Supply Chain & Logistics Terms Glossary

3PL (Third-Party Logistics): A service provided by companies that manage and execute logistics operations for other businesses, including transportation, warehousing, and distribution, often integrating these services to streamline the supply chain.

4PL (Fourth-Party Logistics): A 4PL provider offers a higher level of supply chain management by acting as a single interface between the client and multiple logistics service providers. Unlike 3PLs, 4PLs manage the entire logistics process, often without owning any assets.

Accessorial Charges: Additional fees charged by carriers for services beyond the standard pickup and delivery, such as liftgate service, inside delivery, or storage.

Advanced Planning and Scheduling (APS): A process that integrates production and logistics planning to enhance manufacturing efficiency and align it with distribution capabilities, often using sophisticated software.

Advanced Shipping Notice (ASN): An electronic document sent by the supplier to the customer in advance of a shipment, detailing the contents, packaging, and expected delivery details of the order.

Aggregate Shipment: The consolidation of multiple smaller shipments into one larger shipment, transported as a single unit to optimize cargo space, reduce shipping costs, and improve delivery efficiency.

Air Freight: The transportation of goods by aircraft, typically used for expedited or high-value shipments that require rapid delivery.

Air Waybill (AWB): A contract between the shipper and the airline that details the terms and conditions of the air freight shipment, acting as a receipt and a document of title for the cargo.

All-Risk Insurance: Comprehensive coverage against all types of loss or damage to goods during shipping, excluding specified risks like war or natural disasters.

Asset-Based Carrier: A transportation provider that owns and operates its own fleet of trucks, ships, or aircraft, as opposed to non-asset-based carriers who arrange for transportation services without owning the vehicles.

Automated Guided Vehicle (AGV): A mobile robot used in warehouses and manufacturing facilities to move materials around without human intervention, following markers or wires on the floor or using vision, magnets, or lasers for navigation.

Backhaul: The process of transporting goods on the return leg of a trip, often at a reduced rate, to avoid returning an empty vehicle to its origin.

Barge: A flat-bottomed vessel used for transporting bulk goods on rivers and canals.

Bill of Entry: A legal document submitted to customs authorities detailing the nature, quantity, and value of goods that have been imported.

Bill of Lading (BOL): A legal document issued by a carrier to a shipper, outlining the details of the goods being transported, terms of transportation, and serves as a receipt of shipment.

Blockchain in Logistics: The application of blockchain technology to enhance transparency, security, and efficiency in logistics operations by providing a decentralized ledger for recording transactions.

Bonded Warehouse: A secured warehouse facility supervised by customs authorities where imported goods can be stored without paying duties until they are dispatched for domestic use or re-exported.

Break Bulk: The process of handling cargo individually rather than in containers, typically used for oversized or heavy items that do not fit in standard containers.

Bulk Cargo: Unpackaged goods shipped in large quantities, such as oil, grain, or coal, typically loaded directly into the vessel’s cargo space.

Bulk Carrier: A ship specially designed to transport bulk cargo, equipped with large cargo holds and minimal equipment on deck.

C-TPAT (Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism): A voluntary supply chain security program led by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, aimed at improving the security of private companies’ supply chains with respect to terrorism.

Cabotage: The transport of goods or passengers between two places in the same country by a vehicle registered in another country, often regulated to protect domestic transportation industries.

Capacity: The maximum amount of goods a vehicle, vessel, or facility can transport or store at one time.

Capacity Management: The process of managing a company’s ability to meet changing demands for its services, by adjusting its capacity to transport or store goods efficiently.

Cargo: Goods transported by a ship, plane, or truck.

Cargo Insurance: Insurance policy that protects the shipper against financial loss due to damaged or lost cargo during transit.

Cargo Security and Safety: Measures and protocols put in place to protect cargo from theft, damage, or tampering during transportation and storage.

Carrier: A company or individual that undertakes the transportation of goods or people by land, sea, or air.

Carrier Liability: The legal responsibility of a carrier for loss, damage, or delay of cargo while in its possession during transit.

Carrier Management: The process of selecting, managing, and evaluating the performance of carriers to ensure efficient, cost-effective transportation services.

