New to the world of hot shot trucking? Here are some everyday terms that can help you learn the ins and outs of ground transportation.
An additional fee that’s charged for supplemental transportation services, such as tarps, layovers, and so on.
A closed container designed to fit wide-body or narrow-body aircraft; used to load cargo and goods.
A suspension system that supports both the dry van and tractor using airbags located under a vehicle’s axles; designed to prevent damage to freight by providing a smoother ride.
A bill of lading that includes the transportation of goods to a specific destination via domestic or international flights.
Reserved blocks or areas of cargo space on an scheduled aircraft.
Prevent a transport vehicle’s braking system from tire and wheel lock-up when air brakes are applied.
Actual time of arrival.
Actual time of departure.
The process of planning for a return load to complete a round trip, or transporting cargo from the point of arrival back to the point of origin. Because it costs about the same to drive an empty truck and a full truck, the vehicle is often asked to haul cargo to and from a destination by getting a backhaul load.
A Bill Of Lading (BOL) is a required document to move freight. The document states the type, quantity, and weight of the freight. It also states the shipping from and destination locations as required by the DOT.
An area surrounding a vehicle that can’t be seen by the driver when using side view mirrors, the rearview mirror, or when looking through the windshield.
A semi-truck without an attached trailer. It can also be referred to as a straight truck.
Overseen by customs agents, a warehouse designed to hold bonded cargo, or any foreign cargo on which a company is charged taxes, duties, penalties, or customs charges.
Refers to the point where freight is moved from one method of transportation to another.
A business or individual that serves as an intermediary between an organization or individual and an authorized transport carrier; often negotiates rates and shipping needs.
A cargo trailer that is easily attached by a normal hitch on a pick up truck or sprinter van. This trailer usually has a low payload capacity, and is used for small jobs.
A cargo load includes any type of freight transported by motor vehicle, train, ship, or aircraft.
Total weight of cargo and packaging being transported.
A customs document that allows the holder to carry or send merchandise temporarily into certain foreign countries for display, demonstration, or other purposes without having to pay import duties or posting bonds.
A business that offers local pickup and delivery services, usually within a particular town or city.
Premade steel or wood cradles designed to hold rolled coils in place during transportation.
An aircraft configured to carry both passengers and cargo on its main deck.
A type of driver’s license that allows drivers to operate large motor vehicles that weigh more than 26,000 pounds.
A commodity is any type of good that can be bought, sold, or exchanged.
Trucking regulations and standards created to prevent accidents and keep motor carriers and truck drivers safe.
The individual, organization, or location that receives a particular shipment.
Delivery of merchandise from an exporter (the consignor) to an agent (the consignee) under an agreement that the agent will sell the merchandise for the exporter.
Used to handle small lots of various freight from different shipping companies efficiently and competitively; many consignments are typically placed into a single lot and sent to a single carrier for forwarding.
A carton, box, or other receptacle used to transport or store freight; can be loaded from one transportation method to another.
A trailer with a single axle or axle group that’s equipped with a fifth wheel hitch; used to turn a semi-trailer into a full trailer.
A curtain side truck or trailer is a flatbed truck with square frames on the sides that are designed to hold a tarp.
Refers to a government organization that oversees the influx and departure of goods in a particular country.
An individual or company licensed by the federal government to enter and clear goods through customs. U.S. Customs and Border Protection defines a customs broker as any person licensed in accordance with Section III of Title 19 of the Code of Federal Regulations to carry out customs business on behalf of others.
The process of getting cargo released by customs by following certain procedures. This may include having an import license or permit, paying import duties, and submitting other required documentation.
A document required by some foreign countries to verify the value, quantity, and nature of the shipment by describing its contents and showing necessary information such as the consignor, consignee, and value.
Also known as hazardous materials, refers to any substance that poses risk to one’s health, property, or safety while in transit.
Delivery duty paid.
Delivery duty unpaid.
Driving a commercial truck without cargo. Mileage calculated from a point of dispatching to the point of pick up. .
The overall value of a shipment that’s declared by the sender.
A group of ground transportation vehicles, often trucks, that are only used to move freight for a dedicated customer.
When a business frequently services the same organization or location. A driver will pick up goods at the same place and deliver them to a dedicated customer.
Government agency that manages all federal highway, railroad, air, maritime regulations, and functions.
A fee charged by a carrier for equipment retention that surpasses the allotted time, which is often caused by delayed loading or unloading.
