Sea Freight and Trade Terms Glossary

A glossary of 237 sea freight, container and foreign trade terms, each with a plain-language definition. Search by keyword or filter by letter. Each heading shows the English term and its Turkish equivalent.

Listing all terms

Acceptance Credit / Kabul Kredili Ödeme: A payment method in which payment of the goods' price is committed for a set maturity and a draft (bill of exchange) is the instrument for that payment. a) Acceptance credit by letter of credit b) Acceptance credit against documents c) Acceptance credit against goods
Acceptance Letter of Credit / Akreditifli Ödeme: A payment method in which, on the importer's instruction, the importer's bank undertakes to pay the exporter up to a certain amount and for a certain term, provided the required conditions are met and the documents relating to the export of the goods shipped by the exporter are presented.
Advising Bank / Muhabir Banka: The exporter's bank.
Against All Risks (AAR): An insurance policy that provides cover against all kinds of loss or damage.
Agency Agreement: The agreement that appoints the port agent and defines the agent's responsibilities.
Agency Fee: The fee payable by a shipowner or ship operator to a port agent.
Agency Tariff: A tariff published by an agent on behalf of a number of carriers.
Agent: A person or organization authorized, under a contract or power of attorney, to make contracts and act on behalf of another person or a firm.
All In: A freight price that includes all charges required to carry the cargo from the point of origin to the destination.
All-Risk Insurance: A clause in marine insurance policies that covers loss and damage caused by external causes such as fire, collision and theft, but does not cover inherent defects such as rotting of the goods, faulty packing, or war, strike and riot events.
Amendment: A change to the terms and conditions of a letter of credit. Amendments can only be made with the agreement of all parties to the transaction.
American Bureau of Shipping (ABS): An American maritime classification society founded in 1862. It aims to promote the safety of life, property and the natural environment by developing standards for the design, construction and operational maintenance of marine and offshore assets.
American National Standards Institute (ANSI): A non-profit organization responsible for enhancing the competitiveness of U.S. business globally by providing conformity assessment systems and voluntary consensus standards.
ANSI X-12: The American Standards Committee, the body responsible for setting electronic data interchange standards in the U.S.
Applicant: The party who requests the opening of a letter of credit, also known as the account party. In commercial letters of credit the applicant is the importing firm.
Appraisement: The determination by customs authorities of the dutiable value of imported goods.
Arbitrary: Adding an arbitrary, discretionary charge on top of a fixed price.
Arrival Date: The date on which the goods or a means of transport will arrive at the place of delivery.
Arrival Notice / Varış İhbarnamesi: A notice sent by the carrier to the consignee or its agent when the goods have reached the specified point.
Asylum Harbour: A port used as a shelter from storms.
Automated Commercial System (ACS) / ACE: ACE is a system used to exchange data between trade participants and U.S. Customs and Border Protection. It accepts all data transmissions relating to commercial transactions, including electronic manifests and cargo releases.
Automated Manifest System (AMS): An integral part of the U.S. effort to prevent potential security threats. Established in 2004, it is a cargo tracking system applicable to sea, air, rail and road cargo transfers.
A.T.A Carnet: A document that allows goods to be temporarily admitted without being subject to customs duty and is issued to be used in place of the national customs document.
A.TR. Movement Certificate: A document issued by the competent authorities of the exporting country so that goods in free circulation in Türkiye and the European Union can benefit from the preferential regime.
Ballast Bonus (BB): The costs incurred by the charterer to bring the vessel empty to the delivery port because the charterer could not find cargo at the delivery port.
Baltic and International Maritime Council (BIMCO): One of the largest international shipping associations representing shipowners. It represents about 60% of the world's commercial shipping tonnage.
Baplie: An EDIFACT message widely used in the maritime industry. It is used in container transport to report the exact stowage positions of cargo on an ocean vessel.
Bareboat Charter: A type of charter in which the vessel is chartered without a crew. The party chartering the vessel pays all operating costs.
