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Reference Guide

Freight Shipping Glossary

Master the language of logistics with 90+ essential freight shipping terms. From Accessorials to Hot Shot trucking, find clear definitions for every shipping concept.

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ABS (Anti-lock Braking System)

A safety system that prevents the wheels from locking up during braking.

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Accessorial Charges

Additional fees for services beyond standard dock-to-dock pickup and delivery.

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Appointment Number

A unique identifier assigned to schedule pickup or delivery at a specific time and location.

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The amount of weight carried by one axle of a truck.

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Bill of Lading (BOL)

A legal document between the shipper and carrier that details the type, quantity, and destination of goods being carried.

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The entity responsible for paying freight charges.

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A tractor unit operating without a trailer attached.

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The separation of a load into smaller shipments for delivery to ultimate consignees.

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Cargo Insurance

Insurance that covers loss or damage to goods during transit.

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A person or company that transports goods for a fee.

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Citizens Band Radio, a system used by truckers to communicate with each other on the road.

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The framework of a truck, including the axles, engine, transmission, and body.

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Commercial Zone

The area surrounding a city or town to which rates quoted for that city or town also apply.

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Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA)

A program by FMCSA to improve safety compliance and reduce accidents in the trucking industry.

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The person or company to whom a shipment is being delivered.

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A logistics practice where products from a supplier are distributed directly to a customer with minimal storage time.

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Operating a truck without a load, typically when traveling to pick up a new shipment.

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The weight of a shipment divided by its volume, measured in pounds per cubic foot.

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A charge incurred when a truck is held at a loading or unloading location beyond the allocated free time.

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A specialized trailer with two drops in the deck, creating an even lower center section for extremely tall loads.

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Short-distance transport of shipping containers, typically from a port to a warehouse.

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A standard, enclosed trailer used to protect cargo from the elements.

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Earnings Per Mile (EPM)

A metric used by drivers and carriers to measure profitability, calculated by dividing earnings by the number of miles driven.

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EDI (Electronic Data Interchange)

The computer-to-computer exchange of business documents in a standard electronic format.

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ELD (Electronic Logging Device)

A device that records a driver’s hours of service (HOS). Also known as an EOBR (Electronic On-Board Recorder).

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Expedited Freight

A shipment that requires faster delivery than standard transit times.

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FHWA (Federal Highway Administration)

A division of the U.S. Department of Transportation that specializes in highway transportation.

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An open-deck trailer (no sides or roof) used to transport large, heavy, or dimensional freight that won’t fit inside an enclosed trailer.

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FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration)

An agency of the U.S. Department of Transportation that regulates the trucking industry.

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A contract clause that frees both parties from liability when extraordinary events prevent them from fulfilling their obligations.

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An invoice for the transportation charges of a shipment.

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A licensed intermediary that connects shippers with carriers.

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A standardized classification system (classes 50-500) used to categorize LTL freight based on density, stowability, handling, and liability.

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Freight Forwarder

A company that arranges the transportation of goods on behalf of the shipper, often coordinating multiple modes of transportation.

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An estimated price for transporting goods, based on factors like distance, weight, and freight type.

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FTL (Full Truckload)

A shipment that fills an entire truck. See also: Truckload (TL).

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The total weight of the truck, trailer, and cargo.

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GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating)

The maximum allowable total weight of a vehicle when fully loaded.

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Hazardous materials that require special handling and documentation.

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HOS (Hours of Service)

Regulations governing the working hours of truck drivers.

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A breach of Hours of Service regulations, which can result in fines and penalties.

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IFTA (International Fuel Tax Agreement)

A tax collection agreement among U.S. states and Canadian provinces for fuel usage by motor carriers.

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A rate designed to encourage shippers to ship heavier volumes per shipment.

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The use of two or more modes of transportation (truck, rail, ship) to move a single shipment.

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An engine compression release brake that slows the vehicle by releasing compressed air from the cylinders.

