Customs Glossary
Términos técnicos de aduanas y comercio exterior
Customs Authority
Public authority that controls the entry and exit of goods and enforces customs regulations.
Tariff Classification
Process of assigning the correct tariff code to a commodity.
Customs Declaration
Formal submission to customs containing details of the transaction, goods, value, origin, and regime.
Customs Clearance
Set of procedures to declare, inspect, and release goods through customs.
Customs Transit
Movement of goods under customs control between two points without definitive nationalization.
Customs Value
Valuation basis used to calculate duties and apply customs controls.
Landed Cost
Total delivered cost at destination, including product, freight, insurance, duties, taxes, and related expenses.
CIF Price
Price that includes cost, insurance, and freight to the port of destination.
Electronic Air Waybill (e-AWB)
Electronic version of the air waybill that replaces the paper document under applicable agreements.
Certificate of Origin
Document certifying the origin of goods for the application of tariff treatment or trade controls.
Bill of Lading
Maritime document evidencing receipt of cargo and contract of carriage; may serve as a negotiable title.
Commercial Invoice
Seller's document stating price, description, quantities, currency, and Incoterm.
Air Waybill
Air transport document and contract between shipper and carrier.
Serial Shipping Container Code
GS1 key used to identify logistic units such as pallets or dispatch containers.
Cost Insurance and Freight
The seller pays cost, insurance, and freight to the destination port, with risk transferring to the buyer upon shipment.
Less than Container Load
Cargo that shares a container with goods from other clients.
Full Container Load
Shipment in which a single client occupies an entire container.
Supply Chain
Network of processes, actors, and flows that move a product from its origin to its final destination.
Customs Valuation Agreement
International rules for determining the customs value of imported goods.
Revised Kyoto Convention
WCO instrument for the simplification and harmonization of customs procedures.
Harmonized System Convention
International convention establishing the Harmonized System for goods classification.
SOLAS Convention
International convention on the safety of life at sea.
United Nations Centre for Trade Facilitation and Electronic Business
Centre that develops recommendations, standards, and data models for international trade.
International Chamber of Commerce
International business organization that publishes rules such as Incoterms and banking rules.
Letter of Credit
Bank commitment to make payment contingent on the compliant presentation of documents.
Commodity
Basic product traded globally, such as grains, minerals, oil, or sugar.
Customs Warehouse
Authorized premises for storing goods under customs control.
Tariff Rate Quota (TRQ)
Import volume eligible for a preferential tariff rate; quantities outside the quota are subject to a different rate.
Import Quota
Quantitative or value-based limit on imports of a specific product.
Countervailing Duty
Measure applied against imports that have benefited from specific subsidies.
Phytosanitary Certificate
Official document certifying phytosanitary compliance for plants or plant products.
Sanitary Certificate
Official document certifying sanitary conditions for certain products.
Cargo Manifest
Document listing all cargo carried by an international means of transport.
Proof of Delivery
Evidence confirming that goods have been delivered to the consignee.
Cost and Freight (CFR)
The seller pays cost and freight to destination, but risk transfers at shipment.
Carrier
Actual or contractual carrier responsible for the movement of cargo.
Consignee
Consignee or recipient named in the transport document.
CITES Convention
International convention regulating trade in endangered species of wild fauna and flora.
MARPOL Convention
International convention to prevent pollution caused by ships.
IMDG Code
International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code regulating the transport of hazardous cargo by sea.
United Nations Economic Commission for Europe
UN regional body that hosts UN/CEFACT and issues trade facilitation recommendations.
United Nations Conference on Trade and Development
UN body focused on trade, development, investment, and the digital economy.
Codex Alimentarius
International program of food standards used as a sanitary and commercial reference.
Customs and Border Protection
U.S. federal agency responsible for border control and customs enforcement.
Phytosanitary control
Inspection applied to plants, vegetables, and agricultural products to prevent the spread of pests.
Sanitary control
Inspection of goods that may affect human, animal, or plant health.
ATA Carnet
International document allowing the temporary admission of goods without immediate payment of duties.
Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation
Forum for economic and trade cooperation among Asia-Pacific economies.
Cargo-XML
XML standard used in electronic air cargo processes.
CMR Consignment Note
International road transport document governed by the CMR Convention.
Inspection Certificate
Document issued following inspection of quantity, quality, origin, or compliance.
Veterinary Certificate
Sanitary document required for animals or products of animal origin.
Letter of Indemnity
Indemnity letter used to cover certain documentary or operational risks.
Sea Waybill
Non-negotiable maritime document that allows cargo delivery without presentation of an original B/L.
Carriage Paid To
The seller pays freight to the agreed destination; risk transfers upon delivery to the first carrier.
Carriage and Insurance Paid To
The seller pays freight and insurance to the agreed destination; risk transfers upon delivery to the first carrier.
Cross-docking
Process of rapid transfer between receiving and dispatch with minimal storage.
Currency Adjustment Factor
Surcharge applied to maritime freight rates to offset exchange rate fluctuations.
Istanbul Convention
International convention on the temporary admission of goods.
ISPS Code
International code for the security of ships and port facilities.
International Trade Centre
Joint agency focused on supporting SMEs, exporters, and market analysis.
International Electrotechnical Commission
International standards organization for electrical and electronic products.
Business Identifier Code
Financial institution identifier code used in conjunction with SWIFT.
Cash Against Documents
Payment made upon delivery of commercial or transport documents.
Open Account
Open account sale: the buyer pays after receiving the goods or invoice.
Standby Letter of Credit
Standby letter of credit that acts as a guarantee of payment or performance.
STCW Convention
Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers.