|
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
A
|
Absolute Quotas |
Absolute quotas
mean that a limited number of units of specified merchandise can
be entered or withdrawn for consumption during specified periods.
19 CFR Section 132.1(a). Once the quota or limit has been filled,
you cannot import any more of these goods (unless you warehouse
them or place them into a foreign trade zone) until the quota is
reopened at the beginning of a new quota period.( 19 CFR Section
132.5(c)). For example, wearing apparel has absolute quota. |
|
Acceptance |
1) When the drawee
has accepted and is unconditionally obligated to pay a bill of exchange
at maturity. 2) Any agreement to purchase goods at a specific price,
under specified terms. 3) Receipt by the consignee of a shipment
which terminates the carrier’s liability. |
|
Accessions |
Goods that are
affixed to and become part of other goods. |
|
Action Code |
A code representing
the action to be taken on entry. Valid codes are:A = Add (represents
first time entry is submitted for clearance), R = Replace (correction
of a prior entry), D = Delete (delete entry from entry submission). |
|
Ad valorem |
Latin term meaning
"according to value." Most common type of duty rate; it is a percentage
of the value of the merchandise. |
|
Ad Valorem Tariff |
Tariff calculated
as a percentage of the value of the goods; "15 % ad valorem" means
15% of the value, Sales price is usually (not always) price between
the exporter and the importer. Literally means According to Value.
It is the primary method by which Customs duties are calculated.
An Ad Valorem duty is a duty based on the value of the merchandise.
This is in contrast to specific duties which are calculated on the
weight, volume or item count and compound duties which are a combination
of ad valorem and specific duties. |
|
Administrative
Protective Order |
Used in connection
with antidumping and countervailing duty investigations to protect
against the disclosure of information provided by companies being
investigated for violations. |
|
Admission Temporaire |
Free temporary
entry of goods normally dutiable. |
|
Admission Temporaire
– Temporary Admission Carnet |
ATA stands for
the combined French and English words “Admission Temporaire – Temporary
Admission”. An ATA Carnet is an international document used to temporarily
import products into a country and is valid for one year. It is
a “Get Through Customs Fast and Free” card that allows business
people to bypass customs when bringing goods into a country for
purposes of demonstration or trade shows, for example. Most countries
accept an ATA Carnet. |
|
Advance arrangements |
The shipment of
certain classes of commodities that require arrangements in advance
with carriers. |
|
Advanced technology
products |
Products whose
technology is from a recognized high technology field, represent
leading edge technology in that field, and constitute a significant
part of all items covered in the selected classification code. |
|
Advising bank |
A bank, operating
in an exporter's country, that handles letters of credit for a foreign
bank by notifying the exporter that credit is open and informing
the exporter of the letter's conditions. The advising bank does
not necessarily hold a responsibility for payment of the credit.
(See also Exporter and Letter of credit (L/C).) |
|
Agent |
An individual
or firm that represents another in an advisory capacity. |
|
Aggregated shipments |
Several shipments
from different shippers to one consignee that are consolidated and
treated as a single consignment. |
|
Agreed valuation |
Shipment value
agreed to by the exporter and carrier to secure a specific duty
rate and/or liability. |
|
Air waybill |
A nonnegotiable
contract for carrying air freight that covers both domestic and
international flights to specified destinations. Contains shipping
instructions, commodity descriptions, and transportation charges. |
|
Allowance |
An amount paid
by the seller as restitution or reimbursement if the receiving party
was dissatisfied with the shipment for any number of reasons: faulty
packaging, late arrival, etc. |
|
Alongside |
Refers to the
side of a ship. Goods to be delivered "alongside" must be placed
within reach of the transport ship's tackle for loading aboard the
ship. |
|
Alternative tariff |
Tariff containing
two or more duty rates on the same goods to and from the same points
with the authority to select the one with the lowest charge. |
|
American National
Standards Institute |
Organization that
develops a set of voluntary product standards (American National
Standards). |
|
Animal byproduct
imports |
Animals, animal
byproducts (hides etc), and hay require APHIS certification and
possibly health certificates. A permit for importation must be obtained
from APHIS before shipping from the country of origin. Fewer restrictions
coming from Mexico or Canada |
|
Antidumping Duty |
A duty which is
assessed when merchandise is sold in the home nation at less than
fair market value, resulting in material injury to a local industry.
Fair market value is the price at which merchandise is sold in the
manufacturer’s home market. |
|
Antidumping Duty
Deposit |
The deposit collected
by the U. S. Customs Service at the time of entry of merchandise
subject to an antidumping duty order. The deposit is based on the
most recently concluded review. The actual amount to be paid will
depend on the results of the administrative review, if any, for
the period in question and the actual duties may be higher or lower. |
|
Appraiser |
For Customs, an
individual authorized to examine and determine the value of an imported
commodity. |
|
Area of Southeast
Asian Nations |
A free trade area. |
|
Arms Export Control
Act |
A U. S. law regulating
the export (and sometimes import) of defense articles and services
listed on the U. S. Munitions ListThe International Traffic in Arms
Regulations (ITAR) are issued under this law. |
|
Arrival notice |
Notice sent to
the consignee and shipping broker relaying that goods will be arriving
and available for pick up. |
|
Arrivals |
Imported goods
that have been placed in a bonded warehouse because their duty has
not yet been paid. |
|
Assessment |
The placement
of antidumping duties (ADD) on imported goods. |
|
Assists |
Normally a manufacturer
passes along the cost of machinery and operating expenses in the
selling price of an item. When that item crosses the US border,
the price paid or payable for the item is dutiable. US companies
often provide machinery, engineering design support and other items
free or at a reduced cost to their foreign suppliers. The value
of this support is considered dutiable, or taxable, by US Customs.
Example: a kitchen microwave might normally sell for $125. GE Appliances
provides $1 million worth of factory equipment to Matsushita to
make microwaves. With this help, Matsushita can sell the microwaves
to GE for $100 each due to their lower operating expenses. Including
the other support, GE might actually spend $115 per microwave when
taking into account the machinery. GE must declare a $1 million
assist to US Customs in one of several ways. It can declare all
at once (Customs invoice would include $1 million in the dutiable
amount on a production shipment, and GE would pay the applicable
duty rate on $1 plus the selling price of the microwave.) GE could
prorate the value of the assist over the life of the production
of the product made by that machinery, factoring in depreciation
and so on. Financially this may save some money, but is labor or
planning intense and prone to being mismanaged WITHOUT software
todecrement the amount of the assist with a system like Global Passport. |
|
Audit |
Formal examination
of freight bills to determine if they accurately represents the
goods being imported. |
|
Australia Group |
The Australia
Group (AG) was established in 1985 following concern at the widespread
use of chemical weapons in the Iran-Iraq war and the absence of
uniform controls to prevent the further spread of chemical exports
which may be used for, or diverted to, chemical weapons programmes.
Members of this informal forum co-operate in introducing and maintaining
export controls to prevent the proliferation of chemical and biological
weapons. The group has drawn up control lists of dual-use precursor
chemicals; biological agents; and chemical and biological equipment
and related technology which are critical to a proliferator. |
|
Authority to Purchase |
It specifies that
a bank where the exporter can draw a documentary draft on the importer's
bank. The bank has recourse upon the exporter if the importer fails
to pay the draft. |
|
Automated Broker
Interface |
The Automated
Broker Interface (ABI) is a component of the U. S. Customs Service's
Automated Commercial System that permits qualified participants
to electronically file required import data with Customs. ABI is
a voluntary program available to brokers, importers, carriers, port
authorities, and independent service centers. Currently, over 96%
of all entries filed with Customs are filed through ABI. ABI permits
importers and brokers to electronically file preliminary entry data
in advance of the arrival of the cargo. ABI and ACS are to be replaced
by ACE (Automated Commercial Environment). |
|
Automated Clearinghouse |
An electronic
payment program that allows importers to pay Customs duties, taxes,
and fees through ABI filers with one electronic transaction. |
|
Automated Commercial
Environment |
A U. S. Customs
electronic data system which provides support for enforcing trade
and contraband laws, ensuring trade compliance. This system is due
to replace ABI and ACS. |
|
Automated Commercial
System |
System used by
the U. S. Customs Service to track, control, and process all commercial
goods imported into the United States. ABI and ACS are to be replaced
by ACE (Automated Commercial Environment) |
|
Automated Export
System |
Automated Export
System for Electronic filing of the Shipper’s Export Declaration
by the Exporter or Freight Forwarder. AES is primarily an enforcement
tool
Commodity data is required 48 or 72 hours prior to departure. Requires
over 100 data elements to transmit information electronically: |
|
Automated Information
Exchange System |
Automated Information
Exchange System. A module of ACS which provides an automated method
of exchanging information between Field Import Specialists and National
Import Specialists. |
|
Automated Invoice
Interface |
The part of Customs’
Automated Commercial System (ACS) that permits invoice data to be
transmitted electronically to Customs. |
|
Automated Manifest
System |
The part of Customs’
Automated Commercial System (ACS) thatis designed to control imported
merchandise from the time a carrier’s cargo manifest is electronically
transmitted to Customs until control is relinquished to another
module of ACS. rail automated manifest system (AMS) has different
cargo filing requirements. |
|
Autos and Auto
Parts |
Imported vehicles
(and parts) less than 25 years old must meet Safety, Bumper, and
Emission Requirements. A Customs inspection at the time of entry
will determine such compliance, which is verified by the original
manufacturer's certification permanently affixed to the vehicle
or merchandise. An entry declaration form, HS7, must be filed when
motor vehicles or items of motor vehicle equipment are entered.
Certain temporary importations may be exempt from the requirements
for conformance if written approval is obtained in advance from
both the U. S. Department of Transportation and the Environmental
Protection Agency. This includes vehicles brought in for research,
demonstrations, investigation, studies, testing or competitive events.
Also, EPA form 35201 and DOT form HS7 must be submitted to Customs
at the time entry is made for such vehicles.
Imported vehicles must be manufactured to meet US vehicle standards
and be marked appropriately.
A DOT bond in the amount of 150 percent of the vehicle's dutiable
value must be posted at the port of entry when a noncertified or
nonconforming vehicle is imported for permanent use. There are extensive
DOT, EPA, and other requirements to import nonconforming vehicles. |
.......................................................................................................
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
B
|
Back order |
The portion of
an order that cannot be delivered at the scheduled time, but will
be delivered at a later date. |
|
Bale |
A large bundle
of compressed and bound goods, such as cotton. |
|
Bank Drafts |
Bills of exchange,
sight drafts and time drafts. A time draft is an acceptance order
drawn by the exporter on the importer that is payable a certain
number of days after sight presentation to the holder. It is a promise
to pay into the future. Payment terms are usually in 30180 days.
