A

Accessorials

Fees and/or surcharges that go beyond the dock-to-dock transportation fee. Accessorials can be predictable, fuel charge is one or unpredictable, emergency surcharge (like during Covid).

ACE ? Automated Commercial Environment

The system through which the trade community reports imports and exports and the government determines admissibility.

Ad Valorem

An import duty based on the value of the cargo that is being transported.

Additional Handling

An accessorial for oversized or heavy parcels. This type of surcharge is zone based.

Air Waybill (AWB)

A non-negotiable document that accompanies goods shipped by an international air courier. It is a means of receipt. It provides detailed information about the shipment and can be used to track its progress.

Automated Export System

Used by the U.S. government for calculating trade statistics and ensuring exporters adhere to local trade regulations.

Actual Weight/Actual Gross Weight

The Actual Weight is entered by the shipper, the Actual Gross Weight is the weight of the package when shipped and weighed by the carrier

Aggregation (shipment aggregation)

Allows customers to pay one base charge per invoice instead of one base charge per package. To utilize this feature, withhold payment until all the packages are available to check out.

Air Freight

Air cargo is used by global importers and exporters when they need to get goods somewhere quickly and reliably. Faster than ocean freight which is how an overall majority of shipping is done, air freight offers International Air Freight for larger shipments and Express Air Freight for smaller parcels usually handled by FedEx, UPS or DHL.

AMS ? Automated Manifest System

The system used by US customs for submitting documents required to process shipments coming into the US from abroad. This system requires carriers to submit precise details of cargo arriving at US ports and airports. In most cases, this is completed by the freight forwarder.

Ancillary Fees

Extra fees for shipments requiring special clearance to enter a country. This fee may differ depending on additional processing required by local customs agents.

AES ? Automated Export System

The system U.S. exporters use to electronically declare their international exports, known as Electronic Export Information (EEI), to the Census Bureau to help compile U.S. export and trade statistics.

Apparent Good Order

A request from the shipper to the buyer to acknowledge that the shipment arrived in good condition and order.

Arrival Notice

Like it sounds, a notice from the carrier that the shipment has arrived and will arrive at the specified location by a certain date.

Audit Trail

Manual or computerized tracing of the transactions affecting the contents or origin of a record. It is strongly recommended to maintain an audit trail documenting compliance check-ups to demonstrate due diligence in case an audit occurs. It may also help prevent fines in case of export compliance infringement.

Authorized Shipping Outlet

Independent shipping provider. Similar to a retail location where you can drop off packages to be picked up by UPS or FedEx.