Cartage: The process of transporting goods over a short distance, typically within a local area or region, often involving the final leg of delivery or the first stage of transportation from a shipper’s origin.

CFS (Container Freight Station): A facility where goods are loaded into or unloaded from containers, often used for consolidating or deconsolidating cargo before shipment or after arrival.

Chassis: A wheeled frame specifically designed for carrying containers over short distances, especially within ports or from ports to nearby locations.

Chock: A wedge or block placed against a vehicle’s wheels to prevent accidental movement or rolling, ensuring safety during loading, unloading, or when parked.

CIF (Cost, Insurance, and Freight): A trade term used in international shipping where the seller is responsible for covering the cost of the goods, insurance, and freight charges to transport the goods to the buyer’s nearest port.

COFC (Container on Flat Car): A type of intermodal freight transport where a container is loaded on a flat railcar, allowing for seamless transfer between different transportation modes without handling the freight itself.

Consignee: The individual or entity that is the recipient of goods being shipped or transported, to whom the shipment is to be delivered by the carrier upon completion of the transport.

Collaborative Planning, Forecasting, and Replenishment (CPFR): A business practice where supply chain partners share information and resources to forecast demand, plan production, and replenish inventory in a collaborative manner.

Compliance Management: The process of ensuring that a company and its supply chain partners adhere to all regulatory requirements and standards relevant to their operations.

Consignor: The person or entity that sends goods by a carrier to a consignee at a distant location, often the seller or shipper of the goods.

Consolidated Billing: A billing practice where multiple shipments are combined into one invoice to simplify the payment process for the customer.

Container: A large, standard-sized metal box used for transporting goods securely and efficiently by various modes of transport, such as ship, rail, and truck.

Container Terminal: A specialized facility where cargo containers are transshipped between different transportation vehicles, such as ships and trucks, or where they can be stored temporarily.

Continuous Improvement Programs: Initiatives aimed at constantly enhancing processes, services, and products within an organization, often involving feedback loops and performance metrics.

Contract Negotiation: The process of discussing and agreeing on the terms of a contract between two or more parties, in logistics often involving rates, service levels, and other conditions of carriage.

Cost-to-Serve Analysis: An analysis to determine the total cost associated with providing a product or service to a specific customer, including all aspects of logistics and distribution.

Cross-Border Logistics: Refers to the planning, implementing, and controlling of the movement and storage of goods across international borders, including managing the flow of information, materials, and products between points of origin and destinations in different countries.

Cross Trade: International trade where a company in one country ships goods directly from one foreign country to another foreign country, bypassing the company’s own country.

Cross-Docking: A logistics process where incoming shipments are directly transferred from receiving docks to shipping docks, minimizing or eliminating storage time.

Customs Broker: A professional who acts as an intermediary between importers/exporters and the customs authorities, helping to clear goods through customs by preparing and submitting necessary documentation and fees.

Customs Brokerage Services: Assistance provided by licensed professionals to facilitate the import and export of goods across international borders, including preparation and submission of documentation, calculation of duties and taxes, and ensuring compliance with customs regulations.

Customs Clearance: The process of obtaining permission to import or export goods from one country to another, involving the submission of documents and payment of duties and taxes.

Customs Duty: A tax levied on goods imported or exported, determined based on factors such as their value, weight, dimensions, or type, and intended to regulate trade and generate revenue for governments.

Dangerous Goods: Items or materials with properties that pose potential hazards to human health, safety, infrastructure, or transportation modes if improperly managed or controlled.

Data Logger: A device designed to record environmental parameters, such as temperature and humidity, over time to monitor the conditions of sensitive goods during transport and storage.

Deadhead: The operation of a transportation vehicle, like a truck or train, traveling without carrying any cargo, typically on its return to the point of origin after completing a delivery.

Dedicated Contract Carriage: A tailored logistics solution where carriers provide exclusive use of drivers, vehicles, and equipment to a specific customer under a long-term agreement.

Dedicated Fleet Management: The organization and oversight of a fleet of vehicles allocated exclusively to a single company, encompassing scheduling, maintenance, and operational efficiency.

Dedicated Freight: Transportation services offering exclusive use of vehicles or freight capacity for a single client’s goods, often designed to meet specific delivery schedules or operational requirements.