A sight draft is similar except that the importer's bank holds the
document until the importer releases the funds. |
|
Barter |
Trade in which
merchandise is exchanged directly for other merchandise without
the use of money. Barter is an important means of trade with countries
using currency that is not readily convertible. |
|
Bill |
A written statement
of contract terms. |
|
Bill of Exchange |
An unconditional
order in writing from one person (the drawer) to another (the drawee),
directing the drawee to pay a specified amount to a named drawer
at a specified future date. Also referred to as draft. |
|
Bill of lading |
A negotiable instrument
issued by a carrier to a shipper, listing and acknowledging receipt
of goods for transport and specifying terms of delivery (where the
shipment is to be moved to and from and the movement charges). It
serves as a document of title, a contract of carriage, and a receipt
for goods and allows the carrier to transport a merchandise shipment
from a shipper to a consignee. It includes an air waybill, but does
not include an inland bill of lading or a domestic air waybill covering
movement to port only. There are several types of bills of lading,
some of which include: straight bill of lading, air waybill, and
clean bill of lading. |
|
Bill of lading
number |
The alphanumeric
code issued by a carrier that references an individual cargo shipment
in a manifest. |
|
Bill of Ladings |
is a contract
between the owner of the goods(exporter) and the carrier. It is
both evidence that a shipment has been made, and your receipt for
the goods that have been shipped. |
|
Bill of materials |
Listing of all
the assemblies, subassemblies, parts, and raw materials that are
needed to produce one unit of a finished product. Thus, each finished
product has its own bill of materials. |
|
Bill of sale |
A written document
by which a party legally transfers ownership of goods to another
party. |
|
Billed weight |
The designated
weight shown on the freight bill. |
|
BillTo party |
Refers to the
party designated on a bill of lading as the one responsible for
payment of the freight. |
|
Binding ruling |
Written response
from U. S. Customs to a written request for a classification or
value decision on a specific proposed import. |
|
Blanket rate |
A special single
rate applied to multiple articles in a single shipment. |
|
Bond |
Interest bearing
certificate of debt that the U. S. Government requires in connection
with the payment of duties or to produce documents. |
|
Bonded |
Goods stored by
Customs until the import duties are paid or the goods are exported. |
|
Bonded terminal |
An airline terminal
approved by the Customs authority for storage of goods until Customs
duties are paid. |
|
Bonded warehouse |
A warehouse authorized
by Customs authorities for the storage of goods on which payment
of duties is deferred until the goods are removed. |
|
Booking |
An arrangement
with a vessel company for the acceptance and carriage of freight. |
|
Border Cargo Release |
Functionality
required by all US Customs House Brokers who have operations at
US land border crossings |
|
Boycott |
To abstain from
using, buying, or dealing with a person, firm, or country to express
protest or to coerce. |
|
Broker |
In general terms,
a broker is a party who acts as intermediary between a buyer and
seller. In import terms, a Customs broker is licensed to enter and
clear goods through Customs for another party. A broker provides
advice on the technical requirements of importing, preparositing
and filing entry documents, obtaining the necessary bonds, depositing
US custom duties andsecuring release of the products, arranging
delivery to the importer's premises or warehouse and obtaining duty
drawbacks. |
|
Brokerage costs |
The costs incurred
for services provided in the customs clearance process by a customs
broker |
|
Bulk cargo |
Cargo that is
made up of one commodity; examples include grain, oil, and ore. |
|
Bulk freight |
Freight not in
packages or containers. |
|
Bureau of Alcohol,
Tobacco, and Firearms |
The Bureau of
Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms is charged with collecting excise
taxes on alcoholic beverages and tobacco products; suppressing traffic
in illicit distilled spirits and illegal use of explosives; and
controlling the sale and registration of firearms. The mission of
the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF) is to reduce
violent crime, collect revenue, and protect the public through criminal
law enforcement, regulatory enforcement, and tax collection. In
the alcohol beverage industry, the Bureau regulates the qualification
and operations of distilleries, wineries, and breweries, as well
as importers and wholesalers in the industry. |
|
Bureau of Industry
and Security |
Responsible for
the control of exports. Issues licenses for controlled exports and
classifies commodities, when necessary. Functionally, the Bureau
of Industry and Security is divided into two branches, Export Administration
and Export Enforcement. Also, BIS manages a number of Technical
Advisory Committees consisting of industry and government representatives
which advise and assist BIS and other agencies with respect to actions
designed to implement the EAR. |
|
Buying agent |
An agent who purchases
goods in his or her own country on behalf of foreign importers,
such as government agencies and large private concerns. Also referred
to as Purchasing Agent. |
.......................................................................................................
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
C
|
Caged |
Before import
customs formality has been completed cleared and released, cargo
is remained at bonded warehouse under customs custody. |
|
Cargo |
Merchandise hauled
by transportation lines. |
| Cargo release |
Delivery authorized
by U. S. Customs permitting merchandise to enter the commerce of
the United States. |
| Cargo Selectivity
System |
The Cargo Selectivity
System, a part of Customs' Automated Commercial System, specifies
the type of examination (intensive or general) to be conducted for
imported merchandise. The type of examination is based on database
selectivity criteria such as assessments of risk by filer, consignee,
tariff number, country of origin, and manufacturer/shipper. A first
time consignee is always selected for an intensive examination.
An alert is also generated in cargo selectivity the first time a
consignee files an entry in a port with a particular tariff number,
country of origin, or manufacturer/shipper. |
| Caribbean Basin
Economic Recovery Act |
|
| Caribbean Basin
Initiative |
Program that provides
for the dutyfree entry of merchandise from designated beneficiary
Caribbean Basin countries or territories. This preference is designed
to help increase economic aid. |
|
Carnet |
A Customs document
permitting the holder to carry or send merchandise into certain
foreign countries for a short duration of time without paying duties
or posting bonds. |
| CARRIAGE AND INSURANCE
PAID TO |
INCOTERM entry.
This term is the same as "freight/carriage paid to (CPT)" but with
the additional requirement that the seller has to procure transport
insurance against the risk of loss or damage to the goods during
the carriage. The seller contracts with the insurer and pays the
insurance premium. |
| CARRIAGE PAID
TO |
INCOTERM entry.
This term means the seller pays the freight for the carriage of
the goods to the named destination. The risk
of loss or damage to the goods and any cost increases transfers
from the seller to the buyer when the goods have been delivered
to the custody of the first carrier, and not at the ship's rail.
Accordingly, "freight/carriage paid to" can be used for all modes
of transportation, including container or roll-on roll-off traffic
by trailers and
ferries. When the seller is required to furnish a bill of lading,
way bill, or carrier receipt, the seller duly fulfills its obligation
by presenting such a document issued by
the person contracted with for carriage to the main destination. |
|
Carrier |
Any person who,
in a contract of carriage, undertakes to perform or to procure the
performance of transport of a shipment by rail, road, sea, air,
inland waterway or by a combination of such modes. Carriers include
shipping lines, trucking companies, railroad companies, and airlines. |
| Certificate of
Conformity |
Certifies the
products have been inspected and verified in accordance with the
certain technical standards that are required by the importing country
and conformity to predefined definitions. |
| Certificate of
Inspection |
A document certifying
that merchandise (such as perishable goods) was in good condition
immediately prior to its shipment. |
| Certificate of
Manufacture |
A statement (often
notarized) in which a producer of goods (the manufacturer) certifies
that the goods are complete and ready for the buyer to take possession
of. |
| Certificate of
Origin |
A document, required
by certain foreign countries during the entry process for tariff
purposes, certifying the country of origin of specified goods. |
| Certificate of
Origin for NAFTA |
A Certificate
of Origin, also known as CF 434, is a document which certifies that
goods imported into Canada, Mexico or the United States qualify
for the preferential tariff treatment accorded by the NAFTA. Only
importers who possess a valid Certificate of Origin may claim preferential
tariff treatment for originating goods. The Certificate of Origin
must be signed by the exporter or producer. |
| CF3461 ALT |
3461 Alt is NOT
used for IT or T&E bonded entries, a separate series and range
of assigned numbers is utilized for these bonds. |
| CF3461 Entry/Immediate
Delivery |
Application and
special permit for immediate delivery; is an alternate procedure
that provides for the immediate release of a shipment. Release under
this provision is limited to: merchandise arriving from Canada or
Mexico; Fresh fruits or vegetables for human consumption arriving
from Canada or Mexico; Articles for a trade fair; tariff rate quota
merchandise subject to an absolute quota ; merchandise specifically
authorized be customs because of perishability or inconvenience
to the importer, carrier, or agent. You must still file a entry
summary (7501) and deposit estimated duties w/in 10 working days. |
|
CF4455 |
Customs form for
registering the temporary export of foreign goods. |
|
CF5106 |
A customs form
to assign an IRS/social security/customs assigned number for tracking
purposes. An entry cannot be made unless Customs has a number on
file for the person or company, and ABI will return an error. |
| Chemical Weapons
Convention |
The Chemical Weapons
Convention (CWC) entered into force early in 1997. The Convention
prohibits the development, production, stockpiling, use of transfer
of chemical weapons and provides for the destruction of existing
weapons and their means of production. It contains a regime to verify
the prohibition on chemical weapons. The regime requires each state
party to provide detailed declarations of its activities in certain
chemicals which can be used in the production of chemical weapons.
The Convention provides for routine inspections to be undertaken
at declared sites. It also provides for short notice "challenge"
inspections of any
site which another state party suspects may not be in compliance
with the requirements of the Convention. The Convention requires
states parties progressively to introduce controls on trade with
non-state parties. Such trade in the most toxic chemicals, which
are listed in Schedule 1 of the Convention, are banned immediately
while trade in Schedule 2 chemicals must be banned from three years
after entry into force and is subject to control in the interim
period. Exports of Schedule 3 chemicals must be subject to control
from the date the
Convention entered into force. |
|
Classification |
The act of determining
the tariff schedule category that an article falls under and the
applicable duty rate. Individuals who prepare entry papers (i. e.,
importers, Customs brokers) must ensure that the merchandise is
classified.
Responsibility rests with the importer, customhouse broker or other
person preparing the entry papers. It determines the ad valorem
(%) tariff rate that should be applied to the valuation of the goods. |
| Claused bill of
lading |
A notation on
the bill of lading which denotes a deficient condition of the goods. |
| Clean bill of
lading |
A receipt for
goods issued by a carrier that indicates that the goods were received
in good order and condition, without damages or irregularities. |
| Clean draft |
A draft without
documents attached. |
| Clean on board |
The carrier indicates
the condition of the goods upon acceptance |
|
Clearance |
When Customs completes
its examination of imported goods and the accompanying paperwork
and releases the goods to the importer. |
| Collect on delivery |
A service where
the purchase price of a good is collected by the carrier upon delivery
of the shipment and subsequently paid to the shipper. |
| Collection documents |
Are documents
that are submitted to the importer (in the case of a draft) or to
the importer's bank in order to receive payment. |
| Collection papers |
All documents
(commercial invoices, bill of lading, etc.) submitted to a buyer
for the purpose of receiving payment for a shipment. |
| Column 1 rates |
Duty rates listed
in Column 1 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States
(HTSUS). These rates are low and apply to imports from countries
that have achieved the Most Favored Nation (MFN) trade status with
the United States. |
| Column 2 rates |
Duty rates listed
in Column 2 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States
(HTSUS). These rates apply to imports from countries that do not
have the Most Favored Nation (MFN) trade status with the United
States. |
| Combined bill
of lading |
A bill of lading
covering a shipment of goods by more than one mode of transportation. |
|
Commerce |
The exchange or
buying and selling of commodities on a large scale involving transportation
from place to place. |
| Commerce Control
List |
All commodities,
technology or software subject to the licensing authority of BIS
are included in the Commerce Control List (CCL) which is found in
Supplement 1 to Part 774 of the Export Administration Regulations.
