10/9/21, 9:04 AM Glossary of Import & Export Terms, Trade Compliance & Logistics

Glossary of import and export

terms
The Trade Compliance and Logistics world has a huge number of acronyms, and it is ever-
changing. This list explains what some of them stand for and their meaning. You can
download this guide, too, so you can keep it handy for future reference. If you can’t find the
information you're looking for, please get in touch.

Download the Glossary of Import and Export Terms in pdf

format

Click on any acronym in the list below to jump to a detailed explanation.

AES EOR DDP

AWB FCA EXW
BOL (or B/L) FF FOB
BOM FSB Notification IOR
CBP FTA ITN
CI FTR LoC
COC FTZ NLR
COO HS OIEL
DEC HTS PL
DGN IATA POA
DGR Incoterms RPS
DPS CFR S.A.S.O
EAR CIF SDN
EAR99 CIP SED
ECCN CPT SIEL

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EEI DAP SLI

EMCP DAT STA

AES: Automated Export System

The Automated Export System (AES) is the system used by U.S. exporters to electronically
declare their international exports (known as Electronic Export Information (EEI - see
below) to the Census Bureau to help compile U.S. export and trade statistics.

AWB: Air Waybill

An air waybill (AWB) is a document that accompanies goods shipped by an international

courier to provide detailed information about the shipment, and allow it to be tracked. The
bill has multiple copies so that each party involved in the shipment can document it.

BOL (or B/L): Bill of Lading

A bill of lading is a document issued by a carrier to acknowledge receipt of cargo for

shipment. In British English, the term relates to ship transport only, and in American
English, to any type of transportation of goods.

BOM:  Bill of Materials

A bill of materials or product structure is a list of the raw materials, sub-assemblies,

intermediate assemblies, sub-components, parts, and the quantities of each needed to
manufacture a product.

CBP: Customs & Border Protection

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is the largest federal law enforcement agency of the
United States Department of Homeland Security. It is charged with regulating and
facilitating international trade, collecting import duties, and enforcing U.S. regulations,
including trade, customs, and immigration. Other countries will have their own version of
this.

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CI: Commercial Invoice

When used in foreign trade, a commercial invoice is a customs document. It is used as a

customs declaration provided by the person or corporation that is exporting an item across
international borders.

COC: Certificate of Conformity

Certificate of Conformity e.g., C.O.C. SASO. A Certificate of Conformity or CoC is a

mandatory document which is necessary for Customs clearance of exports to many
countries around the globe. Approval or Certificate of Conformity is granted to a product
that meets a minimum set of regulatory, technical and safety requirements.

COO: Certificate of Origin

A certificate of origin (often abbreviated to C/O or CoO) is a document used in international

trade. In a printed form or as an electronic document, it is completed by the exporter and
certified by a recognized issuing body, attesting that the goods in a particular export
shipment have been produced, manufactured or processed in a particular country.

DEC: District Export Council

The National Association of District Export Councils (NADEC, formerly known as National
DEC) consists of 16 District Export Council (DEC) members who have been elected to the
NADEC by District Export Council members from each of the eight U.S. Department of
Commerce - U.S. Commercial Service Networks.

DGN: Dangerous Goods Note

The Dangerous Goods Note (DGN) is a transport document that gives details about the
contents of a consignment to carriers, receiving authorities and forwarders describing any
goods that may be considered hazardous.

DGR: Dangerous Goods Regulations

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Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR) The IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR) is the
trusted source to help you prepare and document dangerous shipments. Recognized by the
world's airlines for almost 60 years, the DGR is the most complete, up-to-date, and user-
friendly reference in the industry.

DPS: Denied Party Screening

Denied trade screening is the process of screening parties involved in an export transaction
for complying with the safety standards of the U.S. Government. Effective trade screening
not only includes denied parties but also controlled products and embargoed or sanctioned
countries.

EAR: Export Administration Regulations

The International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and the Export Administration
Regulations (EAR) are two important United States export control laws that affect the
manufacturing, sales and distribution of technology. The legislation seeks to control access
to specific types of technology and the associated data.

EAR99

EAR99 is a classification for an item. It indicates that an item is subject to the Export
Administration Regulations (EAR), but not specifically described by an Export Control
Classification Number (ECCN) on the Commerce Control List (CCL). Items that fall under the
jurisdiction of the EAR but are not found on the Commerce Control List (CCL). Please see our
Guide to ECCN Classifications for Dual / Controlled Use IT Goods.