Delivery Order: An official document authorizing the release and delivery of cargo to a designated party, issued by a consignee or freight forwarder to the carrier or terminal operator.

Demurrage: A penalty fee charged by carriers for cargo that remains at a port or terminal beyond the allocated free storage period, commonly associated with containerized freight.

Detention: A fee imposed on shippers or consignees when loading or unloading activities delay a truck or container beyond the agreed time limits.

Dispatch: The coordination and sending of vehicles, freight, or cargo to their intended destinations, often involving route planning and scheduling.

Distribution Center: A hub for receiving, storing, and redistributing goods efficiently, designed to manage inventory and fulfill orders for timely delivery to customers or retailers.

Distribution Network: The system of interconnected warehouses, transportation modes, and facilities used to distribute goods from manufacturers to consumers.

Distribution Strategy: The methodology a company employs to ensure effective delivery of products to customers, involving the selection of distribution channels, transportation methods, and inventory management.

Dock Leveler: A mechanical or hydraulic platform bridging the gap between a dock and a trailer, enabling secure and efficient loading and unloading of goods.

Dock Receipt: A document acknowledging receipt of cargo at a dock or warehouse for shipping, issued by a carrier or freight forwarder as proof of custody.

Double-Stack Train: A rail transport system that accommodates two levels of intermodal containers, maximizing capacity and reducing transportation costs.

Drayage: Short-distance transportation of goods, particularly between ports, terminals, and nearby warehouses, often forming the initial or final leg of the supply chain.

Drop Trailer: A trailer left at a customer’s site for convenient loading or unloading at their own pace, later retrieved by the carrier for transport.

Dry Van: A standard, enclosed trailer used for transporting non-perishable goods, offering protection from weather and theft.

E-commerce Logistics: The processes and systems used to manage the storage, handling, and delivery of goods purchased online, from fulfillment to last-mile delivery.

E-commerce Logistics Strategies: Customized plans to enhance the efficiency of online order fulfillment, inventory management, and delivery processes in e-commerce operations.

EDI (Electronic Data Interchange): The electronic exchange of business documents, such as purchase orders and invoices, between organizations in a standardized format, improving accuracy and efficiency.

ELD (Electronic Logging Device): A system installed in commercial vehicles to automatically record driving hours and ensure compliance with safety regulations.

Embargo: A restriction or prohibition on the movement of goods to or from specific locations, often implemented for political, economic, or safety reasons.

Ex Works (EXW): An Incoterm where the seller makes goods available at their premises or another designated place, with the buyer assuming all risks and costs from that point forward.

Expedited Shipping: A service offering faster-than-standard delivery times for goods, often chosen for time-sensitive shipments or high-priority items.

FAK (Freight All Kinds): A freight rate agreement that applies uniformly to different types of goods shipped together, simplifying classification and billing.

FCL (Full Container Load): A shipping term describing a container loaded with cargo for a single consignee, optimizing space utilization and often reducing costs per unit.

FIFO (First In, First Out): An inventory method ensuring that the oldest stock is used or shipped first, reducing the risk of obsolescence and spoilage.

Flat Rack Container: A shipping container with open sides and no roof, designed to accommodate oversized or irregularly shaped cargo.

Flexitank: A flexible liquid storage container placed inside a standard 20-foot container, used for the bulk transport of non-hazardous liquids.

FMC (Federal Maritime Commission): A U.S. regulatory agency overseeing international ocean transportation, ensuring fair practices and protecting exporters, importers, and consumers.

FOB (Free on Board): An Incoterm where the seller is responsible for goods until they are loaded onto the shipping vessel, after which the buyer assumes responsibility for costs and risks.

Freight Audit and Payment: The process of validating freight bills, ensuring accuracy in charges, and processing payments to carriers, often managed by third-party providers.

Freight Bill: A detailed invoice from a carrier to a shipper, outlining shipment charges, terms, and descriptions of transported goods.

Freight Broker: A logistics intermediary that connects shippers with carriers, negotiating rates and coordinating freight movements.

Freight Brokerage: Services provided by brokers to facilitate the transport of goods by connecting shippers and carriers, optimizing logistics without owning transport assets.

货运舱： A system used to categorize goods for shipping based on factors like density, value, and handling requirements, influencing freight rates.

