Glossary
Accessorial Charges
Additional charges assessed by the trucking company for items not directly included on the line haul. Examples include layovers, fuel surcharges, and stop-off fees.
Backhaul
Moving a truck back to its origin location or where it's domiciled. Carriers will typically attempt to find a return load headed towards that destination to cut down on empty miles.
Bill of Lading
Documents given from the shipper to the carriers that serves as proof of ownership for the duration of the haul.
Bio-Diesel
Diesel fuel made from vegetable or animal fat as opposed to oil.
Blocking
Small pieces of wood that are used to fill in spaces, to join, or to reinforce shipments.
BOL
Abbreviation for "Bill of Lading" referring to documents given to carrier by shipper as proof of ownership.
Boxcar
A box shaped railcar with sides, a roof, and doors on the ends.
Bracing
Securing product for shipment so as to prevent damage while in transit.
Broker
A middle, third-party company that works with the carrier and the shipper in the arranging of transportation of goods.
Carrier
A company or individual that engages in the business of transporting goods for profit.
Carrier Compliance
The standards of vetting and accountability in relation to selecting carriers to partner with.
Centerbeam Cars
Used in the transportation of lumber, this specialized type of rail car features a support structure in the center of the car.
Claim
Charges for loss or damaged product filed against the carrier or trucking company.
Class 50
A freight classification that includes items like: bricks, mortor, stone, flour mix, and iron molds.
Class 55
A freight classification that includes items like: hardwood flooring.
Class 60
A freight classification that includes items like: tile, polymers, latex liquid, and adhesives.
Class 70
A freight classification that includes items like: filters, filter media, DVDs (not in displays), foods, laminate, and beverages.
Class 77.5
A freight classification that includes items like: tires, assorted tools, NOI
Class 85
A freight classification that includes items like: transmissions or engines on pallets, chairs or stools (folding), wheels for cars with the tires attached.
Class 92.5
A freight classification that includes items like: freezers and coolers with sliding doors.
Class 100
A freight classification that includes items like: carpet
Class 125
A freight classification that includes items like: benches, cabinets, armoires, chest-desks, chest of drawers, benches or barstools
Class 150
A freight classification that includes items like: shoes and upholstered chairs.
Class 200
A freight classification that includes items like: televisions and video display monitors
Class 250
A freight classification that includes items like: automobile body sections NOI, auto bodies, body sections, engine bonnets or hoods.
Class 300
A freight classification that includes items like: fenders for an automobile
CMV
An abbreviation for Commercial Motor Vehicle
Coil Car
Used in the transport of steel coils, this is a specialized rail car.
Common Carrier
Reference to a carrier that has published rates and offers its services to all persons looking for interstate transportation.
Consestoga
A specialized trailer where the top is removable allowing for the shippers and receivers to more easily load and unload from the side while still protecting the freight from the elements while in transit.
Consignee
The end or receiving point of a freight shipment where delivery occurs.
Contract Carrier
A carrier that offers its services to one or a limited number of shippers as defined within a contract.
Contract Logistics
Completely outsourcing the distribution and transportation function to an outside company.
Contention Shipping
A niche, small market segment of the shipping industry that works in the challenging logistical world of shipping products to and from trade show events.
Covered Hopper Railcar
A specialized railcar used to transport bulk commodities that features a hopper bottom to allow for easier unloading of the freight.
CSA 2010
An initiative to develop more efficient and effective methods for FMCSA in order to achieve the mission of reducing CMV crashes, fatalities and injuries.
Czarlite
Used in the calculation of base rates as a pricing alternative in the LTL industry that is fairly common.
Dedicated Carrier
A carrier that works for a single shipper under contract in a consistent lane or region.
Dedicated Logistics
A carrier or 3PL that is offering dedicated service in a specific lane or region under contract to shippers.
Depressed Deck Railcar
A specialized railcar that is built to handle heavy and/or over-dimensional material such as a transformer via a depressed deck.
Destination
Any location that receives a freight shipment.
Detention Fee
A fee assessed to account for when a shipper or receiver delay the loading or unloading of a truck. This fee is only for when the shipper or receiver are at fault, not if the carrier is late.
Discount
Referring to LTL shipping, discount is the percentage "discounted" off the base rate. This correlates with alternative pricing systems such as czarlite for determining the price to transport freight.
Dispatch
Giving pickup information to a carrier verbally, in written format, or electronically. Generally a carrier will be unloaded before being dispatched to their pickup location.
Distribution
The act of transporting or delivering a product to a destination.
DOT
An acronym for the Department of Transportation
Double Stack
A two-high stack of trailers on intermodal rail transport.
Drayage
A motor carrier operating in a small region. Typically used to refer to the act of transporting containers to and from intermodal terminals and ports.
Drop Ship
A "blind shipment" wherein the end customer never knows the origin of the product as it is sold by a company to the customer after buying it directly from the shipper.