Calculated by multiplying the length, width, and height of a shipment, then dividing the cubic size of the package by a predetermined dimensional factor to determine a chargeable size amount. Carriers charge for freight based on the dimensional weight or actual gross weight, whichever is greater.
The method of delivering goods directly from the supplier or the product owner to the recipient while only stopping for fuel.
A facility that stores goods and materials until they’re shipped to retail stores; serves as a bridge between customers and suppliers.
A vehicle that meets standard loading dock height, eliminating the cost of labor and handling. The vehicle can be pulled up to the loading dock, and a forklift or pallet jack can be driven inside to load or remove the cargo.
Refers to the handling of a shipment from the sender to the recipient.
License given to for-hire carriers and brokers from the Department of Transportation.
Also known as a twin trailer, a double is a combination of a tractor with two semi-trailers that are connected using a converter dolly.
A trailer used to haul vehicles or other equipment with wheels.
A full or partial duty rebate from a government on customs duties assessed on imported merchandise that is subsequently exported. It will vary from country to country.
Low-priority cargo or goods used to meet transport capacity to avoid a shipment from coming in underweight.
A tax imposed on imported goods by the customs authority of a country; it’s generally based on the value of the goods or other factors such as weight or quantity.
Refers to the current status of truckers. On-duty drivers are working or ready to work while off-duty drivers have no obligation or responsibility for their vehicle.
A device, typically mounted on the cab, that records driving data such as speed, RPMs, idle time, and other information that may be helpful to trucking management.
A digital exchange of data that provides the ability to send and receive bills of lading, shipping documents, shipping invoices, statuses, and remittances. Helps decrease overall expenses and avoid errors.
Escorts: Motor vehicles that use flags or flashing lights to help with the transportation of especially large cargo on roads and highways, ensuring that the truck has enough space.
Estimated time of arrival.
Estimated time of departure.
The declared value of cargo shipment that exceeds the carrier’s liability limit.
A business that moves cargo exempt from Interstate Commerce Commission economic standards and regulations.
Expedited delivery is a shipment that must arrive at its intended destination quicker than usual.
Often the fastest method of delivery, express delivery can be used by customers to send goods within 1-3 business days.
An agency within the Department of Transportation that prevents motor vehicle-related fatalities and accidents through safety regulations.
Flaggers protect work zones by directing traffic flow to the appropriate lanes in construction areas.
This method of transportation is used to move wide-loads or oversized goods with a truck and open deck trailer.
A transportation carrier that’s paid for hauling third-party cargo.
Refers to the transportation of material goods and commodities.
This means that the seller pays the freight for the transportation of goods to their intended destination, but responsibility for loss or damage to the goods is transferred from the seller to the buyer once the goods have been delivered.
Given by the National Motor Freight Traffic Association, the freight class identifies the size, value, and transportation difficulty of a particular shipment.
An individual or business that oversees shipments for a third party. They are similar to a freight broker but often handle international shipments.
The process of locating a lost or delayed shipment, then offering a quick, expedited way to get the shipment to its destination.
A standard charge for moving freight that’s set on cents per mile or percentage of the line haul amount and is based on the weekly U.S. National Average Fuel Index.
A trucking company that usually designates an entire trailer load to one customer.
Refers to a major airport or seaport; it can also refer to the port where customs clearance takes place when transporting internationally.
A trailer with a small turn radius; it’s typically used to haul larger, heavier loads than bumper pull trailers.
The maximum amount of total loaded weight of a commercial vehicle; determined by the manufacturer.
This is a rushed or expedited method of transportation that relies on ground vehicles, such as trailers or trucks.
The Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System (or Harmonized System) is a system used for classifying goods in international trade; administered by the World Customs Organization and updated every five years.
Hazmat refers to hazardous materials or toxic chemicals that may be dangerous to one’s health, property, or the environment. This can include nuclear waste, radiological substances, and more.
Small cargo loads that must be delivered to a certain location within a short period of time.
Hot Shot Trucking is for more time-sensitive loads within a specific timeframe, and usually to a single customer or location. Hot shot loads are usually delivered using medium-duty trucks for a single shipment known as a "Hot" shipment.
Commercial service hours established by the U.S. Department of Transportation; when commercial vehicle drivers can engage in interstate trucking activities.
Two-character airline identification code assigned by the IATA when dealing with reservations, timetables, tickets, tariffs, and air waybills.