Freight Consolidation: The practice of combining multiple small shipments into one larger load to improve transportation efficiency and reduce costs.

Freight Consolidation Services: Specialized services that aggregate smaller shipments from various shippers into a single, larger shipment to achieve cost savings and streamline logistics.

Freight Forwarder: A company specializing in arranging the transportation of goods on behalf of shippers, including documentation, warehousing, and customs clearance.

Freight Forwarding Analysis: An evaluation process conducted by freight forwarders to optimize shipping routes, costs, and logistics for clients.

Full-Truck-Load (FTL): A mode of transport where a truck carries cargo exclusively for one customer, maximizing capacity and enabling faster transit times.

Gantry Crane: A large overhead crane mounted on a framework of fixed rails, used for lifting and moving heavy cargo at ports and rail yards.

General Average: A maritime principle where all parties involved in a sea voyage proportionally share losses resulting from a voluntary sacrifice made to save the vessel and its cargo during an emergency.

Global Positioning System (GPS): A satellite-based navigation technology enabling precise location tracking of vehicles, shipments, or equipment in real time.

Global Trade Management: The comprehensive management of international trade activities, focusing on compliance, logistics, and financial optimization.

GPS Tracking: Technology that provides real-time updates on the movement and location of vehicles or shipments, enhancing supply chain visibility and security.

Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW): The combined weight of a vehicle and its cargo, including passengers and fuel, critical for regulatory compliance.

Gross Weight: The total weight of goods, including all packaging and containers, used to determine shipping costs.

Harmonized System (HS) Code: A globally standardized nomenclature for classifying traded goods, essential for customs and trade compliance.

Hazardous Materials: Substances posing risks to health, safety, and the environment during transport, requiring strict regulatory compliance.

High Cube Container: A shipping container taller than standard models, offering extra space for volumetric cargo without increasing footprint.

Hub: A central facility in a logistics network for consolidating, sorting, and redistributing goods to streamline the supply chain.

Import License: An official authorization required to import specific goods into a country, ensuring regulatory compliance.

Incoterms: Standardized trade terms published by the International Chamber of Commerce, defining the responsibilities of buyers and sellers in international trade transactions.

Indirect Air Carrier: An entity that consolidates air freight shipments for transportation by airlines, without directly operating aircraft.

Inland Carrier: A transportation provider specializing in moving goods within a country, typically by truck or rail, to and from ports or distribution centers.

Interline: A cooperative agreement between carriers to transfer shipments across networks, enabling seamless transportation.

Intermodal: The use of multiple modes of transport, such as rail, truck, and ship, to move goods efficiently under a single contract.

库存管理： The systematic control of stock levels to ensure the availability of goods while minimizing holding costs.

Inventory Management Solutions: Technologies and systems designed to optimize inventory tracking, replenishment, and forecasting.

ISO Container: A standardized metal container meeting International Organization for Standardization specifications for global compatibility across transport modes.

JIT (Just In Time): A supply chain strategy minimizing inventory levels by aligning production schedules with real-time demand.

JIT II (Just In Time II): An advanced inventory model promoting supplier collaboration within a customer’s facility to optimize inventory flow and reduce waste.

Jumbo Trailer: An oversized trailer offering increased capacity for large or bulky shipments.

Kanban: A visual workflow management system used to balance supply chain demands and capacities, enhancing efficiency.

Lading: The act of loading cargo or the goods listed on a bill of lading.

LASH (Lighter Aboard Ship): A shipping system involving the transport of barges loaded onto larger vessels, improving operational flexibility.

Last Mile Delivery: The final stage of the delivery process, where goods are transported from a distribution center to the end customer.

Last Mile Delivery Solutions: Advanced technologies and logistical strategies aimed at enhancing the efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and reliability of delivering goods to end customers in the final stage of the supply chain.

LCL (Less than Container Load): A shipping method where a container is filled with shipments from multiple shippers, optimizing container space and reducing costs for individual consignments.

Lead Time: The total time taken from the initiation of a process, such as placing an order, to its completion, including manufacturing, transportation, and delivery to the customer.

