Shipping acronyms, in plain English.

The short forms used across freight forwarding, customs, trade finance and insurance, with what each one means in practice. Where a rule or authority sits behind a term, we link to the official source.

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3PL Third-Party LogisticsLogistics: A provider that runs outsourced logistics functions such as warehousing, distribution and transport management for a shipper.
4PL Fourth-Party LogisticsLogistics: A lead logistics provider that manages and integrates several 3PLs and carriers on the shipper's behalf.

A

ADD Anti-Dumping DutyCustoms: An additional import duty imposed on specific goods from specific origins found to be sold below normal value, under WTO rules.Official source ↗
AEO Authorised Economic OperatorCustoms: A trader certified by customs as compliant and secure under the WCO SAFE Framework, typically entitled to faster clearance and fewer inspections.Official source ↗
AIS Automatic Identification SystemOcean: A ship-borne transponder system that broadcasts a vessel's identity, position, course and speed; the basis of most vessel-tracking services.Official source ↗
AKE AKE (LD3) lower-deck containerAir: The most common contoured unit load device for the lower deck of widebody aircraft, also known as an LD3.Read our guide
ASN Advance Shipping NoticeLogistics: An electronic notice sent before delivery listing the contents of a shipment, used to plan receiving at the destination warehouse.
ATA Admission Temporaire / Temporary AdmissionDocuments: The French and English initials used in ATA Carnet, an international customs document for temporary admission of eligible goods, subject to the applicable customs conditions.Read our guide Official source ↗
ATLP Advanced Trade & Logistics Platform (Abu Dhabi)UAE: Abu Dhabi's single digital platform for customs, port and trade services, used to lodge declarations and related transactions.Read our guide
AWB Air WaybillAir: The non-negotiable transport document and contract of carriage for air cargo, identified by an 11-digit number. Issued as a master (MAWB) or house (HAWB) waybill.Official source ↗

B

B/L Bill of LadingDocuments: The ocean transport document issued by the carrier that acts as receipt for the goods, evidence of the contract of carriage and, if negotiable, a document of title.Read our guide
BAF Bunker Adjustment FactorOcean: A fuel surcharge applied by ocean carriers to reflect changes in bunker (marine fuel) costs.
BIMCO Baltic and International Maritime CouncilOrganisations: An international shipping association that publishes standard charter parties, contracts and clauses used across the industry.Official source ↗

C

CAD Cash Against DocumentsFinance: A payment method where the buyer pays (usually through a bank) to receive the shipping documents needed to take delivery of the goods.
CAF Currency Adjustment FactorOcean: A surcharge applied by carriers to offset exchange-rate fluctuations between the freight currency and local currencies.
CASS Cargo Accounts Settlement SystemAir: IATA's billing and settlement system between airlines and cargo agents.Official source ↗
CBIC Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (India)India: India's authority for customs, GST and central excise; publishes the customs tariff and procedures.Official source ↗
CBM Cubic MetreOcean: The standard unit of cargo volume (1 m × 1 m × 1 m). Used to price LCL and to check container fill.Read our guide
CEPA Comprehensive Economic Partnership AgreementCustoms: A bilateral trade agreement covering tariffs, services and investment. The UAE–India CEPA entered into force in May 2022; preferential duty requires meeting its rules of origin.Official source ↗
CFR Cost and Freight (Incoterms® rule)Trade terms: Seller pays freight to the destination port; risk passes when goods are on board the vessel at the port of shipment. Sea and inland waterway only.Read our guide
CFS Container Freight StationOcean: A warehouse where LCL cargo is received, consolidated into containers, or de-consolidated and released.Read our guide
CIF Cost, Insurance and Freight (Incoterms® rule)Trade terms: As CFR, plus the seller insures the goods to at least Institute Cargo Clauses (C) for 110% of the contract value.Read our guide
CII Carbon Intensity IndicatorSustainability: An IMO operational rating (A to E) of a ship's annual carbon intensity per unit of transport work.Official source ↗
CIP Carriage and Insurance Paid To (Incoterms® rule)Trade terms: Seller pays carriage to the named destination and insures to Institute Cargo Clauses (A) level; risk passes on handover to the first carrier.Read our guide
CMI Comité Maritime InternationalOrganisations: The international organisation of maritime law associations; custodian of the York-Antwerp Rules on general average.Official source ↗
CN Combined Nomenclature (EU)Customs: The European Union's eight-digit goods nomenclature, built on the six-digit HS.
COA Certificate of AnalysisDocuments: A laboratory or manufacturer's certificate confirming a batch meets stated quality specifications; common for oils, chemicals and food.
COC Carrier Owned ContainerOcean: A container provided by the shipping line, as opposed to a shipper owned container (SOC).
COO Certificate of OriginDocuments: A document certifying the country where goods were produced. Preferential certificates under a trade agreement allow reduced duty if the origin rules are met.
CO₂e Carbon dioxide equivalentSustainability: A unit expressing all greenhouse gases as the amount of CO₂ with the same warming effect; the standard unit for freight emissions reporting.Read our guide
CPT Carriage Paid To (Incoterms® rule)Trade terms: Seller pays carriage to the named destination; risk passes when goods are handed to the first carrier. Any mode.Read our guide
CSC International Convention for Safe ContainersOcean: The IMO convention setting structural safety, testing and inspection rules for containers; approved boxes carry a CSC safety approval plate.Official source ↗
CTU Cargo Transport UnitOcean: A container, swap body, road vehicle or rail wagon used to carry cargo. The IMO/ILO/UNECE CTU Code sets the code of practice for packing them.Official source ↗
CVD Countervailing DutyCustoms: An additional import duty offsetting subsidies given to producers in the exporting country, under WTO rules.
CY Container YardOcean: The area of a terminal or depot where full or empty containers are stored before loading or after discharge.

