International Shipping and Movers Resource Center
Glossary of shipping and moving terms:
Accessorial services
A term used to describe those services not directly related to the transportation of household goods. Typical accessorial services are disassembly of unique furniture items, i.e. pools table, swing set, satellite dish, appliance refrigerator, washer, dryer servicing, shuttle service, or special crating.
Bill of lading
A Document Issued by the Transportation Service Provider when the shipper relinquishes the household goods. The terms and conditions of the move are detailed on the document, as well as the essential information about the shipper, the origin and destination addresses and the charges.
Relocation Booking agent
The relocation company you have chosen to manage your move.
Shipment Consignee
The person to whom the shipment will be delivered.
Shipping Container
A metal shipping container either 20' or 40' long.
20' holds typically 5000-7000 pounds
40' holds typically 10-16000 pounds
Customs clearance
A formal inspection of the documents and contents of the shipment, conducted by the port authorities, which is required before a shipment is allowed to enter a country.
Shipping Density
The ratio between the weight and volume of the shipment. A typical shipment of household goods has a density of 6 lbs./ cubic foot.
Declared value
This is the value an owner states on an insurance document for the value of their belongings, calculated on the value to replace the goods at destination. This value should be used to estimate the amount of insurance coverage a transferee purchases for his belongings. IMPORTANT : The declared value for insurance purposes will not be used as the declared value for the shipment to clear customs.
EIN#
A number given to each shipper by the IRS in order to ship their goods
out of the US. This can be obtained by shipper online at the IRS website.
Inventory
The document that lists each item and its condition at loading and at delivery.
Lift vans
A wooden shipping container specifically designed for the transportation of less than container load shipments
Lift van dimensions
Length 7' 3" X Width 3' 9" X Height 7' 3"Capacity of 190 to 200 cubic feet and 1000 to 1500 net lbs.
Storage in transit
Temporary storage of your belongings, typically stored in the moving company's warehouse, pending further transportation.
Transit time
The number of days established for the movement of your shipment from the pick up to the final delivery.
