (Transfer of Residence): Form for tax relief moving to UK from outside EU.
Total Loss: Incident where nothing salvageable; irreparable.
Transferee: Person relocated/assigned abroad.
Transit Insurance: Policy covering belongings during move from damage/loss.
Transit Time: Time from A to B, including packing/unpacking.
Transshipment: Transfer cargo between carriers at intermediate point.

U

Unit Load: Packages on pallet/crate handled as single unit.

V

Van Lines: Large company/network for local/long-distance moves.
Volume: Physical space of belongings; basis for quotation.

W

Warehouse: Building for storing goods.
WHC (Warehouse Handling Charge): Charge for entering/exiting storage.

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