On the CCL, individual items are identified by an Export Control
Classification Number (ECCN) |
| Commercial Invoice |
An itemized list
of goods shipped, usually included among an exporter's collection
papers. Contains basic information about the transaction (description
of goods, address of shipper and buyer, terms, etc.) Buyer uses
it to prove ownership and arrange payment. Government's sometimes
uses it to assess Customs duties. |
|
Commingling |
Packing different
kinds of articles that are subject to different duty rates together
so that the shipment must be physically separated by Customs in
order to obtain the quantity or value of each article class. Commingled
articles can be subject to the highest duty rate assessed for a
class of article in the shipment. |
|
Commodity |
An article, material,
or supply, except technology and software, exchanged in trade. |
| Commodity code |
The system of
identifying a commodity by a certain number to determine its commodity
rate for transport. |
| Commodity Control
List |
All commodities,
technology or software subject to the licensing authority of the
respective governments are included in the Commodity Control List
(CCL). On the CCL, individual items are identified by an Export
Control Classification Number (ECCN). |
| Commodity jurisdiction |
A procedure used
with the U. S. government if doubt exists as towhether an article
or service is covered under the U. S. Munitions List |
| Commodity rate |
Charges for shipping
a specific commodity between specified points. |
| Commodity Specific
Fees |
Commodity specific
fees such as cotton fees, pork fees, and taxes on alcoholic beverages |
| Common carrier |
An individual,
partnership, or corporation that transports persons or goods for
compensation. |
| Composite Theoretical
Performance |
Used as a measure
of computing power. CTP is most often associated with Export Control
regulations, preventing undesirable nations obtaining supercomputers. |
| Compound Duty |
A duty which is
calculated based on both the value of the goods as well as the weight,
volume or number. |
| Compound rate
of duty |
Combination of
both a specific rate of duty and an ad valorem rate of duty. |
| Confirmed letter
of credit |
A letter of credit,
issued by a foreign bank, with validity confirmed by a U. S. bank.
An exporter who requires a confirmed letter of credit from the buyer
is assured of payment by the U. S. bank, even if the foreign buyer
or the foreign bank defaults. |
|
Consignee |
Delivery of merchandise
from an exporter (the consignor) to an agent (the consignee) under
the agreement that the agent will sell the merchandise for the exporter.
The exporter holds title to the goods until they have been sold.
The consignee sells the goods for commission and remits the net
proceeds to the consignor. |
|
Consignment |
Delivery of merchandise
from an exporter (the consignor) to an agent (the consignee) under
the agreement that the agent will sell the merchandise for the exporter.
The exporter holds title to the goods until they have been sold.
The consignee sells the goods for commission and remits the net
proceeds to the consignor. |
| Consolidated container |
A shipping container
that contains cargo from numerous shippers for delivery to numerous
consignees. |
| Consolidated entry
summary |
On a consolidated
entry summary, an entry filer has combined or consolidated several
releases into one entry summary package to be submitted for duty
payment. It can be either a formal or informal entry. Consolidated
entry summaries are identified by an alphabetic code C following
the check digit of the entry number; e. G., 888/09675348C. |
| Consular Invoice |
It must reconcile
w/ insurance and bills of lading and insurance documents. Its purpose
is to allow clearence of your shipment into the country that requires
it. |
| Consumer Product
Safety Commission |
The agency charged
with the duty to protect U. S. consumers from dangerous goods, such
as toys that present a risk of choking in children under the age
of 3. The U. S. Customs Service has the primary responsibility for
enforcing CPSC requirements at the time of entry. |
| Consumption entry |
A Customs entry
where the importer pays the applicable duties and the goods are
released from Customs. |
|
Container |
Any equipment
used to unitize cargo, e. G., all types of containers and/or flats,
trailers, sway bodies, roro equipment, igloos, that applies to all
modes of transport. |
| Continuous Entry
Bond |
A oneyear bond
for all entries made in a single year with up to $50,000 coverage.
A Continuous Entry Bond is only required under special circumstances. |
| Control List Category |
The Commerce Control
List is divided into 10 categories: (0) Nuclear Materials, Facilities,
and Equipment and Miscellaneous; (1) Materials, Chemicals, "Microorganisms",
and Toxins; (2) Materials Processing; (3) Electronics; (4) Computers;
(5) Telecommunications and Information Security; (6) Lasers and
Sensors; (7) Navigation and Avionics; (8) Marine; and (9) Propulsion
Systems, Space Vehicles, and Transportation Equipment |
| COST AND FREIGHT |
INCOTERM entry.
"CFR" requires the seller to pay the costs and freight necessary
to bring the goods to the named destination, but the risk of loss
or damage to the goods, as well as any cost increases, are transferred
from the seller to the buyer when the goods pass the ship's rail
in the port of shipment. Insurance is the buyer's responsibility. |
| Cost of production |
The total of certain
costs associated with the production of merchandise. These costs
include the materials to make the merchandise, processing costs,
and administrative and selling expenses. Relates to ADD investigations. |
| COST, INSURANCE
AND FREIGHT |
INCOTERM entry.
"CIF" is CFR with the additional requirement that the seller procure
transport insurance against the risk of loss or damage to goods.
The seller must contract with the insurer and pay the insurance
premium. Insurance is generally more important in international
shipping than domestic shipping, because U. S. laws generally hold
a common carrier to be liable for lost or damaged goods. |
| Costs of Manufacture |
Sum of the materials,
labor, and direct and indirect factory overhead expenses required
to produce merchandise. |
| Countervailing
Duty |
A duty unilaterally
imposed by A Government against specific products from certain countries
in order to offset improper subsidies provided by the government
of that country. It is imposed at the end of a countervailing duty
investigation. |
| Countervailing
Duty Deposit |
The deposit collected
by the U. S. Customs Service at the time of entry of merchandise
subject to a countervailing duty order. The deposit is based on
the most recently concluded review. The actual amount to be paid
will depend on the results of the administrative review, if any,
for the period in question and the actual duties may be higher or
lower. |
| Country of export |
Country from which
the goods are shipped, not to be confused with the country of origin,
or the “origin of the shipment” . Example- a Ferrari was made in
Italy, and a distributor in Canada sells it to a buyer in the US
and ships it to the buyer. It is imported into the US from Canada.
The country of origin of the car is Italy, and the country of export
is Canada. |
| Country of origin |
Country where
commodities were originally grown, mined, or manufactured. |
|
Cryptoanalysis |
The analysis of
a cryptographic system or its inputs and outputs to derive confidential
variables or sensitive date including clear text |
|
Cryptography |
The discipline
that embodies principles, means and methods for the transformation
of date in order to hide its information content, prevent its undetected
modification or prevent its unauthorized use. "Cryptography" is
limited to the transformation of information using one or more "secret
parameters" (eg crypto variables) and/or associated key management. |
| Customs Broker |
Customs brokers
are private individuals or companies, regulated by the Customs Service,
who aid importers and exporters in moving their merchandise through
Customs and providing the proper paper work and payments (Customs
business). They charge a fee for this service. Corporations,Partnerships
and other associations must also have a broker's license to conduct
Customs Business. In these cases there is no examination requirement,
but each group must have a member who has an individual license
who is accountable for the customs business of the group. |
| Customs Electronic
Bulletin Board |
Customs Electronic
Bulletin Board. An electronic bulletin board sponsored by U. S.
Customs which provides the trade community with uptodate information,
requirements, and operation instructions. |
| Customs Value |
The value assigned
to merchandise at the time of entry. It is used as the basis for
assessing the amount of duty and taxes owed and for other purposes.
It can be calculated in a number of ways, but the preferred method
of valuation is transaction value. |
.......................................................................................................
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
D
| Dangerous goods |
Articles or substances
capable of posing a significant risk to health, safety, or property
when transported by air. |
| Data Universal
Numbering System |
DUNS is a registered
trademark of the Dun and Bradstreet Corporation. This numbering
system is used to identify each exporter.
DCN, Drawback Claim Number
DDP, Delivered Duty Paid
DDU, Delivered Duty Unpaid |
| Deductive value |
A valuation of
merchandise that is the resale price of imported merchandise in
the United States with deductions for certain items. |
| Defense service |
Defense services
means: (a) the furnishing of assistance (including training) to
foreign persons, whether in the United States or abroad in the design,
development, engineering manufacture, production, assembly, testing,
repair, maintenance, modification, operation, demilitarization,
destruction, processing or use of defense articles; or (b) the furnishing
to foreign persons of any technical data controlled under this subchapter
(see 120.10),
whether in the United States or abroad. |
| DELIVERED AT FRONTIER |
INCOTERM entry.
"Delivered at frontier" means that the seller's obligations are
fulfilled when the goods have arrived at the frontier but
before the customs border of the country named in the sales contract.
The term is primarily used when goods are carried by rail or truck.
The seller bears the full cost and risk in delivering the goods
up to this point, but the buyer must arrange and pay for the goods
to clear customs. |
| DELIVERED DUTY
PAID |
INCOTERM entry.
Represents the seller's maximum obligation. The term "DDP." is generally
followed by words indicating the buyer's premises. It notes that
the seller bears all risks and all costs until the goods are delivered.
This term can be used irrespective of the mode of transport. If
the parties wish to make clear that the seller is not responsible
for certain costs, additional word should be added (for example,
"delivered duty paid exclusive of VAT and/or taxes"). |
| DELIVERED DUTY
UNPAID |
INCOTERM entry.
Under these terms, the seller fulfills his obligation to deliver
when the goods have been available to the buyer "not cleared" for
import at the point or place of the named destination. The seller
bears all costs and risks involved in bringing the goods to the
point or place of named destination. There is no obligation for
import clearance. |
| DELIVERED EX QUAY |
INCOTERM entry.
Means the seller has agreed to make the goods available to the buyer
on the quay or wharf at the place named in the sales contract. The
seller bears the full cost and risks in delivering the goods to
that point including unloading. |
| DELIVERED EX SHIP |
INCOTERM entry.
Means the seller shall make the goods available to the buyer on
board the ship at the place named in the sales contract. The seller
bears the full cost and risk involved in bringing the goods there.