Barge: A long, narrow, flat-bottomed boat. It is used especially to carry heavy loads on canals.
Bay Plan: A stowage plan showing the positions of all containers on the vessel.
Beneficiary: The beneficiary of a letter of credit, meaning the party in whose favor the letter of credit is opened; usually the exporting firm.
Berth: The mooring of a vessel at the quay.
Bill of Lading / Yükleme Konşimentosu: A document that evidences that a contract of carriage has been made, shows that the goods were received by the carrier and loaded on board the vessel, and under which the carrier is obliged to deliver the goods only against its presentation.
Booking: Making a reservation or booking space before loading in order to send cargo by vessel.
Breakbulk Cargo: General cargo or goods that do not fit standard shipping containers. Goods shipped on pallets, in bags, bundles, drums and crates.
Broker: Persons and organizations that act as intermediaries between the shipowner and the charterer, earning commission by finding cargo for the vessel and a vessel for the cargo.
Buffer Stock: A large supply of a commodity that is bought and stored when available in excess, and sold when it is scarce, in order to control price and quantity.
Bulk Cargo: Cargo loaded directly into a vessel's hold.
Bunker Adjustment Factor (BAF): A freight charge, or an additional charge, adjusted to account for increases in the vessel's fuel price.
Buoy / Şamandıra: A floating object of a defined shape and color, fixed at a particular position and serving as an aid to navigation.
Bureau Veritas: A global independent inspection, auditing, certification and risk prevention organization of French origin, founded in Antwerp in 1828.
Cabotage / Kabotaj: A state's right to carry passengers and cargo between its own ports; a privilege the state reserves for itself in maritime trade.
Captain Receipt / Kaptan Makbuzu: A document, required under a letter of credit, certifying that the export documents that must accompany the Captain have been taken on board and will be delivered to the Consignee.
Cargo Insurance / Kargo Sigortası: Used to protect shipments against physical damage or theft. It protects the value of the goods against potential losses that may occur during transport.
Cargo Manifest / Kargo Manifesto: A consolidated list of all the cargo on board a cargo ship.
Carriage and Insurance Paid To (CIP): Carriage and Insurance Paid To. The exporter takes on the responsibility of paying the freight to a previously agreed destination. Insurance is the seller's responsibility.
Carriage of Goods By Sea Act (COGSA): A U.S. statute that governs the rights and responsibilities between cargo shippers and shipowners in ocean shipments to and from the United States.
Carriage Paid To (CPT): Carriage Paid To. The exporter takes on the responsibility of paying the freight to a previously agreed destination. There is no obligation to take out insurance.
Carrier: Any person or organization that undertakes, under a contract of carriage, to perform or procure the performance of the carriage.
Cash Against Documents / Vesaik Mukabili Ödeme: A payment method in which, after the exporter ships the goods, the shipping documents representing them are delivered to the importer through a bank against payment or acceptance of a draft.
Cash Against Goods / Mal Mukabili Ödeme: A payment method in which the price of the exported goods is paid after the importer has received the goods. It is the payment method in which the exporter takes the most risk.
Cash Payment / Peşin Ödeme: A payment method in which the importer pays the price of the goods to the exporter before the actual export.
Certificate of Analysis / Analiz Raporu: An official document listing the chemicals and showing the results of scientific tests carried out on products such as food or pharmaceuticals.
Certificate of Origin / Menşe Şehadetnamesi: A document showing the origin of goods in foreign trade, that is, the country where they were produced.
Change of Destination (COD) / Varış Yeri Değişikliği: A request to discharge or carry the cargo at a place different from the port of discharge or place of delivery stated on the bill of lading.
Charter Party: A contract between a shipowner and a person who charters all or part of the vessel for a specific voyage or period.
Chassis: A trailer or wheeled unit on which a container is placed so that it can be moved on the road.
Clean On Board / Temiz Yükleme: A condition stating that the cargo will be, or has been, loaded on board the vessel undamaged.