D

D&D Demurrage and DetentionOcean: Charges for keeping a carrier's container beyond the agreed free time, inside the terminal (demurrage) or outside it (detention).Read our guide
D/A Documents against AcceptanceFinance: A documentary collection where the buyer receives the documents on accepting a time draft (bill of exchange) for later payment.
D/P Documents against PaymentFinance: A documentary collection where the buyer receives the documents only on paying the bank.
DAP Delivered at Place (Incoterms® rule)Trade terms: Seller delivers to the named destination, ready for unloading; buyer handles import clearance and duties.Read our guide
DCSA Digital Container Shipping AssociationOrganisations: A non-profit set up by major container lines to publish open digital standards, including track-and-trace events and electronic bills of lading.Official source ↗
DDP Delivered Duty Paid (Incoterms® rule)Trade terms: Seller bears all costs and risks to the named destination, including import clearance, duties and taxes.Read our guide
DG Dangerous GoodsCompliance: Articles or substances that pose a risk to health, safety, property or the environment in transport, regulated by the IMDG Code (sea) and IATA DGR / ICAO Technical Instructions (air).
DGFT Directorate General of Foreign Trade (India)India: The Indian authority that administers foreign trade policy, import/export licensing and the Importer-Exporter Code.Official source ↗
DGR Dangerous Goods Regulations (IATA)Air: IATA's manual for shipping dangerous goods by air, based on the ICAO Technical Instructions.Official source ↗
DO Delivery OrderDocuments: An order issued by the carrier or its agent authorising release of cargo to the consignee or its nominee, usually after the bill of lading is surrendered and charges are paid.Read our guide
DPU Delivered at Place Unloaded (Incoterms® rule)Trade terms: Seller delivers the goods unloaded at the named destination; the only Incoterms rule where the seller unloads.Read our guide
DWT Deadweight TonnageOcean: The total weight a ship can carry, including cargo, fuel, stores and crew.

E

e-AWB Electronic Air WaybillAir: An air waybill exchanged as an electronic message between forwarder and airline instead of on paper, under IATA's Multilateral e-AWB Agreement (Resolution 672).Read our guide Official source ↗
eBL Electronic Bill of LadingDocuments: A digital equivalent of a paper bill of lading, issued and transferred on an approved platform and recognised in law where MLETR-based legislation applies.Read our guide
EDI Electronic Data InterchangeLogistics: Structured, machine-to-machine exchange of business documents such as bookings, manifests and invoices.
EEXI Energy Efficiency Existing Ship IndexSustainability: An IMO technical efficiency requirement applied to existing ships from 2023.Official source ↗
ETA Estimated Time of ArrivalLogistics: The expected arrival time of a vessel, aircraft or truck at a port or place.
ETD Estimated Time of DepartureLogistics: The expected departure time of a vessel, aircraft or truck.
ETS Emissions Trading SystemSustainability: A cap-and-trade scheme. The EU ETS has covered shipping emissions since 2024, phased in to 100% of 2026 emissions.Official source ↗
EU European UnionOrganisations: Customs union of 27 member states with a common external tariff, the Combined Nomenclature (CN) and TARIC tariff database, and its own emissions rules for shipping.Official source ↗
eUCP Supplement to UCP 600 for electronic presentationFinance: ICC rules governing the presentation of electronic records under documentary credits.Official source ↗
EXW Ex Works (Incoterms® rule)Trade terms: Seller makes the goods available at its premises; the buyer bears all costs and risks, including export clearance.Read our guide

