Professional Guide

Practical tools and quick reference for international trade and ocean freight terminology.

Incoterms

Trade Terms (Incoterms)

EXW / FCA / FAS / FOB

From ex-works to free on board — seller obligations increase progressively. FOB is commonly referred to as "free alongside ship."

CFR / CIF

Seller pays freight to the destination port (CIF includes insurance); risk typically transfers at the ship's rail at the port of loading.

DAF / DES / DEQ / DDU / DDP

In the delivered-at-destination series, DDP places the maximum obligation on the seller (delivered duty paid) — the opposite of EXW.

Ocean Glossary

Ocean Freight Terminology

Abbrev.EnglishDescription
B/LBill of LadingOcean bill of lading
FCL / LCLFull / Less Container LoadFull container / consolidated cargo
CY / CFSContainer Yard / Freight StationContainer yard / CFS warehouse
POL / PODPort of Loading / DestinationOrigin port / destination port
O/FOcean FreightBase ocean freight charge
BAF / CAFBunker / Currency AdjustmentFuel / currency surcharge
THCTerminal Handling ChargesTerminal handling fee
PSSPeak Season SurchargesPeak season surcharge
TEU / FEUTwenty / Forty-Foot Equivalent20' / 40' container unit
NVOCCNon Vessel Operating Common CarrierNon-vessel operating common carrier
HBL / MBLHouse / Master B/LHouse bill / master bill of lading
ETD / ETAEstimated Time of Departure / ArrivalEstimated departure / arrival
D/ODelivery OrderPort delivery order
C/OCertificate of OriginCertificate of origin
W/MWeight or MeasurementChargeable by weight ton or measurement ton, whichever is greater