ECCN: Export Control Classification Number

An Export Control Classification Number (ECCN) is an alphanumeric designation (i.e., 1A984

or 4A001) used in the Commerce Control List to identify items for export control purposes.
An ECCN categorizes items based on the nature of the product, i.e. type of commodity,
technology or software and its respective technical parameters. Please see our Guide to
ECCN Classifications for Dual / Controlled Use IT Goods.

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EEI: Electronic Export Information

The Electronic Export Information(EEI) is filed electronically in the Automated Export

System (AES) or the Automated Export System Direct. This data is the electronic equivalent
of the export data formerly collected as Shipper's Export Declaration (SED).

EMCP: Export Management and Compliance Program

An Export Management and Compliance Program is required by the U.S. Government to

ensure that companies comply with export control policy for dual-use commodities,
software, and technology.

EOR: Exporter of Record

The exporter of record (EOR) is noted as the owner or seller of merchandise being
exported from an origin country location to a destination country. The EOR must be a
registered entity in the receiving country. Read more about the role of the Exporter of
Record and who can act in this role.

FCA (Free Carrier)

Free Carrier (named place of origin) The seller delivers the goods, cleared for export, at a
named place (possibly including the seller's own premises). The goods can be delivered to a
carrier nominated by the buyer, or to another party nominated by the buyer.

FF:  Freight Forwarder   

A freight forwarder, forwarder, or forwarding agent, also known as a non-vessel operating

common carrier (NVOCC), is a person or company that organizes shipments for individuals
or corporations to get goods from the manufacturer or producer to a market, customer or
final point of distribution

FSB Notification

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Federal Security Bureau (FSB). The international legislation of the Customs Union provides
the restriction of special equipment, including products with encryption or cryptography
into Russia.  Product must be notified on the FSB database before the legal import of such
goods into the Russian Federation.

FTA: Free Trade Agreement

Treaty (such as FTAA or NAFTA) between two or more countries to establish a free trade area
where commerce in goods and services can be conducted across their common borders,
without tariffs or hindrances but (in contrast to a common market) capital or labour may
not move freely. Member countries usually impose a uniform tariff (called common external
tariff) on trade with non-member countries

FTR: Foreign Trade Regulations

Trade regulation is a field of law, often bracketed with antitrust (as in the phrase “antitrust
and trade regulation law”), including government regulation of unfair methods of
competition and unfair or deceptive business acts or practices.

FTZ: Foreign Trade Zone

Definition of foreign-trade zone: an isolated policed area adjacent to a port of entry (as a
seaport or airport) where foreign goods may be unloaded for immediate trans-shipment or
stored, repacked, sorted, mixed, or otherwise manipulated without being subject to import
duties.

HS: Harmonized System

The Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System, also known as the
Harmonized System of tariff nomenclature is an internationally standardised system of
names and numbers to classify traded products.

HTS: Harmonized Tariff Schedule

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An HS or HTS code stands for Harmonised System or Harmonised Tariff Schedule.

Developed by the World Customs Organization (WCO), the codes are used to classify and
define internationally traded goods.

IATA: International Air Transport Association

The International Air Transport Association is a trade association of the world's airlines.
Consisting of 290 airlines, primarily major carriers, representing 117 countries, the IATA's
member airlines account for carrying approximately 82% of total Available Seat Miles air
traffic.

Incoterms:

Note that some Incoterms will become obsolete in 2020, and new ones introduced.
CFR: Cost and Freight

Cost and Freight are paid at the named port of destination. The seller pays for the carriage
of the goods up to the named port of destination. Risk transfers to buyer when the goods
have been loaded on board the vessel in the country of Export.

CIF: Cost, Insurance, and Freight.

This refers to an Incoterm meaning the buyer assumes all risk once the goods are onboard
the vessel for the main carriage but does not assume costs until the freight arrives at the
named port of destination. CIF applies to ocean or inland waterway transport only. It is
commonly used for bulk cargo, oversized or overweight shipments.

CIP: Carriage and Insurance Paid To

Carriage and Insurance Paid To (CIP) is when a seller pays freight and insurance to deliver
goods to a seller-appointed party at an agreed-upon location.

CPT (Carriage Paid To)

In a CPT transaction the seller delivers the goods to a carrier or to another person
nominated by the seller, at a place mutually agreed upon by the buyer and seller, and that
the seller pays the freight charges to transport the goods to the specified destination.

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DAP (Delivered at Place)

Delivered at Place means the seller delivers, when the goods are placed at the disposal of
the buyer, on the arriving means of transport, ready for unloading at the named place of
destination. The seller assumes all risks involved in bringing the goods to the named place.
DAT (Delivered at Terminal)

New Term - May be used for all transport modes. Seller delivers when the goods, once
unloaded from the arriving means of transport, are placed at the disposal of the buyer at a
named terminal at the named port or place of destination.

