Supply Chain Glossary

Supply Chain & Logistics Glossary

Your comprehensive A-Z reference for supply chain, freight, and logistics terminology. Master the language of modern transportation and shipping.

#A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

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3PL (Third-Party Logistics)

Outsourced logistics services including warehousing and transportation.

Services

4PL (Fourth-Party Logistics)

Single interface managing multiple 3PLs and logistics providers.

Services

3

3PL (Third-Party Logistics)

Outsourced logistics services including warehousing and transportation.

Services

4

4PL (Fourth-Party Logistics)

Single interface managing multiple 3PLs and logistics providers.

Services

A

ASN (Advance Ship Notice)

Electronic notification sent to a customer about an upcoming shipment.

Documentation

B

Backhaul

Return trip of a vehicle after delivering its primary load.

Transportation

Bill of Lading (BOL)

Legal document between shipper and carrier detailing shipment contents.

Documentation

C

Carrier

Company that transports goods from one location to another.

Transportation

Consignee

Party receiving the shipment at the destination.

Parties

Cross-Docking

Logistics practice of unloading and loading goods directly between vehicles.

Warehousing

Customs Broker

Licensed professional who handles import/export documentation and compliance.

International

D

Demurrage

Charge for keeping shipping equipment beyond allotted free time.

Charges

Detention

Fee charged when a truck is held beyond free loading/unloading time.

Charges

Drayage

Short-distance transportation of goods, typically to/from ports or rail yards.

Transportation

E

EDI (Electronic Data Interchange)

Electronic transmission of business documents between trading partners.

Technology

ETA (Estimated Time of Arrival)

Predicted time when a shipment will arrive at its destination.

Tracking

F

Freight Class

Classification system for LTL shipping based on density, handling, and liability.

LTL Shipping

Freight Forwarder

Company that arranges transportation and logistics on behalf of shippers.

Parties

FTL (Full Truckload)

Shipping mode where goods occupy an entire truck trailer.

Transportation

H

HOS (Hours of Service)

Federal regulations limiting driving hours for commercial truck drivers.

Regulations

HS Code

Harmonized System code used to classify goods for customs purposes.

International

I

Incoterms

International commercial terms defining buyer/seller responsibilities.

International

Intermodal

Shipping using multiple transportation modes without handling cargo.

Transportation

L

Landed Cost

Total cost of a product delivered to its final destination.

Costs

Last Mile Delivery

Final leg of delivery from distribution center to end customer.

Transportation

LTL (Less-Than-Truckload)

Shipping mode for freight that does not require a full trailer.

Transportation

N

NMFC (National Motor Freight Classification)

Standard system for classifying freight for LTL shipping.

LTL Shipping

P

POD (Proof of Delivery)

Documentation confirming successful delivery of goods.

Documentation

PRO Number

Progressive number assigned by carriers to track shipments.

Tracking

S

SCAC Code

Standard Carrier Alpha Code identifying transportation companies.

Identification

Shipper

Party that sends or ships goods to another party.

Parties

SKU (Stock Keeping Unit)

Unique identifier for each distinct product in inventory.

Inventory

T

Tariff

Published schedule of rates, rules, and charges for freight transportation.

Costs

TMS (Transportation Management System)

Software platform for planning, executing, and optimizing shipments.

Technology

Transload

Transfer of goods from one mode of transportation to another.

Transportation

V

VAT (Value Added Tax)

Consumption tax applied at each stage of the supply chain.

International

W

Warehouse Management System (WMS)

Software for controlling warehouse operations and inventory.

Technology

Browse by Category

Charges

2 terms

Costs

2 terms

Documentation

3 terms

Identification

1 terms

International

4 terms

Inventory

1 terms

LTL Shipping

2 terms

Parties

3 terms

Regulations

1 terms

Services

2 terms

Technology

3 terms

Tracking

2 terms

Transportation

8 terms

Warehousing

1 terms

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