A document issued by the government of the destination country that describes the commodities being imported.
A document required and issued by some national governments authorizing the importation of goods. It’s also known as an import permit.
A no-tariff or tariff obstruction imposed by an importing nation to limit the number of goods entering the country from other countries.
Maintained by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), this is a codification of terms used in foreign trade contracts that determine which parties incur costs and at what specific points.
Used to prove insurance in case of loss of damage or liability in the event of an accident. Certificate shows the amount of coverage to cargo while in transit.
An agreement made between two individuals or businesses to switch or take over a trailer to pick up and deliver goods. This is often used along border towns between U.S. and Mexican organizations.
The bank, forwarding agent, or other intermediary (if any) that serves in a foreign country as an agent for the exporter, the purchaser, or the ultimate consignee.
The movement of goods that involves multiple modes of transportation, such as rail and air or air and water.
Established in 1945, the IATA is a trade association that serves airlines, passengers, shippers, travel agents, and governments, promoting safety through baggage checks, tickets, and waybills.
A manufacturing system that requires the use of small, regular deliveries of supplies to reduce on-site inventory. When used correctly, supply is delivered just before it runs out of stock.
Retractable devices used to support the front of a semi-trailer when not attached to a tractor.
A regular route that companies often travel; also known as a dedicated run.
The final movement of an item before reaching its destination; also known as the final mile.
When a driver or pilot is delayed by the shipper or receiver while transporting a shipment for at least one day.
A lower deck type 3 container; it’s the most commonly used container in passenger aircraft.
The transportation of smaller goods or shipments that don’t require an entire truckload.
A removable platform that can be attached to the back of a trailer or truck; can be used to move goods from the ground to the trailer.
The monetary rate for moving items.
A truck driver who follows a set route from one destination to another and returns home following each workday.
Regulations and limits that certain vehicles, such as trailer homes, tractors, cranes, and other large industrial vehicles must adhere to. Laws can vary within each state, and some extremely large loads require escorts.
Refers to a city driver who picks up and delivers shipments on a city route and returns home following each shift.
A book carried by drivers and pilots to record service hours and duty status within a 24-hour day.
A combination of a tractor-trailer that has two or more trailers and may surpass 80,000 pounds in gross vehicle weight.
Long-haul truck drivers specialize in making extended multiday or even weeklong trips that often cross several states or even countries.
A trailer with a low center of gravity, which is often used for extremely heavy loads. It can help drivers meet height limitations when moving an especially tall shipment.
The compartment located below the main deck of an airplane or ship.
A trucking company that combines less-than-truckload deliveries going to different locations in a single vehicle.
The deck on which the major portion of a payload is carried; also known as the upper deck of an airplane or cargo ship.
Refers to transportation where a third party oversees all shipping and logistics issues from initial tendering to delivery.
A license given to for-hire carriers by the Federal Motor Carrier Administration.
A standardized set of commodity classes based on handling, liability, density, and stowability in intrastate, interstate, and foreign commerce.
No value declared.
A driver who travels cross-country on overnight trips, usually driving more than 100,000 miles annually.
A shipping service that delivers overnight or the next day; the order usually must be made by a certain time.
A commercial truck driver who owns and drives his or her own truck.
Refers to pickup and delivery.
A shipping document issued by the shipper to the carrier. It identifies detailed information of the shipment, including package count, product count, measurement of each package, weight of each package, and so forth.
A pallet jack, also known as a pallet truck is a tool used to lift and move pallets. Pallet jacks are the most basic form of a forklift used by hand and are intended to move pallets within a warehouse, truck or trailer.
A truck used to transport multiple shipments from different customers; it can make transit times longer due to multiple deliveries.
The maximum amount of freight weight a truck is licensed to scale. .
A delivery route with frequent stops.
Permission granted by states that allows carriers to move freight that surpasses legal weight and size restrictions.
A pilot vehicle is used to escort trucks and trailers with large loads, processions of vehicles, and more.
Warning notices placed on each side of a trailer that indicate the presence of hazardous materials inside.
A business that runs trucks and transportation vehicles to mainly move its own products and materials.
An individual who makes a living transporting freight over land using a licensed vehicle.
An invoice provided by a supplier prior to a shipment that informs the buyer of the goods being sent, including value, weight, size, and so on.
A number assigned to a package or shipment to track progress from initial handling to the final destination.
A signed paper or electronic document showing proof that a shipment has been received at the correct location.
