| Term |
Meaning |
Brief Description |
Learn More |
| 24-hour rule |
|
Sea carriers and NVOCC’s must submit vessel manifests to CBP minimum 24 hours before landing at foreign ports. |
www.cbp.gov |
| 3PL |
Third Party Logistics Provider |
A fancy acronym for logistics/transportation/forwarding companies. |
www.cbp.gov |
| ABI |
Automated Broker Interface |
The means by which brokers or importers, port authorities, and independent service bureaus transmit entry and release data electronically to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). |
www.cbp.gov |
| ACE |
Automated Commercial Environment |
A massive and complex Customs modernization project. |
www.cbp.gov |
| ACS |
Automated Commercial System |
A Customs import network, designed in 1984, and gradually replaced by ACE. |
www.cbp.gov |
| AMS |
Automated Manifest System |
A multi-modular cargo inventory control and release notification system through which carriers submit their electronic cargo declaration 24 hours before lading. Originally part of the ACS, designed 20 years ago. |
www.cbp.gov |
| APIS |
Advance Passenger Information System |
Provides Customs officers with pre-arrival and departure manifests on all passengers and crew. |
www.cbp.gov |
| ATS |
Automated Targeting System |
A system (computer model) put in place by CBP to detect suspicious shipments, incorporating terrorism related targeting tools by inspecting cargo manifests and combining intelligence on suspicious trading patterns and warnings from other government agencies. |
www.cbp.gov |
| Bill of Lading |
|
A negotiable instrument that allows the carrier to transport a merchandise shipment from a shipper to a consignee |
www.cbp.gov |
| Bill of Lading Number |
|
The alpha/numeric code issued by a carrier that references an individual cargo shipment in a manifest |
www.cbp.gov |
| Bill of Lading Type |
|
A 2position code signifying the class of the bill of lading as regular, master in-bond, or space charter |
www.cbp.gov |
| BIS |
Bureau of Industry and Security |
U.S. Department of Commerce’s bureau to advance U.S. national security, foreign policy and economic interests (regulates export controls) |
www.bis.doc.gov |
| Broker or Filer |
|
An individual or firm licensed by CBP to act as an agent for others in the transaction of CBP business |
www.cbp.gov |
| CAMIR |
Customs Automated Manifest Interface Requirements |
Specifies the procedures to be followed by importers. |
www.cbp.gov |
| Cargo Selectivity |
|
The CBP application concerned with the establishment of criteria for the examination and the release of cargo shipments |
www.cbp.gov |
| CBP |
U.S. Customs & Border Protection |
The reorganized U.S. Customs Service (2003). An agency under Department of Homeland Security. |
www.cbp.gov |
| Classification |
|
The selection of an item number from the Harmonized Tariff Schedule which legally describes the merchandise being imported in order to arrive at the appropriate rate of duty |
www.cbp.gov |
| CMP |
CBP Modernization Program |
A CBP effort to use E-commerce technology to implement programs such as ACE and ITDS. |
www.cbp.gov |
| Consignee |
|
The person or firm to take final delivery of the merchandise |
www.cbp.gov |
| Container Seal Initiative |
|
To prevent tampering and ensure safe shipment of cargo by using standardized seals and procedures. |
|
| CSI |
Container Security Initiative |
A program implemented by CBP in 2002 to identify and examine high-risk containers at foreign ports with the cooperation of foreign customs authorities. |
www.cbp.gov |
| C-TPAT |
Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism |
A voluntary, joint government-business initiative to standardize and ensure the integrity of the members’ security practices, enabling the members’ cargoes to move more efficiently. |
www.cbp.gov |
| DHS |
Department of Homeland Security |
A new Federal Department, established in 2003. |
www.dhs.gov |
| Disposition Code |
|
2position alpha/numeric code transmitted in AMS in a status notification message indicating the action that has been taken against the bill |
www.cbp.gov |
| DOT |
U.S. Department of Transportation |
Cooperating with CBP on OSC. |
www.dot.gov |
| Entry for Consupmtion |
|
Describes the general customs process of filing the appropriate CBP documents (including duty evaluation) that allows merchandise to be brought into the commerce of the U.S.; occurs when merchandise is shipped from the zone into U.S. commerce |
http://trade.gov/ |
| FDA |
Food & Drug Administration |
Involved in setting rules for food and drug imports and handling. |
www.fda.gov |
| Foreign-Trade Zone |
|
A restricted-access site, authorized by the FTZ Board and supervised by CBP where companies can use special Customs procedures prior to entry for consumption. Zones are located in or adjacent to a CBP port of entry and operated pursuant to public utility principles under the sponsorship of a corporation granted authority by the Board pursuant to the Foreign-Trade Zones Act and regulations. |
http://trade.gov/ |
| FROB |
Freight Remaining On Board |
Refers to cargo that is loaded in a foreign port and is to be unloaded in another foreign port with an intervening vessel stop in one or more ports in the U.S. |
www.cbp.gov |
| GPS |
Global Positioning System |
Technology to pinpoint exact location of containers. |
|
| Grant of Authority |
|
A document issued by the FTZ Board which authorizes a zone grantee to establish, operate and maintain a zone project or a subzone, subject to limitations and conditions specified in the FTZ Board regulations, and 19. The authority to establish a zone includes the authority to operate and the responsibility to maintain it |
http://trade.gov/ |
| GSM |
Global System for Mobile Communication |
Can be used to track shipments real-time. |
|
| Header Record |
Transaction Control Header (ACR) |
Signals the beginning of a transaction file |