The cost of unloading the goods and any customs duties must be paid
by the buyer. |
|
Delivery |
The act of transferring
physical possession. |
| Delivery instructions |
Specific delivery
instructions for the freight forwarder or carrier stating exactly
where the goods are to be delivered, the deadline, and a contact
person. |
| Delivery order |
A document from
the consignee, shipper, or owner of freight ordering the delivery
of freight. |
Denied Persons
List |
Technically, a
list that used to be referenced in the US Export Administration
Regulations, of specific persons that have been denied export privileges,
in whole or in part. However, this phrase has now been adopted to
mean a consolidated list of ALL restricted entities published by
many different US, UN and EU bodies. |
| Department of
Commerce |
A Cabinet level
department which has the responsibility for administering the International
Trade Laws. It is also charged with the duty to both regulate and
assist U. S. exporters. Agencies within the Commerce Department
include the International Trade Administration, and the Bureau of
Industry and Security. |
| Department of
Trade and Industry |
British Government
body responsible for promoting Global Trade and enforcing Export
Controls. |
| Destination control
statement |
Statement that
the U. S. Government requires to be displayed on export documents
and that specifies the destinations of authorized shipments. It
appears on the commercial invoice, B/L, and SED. According to the
3/25/96 Federal Register, the following DCS must be displayed on
the specified shipping documents when an export is made under the
authority of the license exceptions: “These commodities, technology
or software were exported from the United States in accordance with
the Export Administration Regulations. Diversion contrary to U.
S. law prohibited.” One exception to this statement occurs when
a product is being exported under the CTP license exception. In
this case, the following statement must be added to the above DCS:
“This equipment may not be reexported or transferred without prior
authorization from BIS.” |
| Disbursement Fee |
Customers are
responsible for payment of duty and taxes. When funds are not provided
in advance by the customer, a fee of X% (minimum of $x. Xx) of the
amount advanced by (a courier or broker) will be charged.
Regulations (EAR), License exceptions, Shipment, and Shipper’s export
declaration (SED).) |
|
Discrepancy |
When documents
presented do not conform to the terms and conditions of a letter
of credit. |
Distribution
agreement |
An agreement (eg
contract) to establish a warehouse or distribution point abroad
for defense articles exported from the United States for subsequent
distribution to entities in an approved sales territory (see Part
124). |
|
Dock |
Loading or unloading
platform at an industrial location or carrier terminal. |
| Dock receipt |
A receipt issued
by an ocean carrier to acknowledge receipt of a shipment at the
carrier's dock or warehouse facilities. |
| Documents against
acceptance |
Instructions given
by a shipper to a bank indicating that documents transferring title
to goods should be delivered to the buyer (or drawee) only upon
the buyer's acceptance of the attached draft. |
| Domestic Freight |
Freight costs
from the port of Import to the ultimate destination of the goods |
|
Drawback |
Articles manufactured
or produced in the host country with the use of imported components
or raw materials and later exported are entitled to a refund of
up to 99% of all ordinary Customs duties and taxes charged on the
imported components. The refund of duty is known as "drawback."
A number of types of drawback are available including same condition
drawback, substitution drawback and manufacturing drawback. |
| Dual-use item |
An item that has
both commercial and military or proliferation applications. |
| Dutiable Value |
The value determined
by Customs upon which duties will be assessed. "Dutiable value"
can include value in addition to the purchase/compensation price. |
|
Duty |
A tax imposed
on imports by the Customs authority of a country. Duties are generally
based on the value of the goods (ad valorem duties), other factors
such as weight or quantity (specific duties), or a combination of
value and other factors (compound duties). |
| Duty Drawback
Filing |
The preparation
of a request for refund for all or part of customs duty or domestic
tax paid on imported merchandise which was subsequently either manufactured
into a different article or reexported. |
| Duty Drawback
Process |
Customs regulations
typically allow the recovery of the majority (99% in the U. S.)
of the duty paid upon importation if the merchandise is subsequently
exported. To recover the duty, the appropriate import and export
information and supporting documents must be available and a drawback
claim must be filed with Customs. |
.......................................................................................................
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
E
|
EDIFACT |
Electronic Data
Interchange For Administration, Commerce, and Transportation. The
United Nations coding system for filing trade data between two parties. |
|
ELAIN |
Electronic License
Application and Information Network |
| Electronic invoicing |
The ability to
transmit invoice data electronically through Customs’ Automated
Invoice Interface (AII). |
| Electronic Visa
Information System |
ELVIS is the electronic
transmission of visa information for textile merchandise from a
specific country to the U. S. Customs Service. |
|
Embargo |
Total suspension
of all business activity with a country |
| Encryption items |
The phrase encryption
items includes all encryption commodities, software, and technology
that contain encryption features |
| Encryption software |
Computer programs
that provide capability of encryption functions or confidentiality
of information or information systems. Such software includes source
code, object code, applications software, or system software. |
| End user |
A consignee that
uses respective country (typically US) origin items "as is" or incorporates
them as integral parts, components, or materials in the production
of primary foreign commodities. |
| Entered value |
The total value
of the import declared to Customs. It may be the invoice value or
it may be an addition or subtraction from the invoice value. It
may be both dutiable and nondutiable. An addition may be an assist,
whereas a subtraction may be freight. |
|
Entry |
Entry has two
meanings. The first describes the formal process (i. E. the entry
process) by which the documentation necessary for the importation
of specific items of merchandise is presented to the Customs Service.
The second describes a specific document, or more generally, all
of the documents needed for entry. The entry papers consist of a
number of specific items including a the Customs Entry and a commercial
invoice, as well as any specific additional documents which need
to be filed for certain types of merchandise (for example, an origin
declaration with certain textile products). Customs is moving toward
a paperless system and some of these documents may now be "electronic"
in nature. |
| Entry documents |
The documents
required to secure the release of imported merchandise. |
| Entry number |
The unique numeric
identifier referencing the documentation filed with Customs to secure
release and duty payment of imported merchandise. |
| Entry Process |
Shipment of goods
may not be legally entered until (a) it enters the port of entry,
(b) estimated duties have been paid, c) customs authorizes delivery
of the merchandise. |
| Entry summary |
Customs Form 7501.
The entry summary describes and properly codes the imported merchandise.
The entry filer has 10 working days after release of the merchandise
by Customs to file an entry summary and pay whatever duties, fees,
and taxes are due. |
| Entry, formal |
Generally, shipments
valued over $2,000. |
| Entry, informal |
Generally, shipments
valued under $2000. Specifically, informal entries are filed for
personal shipments of any value, for certain commercial shipments
valued at $2,000. They can be filed on the Entry Summary (CF7501)
and are identified by the numeric entry type code 11 in Block 2.
They can also be filed on an Informal Entry (CF5119A). |
| Environmental
Protection Agency |
The Environmental
Protection Agency protects and enhances the US environment today
and for future generations to the fullest extent possible under
the laws enacted by Congress. The Agency's mission is to control
and abate pollution in the areas of air, water, solid waste, pesticides,
radiation, and toxic substances. Its mandate is to mount an integrated,
coordinated attack on environmental pollution in cooperation with
State and local governments. |
| European Union |
Organization comprised
of 15 member countries including: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland,
France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands,
Portugal, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. Primary objective
of this union is obtain a harmonization of policies, principles,
and procedures among the member countries. |
| EX WORKS |
INCOTERM entry.
"Ex works" means the seller's only responsibility is to make the
goods available at the seller's premises, i. E. factory. The seller
is not responsible for loading the goods on the vehicle provided
by the buyer unless otherwise agreed. The buyer bears the full costs
and risk involved in collecting the goods from there to the desired
destination. Ex works represents the minimum obligation of the seller. |
| Exception rates |
Shipping rates
set higher because the commodity requires special handling and care
(i. E., live animals). |
| Exchange permit |
A government permit
sometimes required by an importer's government to enable the importer
to convert his or her own country's currency into foreign currency
with which to pay a seller in another country. |
|
Export |
To send or transport
merchandise abroad, especially for trade or sale. Or goods/merchandise
transported out of a country. |
| Export Administration
Regulations |
Export Administration
Regulations (EAR) are references to 15 CFR chapter VII, subchapter
C. The EAR are issued by the United States Department of Commerce,
Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) under laws relating to the
control of certain exports, reexports, and activities. In addition,
the EAR implement anti-boycott law provisions requiring regulations
to prohibit specified conduct by United States persons that has
the effect of furthering or supporting boycotts fostered or imposed
by a country against a country friendly to United States. |
| Export Control
Classification Numbers |
Export Control
Classification Numbers (ECCN) on the CCL are covered by the Country.
These ECCNs will state the specific countries that require a license
or refer you to a self-contained section. |
| Export Enforcement |
Export Enforcement.
Export Enforcement implements the enforcement provisions of the
EAR, including part 760 of the EAR (Restrictive Trade Practices
and Boycotts). This office also conducts outreach programs to assist
members of the public in understanding their obligation under EAR.
The Office of Export Enforcement is organized into three offices
under the supervision of the Assistant Secretary for Export Enforcement |
| Export Licenses |
Validated licenses
require careful attention because they apply to products that the
government wants to control closely for either strategic or economic
reasons. The CCL sets items such as weapons, technologies, and high
tech products. You must prepare and submit an application to the
OEA. |
| Export packing
list |
List that itemizes
materials in each shipment, type of package, as well as weight and
measurements. |
| Exporter identification
number |
Identification
number that must be placed on the Shipper’s Export Declaration for
all export shipments. U. S. corporations can use their IRS Employer
Identification Number, while nonincorporated companies and individuals
can use the exporter’s Social Security number. (See also Employer
Identification Number (EIN), Exporter, Shipment, and Shipper’s export
declaration (SED).) |
| Exporting carrier |
Any instrumentality
of water, land, or air transportation by which an export is effected,
including any domestic air carrier on which any cargo for export
is carried. |
.......................................................................................................
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
F
| Fair market value |
The price at which
merchandise is sold in the manufacturer’s home market. |
| Federal Trade
Commission |
The objective
of the Federal Trade Commission is to maintain competitive enterprise
as the keystone of the American economic system, and to prevent
the free enterprise system from being fettered by monopoly or restraints
on trade or corrupted by unfair or deceptive trade practices. The
Commission is charged with keeping competition both free and fair. |
| Filer or Filer
Code |
A unique 3 position
alphanumeric identifier assigned to brokers or large importers who
file their own entries. The identifier can take the form of three
numbers, such as 286, or one alpha and two numbers, such as P48. |
| FIRMS code |
Facilities Information
and Resources Management System (FIRMS) code identifies the U. S.
Customs Service facility where goods are located. |
| Food and Drug
Administration |
The Food and Drug
Administration programmes are designed to achieve the single, overall
objective of consumer protection. FDA's mission is to ensure that
food is safe, pure, and wholesome; human and animal drugs and
cosmetics, biological products, and medical devices are safe and
effective; and electronic products that emit radiation are safe. |
| Foreign Assets
Control Regulations |
|
| Foreign market
value |
The price at which
merchandise is sold in the principal markets of the country from
which it is exported. |
| Foreign Person |
Foreign person
means any natural person who is not a lawful permanent resident
or who is not a protected individual. It also means any foreign
corporation, business association, partnership, trust, society or
any other entity or group that is not incorporated or organized
to do business in the designated country, as well as international
organizations, foreign governments and any agency or subdivision
of foreign governments (e. G. diplomatic missions). |
| Foreign trade
zone |
Also called Free
Trade Zone. A port designated by the government of a country for
duty-free entry of any non-prohibited goods. Merchandise may be
stored, displayed, used for manufacturing, etc., within the zone
and reexported without duties being paid. Duties are imposed on
the merchandise (or items manufactured from the merchandise) only
when the goods pass from the zone into an area of the country subject
to the Customs Authority. |
| Forwarding agent |
The person authorized
by an exporter to perform services to facilitate the export of items.
