B

Balloon Freight

This includes any freight that is light but takes up a lot of space.

BCO ? Beneficial Cargo Owner

An importer that takes control of a shipment at the destination using their own logistics assets instead of utilizing a third-party source like a freight forwarder.

Bill of Lading

A legal document that details the type, quantity, and destination of the goods being carried in a shipment.

Billable Weight

A pricing technique used by carriers to calculate shipping rates. The Billable weight is the greater of dimensional weight or actual weight.

Blind Shipping

A shipment sent directly from the supplier to the customer hiding the name of the supplier.

Bonded Goods/Warehouse

Bonded Goods are imported shipments on which customs charges, including duties, taxes, and any penalties are still owing. Bonded goods are kept in an area of a warehouse controlled by customs authorities, called a bonded warehouse. When the bonded warehouse is managed by a third party, as in the US, importers are required to pay a customs bond in advance of import.

Broker/Shipping Broker

Acts as an agent for the exporter or importer. handles customs clearance, navigates delays and any shipping issues.

Bureau of Industry Security

An agency of the United States Department of Commerce that deals with issues involving national security and high technology in shipping.

Bulk Cargo

Loosely-shipped cargo not stored in containers for example oil, grain or coal.