International shipping terms, clearly explained

A service that receives several domestic parcels at a warehouse, then stores, inspects, repacks or reinforces them before overseas dispatch.

The measured physical weight of the final packed parcel.

A calculated weight that represents occupied transport space, using parcel dimensions and a route divisor.

The weight used for freight billing, commonly the greater of actual and volumetric weight after route rounding.

The initial weight band and its starting price in a stepped freight tariff.

The incremental billing unit applied after the first-weight allowance.

Goods that normally contain no batteries, liquids, powders or dangerous ingredients and meet ordinary-route rules.

Goods that need dedicated review or routes because of batteries, liquids, powders, food, brands or other restricted properties.

A delivery term under which agreed import clearance, duties and taxes are normally handled by the seller or service provider.

A delivery term under which import duties and taxes are normally the recipient’s responsibility.

A route description indicating that agreed import duties or taxes are included under stated conditions.

An extra delivery fee when the destination falls within a carrier remote or extended area.

A surcharge calculated from carrier fuel indexes or a published percentage.

A fixed or stepped charge for warehouse handling, documentation, labels or route processing.

The declaration, review, tax and release process performed with destination customs.

The value submitted to customs, which should be truthful, reasonable and consistent with the shipment.

Combining several parcels into fewer cartons to reduce redundant packaging and repeated charges.

Dividing a shipment into several parcels to meet weight, size, cargo or safety requirements.

The local-carrier stage that delivers cleared cargo to the final recipient address.

A shipment returned because delivery, clearance, acceptance or cargo requirements were not completed.