Shipping Terms
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Shipping Terms
The most commonly used units in shipping and logistics:
1. Weight And Mass Units
Kilogram (kg):
- The most common unit of weight used in international shipping, representing the mass of the cargo. One kilogram equals 1,000 grams.
- Usage: For general cargo and freight.
Metric Ton (tonne)
- 1 metric ton = 1,000 kilograms. This is often used for bulk shipments, such as construction materials or industrial goods.
- Usage: Used to measure larger shipments and heavy freight.
Pound (lbs)
- Commonly used in the United States, the pound is a unit of weight. 1 pound equals approximately 0.4536 kilograms.
- Usage: For smaller shipments, particularly in domestic U.S. logistics.
Long Ton (Imperial Ton)
- 1 long ton = 2,240 pounds (1,016 kg). It is used in the UK and some other regions that follow the imperial system.
- Usage: Shipping heavier bulk goods, especially in countries that still use imperial measurements.
2. Volume Units
Cubic Meter (m³)
- A unit used to measure the volume of cargo. A cubic meter is the volume of a cube with sides of one meter in length (1m x 1m x 1m).
- Usage: Typically used to calculate the volume of containerized cargo and bulk shipments.
Cubic Foot (ft³)
- Used primarily in the U.S. and other countries using the imperial system. 1 cubic foot is equivalent to 0.0283 cubic meters.
-
Usage: Common for measuring smaller loads or goods that are not
containerized.
TEU (Twenty-Foot Equivalent Unit)
- A standard unit of measurement used to describe the capacity of container ships and terminals. One TEU is the size of a 20-foot shipping container.
- Usage: Used to measure container volumes, especially for ocean freight.
FEU (Forty-Foot Equivalent Unit)
- Similar to TEU, but it refers to a 40-foot container. One FEU is equivalent to two TEUs.
- Usage: Used to represent larger shipments that require a 40-foot container.
3. Length And Dimensions
Centimeter (cm)
- A metric unit of length equal to one hundredth of a meter. It is often used in the context of smaller measurements, such as the dimensions of small packages.
- Usage: For precise measurements of package dimensions and handling.
Meter (m)
- A standard metric unit of length. Most international shipping uses meters for measuring cargo dimensions and distances.
- Usage: For measuring cargo length, width, and height.
Inch (in)
- An imperial unit of length commonly used in the United States. 1 inch equals 2.54 centimeters.
- Usage: Used to describe smaller package dimensions or when dealing with smaller freight.
Foot (ft)
- An imperial unit of length. 1 foot equals 12 inches or 0.3048 meters.
- Usage: Common for describing dimensions of packages or freight in the U.S.
4. Distance And Speed
Kilometer (km)
- The metric unit for distance. 1 kilometer equals 1,000 meters.
- Usage: Used globally (except in the U.S.) to describe distances traveled, whether over land, air, or sea.
Mile (mi)
- The imperial unit of distance. 1 mile equals 1.609 kilometers.
- Usage: Common in the United States for measuring road distances and travel distances for logistics.
Nautical Mile (NM)
- A unit of measurement used in shipping and aviation, primarily for measuring distance at sea or in the air. 1 nautical mile equals 1.852 kilometers or 1.1508 miles.
- Usage: Used to determine the distance traveled by ships or aircraft.
Kilometer per Hour (km/h) / Miles per Hour (mph)
- These units are used to measure the speed of vehicles, ships, and aircraft.
- Usage: Important for estimating the travel time of shipments.
5. Packaging Units
Carton
- A type of container used for packaging goods, typically measured in cubic dimensions (length, width, height) to determine its capacity.
- Usage: Commonly used for consumer goods, e-commerce shipments, and household items.
Pallet
- A flat structure used to support goods during transportation. Pallets are usually measured by their dimensions in meters or feet.
- Usage: Standardized for larger shipments of goods to be stacked, handled, and moved as one unit.
Crate
- A container, typically made of wood or metal, used to ship fragile or heavy items. Crates are often measured by their dimensions and capacity.
- Usage: Used for shipping machinery, equipment, and sensitive items that need extra protection.
6. Shipping Terms And Units
Bill of Lading (B/L)
- A legal document issued by a carrier to acknowledge receipt of cargo for shipment. It serves as a receipt, contract, and title to the goods.
- Usage: Essential for international shipping and cargo handling.
Container Load (FCL/LCL)
- FCL (Full Container Load): When the cargo occupies a full container.
- LCL (Less than Container Load): When the cargo is part of a shared container.
- Usage: Determines the amount of cargo shipped in a container.
Freight Rate
- The cost associated with shipping goods from one location to another. It can be measured by weight, volume, or other factors such as distance or cargo type.
- Usage: Important for determining shipping costs based on the cargo’s size, weight, and destination.
7. Temperature Units For Refrigerated Shipping
Celsius (°C)
- A metric unit of temperature. Most international shipping, particularly in the food and pharmaceutical industries, uses Celsius to indicate the required temperature for goods.
- Usage: For temperature-sensitive shipments like pharmaceuticals, fresh produce, or frozen goods.
Fahrenheit (°F)
- An imperial unit of temperature, used primarily in the U.S.
- Usage: Common for measuring temperatures in the U.S. when transporting temperature-sensitive goods.
8. Time Units
Hour (h)
- The standard unit of time used to describe the duration of transport, delivery, or customs processes.
- Usage: Used universally in all logistics planning and scheduling.
Day (d)
- Used to express delivery times, shipping durations, or expected arrival dates.
- Usage: Often used in logistics when calculating shipping time from origin to destination.