Lean Logistics: A logistics philosophy focused on minimizing waste, reducing costs, and improving efficiency throughout the supply chain by employing lean manufacturing principles.

Less Than Truckload (LTL): A shipping option for freight that does not require the full capacity of a truck, combining multiple smaller shipments to improve cost efficiency and reduce environmental impact.

Line Haul: The long-distance movement of freight between major locations or cities, excluding local pickup and delivery services, typically forming the central portion of a shipment’s journey.

Load Board: A digital platform or online marketplace where shippers, brokers, and carriers connect to post and find available freight, streamlining the logistics process.

Load Factor: A metric representing the efficiency of cargo space utilization in a transportation vehicle, calculated as the ratio of the actual cargo weight or volume to the maximum carrying capacity.

Load Planning and Optimization: The strategic process of arranging cargo to maximize the use of space and resources in transportation, ensuring cost savings and improved delivery schedules.

Logistics: The comprehensive management of the movement, storage, and flow of goods, materials, and information across the supply chain to meet customer demands efficiently and effectively.

Logistics Optimization: The application of data-driven strategies, technologies, and tools to streamline logistics operations, enhance efficiency, and reduce costs across transportation, warehousing, and inventory management.

Logistics Service Provider (LSP): A company specializing in offering logistics services, such as transportation, warehousing, and distribution, to other businesses as part of an integrated supply chain management solution.

Managed Transportation Services: Comprehensive outsourced solutions where a third party oversees and executes all transportation-related needs of a business, including strategic planning, operational execution, and continuous optimization. 

Manifest: A detailed record listing the cargo, passengers, or crew aboard a transport vehicle (e.g., truck, ship, or airplane), primarily used for customs declarations, insurance verification, and compliance purposes.

Maquiladora: A specialized manufacturing facility in Mexico that operates under duty-free and tariff-free agreements, allowing imported materials to be assembled or manufactured and subsequently exported with minimal customs barriers.

Maritime Law: A legal framework encompassing regulations, conventions, and treaties governing maritime activities, including shipping, navigation, and disputes arising on open waters.

Maritime Shipping: The process of transporting goods or passengers by sea, involving diverse vessel types and cargo categories, including bulk, containerized, and specialized shipments.

Milk Run: An optimized transportation route designed to collect or deliver goods at multiple locations in a single trip, reducing overall transportation costs and enhancing efficiency.

Mode Optimization: The strategic selection of the most suitable and cost-effective transportation method for a specific shipment, considering factors such as speed, cost, and cargo characteristics.

MRP (Materials Requirement Planning): A systematic production planning and inventory control system aimed at ensuring timely material availability for manufacturing processes, balancing demand and supply.

Multimodal: A logistics solution involving the transportation of goods through multiple modes (e.g., rail, ship, and truck) under a single contract, with the carrier assuming full responsibility for the entire journey.

Multimodal Transportation Solutions: Integrated services that combine various transportation modes to enhance cost efficiency, reduce environmental impact, and leverage the unique strengths of each mode.

Nearshoring: A business strategy of relocating operations to geographically closer countries to minimize costs, improve supply chain agility, and enhance responsiveness to market demands.

Network Modeling: The creation of digital simulations of supply chain networks to analyze and optimize the flow of goods, data, and financials, improving overall efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

Non-Vessel Operating Common Carrier (NVOCC): A logistics intermediary that consolidates cargo from various shippers, issuing its own bills of lading and managing ocean freight bookings without directly operating vessels.

Ocean Bill of Lading: A contractual document serving as both a receipt for shipped goods and a title of ownership, detailing the terms and conditions of transportation by sea.

Ocean Freight: A mode of transportation that utilizes large container ships to move goods across oceans, often chosen for its cost-effectiveness in handling high-volume shipments.

Offshoring: The relocation of business processes or operations to foreign countries, typically to leverage lower labor costs, tax benefits, or other economic advantages.

Omni-Channel Distribution: A unified logistics approach that enables businesses to seamlessly manage and fulfill orders across multiple sales channels, ensuring a consistent customer experience.

On-Demand Transportation: Real-time transportation services facilitated by digital platforms, allowing businesses to request and secure transportation resources as needed.

Operational Audit and Enhancement: An in-depth evaluation of an organization’s logistics and supply chain processes, identifying inefficiencies and implementing improvements to enhance performance and cost-effectiveness.