Combined Bill of Lading / Karma Taşıma Belgesi: A document that, when more than one means of transport is involved in carrying the goods, shows that the goods will be carried from the place where they are taken over to the destination.
Combined Transport / Kombine Taşımacılık: Carriage of goods from the point of origin to the destination using at least two modes of transport.
Commercial Invoice / Ticari Fatura: A final sales invoice showing information such as the type, name, quantity, unit sale price and total value of the goods sold.
Commodity: Something of commercial value; an object bought and sold for money. A particular type of product or goods.
Conference: An arrangement between two or more shipping lines to provide a regular service on specific trade routes at uniform freight rates and common terms of business.
Confirming Bank / Teyit Bankası: The bank that adds its confirmation to a letter of credit at the request or on the authorization of the issuing bank.
Congestion Surcharge: An additional charge that shipping lines add to freight to cover the extra costs caused by port congestion.
Consignee: The person or firm named as the receiver in a contract of carriage made for the shipment or delivery of goods.
Consignor: The person or firm named as the sender in a contract of carriage made for the shipment or delivery of goods.
Consolidation: The combining of partial loads into one container by a freight forwarder in a single shipment, and their carriage to a destination as one shipment.
Consortium: An association of two or more persons, companies or organizations that pool their resources to take part in a joint activity.
Consular Invoice / Konsolosluk Faturası: An invoice on which the consulate of the destination country certifies the origin, unit price and value of the goods.
Container: A weatherproof box designed for cargo shipment, usually used for overseas shipments.
Container Depot: A storage area for empty containers.
Container Seals: One-time-use locks used to secure containers. They are numbered for record-keeping and security purposes.
Container Yard (CY) / Konteyner Sahası: A designated storage area at the terminal for containers before they are loaded onto or unloaded from a vessel.
Cost and Freight / C&F (CFR): Delivered with cost and freight paid. The exporter loads the goods on the vessel and pays all costs and freight until they are unloaded at the named port of destination. There is no obligation to take out insurance.
Cost, Insurance and Freight (CIF): Delivered with cost, insurance and freight paid. The exporter loads the goods on the vessel and pays all costs and freight until they are unloaded at the named port of destination. Insurance is the seller's responsibility.
Cross Trade: Trade carried out from a country other than the two trading countries.
Customs Clearance: Customs brokerage or customs procedures.
Customs Declaration Form / Gümrük Beyannamesi: A written declaration given to customs administrations stating the features, dimensions and nature of goods entering or leaving the country.
Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorist (CTPAT): A voluntary initiative between government and industry to strengthen the overall international supply chain and improve U.S. border security.
Cut Off Time: The latest time by which containers can be delivered to a vessel or to a designated point.
Dangerous Goods (DG): Substances that can pose a significant risk to health and whose transport is therefore subject to special regulatory regimes.
Dangerous Goods Declaration (DGD): A declaration of the dangerous goods content of a shipment, made by the shipper.
Deadweight (DWT): The weight of a vehicle or vessel when unladen.
Deck Cargo: Cargo carried on the deck of a ship.
Delivered at Place (DAP): Delivered at a named place. The exporter loads the goods, clears them through customs in its own country, delivers them to the agreed place of destination, and leaves unloading to the buyer.
Delivered at Place Unloaded (DPU): Delivered at a named place, goods unloaded. The exporter loads the goods and unloads them at the agreed place of destination.
Delivered Duty Paid (DDP): Delivered with import duty paid. Taxes and costs in both countries' customs, freight, and the organization and costs of intermediate carriage are for the exporter's account.
Delivery: Taking goods from one place to another.
Delivery Order / Yük Teslim Talimat Formu: The document an importing company needs in order to take delivery of the goods and items sent to it from customs.
Demurrage: Extra charges paid to the shipowner or carrier when the time allowed for loading or unloading is exceeded.
Detention: Refers to time spent outside the port. If the buyer keeps the carrier's container beyond the permitted free days, a detention charge is applied.