F

FANR Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (UAE)UAE: The UAE regulator whose permission is required for import and export of radioactive materials and related equipment.Read our guide Official source ↗
FAS Free Alongside Ship (Incoterms® rule)Trade terms: Seller delivers the goods alongside the vessel at the port of shipment. Sea and inland waterway only.Read our guide
FBL FIATA Multimodal Transport Bill of LadingDocuments: A negotiable multimodal transport document issued by freight forwarders under FIATA rules.Official source ↗
FBX Freightos Baltic IndexOcean: A daily index of container spot freight rates on major trade lanes.Official source ↗
FCA Free Carrier (Incoterms® rule)Trade terms: Seller delivers to the carrier at a named place; risk passes on handover. Recommended by the ICC for containerised cargo.Read our guide
FCL Full Container LoadOcean: A booking of an entire container for one shipper's cargo, priced per container.Read our guide
FCR Forwarder's Certificate of ReceiptDocuments: A FIATA document by which a forwarder confirms it has taken charge of specified goods.
FEU Forty-foot Equivalent UnitOcean: A unit of container capacity equal to one 40-foot container (2 TEU).
FIATA International Federation of Freight Forwarders AssociationsOrganisations: The global body representing freight forwarders; publishes standard forwarding documents such as the FBL.Official source ↗
FMC Federal Maritime Commission (United States)Organisations: The US regulator of international ocean shipping, including demurrage and detention billing rules.Official source ↗
FOB Free On Board (Incoterms® rule)Trade terms: Seller delivers the goods on board the vessel at the port of shipment; intended for sea freight loaded directly onto the ship.Read our guide
FR Flat Rack containerOcean: A container with no roof or side walls (and collapsible or fixed end walls), used for heavy or out-of-gauge cargo.
FTA Free Trade Agreement / Federal Tax Authority (UAE)Customs: In trade, an agreement reducing tariffs between members. In the UAE, FTA also refers to the Federal Tax Authority, which administers VAT and excise.Official source ↗

G

GA General AverageInsurance: The maritime principle under which all parties to a voyage share the cost of a deliberate sacrifice or expense made to save it from common danger, adjusted under the York-Antwerp Rules.Read our guide
GCC Gulf Cooperation CouncilCustoms: The customs union of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, which applies a common customs law and common external tariff.Read our guide
GHG Greenhouse GasSustainability: Gases that trap heat in the atmosphere, including carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide; reported together as CO₂e.
GHS Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of ChemicalsCompliance: The UN system for classifying chemical hazards and communicating them through labels and Safety Data Sheets.Official source ↗
GLEC Global Logistics Emissions Council (GLEC Framework)Sustainability: The industry methodology for calculating and reporting logistics emissions, convened by the Smart Freight Centre and aligned with ISO 14083.Official source ↗
GP General Purpose (dry) containerOcean: A standard enclosed steel container for general dry cargo, usually 20 or 40 feet long.
GRI General Rules of Interpretation (HS) / General Rate IncreaseCustoms: In customs, the six legal rules for classifying goods in the Harmonized System. In ocean pricing, GRI also means a carrier's General Rate Increase.Read our guide
GSA General Sales AgentAir: A company appointed by an airline to sell its cargo capacity in a territory.

H

HAWB House Air WaybillAir: The air waybill issued by a forwarder to each shipper in a consolidation, under the airline's master air waybill.
HBL House Bill of LadingDocuments: A bill of lading issued by a forwarder or NVOCC to its shipper, under the carrier's master bill of lading.
HC High Cube containerOcean: A container 9 ft 6 in tall, one foot higher than a standard container; the 40′ HC offers about 76 m³ of capacity.Read our guide
HS Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding SystemCustoms: The WCO's six-digit international goods nomenclature used for customs tariffs and trade statistics.Read our guide Official source ↗
HT Heat TreatmentCompliance: An ISPM 15 treatment for wood packaging; the treatment code HT appears in the ISPM 15 mark.Read our guide