The forwarding agent need not be a person regularly engaged in the
freight forwarding business. The forwarding agent must be designated
by the exporter in writing as the power of attorney set forth on
the Shipper’s Export Declaration or in a general power of attorney,
or other written form. |
| Foul bill of lading |
A receipt for
goods issued by a carrier that indicates the goods were damaged
when they were received. |
| FREE ALONGSIDE
SHIP |
INCOTERM entry.
"F. A. S." or "free alongside ship" requires the seller to deliver
the goods alongside the ship on the quay.
From that point on, the buyer bears all costs and risks of loss
and damage to the goods. Unlike F. O. B., F. A. S. requires the
buyer to clear the goods for export and
pay the cost of loading the goods. |
| FREE CARRIER |
INCOTERM entry.
This term has been designed to meet the requirements of multimodal
transport, such as container or roll-on, roll-off traffic by
trailers and ferries. It is based on the same name principle as
F. O. B. (free on board), except that the seller fulfills its obligations
when the goods are delivered to the
custody of the carrier at the named place. If no precise place can
be named at the time of the contract of sale, the parties should
refer to the place where the carrier
should take the goods into its charge. The risk of loss or damage
to the goods is transferred from seller to buyer at that time and
not at the ship's rail. The term
"carrier" means any person by whom or in whose name a contract of
carriage by road, rail, air, sea, or a combination of modes has
been made. When a seller has
been furnished a bill of lading, way bill or carrier's receipt,
the seller duly fulfills its obligation by presenting such a document
issued by a carrier. |
| FREE ON BOARD |
INCOTERM entry.
Under "F. O. B." the goods are placed on board the ship by the seller
at a port of shipment named in the sales
agreement. The risk of loss of or damage to the goods is transferred
to the buyer when the goods pass the ship's rail (i. E., off the
dock and placed on the ship). The
seller pays the cost of loading the goods. |
| Free On Board
Destination |
Ownership passes
at the moment that the freight is delivered. Loss or damage in transit
is the shipper's problem as the shipper owned the goods at the time
of the loss or damage. The shipper must file the loss & damage
claim with the carrier. |
| Free Trade Zone |
Also called Foreign
Trade Zone. A port designated by the government of a country for
duty-free entry of any non-prohibited goods. Merchandise may be
stored, displayed, used for manufacturing, etc., within the zone
and reexported without duties being paid. Duties are imposed on
the merchandise (or items manufactured from the merchandise) only
when the goods pass from the zone into an area of the country subject
to the Customs Authority. |
|
Freight |
All merchandise,
goods, products, or commodities shipped by rail, air, road, or water,
other than baggage, express mail, or regular mail. |
| Freight charge |
The charge assessed
for transporting freight. |
| Freight forwarder |
Simply put, freight
forwarders ship goods. But forwarding freight involves more than
just putting the merchandise in a crate and placing the crate on
a ship. Because of the increasing complexity of moving goods quickly
around the world, forwarders have had to become logistics experts.
For instance, they often have to act as customs agents, easing the
movement of goods across country lines and handling letters of credit
that pay for shipments. Many forwarders also operate warehouses
and manage inventory for customers. MSAS manages 10 million square
feet of warehouse space. They not only store goods but provide services
including sorting, labeling, bar coding and repackaging goods before
they reach their final destination. For instance, a forwarder might
break down a shipment of sweaters shipped from Hong Kong, separate
them and affix price tags. Finally, freight forwarders act as consultants,
helping companies plot their shipment strategies. |
| Freight Rating |
Performing the
calculations appropriate to calculate freight costs based on contract/tariff
terms. |
.......................................................................................................
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
G
|
General Agreements
of Tariffs and Trade |
General Agreements
of Tariffs and Trade are rounds of discussions among over 100 countries
of how to conduct trade. The US Congress has never accepted the
GATT agreements but US Trade legislation embraces the concepts. |
|
General Order |
Merchandise not
entered within 15 calendar days after the date of arrival at the
port of destination will be stored at the expense of the importer. |
|
General Order
Merchandise |
Merchandise taken
into Customs custody and stored in the public stores of a general
order warehouse at the risk and expense of the consignee for any
of the following reasons: (1) whenever entry of any imported merchandise
is not made within 15 calendar days, (2) whenever entry is incomplete
because of failure to pay estimated duties, (3) whenever, in the
opinion of the port director, entry cannot be made for want of proper
documents or other causes, (4) whenever the port director believes
that any merchandise is not correctly or legally invoiced, or (4)
whenever, at the request of the consignee or importing carrier,
any merchandise is taken possession of by the port director after
the expiration of 1 day after entry of the vessel or report of the
vehicle. |
|
General Rules
of Interpretation |
A set of rules
found in the beginning pages of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of
the United States to help importers choose between two conflicting
classifications. |
|
General tariff |
A tariff that
applies to countries that do not enjoy either preferential or most
favored nation tariff treatment. |
|
Generalized System
of Preferences |
The "Generalized
System of Preferences"is a list of "developing" countries from which
most products may be imported into the US duty free. There are several
pages of HTS exceptions by country (most often India), where goods
are NOT eligible for GSP status. Importers should be able to verify
that the goods that they claim GSP on originate (are products of)
the developing countries. On the CF7501, GSP entries are marked
with an "A" indicator next to the HTS number. Every year this program
expires for a month or two until Congress reinstates it. During
this period, importers must inform their brokers to file entries
using the "A" indicator, but paying duty on the goods. Once the
government reinstates the program, Customs sends refund checks plus
interest for the duties paid. Importers (should) compare these liquidation
notices to the entries, the entry dates on the CF7501s, and the
refund checks to make sure that the broker used the A indicator,
and that they received all of the import checks that they are entitled
to. |
|
Gross weight |
The full weight
of a shipment, including goods and packaging. |
.......................................................................................................
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
H
| Harbor Maintenance
Fee |
A fee which was
authorized in 1986; allows Customs to collect a fee on the entry
of almost all goods arriving or departing the United States via
sea. The fee is 0.125 percent of the value of the goods (no minimum
or maximum). HMF is being challenged in the courts. |
| Harmonized Tariff
Schedule of the United States |
List of goods
and their duty rates which is used by Customs to classify imported
goods. The HTSUS contains two duty rates for each commodity: Column
1 and Column 2. |
| Harmonized Tariff
System |
Harmonized system
is a international, multipurpose classification system designed
to improve the collection of import and export statistics. It is
harmonized with the tariff schedules of the major trading nations
of the world in that it follows a basic structure and has same basic
language. The rates of duty and the specific provisions do, however,
vary from country to country. |
|
Header |
Items appearing
at the top of the invoice, i. E., bill to, ship to, ship from, invoice
number, date, page number, date and time printed (all the data appearing
above the shipment information relating to the items being shipped). |
| House air waybill |
A bill of lading
issued by a freight forwarder for consolidated air freight shipments. |
| House bill number |
An alphanumeric
identifier that references an individual cargo shipment consolidated
under a master bill of lading. |
.......................................................................................................
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
I
| Immediate delivery |
A Customs entry
procedure which involves applying for a Special Permit for Immediate
Delivery (CF3461) before goods arrive at a port of entry. If the
application is approved, the goods are released immediately following
their arrival. |
| Immediate Transportation |
Inbond movement
transporting a cargo shipment from the port of unlading to the inland
port of destination under bond for entry or disposition. |
| Import license |
A document required
and issued by some national governments that authorizes goods to
be imported into their individual countries. |
| Import quota |
Limit on the quantity
of goods that may be imported into a country from all or specific
countries during a certain time frame. |
| Import restrictions |
Any one of a series
of tariff and non-tariff barriers imposed by an importing nation
to control the volume of goods coming into the country from other
countries. |
| Import specialist |
Customs officer
responsible for the admissibility, examination and appraisement,
classification, liquidation, and statistical reporting of entries. |
|
Inbond |
The act of transporting
a cargo shipment from a port of unlading to another port for entry
or disposition under bond. |
| Inbond shipment |
An import or export
shipment not cleared by Customs. |
| Independent
Lines |
accept bookings
from all shipper contingent on the availability of space and are
less expensive than conference rates. |
Information
security |
All the means
and functions ensuring the accessibilty, confidentiality or integrity
of information or communications, excluding the means and functions
intended to safeguard against malfunctions. This includes "cryptography",
"cryptanalysis", protection against compomising emanations and computer
security. |
| Inland bill
of lading |
A bill of lading
used in transporting goods over land to an exporter's international
carrier. Although a through bill of lading can sometimes be used,
it is usually necessary to prepare both an inland bill of lading
and an ocean bill of lading for export shipments. |
| Inspection
certificate |
This document
protects the importer against fraud, error, or quality checks. It
is most often conducted be an independent firm, but sometimes accomplished
be the shipper. An affidavit that certifies the inspection often
required under the terms of the L/C. |
| Insurance certificate |
Document that
states type and amount of insurance coverage taken on a shipment. |
| Intermediate
consignee |
Bank, agent, freight
forwarder or someone who takes legal possession (not necessarily
physical possession) of goods from the carrier at the overseas port
until it is delivered to the ultimate consignee. |
| Intermodal
transport |
Coordinated transport
of freight using multiple methods of transportation. |
| International
Commercial Terms |
Provide a set
of rules to interpret the most commonly used trade terms in Global
Trade. This set of rules defines the precise obligations of buyer
and seller to reduce the possibility of misunderstanding between
the exporter and importer |
| International
Import Certificates: |
A number of counties
have agreed on a procedure to increase the effectiveness of their
respective controls over international trade in strategic commodities.
The procedure covered by such agreement is known as the "Import
Certificate/ Delivery Verification Procedure" (IC/DV). |
| International
Standards Organization code |
Worldwide federation
of national bodies formed to set standards in all fields except
electrical and electronic engineering standards. |
| International
Trade Administration |
Part of the U.
S. Department of Commerce. It serves two roles. On one hand, it
is the agency charged with investigating, reviewing and calculating
the amounts of countervailing and antidumping duty, and on the other
hand it is responsible for helping promote U. S. business in foreign
markets. In the latter role it sponsors trade missions and trade
fairs outside of the United States. |
| International
Trade Commission |
An independent
commission which grew out of the Tariff Commission. It has two primary
responsibilities: The first is to conduct investigations into various
aspects of international trade. These investigations can be informational,
such as those requested by Congress to aid in the drafting of legislation,
or decisional, such as determining whether a party has been injured
in an antidumping duty investigation. A second responsibility is
to provide advice to the President on any modifications necessary
to keep the HTSUS of the U. S. uptodate. |
| InTransit Bond
(IT Bond) |
A bond that allows
a shipment to be transported or warehoused under customs supervision
until it is formally entered into the customs territory of the U.
