In order to help you understand the terms in this field or simply a small recall sting, we have prepared a list of technical terms commonly used in the freight and logistics.
Our glossary has been designed to provide clear, concise definitions for every word or term, so you can deepen your knowledge and improve your understanding of the sector. Whether you're a student, an industry professional or simply curious to know more, our glossary is here to help.
Rental of a ship, aircraft or transport vehicle for the carriage of goods.
This is the document that constitutes the air transport contract.
Natural or legal person giving his goods to be sent to a carrier on behalf of others. This is the owner of the goods being transported.
All the stages and parties involved in managing the supply of raw materials, components and supplies needed to produce a good or service.
The process of packaging products in a suitable manner for protection, handling and presentation.
Document drawn up and submitted to the customs authorities for customs clearance of the goods.
Mandated service provider who is responsible for establishing the administrative documents that allow to import or export goods. It acts as an intermediary between the transit service and customs.
Storage of goods in warehouses or dedicated facilities, pending further distribution.
All goods transported by sea, air, land or rail.
An action consisting in bringing together consignments of goods from more than one consignor or to the address of more than one consignee, and in arranging and arranging for the delivery of the consignment thus constituted by a carrier.
Person organizing the grouping of goods.
All activities aimed at planning, controlling and coordinating the flow of goods throughout the supply chain.
All operations aimed at controlling stock levels, anticipating supply requirements and avoiding shortages or overstocking.
However, there are several types of stock.
Here are some examples of different types of inventory :
Deadstock : These are stocks of products that don't sell quickly or are waiting to be used. For example, spare parts for little-used machines or obsolete products.
Speculative stocks : These are stocks built up with the aim of profiting from an anticipated price change. For example, buying raw materials at low prices in the expectation of a future increase in their value.
Seasonal stocks : These are stocks built up to meet fluctuating seasonal demand. For example, products linked to the end-of-year festivities, such as Christmas decorations or toys.
Safety stocks : These are additional stocks maintained to cope with uncertainties such as variations in demand, supply delays or quality problems. They act as a buffer to avoid stock-outs.
Stocks in transit : Stocks that is in the process of being transported between two destinations. For example, goods being delivered by truck, ship or plane.
Work in Progress Stocks : These are stocks of raw materials, components or semi-finished products which are used in the production process before being transformed into finished products.
Food safety stocks : These are stocks of foodstuffs maintained by governments or organizations to deal with emergency situations or food crises.
These different types of stock are used in inventory management and logistics operations planning to meet business needs and ensure adequate product availability.
Air transport document issued by a consolidator, which may bear any number specific to the consolidator.
Management of the flow of goods in the opposite direction, i.e. from the consumer to the manufacturer or distributor, generally for product returns, recycling, repair or replacement.
All operations involved in loading, unloading and moving goods, either manually or using specific equipment.
| A process aiming to reduce the costs associated with logistics operations by optimizing resource utilization, transport routes, stock levels, etc. |
Site or set of facilities dedicated to receiving, storing, preparing orders and shipping goods.
The process of establishing a detailed action plan for managing logistics operations, taking into account available resources, deadlines, constraints and corporate objectives.
Unloading / loading goods from one vehicle to another.
All the activities and parties involved in managing the flow of products, from sourcing raw materials to delivering finished products to consumers.