Outbound Logistics: The coordinated management of moving finished goods from a manufacturer’s warehouse to end consumers, distributors, or retailers, ensuring timely and efficient delivery.

Outsourced Fleet Management: A service where a third-party provider oversees the maintenance, operation, and tracking of a company’s fleet, ensuring cost efficiency and operational reliability.

Over-the-Road (OTR): A transportation method involving long-distance hauling of goods via truck, often covering extensive interstate or cross-country routes.

P&D (Pickup and Delivery): Short-distance transportation services focused on collecting goods from a designated origin and delivering them to their final destination within a local area.

Pallet: A standardized portable platform designed to support and stabilize goods during storage and transportation, often used with forklifts or pallet jacks.

Pallet Jack: A warehouse tool used to lift and move pallets. Pallet jacks can be either manually operated or motorized for increased efficiency.

Panamax: A classification referring to the maximum vessel size capable of passing through the Panama Canal, determined by the canal’s lock dimensions.

Parcel: A small package or box suitable for handling by courier services, designed for quick and cost-effective delivery of lightweight goods.

Parcel Delivery: The logistics of transporting and delivering smaller packages to their destinations, often involving door-to-door services.

Peak Season: A period of heightened transportation demand, often driven by seasonal factors such as holidays, harvest cycles, or industry-specific events.

Per Diem: A daily charge applied to freight that exceeds the allotted time for usage or storage, often associated with containers or equipment held beyond agreed-upon terms.

Performance Reporting: The collection and analysis of key performance indicators (KPIs) to monitor and communicate the effectiveness of logistics operations, driving data-informed improvements.

Pick and Pack: A warehousing process where goods are retrieved from storage and packaged according to customer orders, preparing them for shipment.

Pier Pass: A fee assessed for accessing port facilities, typically aimed at managing congestion and encouraging off-peak usage.

Placard: A safety label affixed to transport vehicles or containers carrying hazardous materials, designed to inform emergency responders and comply with regulatory requirements.

POD (Proof of Delivery): A signed document or digital record confirming that goods have been delivered to the intended recipient as agreed upon.

Port Congestion: A condition where excessive traffic or inefficiencies at a port cause delays in handling ships and cargo, impacting supply chain timelines.

Port of Entry: A designated location at a national border where customs and regulatory checks are conducted for goods, vehicles, and travelers entering a country.

Pre-Carriage: The initial transportation phase that moves goods from the point of origin to the port of shipment, preceding the main leg of the journey.

Predictive Analytics in Logistics: Advanced analytics techniques used to forecast future trends, risks, and opportunities in logistics operations, enabling proactive decision-making.

Prepaid Freight: A shipping arrangement where the freight charges are paid in advance by the shipper, ensuring smoother logistics operations.

Quality Control: A set of procedures and measures implemented to maintain the consistency, safety, and reliability of goods and services throughout the logistics process.

Quarantine: A regulatory procedure involving the isolation of goods or vehicles to prevent the spread of diseases, pests, or contaminants across borders.

Queue Time: The duration vehicles or shipments spend waiting in line for loading, unloading, or processing at logistics hubs, affecting overall efficiency.

Rail Freight: The transportation of goods over land via train networks, providing a cost-effective and environmentally friendly solution for long-distance hauling, particularly for bulk goods.

Rate Benchmarking: The evaluation of a company’s freight rates against industry standards or competitors’ rates to identify cost-saving opportunities and enhance pricing strategies in logistics operations.

Rate Confirmation: A formal document issued by a carrier or broker that outlines the agreed-upon price and terms for transporting cargo, serving as a binding agreement between the shipper and carrier.

Real-Time Tracking and Tracing: Advanced systems that deliver live updates on the location and condition of shipments, ensuring enhanced visibility, security, and control throughout the supply chain.

Reefer: A refrigerated shipping container designed for the transportation of perishable goods requiring precise temperature control, such as food products and pharmaceuticals.

Reefer Plug: An electrical outlet on ships, trains, or terminals used to power refrigerated containers (reefers) during transportation or storage, ensuring constant temperature maintenance.

