Freight and Shipping Terms Glossary

For your convenience, Logistics Worldwide offers a Freight Terms Glossary compiled by the Georgia Institute of Technology in association with the Georgia Tech Supply Chain & Logistics Institute. The glossary includes over 750 freight, shipping and supply chain & logistics terms for all modes of transportation for our visitors and customers. To use the glossary, simply click on the letters corresponding to the word or phrase you are searching for.

Using this glossary can help you determine the definitions of specific acronyms, slang, payment, credit, and other shipping terms. We believe you’ll find all your transportation industry definition of terms in this glossary but if you are unable to find what you are searching for or need clarification, please contact us and we will be more than happy to assist you.

Logistics Worldwide is pleased to provide a glossary of freight and shipping terms for all modes of transportation to our visitors and customers. To use the glossary, click on the letters below corresponding to the word or acronym you are searching for. If you are unable to find what you are searching for, please contact us and we will be happy to assist you.

E.C.M.C.A.: Eastern Central Motor Carriers Association.
E.W.I.B.: Eastern Weighing and Inspection Bureau.
Edge Protector: An angle piece fitted over the edge of boxes, crates, bundles and other packages to prevent the pressure from metal bands or other types from cutting into the package.
EDI: Abbreviation for "Electronic Data Interface." Generic term for transmission of transactional data between computer systems. EDI is typically via a batched transmission, usually conforming to consistent standards.
EDIFACT: International data interchange standards sponsored by the United Nations. See UN/EDIFACT.
Elevating: charges assessed for the handling of grain through grain elevators.
Elkins Act: An act of Congress (1903) prohibiting rebates, concession, misbilling, etc. and providing specific penalties for such violations.
Embargo: Order to restrict the hauling of freight.
Eminent Domain: The sovereign power to take property for a necessary public use, with reasonable compensation.
Empty Repo: Contraction for Empty Repositioning. The movement of empty containers.
Endorsement: A legal signature usually placed on the reverse of a draft; signifies transfer of rights from the holder to another party.
Entry: Customs documents required to clear an import shipment for entry into the general commerce of a country.
Equalization: A monetary allowance to the customer for picking up or delivering at a point other than the destination shown on the bill of lading. This provision is covered by tariff publication.
Equipment Interchange Receipt (EIR): A document transferring a container from one carrier to another, or to/from a terminal.
ETA: Estimated time of arrival.
Ethylene: A gas produced by many fruits and vegetables that accelerates the ripening and aging processes.
Ex - "From": When used in pricing terms such as "Ex Factory" or "Ex Dock," it signifies that the price quoted applies only at the point of origin indicated.
Ex Dec: Contraction for "Shipper's Export Declaration."
Exception: Notations made when the cargo is received at the carrier's terminal or loaded aboard a vessel. They show any irregularities in packaging or actual or suspected damage to the cargo. Exceptions are then noted on the bill of lading.
EXIM Bank: Abbreviation for Export-Import Bank of the United States. An independent U.S. Government Agency which facilitates exports of U.S. goods by providing loan guarantees and insurance for repayment of bank-provided export credit.
Expiry Date: Issued in connection with documents such as letters of credit, tariffs etc. to advise that stated provisions will expire at a certain time.
Export: Shipment of goods to a foreign country.
Export Declaration: A government document declaring designated goods to be shipped out of the country. To be completed by the exporter and filed with the U.S. Government.
Export License: A government document which permits the "Licensee" to engage in the export of designated goods to certain destinations.
Export Rate: A rate published on traffic moving from an interior point to a port for transshipment to a foreign country.