Dimension: Each of the units of length, width, and depth; the basic measures of a physical quantity.
Door-to-Door: A transport service covering carriage from the seller's premises to the buyer's premises.
Dry Dock: The area where preparations for the repair of ships are carried out.
Duty: A tax imposed by governments on the import, export, or consumption of goods.
Economic Operator Registration and Identification (EORI): A type of identification number that allows the customs administration to identify the company concerned. An EORI number is required to submit an ENS Declaration and obtain an MRN number.
Electronic Data Interchange (EDI): Stands for electronic data interchange. It enables the exchange of business documents between companies in a standard format.
Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT): Stands for electronic funds transfer. A money transfer between banks within the same country is called an EFT.
Entry Summary Declaration (ENS Declaration): Consists of all the cargo information that must be submitted in advance to the customs administration at the first point of entry when goods are imported into the EU.
ETA: Estimated Time of Arrival.
ETB: Estimated Time of Berthing.
ETS: Estimated Time of Sailing.
EUR.1. Movement Certificate / EUR.1. Dolaşım Belgesi: A document showing the country of origin of the goods. It is issued so that goods exported to countries with which Türkiye has signed a free trade agreement (FTA) can benefit from a customs duty reduction.
Ex Works (EXW): Delivered at the seller's premises. The seller makes the goods available to the buyer at the premises named in the contract. This delivery term places the least responsibility on the seller and the most on the buyer.
Export License: Permission to export goods so that sales can be made to other countries.
Express Release Bill of Lading (Surrendered Bill of Lading): If the Full Container Load Bill of Lading is surrendered to the carrier's head office, the original bill of lading is no longer needed to collect the shipment at the destination.
FCL/FCL: Indicates that the cargo is loaded by a single shipper and will be shipped to a single consignee.
FCL/LCL: Indicates that the cargo is loaded by a single shipper and will be shipped to more than one consignee.
Federal Maritime Commission (FMC): An independent federal agency based in Washington DC, responsible for regulating U.S. international ocean transportation.
Feeder Vessel: Small, short-distance vessels used for transshipment services.
FI – FO / Free In – Free Out: A term indicating that the freight quote given by the carrier does not cover the cost of loading the containers onto the vessel at the port of loading or discharging them from the vessel at the port of discharge.
FI – LO / Free In – Liner Out: A term indicating that the freight quote does not cover the cost of loading the containers onto the vessel at the port of loading, but does cover the cost of discharging them at the port of discharge.
Force Majeure: An emergency that allows a company to depart from strict contract terms because of an event or influence that could not reasonably be expected or controlled.
Free Alongside (FAS): Free alongside ship. The seller makes the goods, cleared for export, available alongside the vessel named by the buyer.
Free Carrier (FCA): Delivered to the carrier. The seller delivers the goods, cleared for export, to the carrier named by the buyer at the place the buyer specifies.
Free on Board (FOB): Free on board. The seller is responsible for carrying the export cargo to the port and for loading it onto the ship's deck, including port charges.
Free On Rail (FOR): Free on rail. The seller's responsibility lasts until the container is loaded onto the train. Freight is paid by the buyer.
Free On Truck (FOT): Free on truck. The seller's responsibility lasts until the container is loaded onto the truck. Freight is paid by the buyer.
Free Time: The free period during which containers can stay at terminals within the port without being subject to demurrage charges.
Free Trade Zone / Serbest Ticaret Bölgesi: A special trade zone, usually located near ports, into which foreign and domestic goods and materials can be brought without paying customs duty.
Freight / Navlun: Freight; the charge for transport.
Freight Collect: Indicates that freight will be paid by the consignee.
Freight Forwarder: A freight forwarder is an intermediary. These are companies that act as intermediaries between carriers and cargo owners in return for a certain commission.
Freight Invoice / Navlun Faturası: The charge for transporting goods by sea and/or inland waterway.