Regional Carrier: A transportation provider specializing in logistics services within a specific geographic area, offering localized expertise and faster delivery times compared to national carriers.

Reverse Logistics: The process of returning goods from their final destination for purposes such as recycling, refurbishment, or proper disposal, contributing to sustainable supply chain practices.

Reverse Logistics Management: The coordination and optimization of reverse logistics activities, focusing on cost efficiency, waste reduction, and value recovery.

Rework: The process of modifying or repairing a product that fails to meet quality or specification standards, ensuring compliance with customer requirements.

RFID (Radio Frequency Identification): A technology that uses electromagnetic fields to automatically identify and track tagged objects, widely implemented for inventory control and real-time asset tracking.

Risk Management: The systematic process of identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks within the supply chain to minimize disruptions and safeguard operations.

RoRo (Roll-on/Roll-off): A shipping method where wheeled cargo, such as vehicles and trailers, is driven on and off specialized vessels, streamlining loading and unloading operations.

Route Optimization: The strategic planning of transportation routes to minimize distance, reduce costs, and meet delivery deadlines while considering variables such as traffic and weather conditions.

Routing Guide: A document provided by shippers detailing preferred shipping practices, including carrier selection, routing instructions, and compliance requirements.

SaaS (Software as a Service): A cloud-based software model that allows users to access logistics applications, such as transportation management systems (TMS) and warehouse management systems (WMS), via the internet.

Safety Stock: An additional quantity of inventory held to protect against unexpected demand fluctuations or supply chain disruptions, ensuring product availability.

SCM (Supply Chain Management): The integrated management of the flow of goods, services, information, and finances across all stages of production, from raw materials to final delivery to the consumer.

Seal: A tamper-evident device used to secure shipping containers and trucks, ensuring cargo integrity during transit.

Seaway Bill: A non-negotiable document that serves as both a receipt for cargo and a contract for transportation, simplifying the shipping process compared to a bill of lading.

Shipment Visibility: The capability to monitor and track the progress of goods throughout the supply chain, enhancing transparency and operational efficiency.

Shipper: An individual or organization responsible for initiating the transportation of goods to a designated recipient via a carrier.

Shipper’s Export Declaration (SED): A government-required document for exporting goods from certain countries, specifying details such as the nature, quantity, and destination of the shipment.

Shipping Container: A standardized, durable metal box used for the secure and efficient transport of goods by sea, rail, and road.

Shipping Manifest: A document listing the details of cargo, passengers, and crew aboard a transport vehicle, facilitating customs clearance and regulatory compliance.

Short Haul: The transportation of goods over relatively short distances, typically within a region or metropolitan area, often completed within a single shift.

Short Sea Shipping: The movement of cargo and passengers via sea routes over short distances, offering an alternative to road or rail transportation.

SKU (Stock Keeping Unit): A unique identifier assigned to each distinct product, facilitating inventory management and tracking within a warehouse or retail environment.

SLA (Service Level Agreement): A formalized contract between a service provider and a client that outlines the expected performance standards and metrics for the services delivered.

Slot Charter: An agreement where a shipping company leases container space on another carrier’s vessel, providing flexibility in capacity management.

Slotting: The strategic organization of inventory within a warehouse to optimize picking and packing efficiency, improving operational throughput.

Stacktrain: A rail service where intermodal containers are stacked two high on flat railcars, maximizing capacity and reducing transportation costs.

Strategic Sourcing: A procurement approach focused on building long-term supplier relationships and minimizing the total cost of ownership for goods and services.

Supply Chain: The interconnected network of individuals, organizations, resources, and activities involved in the production, distribution, and delivery of goods to end consumers.

Supply Chain Analysis: The examination and evaluation of supply chain performance to identify inefficiencies and opportunities for improvement.

Supply Chain Consulting: Professional advisory services aimed at diagnosing supply chain challenges and implementing strategies to enhance efficiency and reduce costs.

Supply Chain Engineering: The application of engineering principles to design, optimize, and manage supply chain operations, balancing cost, efficiency, and sustainability.

Supply Chain Integration: The alignment of processes, information, and resources across all entities in the supply chain to improve collaboration and responsiveness.

Supply Chain Optimization: The use of advanced tools and strategies to enhance supply chain operations, balancing cost efficiency and service quality.

