Freight, shipping and chartering glossary

Type Meaning
Port of Discharge

Port that cargo arrives to.

Port Declaration

Customs-related charge for documentation.

Pier Pass

Surcharge associated with picking up containers from the port of LA during peak hours (3 AM-6 PM)

Peak Season Surcharge (PSS)

Market imposed surcharge during high volume seasons.

Partner Government Agency Filing (PGA)

A division of the US federal government that regulates the import of specific products into the US.

Partial Containerships

Multipurpose containerships where one or more but not all compartments are fitted with permanent container cells. Remaining compartments are used for other types of cargo.

Pallet wrapping machine

A machine that wraps a pallet's contents in stretch-wrap to ensure safe shipment.

Pallet Charge

Surcharge applied on shipment that require palletization.

Pallet

A platform that allows consolidation of general cargo with the aim of accelerating and reducing the cost of their processing using mechanical means.

Packing List

A product document containing a list of items included in one package (box, container, bale, etc.), which is necessary if one package contains goods of different assortments.

Purchase Order

A written agreement between a seller and a buyer on the supply (purchase) of goods or services at an agreed price and at an agreed time.

Pro-forma

A template or example document containing sample data that will be replaced with real values when these are available.

Pro Forma Invoice

An invoice issued for partial deliveries of goods or when goods are accepted upon arrival at the buyer.

Prepaid Freight

Note in the transport document indicating that freight is prepaid in the port of loading.

Pre-pull

Surcharge associated with pulling containers from a port/ramp terminal to store in trucker yard.

Power of Attorney (POA)

A legal document used in shipping to grant a customs broker the authority to process Customs clearance on your behalf.

Port State Control

Inspection of foreign ships in national ports in order to verify compliance of a ship with the requirements of international law.

Port of Loading

Port that cargo departs from.

Port of Discharge

Port that cargo arrives to.

Port Declaration

Customs-related charge for documentation.

Pier Pass

Surcharge associated with picking up containers from the port of LA during peak hours (3 AM-6 PM)

Peak Season Surcharge (PSS)

Market imposed surcharge during high volume seasons.

Partner Government Agency Filing (PGA)

A division of the US federal government that regulates the import of specific products into the US.

Partial Containerships

Multipurpose containerships where one or more but not all compartments are fitted with permanent container cells. Remaining compartments are used for other types of cargo.

Pallet wrapping machine

A machine that wraps a pallet's contents in stretch-wrap to ensure safe shipment.

Pallet Charge

Surcharge applied on shipment that require palletization.

Pallet

A platform that allows consolidation of general cargo with the aim of accelerating and reducing the cost of their processing using mechanical means.

Packing List

A product document containing a list of items included in one package (box, container, bale, etc.), which is necessary if one package contains goods of different assortments.

Packing List

A product document containing a list of items included in one package (box, container, bale, etc.), which is necessary if one package contains goods of different assortments.

Port of Loading

Port that cargo departs from.

Pallet

A platform that allows consolidation of general cargo with the aim of accelerating and reducing the cost of their processing using mechanical means.

Pallet Charge

Surcharge applied on shipment that require palletization.

Pallet wrapping machine

A machine that wraps a pallet's contents in stretch-wrap to ensure safe shipment.

Partial Containerships

Multipurpose containerships where one or more but not all compartments are fitted with permanent container cells. Remaining compartments are used for other types of cargo.

Partner Government Agency Filing (PGA)

A division of the US federal government that regulates the import of specific products into the US.

Peak Season Surcharge (PSS)

Market imposed surcharge during high volume seasons.

Pier Pass

Surcharge associated with picking up containers from the port of LA during peak hours (3 AM-6 PM)

Port Declaration

Customs-related charge for documentation.

Port State Control

Inspection of foreign ships in national ports in order to verify compliance of a ship with the requirements of international law.

Port of Discharge

Port that cargo arrives to.

Purchase Order

A written agreement between a seller and a buyer on the supply (purchase) of goods or services at an agreed price and at an agreed time.

Pro-forma

A template or example document containing sample data that will be replaced with real values when these are available.

Pro Forma Invoice

An invoice issued for partial deliveries of goods or when goods are accepted upon arrival at the buyer.

Pre-pull

Surcharge associated with pulling containers from a port/ramp terminal to store in trucker yard.

Power of Attorney (POA)

A legal document used in shipping to grant a customs broker the authority to process Customs clearance on your behalf.

Prepaid Freight

Note in the transport document indicating that freight is prepaid in the port of loading.

Partner Government Agency Filing (PGA)

A division of the US federal government that regulates the import of specific products into the US.

Port Declaration

Customs-related charge for documentation.

Pier Pass

Surcharge associated with picking up containers from the port of LA during peak hours (3 AM-6 PM)

Peak Season Surcharge (PSS)

Market imposed surcharge during high volume seasons.