I

IATA International Air Transport AssociationOrganisations: The trade association of the world's airlines; publishes cargo standards, the DGR and ULD regulations.Official source ↗
IBC Intermediate Bulk ContainerOcean: A reusable industrial container for liquids or granules, typically holding around 1,000 litres, often shipped inside a standard container.
ICAO International Civil Aviation OrganizationOrganisations: The UN agency for civil aviation; publishes the Technical Instructions for the safe transport of dangerous goods by air and aviation security standards.Official source ↗
ICC International Chamber of CommerceOrganisations: The world business organisation that publishes the Incoterms® rules, UCP 600 and other trade rules.Official source ↗
ICC (A) Institute Cargo Clauses (A)Insurance: All-risks marine cargo insurance cover, subject to listed exclusions. Minimum cover required under CIP.Read our guide
ICC (B) Institute Cargo Clauses (B)Insurance: Named-perils marine cargo cover, broader than (C), including some water damage and washing overboard.Read our guide
ICC (C) Institute Cargo Clauses (C)Insurance: Minimum named-perils marine cargo cover for major casualties. Minimum cover required under CIF.Read our guide
ICEGATE Indian Customs Electronic GatewayIndia: The e-filing portal of Indian Customs for bills of entry, shipping bills and related services.Official source ↗
ICP Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security (UAE)UAE: The UAE federal authority responsible for customs policy and port security alongside the local customs administrations.Read our guide Official source ↗
IEC Importer-Exporter Code (India)India: A ten-character business identification number issued by DGFT, required for most imports and exports in India.Official source ↗
ILO International Labour OrganizationOrganisations: The UN agency for labour standards; co-author of the CTU Code with the IMO and UNECE.Official source ↗
IMDG International Maritime Dangerous Goods CodeCompliance: The IMO code governing the classification, packing, marking, documentation and stowage of dangerous goods carried by sea.Official source ↗
IMO International Maritime OrganizationOrganisations: The UN agency for shipping safety, security and environmental performance; responsible for SOLAS, MARPOL and the IMDG Code.Official source ↗
IPPC International Plant Protection ConventionOrganisations: The international treaty, hosted by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, that protects plants from pests; it sets the International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures, including ISPM 15 for wood packaging.Read our guide Official source ↗
ISBP International Standard Banking PracticeFinance: ICC publication explaining how banks examine documents under UCP 600 documentary credits.Official source ↗
ISO International Organization for StandardizationOrganisations: The international standards body. In shipping, ISO standards define containers and tank containers, and ISO 14083 covers transport emissions.Official source ↗
ISPM International Standards for Phytosanitary MeasuresCompliance: Standards adopted under the IPPC. ISPM 15 covers treating and marking solid wood packaging, such as pallets and crates, used in international trade.Read our guide Official source ↗
ISPS International Ship and Port Facility Security CodeCompliance: The IMO security regime for ships and port facilities, under SOLAS Chapter XI-2.Official source ↗
ITC(HS) Indian Trade Classification (Harmonised System)India: India's eight-digit tariff classification for imports and exports, built on the six-digit HS.Official source ↗
IUA International Underwriting AssociationInsurance: Representative body for London company-market insurers; co-publisher of the Institute Cargo Clauses.

J

JAFZA Jebel Ali Free Zone AuthorityUAE: The free zone adjacent to Jebel Ali Port in Dubai, where goods can be stored, processed and re-exported under free zone customs procedures.Read our guide

K

KC Known ConsignorAir: A shipper approved by the aviation security authority whose cargo, secured in its supply chain, can be carried without further screening.

L

L/C Letter of Credit (documentary credit)Finance: A bank's undertaking to pay the seller against presentation of complying documents, usually subject to UCP 600.Read our guide
LCL Less than Container LoadOcean: Cargo that shares a container with other shippers' cargo, priced per revenue tonne (W/M).Read our guide
LD3 Lower Deck container type 3Air: The common name for the AKE lower-deck unit load device used on widebody aircraft.Read our guide
LMA Lloyd's Market AssociationInsurance: The association of Lloyd's underwriting businesses; co-publisher of standard marine clauses including the Institute Cargo Clauses.Official source ↗
LNG Liquefied Natural GasSustainability: Natural gas cooled to liquid form; used as a ship fuel and carried by specialised LNG carriers.
LPI Logistics Performance IndexOrganisations: The World Bank's benchmark of countries' trade logistics performance, including customs, infrastructure and timeliness.Official source ↗

