Freight, shipping and chartering glossary

Type
Meaning
Electronic Data Interchange (EDI)
Surcharge associated with the transfer of data between computer programs of various companies in a standardized form.
Embargo
The ban on the import or export of specific goods from the country.
Emergency Rail Service (ERS)
Surcharge associated with expedited rail service.
Entry Form
The document that must be filed with Customs to obtain the release of imported goods and to allow the collection of duties and statistics. Also called a Customs Entry Form or Entry.
Equipment
Carriers use to facilitate their transportation services. Include containers, trucks, chassis, vessels, and airplanes, among others.
Equipment Interchange Receipt (EIR)
A required document when transferring a cargo container from one vessel to another or to/from a shipping terminal.
Exception Rate
A deviation or exception to the published class rate for a shipment of cargo.
Exclusive Patronage Agreements
The freight rate applies to goods shipped by a firm that has entered into an exclusive patronage agreement with the shipowner’s cartel. By this contract, the consignor agrees to use only the cartel's vessels and is granted preferential freight rates.
Expedited Freight
Freight, which streamlines processes and only ties in with faster ocean and trucking services.
Expediting
An agreement under which one party (freight forwarder) undertakes, at the expense of the other party (customer), to send or receive goods belonging to the customer, perform other related activities, and the customer to hand over for shipment, receive goods and pay forwarder services.
Export Broker
A person acting as an intermediary between a seller and a buyer for a fee received during any transaction.
Export Declaration
A form submitted by an exporter at the port of export with information about the goods being shipped, including type, number, and value.
Export License
A document issued by a government authorizing the export of certain goods.
Export Sales Contract
The initial document in any international transaction; it details the specifics of the sales agreement between the buyer and seller.
EXW (Ex Works Incoterm)
The meaning of it is that the recipient takes the goods from the premises of the supplier, it can be a store, warehouse, etc. The supplier does not bear any obligations, except for the shipment of goods. All costs are borne by the recipient.