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A rate over a route that involves two or more carriers transporting the shipment.

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The main pivot in the coupling mechanism between the tractor and the trailer.

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A period when a driver is waiting for a new load or for the delivery time.

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The transport of goods over long distances, typically between cities.

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A record kept by drivers that details their hours of service and duty status.

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The planning, implementation, and control of the movement and storage of goods, services, or information.

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A type of trailer with a very low deck height, used for hauling heavy and oversized equipment. Often used as a synonym for RGN.

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LTL (Less-Than-Truckload)

A shipping method for relatively small freight that does not require a full 53-foot trailer.

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A fee charged for the loading or unloading of cargo, typically in a lump sum amount.

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The rate charged for transporting goods, typically expressed in dollars per mile.

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No Touch Freight

Freight that the driver does not have to load or unload.

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OS&D (Over, Short, and Damaged)

A report documenting discrepancies in freight deliveries including overages, shortages, or damages.

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A load that exceeds the standard legal size and requires special permits.

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A load that exceeds the legal weight limits set by federal or state regulations.

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P&D (Pick-up and Delivery)

The process of collecting goods from a shipper and delivering them to a consignee.

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A flat wooden or plastic platform used to stack and transport goods.

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A manual or electric device used to move pallets within a truck or warehouse.

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The weight of the cargo being transported by a truck.

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A truck route with frequent delivery stops.

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Special authorizations required for transporting certain types of freight, such as oversize loads.

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A sign displayed on a truck indicating the type of hazardous materials being transported.

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Pre-trip Inspection

A thorough inspection of the truck and trailer before starting a trip to ensure everything is in working order.

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Progressive Rotating Order number, a unique tracking number assigned to shipments by carriers.

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A short semi-trailer, usually 26-32 feet long, with a single axle.

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An open-top trailer with a tarp cover, used for large or bulky items.

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A refrigerated trailer used to transport temperature-sensitive goods.

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Residential Delivery

Delivery to a location that is zoned as residential, including home-based businesses.

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A device used to supplement the truck’s braking system, helping to slow the vehicle.

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RGN (Removable Gooseneck)

A trailer design with a detachable front (gooseneck) that allows heavy equipment to be driven directly onto the trailer bed.

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Route Optimization

The process of determining the most efficient route for a truck to take.

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Standard Carrier Alpha Code - a unique 2-4 letter code that identifies a carrier.

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A type of flatbed trailer with a lowered deck to accommodate taller cargo.

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A set of two axles placed close together to increase the weight capacity of the vehicle.

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The weight of the empty truck and trailer without any cargo.

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A published schedule of rates, rules, and service conditions established by a carrier.

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Temperature Controlled

A shipping method that uses refrigerated or heated trailers to maintain a specific temperature range for sensitive cargo.

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TMS (Transportation Management System)

Software designed to manage and optimize transportation operations.

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Taxes based on the weight of the shipment and the number of miles it travels.

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A non-motorized vehicle that is pulled by a tractor and used to transport goods.

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The process of transferring cargo from one mode of transportation to another.

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A record that details the driver’s route, stops, and mileage for a trip.

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Trucking Authority

A license that allows a carrier to operate legally and transport goods for hire.

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TWIC Card (Transportation Worker Identification Credential)

A security card required for workers who need unescorted access to secure areas of ports and vessels.

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Under-Ride Guard

A safety device on the rear of a trailer to prevent smaller vehicles from sliding underneath in a collision.

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VIN (Vehicle Identification Number)

A unique code used to identify individual motor vehicles.

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A document issued by a carrier that details the route, conditions, and charges for transporting goods.

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A checkpoint along a highway where trucks are required to stop and be weighed.

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WMS (Warehouse Management System)

Software used to control and manage warehouse operations.

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A driver who moves trailers within a truck yard or terminal.

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Yield Management

A strategy used by carriers to optimize pricing and capacity utilization based on demand and market conditions.

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Freight Shipping Glossary | Logistics Terms & Definitions