Freight Manifest / Navlun Manifesto: Contains the freight charges for all the cargo on board a cargo ship.
Freight Prepaid: Indicates that freight has been or will be paid by the exporter.
Full Container Load (FCL): A container that has a single shipper and is loaded and unloaded entirely at the merchant's risk and expense.
Fumigation Certificate / Fümigasyon Sertifikası: An approval document issued by a licensed authority to certify that shipping materials disinfected with fumes have been properly fumigated.
Gantry Crane: A port crane used to load containers onto or unload them from ships. It can move along rail tracks.
Gate-In: A term used to indicate that a container has entered the terminal.
Gate-Out: A term used to indicate that a container has left the terminal.
General Average: The apportionment among the ship and freight owners of the expenses incurred to protect the ship and its cargo from a danger that threatens them both.
General Rate Increase (GRI) / Genel Navlun Artışı: A freight adjustment applied by shipowners.
Genset: The generator that supplies power in reefer containers. It is used to regulate temperature.
Gross Weight: The weight of goods including packaging.
Harmonized System (HS): A multipurpose international product classification system developed by the World Customs Organization, covering all products that can be traded internationally.
Helal Certificate / Helal Belgesi: A document required by Islamic countries when importing meat, showing that the slaughter was carried out in accordance with Islamic rules.
Hitchment: The consolidation of two or more shipments from different places at a destination, so that they are carried to one consignee under one bill of lading.
House Bill of Lading: The house or forwarder's bill of lading, issued by the freight forwarder and containing the terms of the contract of carriage.
IMDG Code: A system of rules containing the technical provisions developed by the IMO for the safe carriage of packaged dangerous goods by sea.
Import License: Permission to import goods so that purchases can be made from other countries.
Importer Security Filing (ISF): The Importer Security Filing, which concerns cargo information for import containers and is required by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Also known as '10+2'.
Inspection Certificate: A document prepared by an inspection company to show that goods comply with the conditions set out in the sales contract.
Insurance Policy / Sigorta Poliçesi: A document proving that the insured goods are covered against risks, under the contract between the insured and the insurance company.
International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations (FIATA): A non-governmental organization founded in 1926 that represents freight forwarding and logistics companies worldwide.
Intermodal Transport: A form of transport in which more than one mode of transport is used together; the cargo is not transferred out of its transport unit, and instead the transport units themselves are transferred between modes.
International Commercial Terms (INCOTERMS): Trade terms published by the International Chamber of Commerce and used in international trade contracts. They set out the rights and obligations of exporters and importers.
International Maritime Organization (IMO): A United Nations organization established to improve the safety and security of international shipping and to prevent marine pollution from ships.
International Ship and Port Security Code (ISPS): An international security code that came into force in 2004 and contains minimum security requirements for ships, ports, and government agencies.
International Standard Banking Practice (ISBP): International Standard Banking Practice. A publication explaining how documents should be examined under the UCP.
International Standard Organization (ISO): An international standard-setting organization made up of representatives of its member countries' national standards bodies. Its headquarters are in Geneva, Switzerland.
Issuing Bank / Amir Banka: The issuing bank is the importer's bank, the bank that opens the letter of credit.
LCL/FCL: Indicates that the cargo is loaded by more than one shipper and will be shipped to a single consignee.
LCL/LCL: Indicates that the cargo is loaded by more than one shipper and will be shipped to more than one consignee.
Less Than Container Load (LCL): Consolidating cargo that would not fill a standard container with other companies' cargo in a single container.
Letter of Credit (LC): A letter that guarantees payment for exported goods once certain conditions have been met.
Letter of Indemnity (LOI): A document that releases carriers from any liability arising from changes to the contract, possible damage to the cargo, or other adverse effects.
LI – FO / Liner In – Free Out: A term indicating that the freight quote covers the costs of loading containers at the port of loading, but does not cover the costs of discharging them at the port of discharge.