Drop Trailer
The ability of a trucking company to spot a trailer on-site at either origin or destination without power. This often affords shippers more loading and unloading flexibility when shipping their product.
Dunnage
Used to prevent damage to the product during transport, it is loose materials that is laid beneath and wedged between objects in the shipment to make them safer.
Ease of Handling
A determination on whether or not special care or equipment will be needed to ship a product, which then effects the pricing structure for the shipment.
Escort
A vehicle that actively monitors the progress and status of over-dimensional, high-value, or sensitive shipments.
Exclusive Use
Commonly used with food shipments, these are trailers that are assigned to a single customer for dedicated or exclusive use.
Exempt Carrier
A carrier or trucking company that is exempted from economic regulations and rules for one reason or another.
Expedite
Critical freight that is needed immediately or on a JIT (just in time) basis.
Factoring
A method improving cash flow wherein a transportation company sells their accounts receivable to another company.
FAK
An acronym for Freight All Kinds
Flatbed
A truck or trailer with an open body that features a platform without any sides or stakes allowing for easy loading and unloading.
FMCSA
An acronym for Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
FOB Destination
A buying strategy where the purchasing party takes possession of product and freight responsibility of the product until it reaches destination.
FOB Origin
The opposite of FOB Destination wherein the purchasing party takes possession of the product and any freight responsibility at the origin instead of at the destination.
For-Hire Carrier
A carrier that works with any shipper transporting freight for a fee.
Freight
Goods, products, or cargo transported for a fee.
Freight Bill
The invoice for the transportation of freight from one location to another.
Freight Broker
A third-party company that works with the shipper and the carrier in the arrangement of transportation of goods.
Freight Class NMFC
A standard that provides a comparison of commodities moving on interstate, intrastate, and foreign commerce.
Freight Density
A calculation using the freight's weight and shipping dimensions. Freight class is determined by density with a higher density generally meaning a lower freight class.
Freight Forwarder
A firm that arranges the pick up or delivery of goods on behalf of a shipper. As they are generally permitted to arrange for international transportation this tends to become the focus of their business.
Freight Management
Managing transportation on behalf of another company.
Freight Matrix
A template used to determine point-to-point shipping rates
Freight Rate
The rate or price to transport freight per mile
Freight Reclassification
Changing the classification code on freight from one code to another, typically when the carrier's view of the product is different than that of the shipper.
Freight Services
The act of transporting freight
Freight Shipping
See "freight services"
Freight Stowability
The length and width based on the rules of a carrier by mode.
FSC
An acronym representing Fuel Surcharge
Fuel Surcharge
Either a percentage or rate per mile that can be assessed on top of the standard freight rate to off-set fluctuating fuel costs motor carriers may face.
Gondola
A type of rail car featuring an open top but enclosed sides and ends.
Government Logistics
The transportation of freight for US government entities.
HazMat
Materials that could be dangerous if allowed into the environment. Typically refers to flammable, poisonous, radioactive, or explosive freight, though others do fall into the category.
Heavy Haul
Transporting over-weight, over-dimensional freight which will typically require special permits from the state to meet DOT regulations.
IANA
Acronym meaning the Intermodal Association of North America
Insurance Regulations
Requirements for the carrier to transport freight or cargo.
Intermodal
Moving products through the use of rail
Interstate Commerce
Exchange, transportation, and commerce across state lines in the United States
ICC
An acronym that stands for Inventory Carrying Cost.
Jobsite Delivery
A truck delivery directly to a jobsite. These deliveries are often made by appointments and tend to be time sensitive.
KD
An acronym for Knocked Down, a term used in LTL shipping
Less-Than-Truckload
Transporting freight or cargo in smaller quantities, with the freight of many customers on a single trailer.
Liftgate
A lift attached to the back of the trailer that moves up and down to facilitate the easier loading and unloading of cargo. Common on trucks that makes jobsite and residential deliveries.
Local Cartage
A motor carrier with a locally defined service area such as a small region or metropolitan area.
Local Delivery
A delivery by a motor carrier in a small region or metropolitan area.
Local Pickup
A pickup by a motor carrier in a small region or metropolitan area.
Logbook
A federally regulated log of driving hours, sleeping hours, and resting hours. These logs are designed to protect drivers and other motorists.
Logistics Broker
Third party company working with a shipper and carrier to arrange freight transport.
Long-Haul
A long distance transport of goods, with intermodal transport playing a larger role in this type of freight transport.
LTL Broker
A person specializing in facilitating and arranging LTL shipping between a carrier and a customer.
LTL Carriers
Trucking companies that specialize in LTL transportation.
LTL Credit Card Payments
Smaller or less established LTL shippers may accept credit cards as payment.
LTL Freight Classes
A standard that provides a comparison of commodities moving on interstate, intrastate, and foreign commerce.
LTL Guarantee
A service guarantee that usually results in a premium price when dealing with LTL shipments.