S. and duty is paid, or until it is exported from the U. S. |
|
Invoice |
An itemized list
of goods shipped or services rendered, with an account of all costs. |
| Irrevocable
letter of credit |
A letter of credit
in which the specified payment is guaranteed to the exporter by
the bank if all terms and conditions are met by the drawee. |
.......................................................................................................
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
J
| J List |
Some articles
are exempt from country of origin marking requirements and are included
on the “J list” they include items like needles, cigarettes, wire
and so on. |
.......................................................................................................
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
K
|
Knowledge |
Knowledge of a
circumstance (the term may be a variant, such as "know", "reason
to know", or "reason to believe") includes not only positive knowledge
that the circumstance exists or is substantially certain to occur,
but also an awareness of a high probability of its existence or
future occurrence. Such awareness is inferred from evidence of the
conscious disregard of facts known to a person and is also inferred
from a person's willful avoidance of facts. |
.......................................................................................................
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
L
|
Landbridge |
Off loads a container
at any national port and ships it across the country by rail, then
reloads it aboard a vessel for final movement to a foreign destination. |
| Less than truckload |
A shipment weighing
less than the weight required for the application of the truck load
rate. |
| Letter of credit
(L/C) |
A document, issued
by a bank per instructions of a buyer of goods, authorizing a seller
to draw a specified sum of money under specified terms (usually
receipt by the bank of certain documents within a given time). The
importers bank guarantees that if all documents are present in exact
conformity w/ the terms of the L/C they will pay the exporter. |
| License Exception |
An authorization
described in part 740 of the EAR that allows you to export or reexport,
under stated conditions, items subject to the EAR that otherwise
would require a license. Unless otherwise indicated, these License
Exceptions are not applicable to exports under the licensing jurisdiction
of agencies other than the Department of Commerce. |
| Live Entry |
A type of U. S.
Customs entry that typically requires a visa license from the export
country, when mandated by U. S. Customs (such as textiles). These
shipments typically are from the Americas and Asia regions and usually
require an additional day of customs clearance. |
| Load centering |
Consolidation
of loads into a load center. Then the transportation specialists
then can optimize carriers, load consolidation etc. |
| Location of Goods |
A code representing
the location of the terminal or warehouse where the goods are unladed
but not released from customs. |
.......................................................................................................
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
M
|
Mail fee |
A processing fee
assessed on each dutiable entry, both formal and informal, of international
mail for which Customs prepares documentation. |
Major defense
equipment |
Pursuant to Section
47(6) of the Arms Export Control Act (22 U. S. C. 2794(6) note),
major defense equipment means any item of significant military equipment
(as defined in 120.7) on the U. S. Munitions List having a nonrecurring
research and development cost of more than $50,000,000 or a total
production cost of more than $200,000,000. |
|
Manifest |
A document giving
the description of a vessel’s cargo. |
|
Manifest Quantity |
The quantity of
the smallest exterior packaging unit that is associated with the
lowest level of the reported bill number. |
|
Manufacturer ID |
Manufacturer identification
code constructed using specific segments of the manufacturer's or
shipper's name and address. |
Manufacturing
license agreement |
An agreement (eg
contract) whereby a U. S. person grants a foreign person an authorization
to manufacture defense articles abroad and which involves or contemplates:
(a) the export of technical data (as defined in 120.10) or defense
articles or the performance of a defense service, or, (b) the use
by the foreign person of
technical data or defense articles previously exported by the U.
S. person. |
|
Maquiladora |
An assembly plant
in Mexico, especially one along the border between the United States
and Mexico, to which foreign materials and parts are shipped and
from which the finished product is returned to the original market.
Maquiladoras are set up by mostly U. S.-based companies for the
manufacture and export of finished products, often at a lower cost
than if the goods were produced in other countries. Maquiladoras
were established in the 1960s after a U. S. program to assist unemployed
workers living along the Mexican border, known as Braceros, was
abolished. |
|
Marking Attendance |
Special paperwork
must be filed for a shipment not properly marked with the country
of origin. A customs power of attorney must be completed and on
file with brokerage before the shipment can be forwarded to the
consignee for proper marking. |
|
Meat imports |
Subject to APHIS
regulations; the provisions of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetics
Act, enforced by the Food and Drug Administration; and the U. S.
Fish and Wildlife Service. |
|
Merchandise Processing
Fee |
A fee which was
authorized in 1986; allows Customs to collect a fee on the entry
of most foreign goods, dutiable or duty free. Merchandise Processing
Fee (MPF) of 0.21 percent of the value of commercial cargo. Minimum
fee for a formal entry is $25. Maximum fee is $485. United States
goods are exempt. |
|
Microbridge |
This is the route
of a container to or from anywhere in a country to or from any port.
Minibridge moves a container that originates or terminates in a
port other than the one where it enters or leaves the country. |
|
Millions of Theoretical
Operations Per Second |
|
Missile Technology
Control Regime |
The Missile Technology
Control Regime (MTCR) was established in 1987. Members are
committed to controlling the transfer of complete rocket systems
and unmanned air vehicle systems which are capable of delivering
at least a 500 kg nuclear payload to a range of at least 300 km,
or any missiles if they are intended for the delivery of weapons
of mass destruction. The same commitment applies to specially designed
production facilities for these systems and other critical equipment
and technology able to contribute to such systems. Due to concerns
about the proliferation of missiles capable of carrying chemical
and biological
payloads, which could be significantly lighter than nuclear payloads
the controls were extendedin scope in 1992 to include any missile
capable of carrying any payload over a range of at least 300 km. |
|
Mode of Transportation |
|
|
Most Favored Nation
Status |
A nondiscriminatory
trade policy commitment on the part of one country to extend to
another the lowest tariff rates it applies to any other country.
Almost all countries have the same duty rate which is the "most
favored nation" column 1 duty rate. A very few countries not having
most favored nation status (i. E. Vietnam), are subject to a higher
duty rate (column 2). There are a number of products from a group
of countries for which special provisions apply. In some cases this
results in reduced or free rates of duty. (NAFTA, Israel Free Trade
Agreement, Generalized System of Preferences) |
.......................................................................................................
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
N
|
Net price |
Price after all
discounts, rebates, etc. have been allowed. |
|
Net value |
The actual selling
price (less shipping charges) or current market price, whichever
is the larger, to the same type of purchaser in the United States. |
|
Net weight |
Weight of item(s)
being shipped, excluding packing materials. |
|
No Licence Required |
NLR ("no license
required") is a symbol entered on the Shipper's Export Declaration,
certifying that no license is required. |
|
Non-Nuclear Weapons
States |
|
|
North American
Free Trade Agreement |
If certain requirements
are met, goods exported from Canada or Mexico into the United States
will qualify for reduced rates of duty (or may be duty-free) and
may not require quota or visa. |
|
North American
Industry Classification System |
The North American
Industry Classification System (NAICS) replaces the U. S. Standard
Industrial Classification (SIC) system NAICS is the first ever North
American industry classification system. The system was developed
by the U. S., Canada, and Mexico to provide comparable statistics
across the three countries. For the first time, government and business
analysts will be able to compare directly industrial production
statistics collected and published in the three North American Free
Trade Agreement countries. NAICS also provides for increased comparability
with the International Standard Industrial Classification System
(ISIC, Revision 3), developed and maintained by the United Nations. |
North Atlantic
Treaty
Organization |
A strategic defensive
organization that consists of the following member nations: Belgium,
Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg,
the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Turkey, the United Kingdom,
and the United States. |
|
Nuclear Suppliers
Group |
The NSG was established
in 1975 following India's successful detonation of a nuclear device
at
Pokharan, and due to concerns that existing export controls were
not sufficient to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons. Extra measures
were sought to strengthen existing conditions of supply for nuclear
materials and equipment. The NSG is an informal arrangement of nuclear
supplier states who seek to prevent the proliferation of nuclear
weapons through export controls on goods which may be used to develop
nuclear weapons. The NSG has drawn up, and reviews, a list of nuclear-related
dual-use materials, equipment and technology which members have
agreed to make subject to export controls. A new list was adopted
in 1992 due to concerns that existing arrangements had not prevented
Iraq's clandestine pursuit of a nuclear weapons programme. |
.......................................................................................................
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
O
|
Ocean bill of
lading |
A contract indicating
that the exporter consigns a shipment to an international carrier
for transportation to a specified foreign market. Unlike an Inland
B/L, the Ocean B/L also serves as a collection document. If it is
a "straight" B/L, the foreign buyer can obtain the shipment from
the carrier by simply showing proof of identify. If a "negotiable"
B/L is used, the buyer must first pay for the goods, post a bond,
or meet other conditions agreeable to the seller. |
|
Ocean conference |
is an association
of ocean carriers that joined together to establish common rates
and shipping conditions. |
|
Office of Foreign
Assets Control |
The office at
the Department of the Treasury responsible for blocking assets of
foreign countries subject to economic sanctions, controlling participation
by U. S. persons, including foreign subsidiaries, in transactions
with specific countries or nationals of such countries, and administering
embargoes on certain countries or areas of countries.
The regulations administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control
(FAC) generally prohibit the unlicensed importation of merchandise--except
information and informational materials--of Cuban, Iranian, Iraqi,
Libyan, or North Korean origin. Goods may not be imported from or
through commercial entities owned or controlled by the governments
of Cuba, Iran, Iraq, Libya, or North Korea, or owned or controlled
by any commercial entity in those areas, regardless of the location
of the entity. Vessels or aircraft under the registry, ownership,
or control of the governments of, or commercial entities in, the
above areas may not import merchandise into the United States. |
|
Open Account |
A trade arrangement
in which goods are shipped to a foreign buyer w/o the guarantee
of payment. Use of this payment method is based on relationships
andwhen the buyer has a continuing need for the seller's product
or service. |
|
Open General Export
Licence |
Used
by the UK Government to authorize exports of dual-use or military
goods. OGELs can be used by companies for specific exports to specific
destinations. Usually some historic trading must have occurred using
an OIEL, before an OGEL will be issued. |
|
Open Individual
Export Licence |
Used
by the UK Government to authorize exports of dual-use or military
goods. OIELs can be used by companies for specific exports to specific
destinations, but are generally easier to obtain than an OGEL. |
|
Other methods
of valuation |
If transactional
value for the goods cannot be used, then secondary bases are used
in the following order of precedence; transactional value of an
identical merchandise, transactional value pf a similar merchandise;
deductive value; computed value |
.......................................................................................................