DDP (Delivered Duty Paid)

Delivered duty paid means that the seller fulfils his obligation to deliver when the goods
have been made available at the named place in the country of importation. The seller must
bear the risks and costs, including duties, taxes and other charges of delivering the goods
thereto, cleared for importation.

EXW (Ex Works)

This term places the maximum obligation on the buyer and minimum obligations on the
seller. The Ex Works term is often used when making an initial quotation for the sale of
goods without any costs included. EXW means that a buyer incurs the risks for bringing the
goods to their final destination.

FOB (Free on Board)

Free on Board means that the seller fulfils his obligation to deliver when the goods have
passed over the ship's rail at the named port of shipment. This means that the buyer has to
bear all costs and risks of loss of or damage to the goods from that point.

Here is an Incoterm responsibility table;

 

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IOR: Importer of Record

The importer of record (IOR) is officially noted by many governments as the owner or
purchaser of merchandise being imported into a destination country.

ITN: Internal Transaction Number

The Internal Transaction Number (ITN) is the AES generated number assigned to a shipment
confirming that the EEI was accepted and is on file in the AES.

LoC: Letter of Credit

A letter of credit, also known as a documentary credit, bankers commercial credit, is a

payment mechanism used in international trade to perform the same economic function as
a guarantee, by allocating risk undertaken by contracting parties.

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NLR: No License Required

NLR may be used for either EAR99 items, or items on the CCL that do not require a license
for the destination. However, exports of an EAR99 item to an embargoed country, an end-
user of concern or in support of a prohibited end-use may require an export license.

OIEL:  Open Individual Export License

UK HMRC Open Individual Export Licences (OIELs) are one type of export licence.
Specifically, they are a concessionary form of licencing. OIELs are potentially available to
individual exporters who have a track record in applying for export licences or who can
otherwise demonstrate a business case.

OIELs cover multiple shipments of specific controlled goods to named destinations. They
may also name the consignees or end users of the goods concerned - unlike Standard
Individual Export Licences (SIELs), which always name these parties.

PL:  Pallet List or Packing List

A packing list is a document that includes details about the contents of a package. The
packing list is intended to let transport agencies, government authorities, and customers
know the contents of the package. These details help each of these parties handle the
package accordingly.

POA: Power of Attorney

A power of attorney (POA) or letter of attorney is a written authorization to represent or act

on another's behalf in private affairs, business, or some other legal matter. The person
authorizing the other to act is the principal, grantor, or donor (of the power). The one
authorized to act is the agent or, in some common law jurisdictions, the attorney-in-fact.

RPS: Restricted Party Screening

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The United States government and its export regulations restrict or prohibit U.S. individuals
and companies from exporting or providing services of any kind to any party contained in
U.S. government export denial, debarment, and blocked persons lists.

S.A.S.O:  Certificate of Conformity specific to Saudi Arabia

All products require a Certificate of Conformity also referred to as a SASO CoC to enable
them to be cleared through Saudi Customs. The Saudi Arabia Conformity Assessment
Programme, which covers all goods, has several key objectives: Protection of public health.
See our blog here

SDN: Specially Designated National

Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List (SDN) Human Readable
Lists. Collectively, such individuals and companies are called "Specially Designated
Nationals" or "SDNs." Their assets are blocked, and U.S. persons are generally prohibited
from dealing with them.

SED: Shipper’s Export Declaration

A U.S. Shipper's Export Declaration (SED) was a standard United States government form
required for all U.S. exports with commodities valued at US$2,500 or higher. The EEI is used
by the U.S. Census Bureau to compile trade statistics and exert export controls.

SIEL: Single Individual Export License

A SIEL is a form of UK export licence for controlled goods, specific to one exporter and one
consignee. Also see OIEL.

SLI: Shipper’s Letter of Instruction

A Shipper´s letter of instruction (SLI) is a form issued by a shipper to authorize a carrier to

issue a bill of lading or an air waybill on the shipper´s behalf. The form contains all details
of shipment and authorizes the carrier to sign the bill of lading in the name of the shipper
(see Bill of Lading).

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STA: Strategic Trade Authorization

A part of the ongoing Export Control Reform is the licence exception Strategic Trade
Authorization (STA). This type of U.S. Government authorization allows a controlled item to
be exported under defined conditions without a transaction-specific licence.

Keep this guide handy for every-day use. Download the Glossary

of Import and Export Terms in pdf format.

If you’re feeling confused, don’t worry! Contact us for help.

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