Glossary of Terms
Find the answers you need in our glossary of terms—everything you need to know broken down for your convenience.
A
Air Waybill
AWB
An Air Waybill (AWB) is a document produced by the freight company which provides detailed shipment and tracking information.
B
Bill of Materials
BOM
A bill of materials is a detailed inventory of the raw materials, sub-assemblies, intermediate assemblies, sub-components, and parts required to manufacture a product.
C
Certificate of Conformity
CoC
A Certificate of Conformity (CoC) is a mandatory importing document stipulating that a product meets minimum regulatory, technical, and safety requirements.
Certificate Of Origin
COO
A Certificate of Origin is the document listing the part/product’s country of origin and is generally attested by a Chamber of Commerce.
Commercial Invoice
CI
When used in international trade, a commercial invoice is a customs document used as a customs declaration provided by the exporter of goods.
Customs Clearance Documents
CCD
Customs Clearance Documents (CCDs) are the documents issued by the Customs authorities detailing the way the goods were cleared.
D
Delivered Duties Paid
DDP
DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) is a type of delivery agreement between the shipper and receiver. This agreement stipulates that maximum responsibility is placed on the shipper, whose obligations include delivering to an agreed-upon destination, clearance of the goods, and payment of duties and taxes.
E
Export Administration Regulations
EAR
EAR99 indicates that an item is subject to the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). However, it is not explicitly described by an Export Control Classification Number (ECCN) on the Commerce Control List (CCL).
Export Control Classification Number
ECCN
An Export Control Classification Number (ECCN) is an alphanumeric identifier used in the Commerce Control List to recognize products for export control purposes. An ECCN categorizes items based on the specifications of the product.
Exporter of Record
EOR
In export terms, EOR (Exporter of Record) refers to the person or entity responsible for ensuring the correct documentation is acquired and legal compliance and regulations followed for the goods to be exported out of a country.
F
Federal Security Bureau Notification
FSB
An FSB Notification is an official document that allows the movement of products with encryption capabilities into Russia and the EAEU.
Freight Forwarder
FF
A freight forwarder (FF) is an intermediary responsible for arranging transport and preparing documentation for the movement of goods.
H
Harmonized System
HS
The Harmonized System is an international multipurpose nomenclature used to classify traded products.
Harmonized Tariff Schedule Code
HTS Code
The HS (Harmonized System) or HTS (Harmonized Tariff Schedule), developed by the World Customs Organization (WCO), are used to assign duties onto a traded product and provide international trade data.
I
Importer of Record
IOR
In importer terms, an IOR (Importer of Record) is the entity or person in the destination country responsible for ensuring compliance requirements are met for customs clearance, product classification, and the payment of duties and taxes.
N
Non-Resident Importer
NRI
Non-resident Importer (NRI) is similar to Importer of Record (IOR) used in Canada. As with an IOR, it refers to the entity which takes responsibility for the goods being imported. The NRI is responsible for clearing the goods and ensuring all compliance documents are correctly completed and filed. However, this refers specifically to entities located outside of Canada.
O
Open Individual Export License
OIEL
An Open Individual Export Licence (OIEL) is not limited by the quantity and value of exports to a specified consignee/s in one or more countries. OIELs cover multiple shipments of specific controlled goods to named destinations.
P
Pallet List or Packing List
PL
A packing list is a breakdown of the actual configuration of goods in their boxes (incl. weight and dimensions, number of packages etc,.)
Proof of Delivery
POD
The Proof of Delivery provides evidence that the goods were delivered to the final destination.
S
Standard Individual Export Licence
SIEL
A Standard Individual Export Licence (SIEL) permits UK exports of a defined number and value of items to a specific destination for a specified amount of time. Licenses for temporary and permanent exports are normally valid for one and two years respectively.