A short semi-trailer with a single axle that’s typically between 26-32 feet long.
Also called a rack tarp, this device can be placed over a flatbed trailer to protect cargo or goods underneath.
Refers to any transportation by train.
A device used to raise the height of a truck’s cargo floor to the height of a loading dock. ,
Rate Confirmation: A document that confirms the cost of service agreed upon by the shipper and carrier or shipper and broker.
An insulated trailer with a self-powered refrigeration system; primarily used to transport food or medical supplies.
Rush deliveries are shipments that must be dropped off or picked up, processed, and delivered much faster than standard shipments.
A mode of delivery that ensures customers receive their goods on the same day as ordered.
A truck trailer that’s supported by a fifth wheel attached to a dolly or tractor in the front and its own wheels in the back.
The individual or organization named in the bill of lading as the consignor, exporter, or seller. The location where the freight is being picked up.
The letters, numbers, and symbols placed on the outside of cargo for identification purposes.
The gross weight of a shipment, including its crates, boxes, and containers.
A compartment that sits behind the truck’s cab that can be used for sleeping.
A fifth wheel that can be moved to adjust how weight is distributed on a tractor’s axles.
A device found at the rear of a semi-trailer that helps adjust the weight distribution between the axles and fifth wheel.
Refers to any cargo or shipment that goes over a state’s legal limit size (height, weight, width).
Shipments, packages, or cargo that are transported and delivered using a sprinter van.
A unique four-letter code used as a way to identify transportation businesses.
A vehicle that hauls cargo in a body attached to its chassis.
Strong vinyl cords created to hold down freight on a trailer.
The Air Cargo Tariff and Rules (TACT) gives air cargo professionals the necessary information to efficiently transport air cargo across the world.
A pair of axles and suspensions that are close to one another designed to increase the payload of a truck or trailer.
A large motor vehicle created to carry liquids or gases. Some may have insulation or pressurized storage to haul hazardous substances.
The total weight of a tractor and trailer when the vehicle is empty.
A driver team or two individuals who alternate driving and resting. This is often used for rushed shipments.
A process where goods may enter U.S. customs territory free of duty for a limited period of time due to the importer posting bond for double the total amount of taxes, duty fees, and so on.
When a shipment remains in the same trailer during the entire cross-border journey from the U.S. to Mexico.
A trailer that has the ability to tilt when loading and unloading; capable of handling especially large or heavy loads by effectively utilizing truck space.
A variety of shipment options for urgent cargo that requires special care and handling and must be delivered urgently.
Also called FTL; refers to carriers who transport full truckloads, which require a lot of freight to make this method economically effective.
The amount of time between when a shipment is picked up and when it’s delivered. Transit time can change according to the transportation method used and chosen route.
A truck that pulls a semi-trailer using the help of a fifth wheel attached over the rear axle.
A combination of a semi-trailer and tractor.
When a shipment is moved from one trailer to the next during its journey. This is often used to meet legal transportation requirements.
A tracking system used to monitor shipments, oversee loads, and communicate with other parties.
Mostly used in ports; a credential required to gain unescorted access to certain secure areas of Maritime Transportation Security Act (MTSA)-regulated facilities or vessels.
The movement of an exported product through an intermediate country before routing it to its final destination country.
A tractor, trailer, or truck that has three axles placed together at the rear.
The process of leasing a business’s truck to another transportation company for a single use.
Refers to a full truckload; often loaded into a semi-trailer between 25-53 feet long.
A device mounted on the body of a truck that is used for loading and unloading especially heavy cargo,
When a shipper cancels an order after a truck has been dispatched. This often results in extra fees.
The individual receiving exported goods for their designated end use.
A closed container designed to fit wide-body or narrow-body aircraft; used to load cargo and goods.
Describes a shipment or multiple shipments that need to be transported and delivered quickly using air, truck, or rail transportation.
The value submitted on the entry documentation by the importer. It may or may not reflect information from the manufacturer.
A motor vehicle with rear or side doors and panels used to move small packages and goods.
A system that tracks and oversees all activities within a warehouse.
The process of storing goods until they’re ready to be shipped.
A specific form or order fulfillment that ensures damage-free transportation and delivery, installation, and removal of debris.
A term indicating that a shipper’s agent or representative is allowed to make definitive decisions and adjustments abroad without the approval of the group or individual represented.
We hope you found this glossary of air and ground transportation terminology helpful! For a free quote, contact us here.