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
P
|
P5 |
The five permanent
members of the UN Security Council (China, France, Russia, UK and
U. S.) |
|
Packing |
The costs consisting
of containers and coverings plus the labor andmaterials used in
packing the imported merchandise, ready for export. |
|
Packing list |
A packing list
accompanies the shipment and describes the cargo in detail. It includes
the shipper, the consignee, measurements, serial #'s, weights and
any other data peculiar to the shipment. |
|
Pallet |
A platform that
can hold several packages for easy handling and loading. |
|
Person |
means a natural
person as well as a corporation, business association, partnership,
society, trust, or any other entity, organization or group, including
governmental entities. If a provision in this subchapter does not
refer exclusively to a foreign person or U. S. person, then it refers
to both. |
|
Phytosanitary
Certificate |
Certifies the
concerned food such as fruits, vegetables, horticultural products
are inspected and free from harmful pests and plant diseases. |
|
Point of origin |
The location at
which a shipment is received by a transportation line from the shipper. |
|
Port |
In shipping terms,
a port is a harbor that ships can dock to load or unload cargo. |
|
Port of destination |
The port in which
cargo shipments are discharged. |
|
Port of discharge |
The port at which
a shipment is offloaded by a transportation line, not to be confused
with destination which may be a point further inland. |
|
Port of entry |
Specially designated
port where goods from a foreign country can be received by and admitted
into another country. |
|
Port of export |
Also known as
the port of embarkation or port of exit. The port where the cargo
to be shipped abroad is laden aboard the exporting carrier. It can
also be the place of mailing when dealing with export mail. |
|
Port of lading
(Foreign) |
Place where goods
are loaded for international shipment. Onto the plane, ship etc.
This is validated on the foreign ports code file which is supplied
by Customs. |
|
Pro forma invoice |
An invoice provided
by a supplier prior to the shipment of merchandise, that informs
the buyer of the kinds and quantities of goods to be sent, their
value, and important specifications (weight, size, etc.). |
|
Prohibited Countries |
Cuba, Iran, Iraq,
Libya, North Korea, and Sudan. These restrictions apply to the country
of origin, regardless of where the item was acquired. An Iranian
rug acquired in England, for example, is still prohibited. Be aware,
too, that origin can be conferred by entering the commerce of a
sanctioned country: American made jewelry acquired in Iran may be
considered to be of Iranian origin if returned to the United States. |
|
Protest Filing |
A request from
an importer to recoup the overpayment of duty to U. S. Customs due
to a description discrepancy or misclassification on the customs
entry. |
|
Protest, CF19 |
Formal process
for the importer who disagrees with a Customs action. Must occur
within 90 days after an entry is liquidated. The "protest and application
for further review” is prepared on a Customs Form 19. Denied protests
may be further litigated against the Government. |
|
Purchase order |
A purchaser’s
written offer to a supplier formally stating all terms and conditions
of a proposed transaction. |
.......................................................................................................
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
Q
|
Quotas |
Under a quota,
only a certain amount of the designated merchandise can be entered
into a country during a specific time period. Under an absolute
quota, once the specified amount of merchandise has been entered,
no more can be entered until the next opening. Under a tariff rate
quota, a certain amount may be entered at a reduced rate of duty.
Once that amount has been entered, a higher rate of duty is charged.
There are two kinds of Quotas Absolute and Tarrif Rate Quotas explained
above. Quotas do not apply to NAFTA qualifying products. |
.......................................................................................................
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
R
|
Radioactive Materials |
Radioisotopes,
thorium,and other radioactive materials imported into the United
States are subject tospecial regulations. Requires a license from
the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, to import these commodities or
articles containing these commodities (medical equipment).
Radioisotopes and radioactive sources intended for medical use are
subject to the provisions of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic
Act, enforced by the Food and Drug Administration.
In order to comply with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission requirements,
the importer must be aware of the identity and amount of any NRC
controlled radioisotopes, or uranium, thorium, and plutonium, and
of any nuclear reactor being imported into the United States. To
assure passage through Customs, the importer must demonstrate to
U. S. Customs which Nuclear Regulatory Commission authority the
controlled commodity is being imported under. The authority cited
may be the number of a specific or general license, or the specific
section of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission regulations which establishes
a general license or grants an exemption to the regulations. The
foreign exporter may save time for the prospective importer by furnishing
the importer with complete information concerning the presence of
NRC controlled commodities in U. S. importation. |
|
Reason for Control |
(U. S. EAR) Reasons
for Control are: Anti-Terrorism (AT), Chemical and Biological Weapons
(CB), Crime Control (CC), High Performance Computer (XP), Missile
Technology (MT), National Security (NS), Nuclear Nonproliferation
(NP), Regional Stability (RS), Short Supply (SS), and United Nations
sanctions (UN) |
|
Reconciliation
Entry |
Reconciliation
allows the importer, using reasonable care, to file entry summaries
with Customs with the best available information, with the mutual
understanding that certain elements, such as the declared value,
remain outstanding. At a later date, when the specifics have been
determined, the importer files a Reconciliation which provides the
final and correct information. The Reconciliation is then liquidated,
with a single bill or refund, as appropriate.
Under the prototype, importers have the advantage of filing a Reconciliation
entry up to 15 months later, which finalizes the data and makes
the appropriate financial adjustments. A Reconciliation can serve
to amend thousands of underlying entries at once. |
|
Reconciliation
Record Identifier OA |
The
OA identifier is used when the following Agency Codes are submitted:
DTO- Department of Transportation Record does not apply
FCO- Federal Communications Commission Form 740 does not apply
FDO- Food and Drug administration Form 701 does not apply
FWO- US Fish and Wildlife Service Form 3-177 does not apply |
|
Reconciliation
Record Identifier OI |
Record Identifier
OI (Input)- Commercial invoice line description that provides the
commercial description of the invoice line item. This information
does not have to be repeated to customs as long as the reporting
agency and description has not been changed. |
|
Reexport |
Reexport means
the export of imported goods without added value. An actual shipment
or transmission of items subject to the export regulations of a
country from one foreign country to another foreign country. For
the purposes of the export regulations, the export or reexport of
items subject to the regulations that will transit through a country
or countries, or be transshipped in a country or countries to a
new country, or are intended for reexport to the new country, are
deemed to be exports to the new country. |
|
Related Party |
When both parties
(importer or exporter) are related, generally defined by ownership
in excess of 20%but could be a relationship with less ownership
that results in less than an arms length transaction. |
|
Release port |
Port where the
merchandise is released by Customs. The port code shown in Block
5 of the CF7501, Entry Summary, indicates the port of release. |
.......................................................................................................
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
S
|
Sanction |
An embargo imposed
against an individual country by the United Nationsor a group of
nationsin an effort to influence its conduct or its policies. |
|
Schedule B |
Refers to Schedule
B, Statistical Classification of Domestic and Foreign Commodities
Exported from the United States. All commodities exported from the
United States must be assigned a seven digit Schedule B number. |
|
Schedule C |
The classification
of country and territory designations for the U. S. Foreign Trade
Statistics. It is used in compiling U. S. export and import trade
statistics. |
|
Selectivity |
Automated method
of designating/screening imported merchandise for examination by
a Customs inspector or commodity specialist. |
|
Ship’s manifest |
An instrument
in writing that lists the individual shipments constituting the
ship's cargo. |
|
Shipper’s Export
Declaration |
A form required
by the U. S. Treasury Department for all shipments valued over $2,500
which is prepared by a shipper (exporter), indicating the value,
weight, destination, and other basic information about an export
shipment. It is not required for shipments from the United States
to Canada. The information on this form is used by Census to maintain
trade statistics. |
|
Shipper’s letter
of instruction |
Instructions from
the shipper (exporter) to the freight forwarder pertaining to how
an export is to be processed. These instructions allow the freight
forwarder to process the physical export of goods and prepare the
proper documentation. This form authorizes the carrier to issue
a bill of lading or air waybill on the exporter’s behalf. |
|
Shipping documents |
permit an export
cargo to be moved through customs, loaded aboard carriers and shipped
to its foreign destination. |
Significant military
equipment |
(U. S. ITAR) Significant
military equipment means articles for which special export controls
are warranted because of their capacity for substantial military
utility or capability |
|
Single Entry Bond |
A onetime bond
that is rarely required by the consignee. It is issued to adequately
protect revenue and ensure liability for compliance with customs
laws and regulations. |
|
Single shipment |
All items moving
at the same time from one exporter to one consignee or intermediate
consignee on the same exporting carrier, even if these items will
be forwarded to one or more ultimate consignee. Items being transported
in this manner shall be treated as a single shipment, even if the
items represent more than one order or are in separate containers. |
|
Specially Designated
Narcotics Trafficker |
"Specially Designated
Narcotics Trafficker." The Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty
Act of 1996 calls for the designation of Foreign Terrorist Organizations;
they are listed as FTO in this list. The President signed Executive
Order--12978--on October 21, 1995, "Blocking Assets and Prohibiting
Transactions with Significant Narcotics Traffickers;" |
|
Specially Designated
National |
Regulations issued
by the Office of Foreign Assets Control |
|
Specially Designated
Terrorist |
Specially Designated
Terrorist - Former President Clinton signed Executive Order 12947,
effective January 24, 1995, "Prohibiting Transactions with Terrorists
Who Threaten to Disrupt the Middle East Peace Process. |
|
Standard Carrier
Alpha Code |
Standard Carrier
Alpha Code is a unique two to four letter code required on tariffs
filed with the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC), government
bills of lading, bids on government traffic and when doing business
with many shippers. The codes are published in the Directory of
Standard MultiModal Carrier and Tariff Agents Codes (SCACSTAC),
ICC NMF 101 Series. |
|
Standard Industrial
Classification |
The North American
Industry Classification System (NAICS) replaces the U. S. Standard
Industrial Classification (SIC) system NAICS is the first ever North
American industry classification system. The system was developed
by the U. S., Canada, and Mexico to provide comparable statistics
across the three countries. For the first time, government and business
analysts will be able to compare directly industrial production
statistics collected and published in the three North American Free
Trade Agreement countries. NAICS also provides for increased comparability
with the International Standard Industrial Classification System
(ISIC, Revision 3), developed and maintained by the United Nations. |
|
Stock Keeping
Unit |
Unit
of measure |
|
Storage &
Handling Costs |
(Landed Cost)Storage
charges are incurred where product stops in the pipeline. Charges
are based on the square area of the product and length of time in
storage. Handling charges are incurred when product is touched in
the pipeline by such activities as receiving, pick-and-pack, inspection
and shipping operations within a Distribution Center. |
|
Straight bill
of lading |
A nonnegotiable
bill of lading in which the goods are designated to a named consignee,
and a carrier is obligated to deliver those goods to the named consignee. |
|
Subhouse Bill
of Lading |
A
subhouse bill of lading is similar to a house bill. A house bill
of lading is a bill of lading issued by an NVOCC (Non-Vessel Operating
Common Carrier), and a subhouse bill of lading is a bill of lading
issued by another NVOCC.
- Maersk lines owns the Vessel the Margaret Maersk
- ·
Fritz (An NVOCC) buys one container of space on the Margaret
Maersk and then sells this space to Schenker (another NVOCC).