www.cbp.gov |
| HTS |
Harmonized Tariff Schedule |
International system of classifying commodities using numerical designations |
www.cbp.gov |
| IE |
Immediate Exportation |
Inbond movement that retains a foreign cargo shipment within the port of unlading under bond for exportation without duty |
www.cbp.gov |
| ISF |
Importer Security Filing |
The requirement that an importer file information on the origin and transportation of merchandise in addition to the information in the manifest, prior to its lading on a vessel that will call in the U.S |
www.cbp.gov |
| ISPS |
International Ship & Port Facility Security Code |
Establishes security standards for international ports. |
www.tc.gc.ca |
| ITDS |
International Trade Data System |
Part of CBP’s electronic data interface. |
www.itds.treas.gov |
| Lading |
|
The act of loading cargo shipments on board a vessel for transportation to the United States |
www.cbp.gov |
| Layorder |
|
The period of time a cargo shipment may remain on the dock after discharge without an entry before it is consigned to General Order storage |
www.cbp.gov |
| Manifest |
|
A written instrument containing a true account of imported cargo. It must contain a list of all packages or separate items of freight including distinguishing marks or numbers |
www.cbp.gov |
| MIB |
Master Inbond Movement |
The act of transporting multiple cargo shipments from a CBP port of unlading to a single port of destination under the control of one inbond document |
www.cbp.gov |
| MTSA |
Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002 |
A federal law dealing with port and maritime transportation security. |
www.uscg.mil |
| MVOCC |
Master Vessel Operating Common Carrier |
Act as a common carrier of merchandise that owns or operates a steamship. |
www.cbp.gov |
| NPF |
Non-Privileged Foreign Status |
One of two customs categories of foreign status merchandise. Such merchandise is evaluated based on its condition at the time it is shipped from the zone to the U.S. market and entered for consumption by CBP |
http://trade.gov/ |
| NTC |
National Targeting Center |
A unit of CBP, conducting cargo targeting in coordination with the intelligence community. |
www.cbp.gov |
| NVOCC |
Non-vessel-operating common carriers |
Freight companies that issue Bills of Landing, but do not own the vessels. |
|
| OSC |
Operation Safe Commerce |
A federal program to strengthen trade and port security after 9-11. |
www.tsa.gov |
| PTT |
Permit to Transfer |
The electronic request for authorization for inport movements of cargo |
www.cbp.gov |
| Public Health Security & Bioterrorism Preparedness & Response Act of 2002 |
|
A law to protect food and drug imports, administered by FDA, and jointly enforced by CBP. Requires advance notice to the FDA of all food imports. |
www.fda.gov |
| Required Advance Electronic Presentation of Cargo Information Rule |
|
Extends the advance manifest filing requirement to incoming and outgoing trade by air, truck and rail. |
www.cbp.gov |
| RFID |
Radio Frequency Identification |
RFID tags can be used to track container movements. |
|
| SCAC |
Standard Carrier Alpha Code |
The carrier identifier issued by the National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA) or the Intermodal Association of North America |
www.cbp.gov |
| Sea Automated Manifest System |
|
A system used by sea carriers and NVOCC’s to submit electronic cargo declarations. |
www.cbp.gov |
| Sea Cargo Targeting Initiative |
|
The ATS is part of this CBP initiative. |
www.cbp.gov |
| Secure Data Portal |
|
Importers can set up accounts so they can access and use the ACE Secure Data Portal. |
www.cbp.gov |
| SNAP |
Simplified Network Application Process |
Allows exporters to submit electronic export license applications. |
www.bis.doc.gov/snap |
| SST |
Smart & Secure Tradelanes |
An industry-driven, supply chain (global automated ocean container management and security) initiative, designed to complement C-TPAT and CSI. Launched by the Strategic Council on Security Technology. |
www.scst.info |
| Supply Chain Stratified Examination |
|
A CBP program to randomly select containers for examination from those deemed low risk by ATS. |
www.cbp.gov |
| TE |
Transportation and Exportation |
Inbond movement transporting a cargo shipment from the port of unlading to the port of destination for exportation from the United States. |
www.cbp.gov |
| TAV |
Total Asset Visibility Initiative |
Using RFID tags on containers, currently mostly a Defense Department project. |
www.dod.gov |
| Trade Act of 2002 |
|
A sprawling (compromise) act dealing with trade promotion authority, trade adjustment assistance, drug enforcement, antiterrorism measures and more. |
www.ita.doc.gov |
| TSA |
Transportation Security Administration |
A part of the Border and Transportation Security Directorate, which again is a part of DHS. Established to protect the nation’s transportation systems. |
www.tsa.gov |
| Unique Voyage Identifier |
UVI is submitted from MVOCC’s only |
The number used must be unique for 5 years. This record can be included with original manifest submissions but is NOT provided with manifest amendments |
www.cbp.gov |
| VACIS |
Vehicle and Cargo Inspection System |
Non-intrusive inspection equipment to scan containers, using gamma rays. |
www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca |
| VNumber |
|
A unique 11position alpha/numeric identifier, starting with the letter V, generated by a carrier to control a paperless master inbond movement |
www.cbp.gov |
| WCO |
World Customs Organization |
161 member nations. |
www.wcoomd.org |
| ZCR Record |
|
Transaction Control Trailer Record denoting the end of a transaction file. |
www.cbp.gov |
| Zone |
|
A foreign-trade zone established under the provisions of the FTZ Act and regulations. The term also includes subzones, unless the context indicates otherwise. |
http://trade.gov/ |
