GLOSSARY Q-Z

Refrigerated/Temperature Controlled Container
20' 40' 40' High-Cube Version. Reefer Containers do have their own electrically operated cooling/ heating unit. The power supply is provided by ship's electrical plant, by terminal or by "clip-on" diesel generator. (Please refer to our 'Tools' section for further information)

Roll-on, Roll-off (RORO)
Roll-on/roll-off (RORO or ro-ro) ships are vessels designed to carry wheeled cargo such as automobiles, trucks, semi-trailer trucks or railroad cars that are driven on and off the ship on their own wheels. This is in contrast to lo-lo (lift on-lift off) vessels which use a crane to load and unload cargo. RORO vessels have built-in ramps which allow the cargo to be efficiently "rolled on" and "rolled off" the vessel when in port. While smaller ferries that operate across rivers and other short distances still often have built-in ramps, the term RORO is generally reserved for larger ocean-going vessels. The ramps and doors may be stern-only, or bow and stern for quick loading.

Shipper's Letter of Instruction (SLI)
The Shipper's Letter of Instruction is a form the Shipper partly fills in, instructing the Freight Forwarder how and where to send the export shipment. In preparing this form, the Shipper fills in most of the information required by the Freight Forwarder to make a booking & complete export documentation including consignee, package details etc and the Freight Forwarder will complete the rest.

Ships Delivery Order
A ships delivery order is a document issued by the Shipping Company or Freight Forwarder which allows the release of a container or freight from the wharf or unpacking depot once any Freight/Port service charges have been paid.

Shipping Mark
The letters, numbers or other symbols placed on the outside of cargo to facilitate identification.

Shipping Weight
Shipping weight represents the gross weight in kilograms of shipments, including the weight of moisture content, wrappings, crates, boxes, and containers (other than cargo vans and similar substantial outer containers).

Standard Container 20' 40' 40' High-Cube Version
These are used to carry goods that require shelter from the elements but don't need to be kept at a certain temperature. They're made of steel with a wood or plywood floor.  They have various lashing devices on the top and bottom & longitudinal rails and corner posts. (Please refer to our 'Tools' section for further information)

Storage
Storage is what an unpack depot charges for LCL freight which has not been picked up in the allocated free time and is therefore taking up space in the unpack depot, storage charges must be paid in order to pick up the freight.

TACT
IATA TACT (The Air Cargo Tariff) contains comprehensive information regarding air cargo rules, regulations, rates and charges. The Air Cargo Tariff rates are often referred to as TACT rates which in most instances are 'rack' rates with discounts given to forwarders in relation to their buying power.

Tank Container 20'
Container for the transport of bulk liquids e.g. Alcohols, Fruit juices, Edible oils, Food additives. (Please refer to our 'Tools' section for further information)

Tare Weight
Tare weight, sometimes called un-laden weight, is the weight of an empty vehicle or container. By subtracting tare weight from the gross weight (laden weight), the weight of the goods carried (the net weight) may be determined.

Tariff
Government tax on imports or exports, usually either to raise revenue or to protect domestic firms from foreign import competition. A tariff may also be designed to correct an imbalance in a Government's Balance of Payments. The money collected under tariffs is called a duty or customs duty.

Tariff Item/Code
A tariff code is an eleven character classification number used for Customs purposes to classify goods. It is ascertained in accordance with the New Zealand Customs Service – Working Tariff Document. The New Zealand Working Tariff Document uses the international Harmonized Commodity Description & Coding System Nomenclature, commonly known as the Harmonised System Tariff (HS Tariff).

Temporary Importation Entry
If you import non-consumable goods that will be re-exported within 12 months of importation, you may qualify to enter the goods using a Temporary Import Entry.  In this case you may be required to provide some form of security (such as a cash deposit or other approved security) to cover any import duties and/or Goods and Services Tax (GST) pending re-export. The deposit will be fully refunded if the goods are re-exported within 12 months from the date of importation.

Through Bill of Lading
B/L issued for containerized door-to-door shipments that have to use different ships and/or different means of transportation (aircraft, railcars, ships, trucks, etc.) from origin to destination. Unlike a multimodal Bill Of Lading, the principal carrier or the freight- forwarder (who issued the through B/L) is liable under a contract of carriage only for its own phase of the journey, and acts as an agent for the carriers executing the other phases.

Transitional Facility (ATF)
Transitional facilities and containment facilities are approved by MPI (Approved Transitional Facility) to hold and manage imported risk goods that are brought into New Zealand. Transitional facilities are generally for imported goods such as food products, things made from wood or plant material, sea containers, used machinery or vehicles, and other products that might have some associated bio-security risk. These goods undergo an inspection & sometimes treatment of some kind at the transitional facility before they can be “cleared” by MPI.  New Zealand importers must apply to MPI for approval to operate as an approved transitional facility if they wish to unpack imported goods in sea containers. (Please refer to our Library section for application forms to become an Approved Transitional Faciltiy)

Transshipment
The unloading of cargo at a intermediate port or point where it is then reloaded, sometimes on to another mode of transportation, but most commonly, from one vessel to another for transfer to a final destination. Transshipments are usually made (1) where there is no direct air, land, or sea link between the consignor's and consignee's countries, (2) where the intended port of entry is blocked, or (3) to hide the identity of the port or country of origin. Because transshipment exposes the shipment to a higher probability of damage or loss, some purchase orders or letters of credit specifically prohibit it.

Twenty-Foot Equivalent Unit (TEU)
The twenty-foot equivalent unit is a unit of cargo capacity often used to describe the capacity of container ships and container terminals.  It is based on the volume of a 20-foot-long (6.1 m) intermodal container, a standard-sized metal box which can be easily transferred between different modes of transportation, such as ships, trains and trucks.

ULD
A unit load device, or ULD, is a pallet or container used to load freight on an aircraft. It allows a large quantity of cargo to be bundled into a single unit. Aircraft loads can consist of containers, pallets, or a mix of ULD types, depending on requirements

Ultimate Consignee
The actual intended recipient of a shipment, other than the agent or bank  or other party to whom it is originally consigned for collection or other purposes.
Value for Customs Purposes Only
The Customs value is the value applied to imported goods for the purposes of levying duty and GST. For imported goods, the valuation of the goods is in accordance with schedule 2 of the Customs and Excise Act 1996. This generally means the price paid or payable for the goods when sold for export to New Zealand less certain deductions in some circumstances depending on the terms of sale. For Customs purposes, all goods (including animals) have a value, even if supplied free of charge or gifted.

Ventilated Container 20'
A container designed with openings in the side and/or end walls to permit the ingress of outside air when the doors are closed.

Volumetric Weight
See Dimensional Weight under 'D' above.

War/Strike Clause
An insurance provision that covers loss due to war and/or strike.

Wharfage
The money paid for landing goods upon, or loading them from a wharf.

Without Reserve
A term indicating that a shipper's agent or representative is empowered to make definitive decisions and adjustments abroad without approval of the group or individual represented.