Freight glossary: words and terms
A range of air freight terms are used in our industry. So, we’ve put together a glossary to demystify some of the most commonly used words and acronyms.
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We've put together a list of commonly used acronyms and their meanings.
ARR Arrival of AWB at port ATA Actual time of arrival ATD Actual time of departure AWB Air waybill AWD Shipment arrival documents delivered to the consignee or agent BKD Shipment booked on a specific flight CCD Shipment cleared by Customs CTO Cargo Terminal Operator DEP Shipment departed on a specific flight DIS Shipment with a discrepancy DLV Shipment delivered to the consignee or agent EXP-FLN Post Departure milestone (ATD)
This Export Flight Finalisation transaction will internally mark the following messages generation milestones - for downstream ports - as complete:
1. FWB (Only if the downstream port is Non-Mechanised)
2. FHL (Only if the downstream port is Non-Mechanised)
3. FFM (Only if. the downstream port is Non-Mechanised)EXP-PLN This transaction will mark the completion of the following milestones:
1. DWS (Export and Transit)
2. NOTOC (Export and Transit)FFM Flight Manifest FHL House AWB FIW Freight in warehouse - hand over from ramp for import FOW Freight out of warehouse - hand over to ramp for export FSU Freight Status Update FWB Electronic AWB HAWB House air waybill MAN Shipment manifested on a specific flight MAWB Master air waybill NFD Shipment arrived at destination and the consignee or agent has been informed RCF Shipment received from a given flight RCS Shipment received from shipper or agent and checked in at the terminal RCT Shipment received from another airline STA Scheduled time of arrival STD Scheduled time of departure TFD Shipment transferred to another airline TRM Shipment to be transferred to another airline -
The transport of goods from one airport to another airport. This is offered by most airlines and requires the sender, or nominated person, to drop off the shipment and a receiver to pick up the goods at the airport terminal.
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A document that functions as proof of goods being received for shipment by an air carrier - like a ticket for a passenger.
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A document prepared and signed by the person sending the shipment which is countersigned by the carrier of the shipment as proof of receipt.
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The person receiving the shipment.
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The person sending the shipment.
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Customs control the flow of goods into and out of the country they’re representing – all international shipments need to be customs-cleared before they’re accepted into the country. Visit the Australian customs and quarantine site for more information.
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The actual weight of a shipment - in kilograms.
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The sending of goods within Australia.
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The transport of goods from one defined point to another point - e.g. from a company warehouse to an end destination. Companies such as Startrack, DHL, Fedex etc. offer door-to-door freight services.
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A government document granting the right to export a specific quantity of a commodity to the country requested.
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The movement of goods from the sender to the courier service who will get the product to its final receiver.
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A company that ships and receives goods on behalf of a customer.
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If a freight forwarder is involved in the shipping of goods, this document acts as proof that the freight forwarder agrees to deliver the goods to their destination.
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The importing of goods into Australia or the exporting of goods outside Australia.
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The delivery of goods from a transport carrier to a customer, directly. For example, from an airport to a personal residence.
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A master air waybill (MAWB) is issued by the carrier a freight forwarder chooses to get goods to a final destination.
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The processes and resources used to deliver a product to the final customer.
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If products are quarantined, they’ll be held at the point of arrival so they can be checked for any potentially infectious or contagious diseases. Visit the Australian customs and quarantine site for more information.
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The volumetric weight of a shipment is a calculation that reflects the density of a package. A less dense item generally occupies more volume of space, in comparison to its actual weight. The volumetric or dimensional weight is calculated and compared with the actual weight of the shipment to ascertain which is greater; the higher weight is used to calculate the shipment cost.