- ·
Schenker then sells this space to Ford (an importer).
- The
Master bill of lading covering the container is issued by Maersk
to Fritz
- Fritz will then issue a House Bill of lading covering that
same merchandise to Schenker.
- Schenker will then issue a Subhouse bill of lading covering
that same merchandise to Ford.
- In
order to receive shipment, Ford will have to remit the Subhouse
bill of lading to Schenker. Schenker in turn will remit the
house bill of lading to Fritz and then Fritz will in turn remit
the Master bill of lading to Maersk, thus obtaining a freight
release.
There
are cases where there are sub-subhouse bills, which adds another
party to the transaction, but those cases are pretty rare.
Usually, sub-house bill issuers are very small NVOCCs. Large NVOCCs
like Schenker and Fritz buy a lot of space from carriers at low
rates. Smaller NVOCCs sometimes buy space from bigger ones because
they have less volume and cannot get the low rates from the carriers
directly, but they can get decent rates from the larger NVOCCs
if they buy in bulk. |
|
Surety bonds |
Importers must
post this type of bond w/ the custom service to ensure payment of
the proper amounts of duties, taxes, and other charges associated
w/ entry. Bonds can be for single entry or continuous(term). |
.......................................................................................................
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
T
|
Tare weight |
The weight of
a container and packing materials without the weight of the goods
it contains. |
|
Tariff Preference
Level |
TPLs have been
established for certain non-originating garments to be entered under
the NAFTA rate up to a specific quantity. Once that quantity is
reached, the product is dutiable at the Column 1 rate. A TPL requires
a Certificate of Eligibility which is obtained from the Ministry
of Commerce and Industrial Promotion (SECOFI) in Mexico, or from
the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade in Canada.
Effective January 1, 1997, the year of the Certificate of Eligibility
from Canada must be the same as the year of the entry summary. TPLs
are still subject to all Quota/Visa restraints from Mexico. |
|
Tariff Rate Quotas |
Tariff rate quotas
provide that a limited quantity of a product can enter the United
States at a reduced rate of duty. Once the quota amount has been
reached, importations of the product in question can enter only
at a higher duty rate. For example, many agricultural products like
cheese and meat have tariff rate quotas. |
|
Technical assistance
agreement |
An agreement (eg
contract) for the performance of a defense service or the disclosure
of technical data, as opposed to an agreement granting a right or
license to manufacture defense articles. Assembly of defense articles
is included underthis section, provided production rights or manufacturing
know-how are not conveyed. Should such rights be transferred, 120.21
is applicable. |
|
Temporary import
bond |
This
bond covers certain kinds of import merchandise by guaranteeing
that it will be exported within one year of its importation. This
is necessary for merchandise:
- Used
as samples for testing, inspection, or for making purchase decisions
- Displayed as samples at trade fairs or sales shows
- Used
in further manufacturing and exported as a different finished
product.
|
|
Temporary Import
Entry |
A Temporary Import
Bond must accompany a special customs entry for merchandise to be
brought into the country exempt of duty, providing the merchandise
exits the country within a certain amount of time and under customs
supervision. |
|
Textile Category
Number |
Additional 3 digit
information number found in the HS identifying textiles. The proper
format for the Textile Category Number is “C NNN” or “CAT NNN” where
NNN is the textile category number found in the HTS record. The
textile category number is pulled into the entry summary table at
the time the Create Entry Summary Rule is run. |
|
Textiles |
The importation
of textiles and textile products may, pursuant to Section 204 of
the Agricultural Act of 1956, be subject to quota, visa or export
license requirements and additional entry requirements including
declarations identifying the fabricated components. |
|
The Arms Export
Control Act |
The Arms Export
Control Act (22 U. S. C. 2778(a) and 2794(7)) which provides that
the US President shall designate the articles and
services deemed to be defense articles and defense services. |
|
The Coordinating
Committee for Multilateral export control |
A multilateral
organization that cooperated in restricting strategic exports to
controlled countries, COCOM was officially disbanded on March 31,
1994. COCOM members included the NATO countries, except Iceland,
plus Japan and Australia. |
|
The Export of
Goods (Control) Order |
The UK regulations
governing military exports. |
|
The Foreign and
Commonwealth Office |
UK Government
body involved with diplomatic relations with foreign governments. |
|
The Toxic Substances
Control Act |
Importations will
not be released from Customs custody unless proper certification
is presented to Customs that the import "complies with" or "is not
subject to" the requirements of the Toxic Substances Control Act,
or if it is already identified as a food, drug, or active pesticide
ingredient. Certain substances are excludedbased upon their use.
These substances include, but are not limited to, foods, drugs,
cosmetics, and active ingredients in pesticides. |
|
Through bill of
lading |
A single bill
of lading covering the domestic and international carriage of shipment.
An Air waybill is essentially a through bill of lading used for
air shipments. Ocean shipments, on the other hand, usually require
two separate documentsan inland bill of lading for domestic carriage
and an ocean bill of lading for international carriage. Through
bills of lading are insufficient for ocean shipments. |
|
Through rate |
A shipping rate
applicable from point of origin to destination. |
|
Tramp Vessel |
Usually carry
only bulk cargoes and do not follow an established schedule; rather
they operate on charters. |
|
Transaction Value |
The price actually
paid or payable for the merchandise when sold for exportation to
the United States, plus amounts for the following items if not included
in the price: (1) packing costs incurred by the buyer; (2) selling
commission incurred by the buyer; (3) value of any assists; (4)
royalty or license fee that buyer is required to pay as a condition
of the sale; (5) proceeds of any subsequent resale, disposal, or
use of the imported merchandise accruing to the seller. |
|
Transfer price |
The price at which
goods are transferred or sold from a foreign source to a related
United States importer. |
|
Transit zone |
A port of entry
in a coastal country that is established as a storage and distribution
center for the convenience of a neighboring country lacking adequate
port facilities or access to the sea. |
|
Transship |
To transfer goods
from one transportation line to another, or from one ship to another
of different ownership. |
.......................................................................................................
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
U
|
U.S. Custom Service |
A part of the
Treasury Department which is charged with the primary responsibility
for administering the Customs Laws of the United States. Among its
key areas of responsibility are the examination of all merchandise
which enters the United States and the collection of duty on those
entries. The Customs Service administers more than 400 laws for
over 40 agencies, including the Fish and Wildlife Service, the Food
and Drug Administration, the Federal Trade Commission, and the Consumer
Product Safety Commission. |
|
U.S. exporter |
That person who,
as the principal party in interest in the export transation, has
the power and responsibility for determining and controlling the
sending of the items out of the United States. |
|
U.S. person |
For purposes of
744.6 of the EAR, the term U. S. person includes:
(1) Any individual who is a citizen of the United States, a permanent
resident alien of the United States, or a protected individual as
defined by 8 U. S. C. 1324b(a)(3); (2) Any juridical person organized
undeer the laws of the Untied States or any jurisdiction within
the United States, including foreign branches; and (3) Any person
in the United States. |
|
Ultimate consignee |
The person located
abroad who is the true party in interest, receiving the export for
the designated end user. The ultimate consignee may be the same
as the purchaser, but must be a foreign party. |
|
United States |
United States,
when used in the geographical sense, includes the several states,
the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the insular possessions of the
United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of the
Northern Mariana Islands, any territory or possession of the United
States, and any territory or possession over which the United States
exercises any powers of administration, legislation, and jurisdiction;
including offshore areas
within their jurisdiction pursuant to section 3 of the Submerged
Lands Act (43 U. S. C. 1311), and all territories, dependencies,
and possessions of the United States, including foreign trade zones,
and also including the outer
continental shelf, as defined in section 2(a) of the Outer Continental
Shelf Lands Act. |
|
United States
Customs Service |
U. S. governmental
agency whose primary duties include the assessment and collection
of all duties, taxes, and fees on imported merchandise, and the
enforcement of customs and related laws and treaties. Also referred
to as Customs. |
.......................................................................................................
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
V
|
Valuation |
Determines the
value of the goods for purposes of applying any tariffs or duties.
Value will be determined by the price paid or payable for the merchandise
when sold for exportation to the destination country. Plus amounts
for the following items if not included in the price: packing costs
incurred by the buyer; any selling commissions paid by the buyer;
the value of any assists (i. E. tools, dies, molds, artwork); any
royalty or license fee that is required from the buyer as a condition
of sale; the proceeds from the sale of the imported good that accrue
to the seller). |
|
Valuation charges |
Transportation
charges assessed shippers who declare a value of goods higher than
the value of the carriers’ limits of liability. |
|
Value added tax |
An indirect tax
on consumption that is assessed on the increased value of goods
at each discrete point in the chain of production and distribution,
from the raw material stage to final consumption. |
|
Value of an assist |
Either the cost
of acquiring the assist (if acquired by the importer from an unrelated
seller) or the cost of producing the assist (if produced by the
importer or a person related to him). It includes the cost of transporting
the assist to the place of production and is adjusted to reflect
use, repairs, modification, or other factors affecting the value
of assists. In the case of engineering, development, or design work
undertaken elsewhere than in the U. S., the value is the cost of
obtaining copies of the assist if it is available in the public
domain, or the cost of the purchase or of the lease, or the value
added outside the U. S. if it was produced in the U. S. and one
or more foreign countries. |
.......................................................................................................
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
W
|
Warehouse Entry |
Imported goods
are brought into the country but immediately stored in a bonded
warehouse. Only once withdrawn from the warehouse are the goods
considered to “enter the commerce of the United States” and then
entered into the destination country. |
|
Wassenaar Arrangement |
The Wassenaar
Arrangement, which took effect from November 1996, is intended to
contribute to regional and international security and stability,
by promoting transparency and greater responsibility in transfers
of conventional arms, and dual-use goods and technologies.
Participating states exchange information on imports and exports
on a voluntary basis, so as to assist in developing common understandings
of the risks which may be associated with transfers of these items.
For dual-use goods information will be exchanged, inter alia, on
the basis of control lists agreed by the participating states. For
conventional arms transfers, information exchange is based on the
categories used for the United Nations Register of Conventional
Arms. Participating states exchange information on a global basis
(ie no state or
group of states is singled out for special treatment). The decision
whether or not to grant a licence remains at national discretion. |
|
Waybill |
A document giving
details and instructions relating to a shipment of goods. |
|
Weapons of mass
destruction |
Nuclear, Biological
and Chemicals Weapons. |
|
Weight Certificate |
Certifies that
the goods accord with the weight specified on the bill of lading/invoice/certificate
of insurance. It is usually used for bulk cargo shipment. |
|
World Trade Organization |
Established on
Jan. 1, 1995, and currently includes 128 member countries. It replaces
the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT). The group administers,
through various councils and committees, the many agreements contained
in the Final Act of the Uruguay Round, plus a number of plurilateral
agreements, notably on government procurement and civil aircraft.
It also oversees the implementation of the significant tariff cuts
and reductions of non-tariff measures agreed to in the negotiations.
They have agreed upon certain common tariffs based on the first
six numbers of the HTS |
|