Supply Chain Visibility: The ability to monitor and trace the movement of parts, products, and information throughout the supply chain in real time.

Tare Weight: The weight of an empty vehicle or container, used to calculate the net weight of the cargo by subtracting it from the gross weight.

Tautliner: A curtain-sided trailer commonly used in road transport, allowing for easy loading and unloading while providing weather and security protection for goods.

Technology Implementation and Integration: The adoption and integration of new technologies into existing logistics processes to enhance operational efficiency and scalability.

Terminal Handling Charge (THC): A fee imposed by terminals for cargo handling services during import or export, covering activities such as container loading, unloading, and storage.

TEU (Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit): A standard measurement for cargo capacity, representing the space occupied by a 20-foot shipping container.

Third-Party Logistics (3PL): A service model where businesses outsource logistics functions, such as warehousing and distribution, to specialized providers.

Throughput: A measure of the volume of goods passing through a system or facility, reflecting the efficiency of transportation and warehousing operations.

TL (Truckload): A shipment large enough to occupy an entire truck or contracted as a full load, providing direct delivery without consolidation with other goods.

Track and Trace: The real-time monitoring of a shipment’s location and status, improving supply chain transparency and customer service.

Trailer: A large, wheeled container towed by a truck, used for transporting goods over long distances.

Transloading: The process of transferring cargo between different transportation modes during a shipment’s journey, such as from ship to truck, without directly handling the goods.

Transshipment: The practice of transferring goods to an intermediate destination before reaching their final destination, often to consolidate shipments or switch transportation modes.

Transportation Economics: The study of cost allocation, benefits, and the economic impact of transportation infrastructure and policies within the logistics sector.

Transportation Management System (TMS): Software designed to manage, optimize, and monitor transportation operations, from route planning to freight payment.

Transportation Procurement: The strategic process of selecting, negotiating, and managing agreements with transportation carriers to secure cost-effective and reliable services.

Truckload: A shipping method for large shipments that fill a truck’s entire capacity, often offering faster transit times compared to less-than-truckload (LTL) shipping.

ULD (Unit Load Device): A standardized container or pallet used in air freight to bundle cargo, streamlining handling and maximizing space utilization.

Value Stream Mapping: A lean management technique used to analyze and optimize workflows, identifying waste and improving efficiency from production to delivery.

Value-Added Services: Additional logistics services, such as labeling, assembly, or custom packaging, provided to enhance customer satisfaction and supply chain efficiency.

Vanning: The process of loading goods into a container or truck for shipment.

Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI): A supply chain strategy where the supplier assumes responsibility for maintaining the customer’s inventory levels, improving efficiency and reducing stockouts.

Vessel: A seagoing ship used for the transportation of goods and passengers over water.

Warehouse Design and Management: The planning and operation of warehouses to ensure efficient storage, inventory handling, and distribution of goods while minimizing costs.

Warehouse Management System (WMS): Software designed to optimize warehouse operations, including inventory tracking, order picking, and space utilization.

Warehouse Receipt: A legal document provided by a warehouse, serving as evidence of goods received for storage and a title document for the goods.

仓储： The practice of storing goods in dedicated facilities to support inventory management, value-added processes, and distribution activities.

Waybill: A transportation document containing shipment details and instructions, issued by a carrier but not serving as a title of ownership.

Weight Break: A pricing structure where the cost per unit weight decreases as shipment size increases, encouraging larger shipments.

X-Dock (Cross-Docking): A logistics practice where incoming goods are directly sorted and transferred to outbound transportation with minimal or no storage time.

Yard Jockey: A worker responsible for moving trailers within a warehouse or distribution center yard to streamline operations.

Yard Management System (YMS): Software designed to coordinate the movement and storage of trucks and trailers within a warehouse or distribution center’s yard.

Yield Management: A revenue management strategy that optimizes pricing and capacity based on demand forecasts and customer behavior patterns.

Zero Inventory: A lean supply chain strategy focused on minimizing inventory levels by synchronizing production and delivery with customer demand.

Zone Skipping: A shipping strategy that bypasses intermediate carrier zones by directly delivering goods to a zone closer to the final destination, reducing costs and transit times.