The shipping and logistics industry is full of jargon and acronyms. Knowing the most common freight shipping acronyms can help you understand contracts, quotes, and other communications. This list of shipping abbreviations covers some standard industry terms.
BOL - Bill of Lading
This document contains important information about the shipment and is a legally binding contract between the shipper and carrier.
CFS - Container Freight Station
This is the part of a warehouse where cargo is received, sorted, and prepared to be loaded into containers before shipping.
CNEE - Consignee
CNEE is an abbreviation rather than an acronym. It's short for consignee and refers to the entity receiving the shipment.
COD - Change of Destination
COD is a request to change the destination of a shipment after the delivery request has been made.
DSDC - Digital Standards Development Council (DSDC)™
NMFTA’s Digital Standards Development Council (DSDC) was established in December 2024. The DSDC is comprised of the Digital LTL Council and the Digital Full Truckload Council (FTL)
D2D - Door to Door
This acronym is used when cargo is shipped from its scheduled pick-up point to its destination without stops.
DRP - Distribution Requirement Planning
DRP is the process of forecasting, planning, and managing the movement of goods, ensuring a smooth and efficient supply chain.
EDI - Electronic Data Interchange
EDI is a technical term for how computer systems are connected to facilitate the simple exchange of data.
ETA - Estimated Time of Arrival
This is the date and time when a shipment is expected to reach its final destination.
ETD - Estimated Time of Departure
EDT is the date and time when a shipment is scheduled to leave its point of origin.
FAK - Freight of All Kinds
Freight of All Kinds (FAK) pools various products into a single load to simplify rates and pricing.
FOB - Free on Board
FOB indicates that ownership of and liability for goods has been transferred from the seller to the buyer.
FTL - Full Truckload
Sometimes referred to as simply truckload (TL), the shipment uses the entire truck and heads straight to its destination.
GRI - General Rate Increase
GRI is the periodic increase in base shipping rates that carriers charge based on market conditions.
LG - Lift Gate
This powered tailgate assists with loading and unloading large and heavy goods.
LTL – Less-Than-Truckload
Less-than-truckload (LTL) is a slow but inexpensive form of shipping where small loads are combined with loads from other clients to reduce costs.
NMFC - National Motor Freight Classification (NMFC®)
These classification codes are assigned to commodities based on their shipment density, handling, liability, and stow-ability.
NOA - Notice of Arrival
NOA is a document providing information about the shipment's origin, destination and estimated time of arrival.
OS&D - Overage, Shortage, and Damage
Consignees can file an Overage, Shortage, and Damage report if there's a problem with their shipment.
P2P - Procure to Pay
P2P is the process an organization follows in acquiring goods, including receiving, invoicing, and payment.
POD - Proof of Delivery
The consignee authorizes the proof of delivery (POD) paperwork to confirm that they've received the load. In some cases, the BOL is used as a POD.
POL - Port of Loading
Sometimes referred to as the port of origin, the location where the shipment is first loaded onto the vessel.
PTL - Partial Truckload
Partial truckload (PTLs) stay on the truck until it reaches its destination, allowing room for other shipments.
SCAC - Standard Carrier Alpha Code (SCAC®)
This two- to four-letter code is used to identify vessel-operating common carriers on shipping documents.
SOC - Shipper-Owned Container
SOC specifies that the shipper owns the container rather than the carrier.
SPLC - Standard Point Location Code (SPLC®)
Rail carriers use this six- to nine-digit code to refer to the location of a railway station.
TL - Full Truckload
Shipping TL means a full truckload of freight that goes straight to its destination without detours or stops to transfer to other trucks.
TONU - Truck Ordered but Not Used
If a truck arrives to collect a load but the shipment isn't ready, this is known as a TONU.
Clear Communication Is Essential in the Freight Industry
Precision is essential in the world of shipping and logistics, and having a common framework for exchanging data helps improve the clarity of your communications. Learning these logistics terms and abbreviations can help reduce misunderstandings and streamline your work.