LI – LO / Liner In – Liner Out: A term indicating that the freight quote covers the costs of both loading containers at the port of loading and discharging them at the port of discharge.
Logistics: Refers to all processes of a product from the original producer to the final consumer, such as transportation, storage, customs clearance, packaging and distribution.
Marks and Numbers: A special name, number or sign used to identify a commercial good or any object and to distinguish it from similar ones.
Master Bill of Lading: The main bill of lading issued by carrier companies, containing the terms of the contract of carriage.
Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS): An information document prepared to eliminate situations that may pose health and safety risks during the use and storage of chemicals.
Mother Vessel: The mother vessel serves only major ports.
Movement Reference Number (MRN): A unique number automatically assigned by the customs office after the ENS declaration, when cargo information is notified to the customs administration in advance.
Multimodal Transport: A form of transport in which cargo is moved using more than one mode of transport. It is used especially for carrying bulk cargo.
Negotiating Bank / İştira Bankası: The bank that negotiates (purchases) drafts.
Net Weight: The weight of goods without packaging.
Non-Vessel Operating Common Carrier (NVOCC): A Non-Vessel Operating Common Carrier is a carrier that transports goods under its own bill of lading or equivalent documents without operating ocean-going vessels.
Notify Party: The party that the carrier notifies of the shipment details when the cargo arrives at its destination.
On-Carriage: Carriage that takes place after the container has been delivered to the port or terminal of arrival.
Out-of-Gauge Cargo (OOG): Cargo that, because of its dimensions, cannot be loaded into standard containers and requires special equipment such as flat racks or platforms.
Overheight Cargo: Cargo that exceeds the height of an open-top container.
Packing List / Çeki Listesi: A document declaring the type, quantity and packaging of the exported goods, together with their net and gross weight and volume.
Pallet: The most effective packaging in the supply chain for storing, protecting and transferring loads.
Partial Shipments / Kısmi Gönderi: Delivery of an order in more than one shipment. To make partial shipments, this must be agreed upon in the letter of credit.
Phytosanitary Certificate: A document showing that plants or plant products are free of dangerous diseases and harmful substances and have been protected against pests.
Place of Delivery: The place where the goods are delivered.
Place of Receipt: The place where the goods are received.
Plimsoll Mark: The depth to which a ship can be safely loaded. The maximum depths for summer and winter are marked on the side of the ship.
Port: A place that allows ships to shelter and to load and unload.
Port of Discharge (POD): Port of discharge.
Port of Loading (POL): Port of loading.
Positioning: The movement of empty equipment from areas where it is not needed to areas where it is needed.
Pre-Carriage: Carriage that takes place before the container is delivered to the port or terminal of loading.
Proforma Invoice / Proforma Fatura: A sales offer or preliminary invoice sent by the seller to the buyer.
Protection and Indemnity Insurance (P&I): Insurance covering a carrier's third-party liability risks for damage to cargo during carriage, as well as war risks and environmental damage risks.
Received for Shipment Bill of Lading / Tesellüm Konşimentosu: A bill of lading issued when goods are received at the quay, without waiting for them to be loaded on board the vessel.
Reimbursing Bank / Rambursman Bankası: The bank that will reimburse the paying or accepting bank and the negotiating bank.
Restow: To stow again.
Return Cargo: Return of goods to origin means sending a good back to where it came from.
Ro-Ro: A ship used to carry cars and light trucks.
Route: The path a ship or aircraft follows to reach its destination.
Safety Of Life At Sea (SOLAS): The International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, adopted in 1974, is an international convention governing matters of survival and safety at sea.
Said to Contain (STC): Means according to the shipper's declaration.
Salvage: Means rescuing a ship, its cargo and its crew from danger, fire or accident.
Seawaybill / Deniz Yolu Taşıma Senedi: Issued as a copy; there are no originals. It serves only as evidence and does not grant title to the goods.
Shipment: Cargo carried by ship, train, aircraft or another vehicle.
Shipped On Board: Indicates that the container has been loaded onto the ship's deck.
