Shippopedia

For new e-commerce merchants, figuring out shipping concepts, practices, services, and shipping terms can feel like learning a new language entirely. There are too many acronyms to count and there are different terms relevant to different parts of your business. For example, certain phrases, services, or strategies will be more useful when talking to suppliers while others will be more relevant when talking to customers.

All the shipping terms and shipping concepts here are relevant to your business in one way or another and will allow you to better understand and communicate with all the parties involved in the shipping aspect of your business.

Click on each term or article to find out more about how they relate to your e-commerce shipping processes.

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Glossary

Shipping Terms For E-Commerce Merchants
3PL (Third-Party Logistics) - Third-Party Shipping3PL (Third-Party Logistics) - Third-Party Shipping
Application Programming Interface (API)Application Programming Interface (API)
Arrival NoticeArrival Notice
Bill of LadingBill of Lading
Break Bulk ShippingBreak Bulk Shipping
CarrierCarrier
Commercial InvoiceCommercial Invoice
ConsigneeConsignee
Cost, Insurance, and Freight Value (CIF)Cost, Insurance, and Freight Value (CIF)
CourierCourier
CustomsCustoms
Customs BrokerCustoms Broker
Customs DutyCustoms Duty
Customs InvoiceCustoms Invoice
Dangerous Goods Declaration (DGD)Dangerous Goods Declaration (DGD)
Delivery Duty Paid (DDP)Delivery Duty Paid (DDP)
Delivery Duty Unpaid (DDU)Delivery Duty Unpaid (DDU)
Dimensional WeightDimensional Weight
DispatchDispatch
Distribution CenterDistribution Center
DrayageDrayage
DropshippingDropshipping
DunnageDunnage
Exempt CarrierExempt Carrier
Expedited ShippingExpedited Shipping
First Mile DeliveryFirst Mile Delivery
Free Trade ZonesFree Trade Zones
Freight ShippingFreight Shipping
Fulfillment CenterFulfillment Center
Full Container Load (FCL) ShippingFull Container Load (FCL) Shipping
Full Truck Load (FTL) ShippingFull Truck Load (FTL) Shipping
Goods and Services Tax (GST)Goods and Services Tax (GST)
Harmonized System (HS Code)Harmonized System (HS Code)
Inbound LogisticsInbound Logistics
Intermodal TransportationIntermodal Transportation
Just In Time Inventory (JIT)Just In Time Inventory (JIT)
KittingKitting
Last Mile DeliveryLast Mile Delivery
Less Than Container Load (LCL)Less Than Container Load (LCL)
Less Than Truckload (LTL)Less Than Truckload (LTL)
ManifestManifest
Net WeightNet Weight
Outbound LogisticsOutbound Logistics
Package TrackingPackage Tracking
Packing SlipPacking Slip
Paperless TradePaperless Trade
Parcel ShippingParcel Shipping
Proof of Delivery (POD)Proof of Delivery (POD)
QuotationQuotation
Refrigerated Trucking (Reefer)Refrigerated Trucking (Reefer)
Regional CarrierRegional Carrier
Return LabelReturn Label
Reverse LogisticsReverse Logistics
Service Level Agreement (SLA)Service Level Agreement (SLA)
Shipping TariffsShipping Tariffs
Stock Keeping Unit (SKU)Stock Keeping Unit (SKU)
SurchargesSurcharges
Universal Product Code (UPC)Universal Product Code (UPC)
Value Added ServiceValue Added Service
WarehouseWarehouse
Warehouse Management System (WMS)Warehouse Management System (WMS)
WaybillWaybill
World Customs OrganizationWorld Customs Organization
ZonesZones
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