M

MARPOL International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from ShipsCompliance: The IMO convention covering pollution from ships by oil, chemicals, packaged harmful substances, sewage, garbage and air emissions.Official source ↗
MAWB Master Air WaybillAir: The air waybill issued by the airline to the forwarder for a consolidated shipment.
MB Methyl Bromide fumigationCompliance: An ISPM 15 treatment for wood packaging, shown by the code MB in the mark; some countries restrict its use, so check the importing country's rules.Read our guide
MBL Master Bill of LadingDocuments: The bill of lading issued by the ocean carrier to the forwarder or NVOCC, covering one or more house bills.
MFN Most-Favoured-Nation tariffCustoms: The standard (non-preferential) import duty a WTO member applies to goods from other members.Official source ↗
Mirsal 2 Dubai Customs declaration systemUAE: Dubai Customs' electronic system for submitting and processing customs declarations, accessed through the Dubai Trade single window.Read our guide Official source ↗
MLETR UNCITRAL Model Law on Electronic Transferable RecordsFinance: A 2017 model law giving electronic bills of lading and other transferable documents the same legal effect as paper.Official source ↗
MOCCAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (UAE)UAE: The UAE ministry whose permits apply to many food, agricultural, veterinary and environmentally controlled imports and exports.Read our guide Official source ↗
MoIAT Ministry of Industry and Advanced TechnologyUAE: UAE ministry responsible for standards and conformity schemes that cover many regulated products, such as vehicles, tyres and electrical appliances.Official source ↗
MSC Maritime Safety Committee (IMO)Organisations: The IMO's senior technical body on safety. Its circulars, such as MSC.1/Circ.1475 on container weighing, give guidance on applying SOLAS. (MSC is also the name of a container shipping line.)Read our guide Official source ↗
MSDS Material Safety Data SheetCompliance: The older name for a Safety Data Sheet (SDS).

N

NPPO National Plant Protection OrganizationCompliance: The official body in each country that applies plant health rules, including how ISPM 15 wood packaging rules are enforced at import.Read our guide Official source ↗
NVOCC Non-Vessel Operating Common CarrierOcean: A carrier that issues its own bills of lading and contracts with shippers, but does not operate the vessels; it buys space from ocean carriers.

O

OOG Out of GaugeOcean: Cargo whose dimensions exceed the internal size of a standard container, typically shipped on flat racks or open tops.
OSRA Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 2022 (United States)Compliance: US legislation strengthening FMC oversight of ocean carriers, including demurrage and detention practices.Official source ↗
OT Open Top containerOcean: A container with a removable tarpaulin roof, for cargo loaded from above or too tall for a standard box.
OTIF On Time In FullLogistics: A delivery performance measure: the share of orders delivered on the agreed date and in the full quantity.

P

P&I Protection and IndemnityInsurance: Mutual insurance clubs covering shipowners' third-party liabilities, including cargo claims.
PAG PAG air cargo palletAir: An 88 × 125 inch unit load device pallet used for general air cargo.Read our guide
PMC PMC air cargo palletAir: A 96 × 125 inch unit load device pallet, the most common main-deck pallet.Read our guide
POD Port of Discharge / Proof of DeliveryLogistics: In bookings, the port where cargo is unloaded from the vessel. In delivery, the signed confirmation that goods were received.
POL Port of LoadingOcean: The port where cargo is loaded on board the vessel.
PSS Peak Season SurchargeOcean: A temporary surcharge applied by carriers during periods of high demand.

R

RA Regulated AgentAir: A forwarder or handler approved by the aviation security authority to apply security controls to cargo.
RF Reefer (refrigerated container)Ocean: A temperature-controlled container with its own refrigeration unit, for perishable and pharmaceutical cargo.
RoRo Roll-on/Roll-offOcean: Vessels and services carrying wheeled cargo, such as vehicles and machinery, driven on and off the ship.

S

SAF Sustainable Aviation FuelSustainability: Jet fuel produced from renewable or waste feedstocks with lower life-cycle emissions than conventional kerosene.
SAFE WCO SAFE Framework of StandardsCustoms: The WCO framework to secure and facilitate global trade, including the Authorised Economic Operator concept.Official source ↗
SDR Special Drawing RightInsurance: An IMF reserve asset used as the unit of account for carrier liability limits in transport conventions such as Hague-Visby.Official source ↗
SDS Safety Data SheetCompliance: A standardised 16-section document describing a chemical product's hazards, handling, storage and emergency measures, prepared to the GHS format.Official source ↗
SFC Smart Freight CentreOrganisations: A non-profit that convenes the GLEC Framework for logistics emissions accounting.Official source ↗
SLI Shipper's Letter of InstructionDocuments: The shipper's written instructions to the forwarder for preparing transport documents and handling a shipment.
SOC Shipper Owned ContainerOcean: A container owned or leased by the shipper rather than supplied by the shipping line.
SOLAS International Convention for the Safety of Life at SeaCompliance: The principal IMO treaty on ship safety; Chapter VI, Regulation 2 contains the container Verified Gross Mass requirement.Read our guide Official source ↗
SWB Sea WaybillDocuments: A non-negotiable ocean transport document; cargo is released to the named consignee without surrender of an original.