Shipper: The person or company that is the supplier or owner of the goods being shipped.
Shipper Owned Container (SOC): The container used for the cargo shipment belongs to the shipper.
Shippers Load Stow and Count: The goods have been loaded, stowed and counted by the shipper.
Shipping Advice: A shipping notice sent by the sender to the buyer before the goods arrive at their destination.
Shipping Instruction: Loading instruction or bill of lading instruction. It contains the loading details.
Ship's Chandlers: A person who supplies services or goods to a ship.
Short Sea Shipping: Carriage of cargo by sea between ports located in geographical Europe, or between ports with a coastline on the enclosed seas bordering Europe.
Short Shipped: Cargo that was planned to be loaded but could not be loaded on the ship, thus missing the vessel.
Slot: A carrier's rental of a portion of the space on another carrier's vessel.
Standard Carrier Alpha Code (SCAC): A code used primarily by US government agencies. It helps customs track carriers entering the country.
Standard International Trade Classification (SITC): A standard numerical code developed by the United Nations to classify goods used in international trade on a hierarchical basis.
Storage: A fee for keeping containers in terminals under the control of the port operator.
Stuffing: Loading cargo into a container.
Surcharges: Additional charges on top of the ocean freight.
Survey: Inspection of goods to determine the extent and cause of damage.
SWIFT: Stands for Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication. It refers to the money transfer operation carried out between two banks in different countries.
Tare Weight: The weight of an empty container.
Terminal: The part of a port with special equipment where ships are berthed for loading and unloading goods.
Terminal Handling Charge (THC): A fee charged for stowing and handling containers before they are loaded onto the ship.
TEU: Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit; a 20-foot container is about 6 meters. A 40-foot container is counted as 2 TEU.
The International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL): The International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, signed in 1973. It consists of rules on pollution prevention and how waste is to be disposed of.
TIR Carnet / TIR Karnesi: A customs transit document used to make international road transport safer.
Transhipment / Aktarma: A process in which cargo or a container is moved from one mode of transport to another on its way to the final destination.
UNCITRAL: United Nations Commission on International Trade Law. Established in 1966. It promotes the harmonization of international trade law.
Under Deck Shipment: Cargo carried below the ship's deck, in the hold.
Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary Credits (UCP 600): The Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary Credits, which came into force on 1 July 2007. It is published by the ICC Banking Commission.
Unstuffing: Removing cargo from a container.
Value of The Good is Unknown: The value of the goods is unknown.
VAT (Value Added Tax): Value added tax is a form of consumption tax. It is a tax levied on the value added at each stage of production or distribution.
Verified Gross Mass (VGM): VGM (Verified Gross Mass; DBA in Turkish) = the net weight of the cargo + the weight of the packaging + the tare weight of the container. It was made mandatory by SOLAS.
Vessel Operating Common Carrier (VOCC): A shipping company that owns and operates vessels and charters them out to other organizations.
Vessel Sharing Agreement (VSA): An agreement among the various partners in a shipping consortium who agree to operate a vessel service along a specific route.
Voyage Number: The reference number given to a ship's voyage by the carrier or its agent.
War Risk Surcharge (WRS) / Savaş Risk Ücreti: An additional charge that the ship operator adds to freight rates to protect itself when ships pass through regions affected by war and other risks.
Warehouse: A special area for managing and storing goods. Raw materials, components or finished products can be stored.
World Shipping Council (WSC): The primary industry trade association representing the international liner shipping industry.
World Trade Organization (WTO): An intergovernmental organization that regulates and facilitates international trade.

Frequently asked questions

What does the glossary cover?

Terms used in sea freight, container transport, shipping documents, payment methods and foreign trade.

Are the terms given in English and Turkish?

Yes. Each entry's heading shows the English term and its Turkish equivalent.

Are the definitions legal advice?

No. They explain common usage in plain language. For contracts, check the exact wording with your bank, insurer or forwarder.

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