In the global supply chain, freight forwarding and logistics services are indispensable. They encompass a series of complex and interconnected processes. For professionals and clients in international trade, understanding the precise English terminology is crucial for effective communication and smooth operations. This article provides a detailed explanation of the core English terms related to freight forwarding, trucking (or cartage), and customs clearance.
1. Freight Forwarding (货代)
* Definition: A freight forwarder is a company or individual that acts as an intermediary between shippers (exporters/importers) and various transportation services (airlines, shipping lines, trucking companies, railroads). They do not typically move the goods themselves but arrange and coordinate the entire shipping process.
- Key Services & Terms:
- Consolidation (拼箱/拼柜): Combining smaller shipments (LCL - Less than Container Load) from multiple shippers into one full container for cost efficiency.
- Full Container Load (FCL - 整箱): A shipment where a single shipper's goods occupy an entire container.
- Bill of Lading (B/L - 提单): A crucial legal document issued by a carrier (or their agent, like a forwarder) to the shipper. It serves as a receipt for the goods, a contract of carriage, and a document of title.
- House Bill of Lading (HBL - 货代提单): Issued by the freight forwarder to the shipper.
- Master Bill of Lading (MBL - 船公司提单): Issued by the actual carrier (shipping line or airline) to the forwarder.
- Freight Rate (运费): The price charged for transporting goods.
- Incoterms® (国际贸易术语解释通则): Internationally recognized standard trade terms (e.g., FOB, CIF, EXW) that define the responsibilities, costs, and risks between buyer and seller.
2. Trucking / Cartage / Drayage (拖车)
* Definition: The service of transporting goods over land, primarily by truck. It is a critical link for moving cargo to and from ports, airports, warehouses, and final destinations.
- Key Services & Terms:
- Local Cartage / Drayage (本地拖车): Short-distance haulage, especially the movement of containers or cargo from a port/rail yard to a nearby warehouse or facility.
- Over-the-Road (OTR - 长途公路运输): Long-distance trucking.
- Container Yard (CY - 集装箱堆场): A designated area where full containers are stored before loading onto a vessel or after discharge.
- Container Freight Station (CFS - 集装箱货运站): A facility where LCL cargo is consolidated (stuffed) into or deconsolidated (stripped) from containers.
- Pick-up and Delivery (P&D - 提货与送货): The service of collecting goods from the shipper's location and delivering them to the designated point.
- Chassis (底盘车/拖架): The wheeled trailer frame used to transport shipping containers over the road.
3. Customs Clearance (报关)
* Definition: The official process of declaring imported or exported goods to the customs authorities of a country, submitting required documentation, paying applicable duties and taxes, and obtaining permission for the goods to enter or leave the country.
- Key Services & Terms:
- Customs Declaration (报关单): The formal document submitted to customs declaring details of the shipment (value, description, quantity, origin, etc.).
- Customs Broker (报关行): A licensed professional or firm that acts on behalf of importers/exporters to handle customs clearance procedures.
- Harmonized System (HS) Code (商品编码): An internationally standardized system of names and numbers for classifying traded products. It is fundamental for determining duty rates.
- Duty / Tariff (关税): A tax imposed on imported (and sometimes exported) goods.
- Tax (VAT/GST - 增值税/商品及服务税): Value-added tax or goods and services tax applicable in many countries.
- Import / Export License (进出口许可证): A government-issued document authorizing the trade of specific controlled goods.
- Certificate of Origin (COO - 原产地证书): A document certifying the country where the goods were manufactured.
- Pre-shipment Inspection (PSI - 装运前检验): Inspection of goods before shipment to verify quality, quantity, and price.
4. Integrated Logistics Services (综合物流服务)
Modern freight forwarders often provide integrated logistics solutions, combining the above services and more:
- Warehousing and Distribution (仓储与配送): Storage, inventory management, order fulfillment, and last-mile delivery.
- Cargo Insurance (货物保险): Insurance coverage to protect against loss or damage during transit.
- Supply Chain Management (供应链管理): Overseeing and optimizing the entire flow of goods, information, and finances from origin to consumption.
Understanding these English terms is the foundation for navigating the complexities of international shipping. Effective communication using this professional vocabulary ensures clarity, minimizes errors, and facilitates efficient and compliant movement of goods across borders.