LTL Quote
A freight quote specific to an LTL shipment.
Lumper
A person that assists a motor carrier company in the loading and unloading of freight, typically with a fee associated.
Minimum Charge
A minimum charge that will be assessed to a shipment regardless of the length of the haul.
Multimodal
A reference to the use of more than one mode of transportation to reach a final destination.
NASSTRAC
An acronym for National Shippers Strategic Transportation Council
NITL
An acronym for National Industrial Transportation League
NMFC
An acronym for National Motor Freight Classification
NMFTA
An acronym for National Motor Freight Traffic Association
NOI
An acronym for Not Otherwise Indicated
NPT
An acronym for National Private Truck Council
Origin
Any location where freight originates.
OTR
An acronym for Over-The-Road
Over-Dimensional
A reference to a shipment that is over-length, over-weight, over-width, or over-height
Oversize
Typically used to refer to freight that is over-dimensional, with this type of shipment sometimes requiring a special permit to be shipped.
Over-Weight
Freight that exceeds the DOT weight limits and requires a special permit to be shipped.
Owner Operator
A driver that has obtained their own authority to operate commercially.
Pallet Rate
A flat rate used by a shipper or warehouse for each pallet transported or stored.
Palletized Freight
Freight that has been secured to a pallet for ease of shipping
Pallet Shipping
A shipment of one or more pallets
Partial Shipment
A shipment that is larger than LTL, but smaller than full truckload
Piggyback
A term used to describe multimodal shipment, such as a trailer being moved by truck to a rail yard, by rail to another facility, and then to its final destination by truck.
Pilot Car
A car used to escort a shipment.
Private Fleet
A company that operates their own fleet of trucks to deliver their products. Not necessarily operated for profit but for convenience. Often seen with distributors, manufacturers, and retailers.
Rate Per Mile
A form of calculating the cost of freight that takes into account the miles being traveled.
Refrigerated Railcar
A specialized type of boxcar with temperature control used for food, perishable, and other products that need a controlled temperature.
Residential Delivery
More common among LTL carriers, this is a delivery to a residential location by a commercial carrier.
Residential Pickup
The pickup of freight by a commercial carrier, usually a LTL carrier, at a residential location.
Rigging
Chains or ropes used to secure freight to a truck or rail.
RPM
An acronym for Rate Per Mile
SAFESTAT
The predecessor of CSA 2010 for carrier compliance and scores
Safety Scores
A rating assigned by the FMCSA to motor carriers as a reflection of their safety records.
Shipper's Agent
More common when dealing with multimodal or piggyback shipments, this is a company that is responsible for matching up small shipments for transport.
Shipping
The act or a business or entity moving or transporting a product via commercial carrier
Shipping Cost
The total cost to ship freight including accessorial charges and linehaul costs.
Shipping Rates
The cost to move a shipment from its origin to its destination
Shipping Services
The variety of services offered by a transportation company. Includes modes like LTL, rail, air, and specialized shipping methods.
Short-Haul
Typically handled by regional carriers or local cartage companies, these are shipments that are transported a short distance.
Slip Seat
A type of expedited service used by trucking companies wherein a motor carrier substitutes one driver for another once their available hours have all be utilized. This allows the carrier to decrease delivery times by keeping the truck moving.
State-to-State Matrix
Typically in a rate per mile format, this template is used to determine pricing on transportation between states.
SU
An acronym representing Setup
Tie-Down
Devices such as chains, ropes, and straps that are used to secure a shipment for transportation.
TMS
An acronym for Transportation Management Sytem
TONU
An acronym for Truck Order Not Used
Tracing
The determination of a shipment location during movement of freight
Tracking
The ability to follow freight during the move from origin to destination, usually achieved through the use of GPS devices.
Traffic Management
The act of coordinating and facilitating multiple shipments or loads to ensure they all reach their proper destination on time.
Transload Facility
A facility that allows a shipment to be transferred from one mode of transport to another.
Transloading
The process by which a shipment is transferred from one mode of transportation to another
Transport Service
Transportation Management Sytem
Common among 3PL's and shippers, a TMS manages, coordinates, and helps with the logistics or the multiple functions of a transportation program.
Truckload
A freight shipment that fills all or most of the space on a truck. A typical truckload shipment consists of freight from a small number of customers.
Unit Move
A military reference describing the movement of a large number of goods from one point to another. Unite moves can involve the transportation of hundreds of pieces of equipment and supplies.
Unit Train
A train where all the railcars have the same origin, destination, and often the same commodity. This is the most cost effective form of rail shipping if there is enough freight to justify it.
Van
An enclosed box vehicle capable of transporting freight. Vans are typically either 48' or 53' in size.
Volume Quote
A reference to a shipment that is over 7 pallets or 7,000 lbs. These shipments tend to fall between LTL and truckload capacity and can be managed by LTL carriers.
