Breaking it down for our clients
glossary of terms
Don’t be overwhelmed by industry jargon and terminology. Our Team Six moving team has put together this helpful list of some the moving industry’s most common terms.
Don’t be overwhelmed by industry jargon and terminology. Our Team Six moving team has put together this helpful list of some the moving industry’s most common terms.
Access
The term ‘Access’ refers to space at and around a shipper’s property to remove household goods. This is usually assessed by the surveyor to ascertain any difficulties the movers or their vehicle may encounter.
Bill of Lading
The bill of lading is a document issued by the transportation service provider when the shipper relinquishes the household goods. Terms and conditions, essential information about the shipper, the origin and destination addresses, and freight information are all included in the form.
Bonded Warehouse
A warehouse that meets all local customs regulations allows storing items that have not yet cleared customs.
Cartons
Cartons is another term for moving boxes made for the packing of small to medium size items. Some cartons are made for specific items, such as wardrobe cartons, which can hang your clothes. Another example is TV cartons that have special padding to protect your TV during transportation.
Chargeable Weight
The chargeable weight refers to the weight utilized by a steamship line or airline to determine freight charges.
Consignee
This consignee is the person/company to whom a shipment is assigned and will ultimately be delivered to at the destination.
Cubic Foot (CFT) or Cubic Meter (CBM)
Depending on your geographic area, measurements for a consignment are given per cubic foot (CFT) or cubic meter (CBM). Check your proposal to confirm how your rate is calculated and consult your specialist if you have questions.
Custom Crate
A custom wooden crate is made to carry high importance or high value or requires special care.
Customs Clearance
Customs clearance is a formal inspection and approval of the shipment’s documents and contents, conducted by the port authorities and customs officials, required before a shipment can enter any country.
CWT (per 100 pounds)
The acronym CWT is commonly used in moving for pricing purposes. Rates are provided in 100-pound increments and are based on your belongings’ estimated and actual weight.
Declared Value
The declared value is the value an owner states as the value of their belongings, calculated on the costs to replace the goods at the destination. This value will be used to estimate the amount of insurance coverage a transferee purchases for his/her belongings. IMPORTANT: The declared value for insurance purposes, in most cases, will not be used as the declared value for the shipment to clear customs.
Density
Density is the ratio between the weight and volume of a shipment. Any particular shipment density can be found by taking the net weight and dividing it by the gross volume. The average shipment of household goods has a density between 6.0 and 7.0 pounds per cubic foot.
Demurrage
Demurrage is a fee assessed by the steamship line for the detention of equipment beyond the amount of free time allotted at any given port of departure or entry port.
Export Wrapping
Export wrapping refers to industry-standard paper pads used to prepare household goods and personnel effects for international shipping.
FCL (Full Container Load)
FCL is a term used when a shipper utilizes one full container regardless of the space being used inside (20’/40’/40HC/45HC/53HC).
Groupage
Groupage is a term used when your belongings are placed in a larger container along with other shippers’ goods. The cost of shipping is shared by all shippers with goods in the container. This transporting method usually results in savings for all parties involved, although transit time may be impacted.
Inventory
The inventory is a document that lists each item and its condition at the time of loading. It is also used to confirm the arrival and conditions of items at the time of delivery.
Lift Van
A lift van is a wooden shipping container with average dimensions of 87″ x 45″ x 87″ utilized for smaller shipments. They are used when it is more cost-effective for the shipper than the use of a full container.
Overseas Container
Overseas containers are commonly used for international transportation. They come in standard sizes of 20′ or 40′. There are also 45′ and 53′ containers available depending on your origin and destination. Containers are owned and provided by steamship line companies.
PBO (Packed by Owner)
PBO refers to when a transferee chooses to pack his/her own belongings. Most insurance companies will not provide Full Valuation Protection (FVP) coverage if the shipment has been packed by the shipper. However, total loss policies are available if the consignment is PBO.
RFP (Request for Proposal)
A request for proposal (RFP) is a solicitation made, often through a bidding process, by an agency or company interested in procurement of a commodity, service, or valuable asset, to potential suppliers to submit business proposals. It is submitted early in the procurement cycle, either at the preliminary study or procurement stage.
Shipper
The customer/company whose goods are being transported.
Shuttle
Shuttle service refers to using a smaller vehicle to transport goods when loading access at a shipper’s residence limits a large truck’s use.
Storage in Transit (SIT)
Storage in transit is the temporary storage of your belongings, typically stored in the moving company’s warehouse, pending further transportation.
Storage Vaults
A storage vault is a wooden container measuring 84″ x 60″ x 84″ (245cft in volume) used for permanent (PERM) or long-term storage.
Surveyor
A surveyor is a representative assigned to come to your residence or the goods’ location and assess the estimated weights and dimensions of the goods to be moved.
THC (Terminal Handling Charges)
Terminal Handling Charges (THC) are the charges collected by terminal authorities for handling equipment and maintenance at each port. THC costs at each port differ depending on the total cost of port terminal handling at each location.
Third-Party Services
Third-party services refer to professionals in a specific arena assigned to perform particular services. Some examples are custom crating, piano tuning, housekeeping service, etc.
Transit Insurance
Transit insurance refers to insurance specifically designed to cover goods in transit over long distances, across borders, over water by vessel or by aircraft.
Transit Time
Transit time is the number of days estimated for a shipment movement from the day of pick up to the goods’ final delivery.
This is a moving company that has been commissioned/appointed to act as a service provider in a move. The agent’s services are typically included in the quotation. For door to door moves, there will be two agents involved. The agent at origin is responsible for packing and loading the shipment. The destination agent is responsible for customs clearance (international only) and receiving and delivering the shipment.
Warehouse Handling
Warehouse handling is usually an additional service, not included with the original project scope. It refers to the handling of goods for any purpose at the warehouse where the goods are located.