T

TARIC Integrated Tariff of the European UnionCustoms: The EU's ten-digit tariff database, adding EU trade measures (anti-dumping duties, quotas, suspensions) to the eight-digit Combined Nomenclature.Official source ↗
TDRA Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory AuthorityUAE: UAE regulator whose type approval is required before telecom and radio equipment can be imported and sold.Official source ↗
TEU Twenty-foot Equivalent UnitOcean: The standard measure of container capacity; one 20-foot container equals 1 TEU.
TFA Trade Facilitation Agreement (WTO)Customs: The WTO agreement on expediting the movement, release and clearance of goods, including advance rulings.Official source ↗
THC Terminal Handling ChargeOcean: Charges for handling containers at the origin or destination terminal, usually billed per container.Read our guide
TTW Tank-to-WheelSustainability: Emissions from burning fuel in a vehicle, vessel or aircraft.Read our guide

U

UAE United Arab EmiratesUAE: Federation of seven emirates (Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah). Customs policy is federal; clearance is run by each emirate's customs administration.Read our guide
UCP Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary Credits (UCP 600)Finance: The ICC rules that govern most letters of credit worldwide.Read our guide Official source ↗
ULD Unit Load DeviceAir: A standardised air cargo container or pallet that locks into the aircraft's cargo system.Read our guide
UN/LOCODE United Nations Code for Trade and Transport LocationsOrganisations: Five-character codes for ports and places (for example AEJEA for Jebel Ali), maintained by UNECE.Official source ↗
UNCITRAL United Nations Commission on International Trade LawOrganisations: The UN body that prepares model laws and conventions on trade, including the Hamburg and Rotterdam Rules and MLETR.Official source ↗
UNCTAD United Nations Conference on Trade and DevelopmentOrganisations: The UN body for trade and development; publishes the annual Review of Maritime Transport.Official source ↗
UNECE United Nations Economic Commission for EuropeOrganisations: UN commission responsible for UN/LOCODE, trade facilitation standards, the GHS secretariat and co-authorship of the CTU Code.Official source ↗
URC Uniform Rules for Collections (URC 522)Finance: The ICC rules for documentary collections such as D/P and D/A.Official source ↗

V

VAT Value Added TaxCustoms: A consumption tax charged on imports and domestic supplies; in the UAE administered by the Federal Tax Authority.Read our guide Official source ↗
VGM Verified Gross MassCompliance: The verified total weight of a packed container, which the shipper must provide before loading under SOLAS VI/2.Read our guide
VOCC Vessel Operating Common CarrierOcean: An ocean carrier that operates its own vessels, as distinct from an NVOCC.

W

W/M Weight or MeasurementOcean: The LCL billing basis: cargo is charged per 1,000 kg or per 1 m³, whichever is greater (the revenue tonne).Read our guide
WCI World Container Index (Drewry)Ocean: A weekly composite index of container spot rates on major East–West routes, assessed by Drewry.Official source ↗
WCO World Customs OrganizationOrganisations: The intergovernmental body for customs; maintains the Harmonized System and the SAFE Framework.Official source ↗
WMS Warehouse Management SystemLogistics: Software that controls inventory, locations, picking and shipping inside a warehouse.
WSC World Shipping CouncilOrganisations: The trade association of liner shipping companies.Official source ↗
WTO World Trade OrganizationOrganisations: The intergovernmental organisation that sets the rules of trade between nations, including the Trade Facilitation Agreement.Official source ↗
WTT Well-to-TankSustainability: Emissions from producing, processing and delivering a fuel before it is used.Read our guide
WTW Well-to-WheelSustainability: Total fuel-cycle emissions (well-to-tank plus tank-to-wheel); the basis required by ISO 14083 and the GLEC Framework.Read our guide

General explanations of common usage, not legal or regulatory advice. Official texts and the latest rules of each authority prevail. Legal disclaimer