International Move – Terms and Definitions Part 3

The following is a list of additional shipping terms and their definitions that will help you navigate through the terminology of the shipping industry. When shipping household goods there is a weight volume ratio to be considered. The land portions of the journey (origin and destination) are generally calculated by weight.

The ocean portion of the journey is calculated by volume (cubic feet or cubic meter). International shipping companies will quote prices in cubic feet. Estimating volume is a much easier form of measurement. The most common weight volume ratio used for the shipment of household goods is 7 Pounds per Cubic Foot. This is not per item, but for the entire volume of the shipment. For example the weight volume ratio for 200 CFT is up to 1400 LBS. If you are shipping normal household goods, you will not exceed the weight volume ratio. If you are shipping nothing but books and papers, lead weights or similar heavy items, the weight volume ratio will be exceeded and these are not considered normal household goods.

Demurrage – this is a penalty imposed by the ship line for delaying their equipment beyond the allowed free time.

Full Packing (FP): This means that every item in your home will be packed professionally for your international move. You may see CP (carrier packed) PBC (packed by carrier) to describe this service. Packing of any kind is an optional extra. You can pack some of your items and leave others to the professionals. This would be known as partial or what I like to refer to as “ala carte” packing.

You can pack all of your items. You may see PBO (packed by owner) to describe this method of packing. The choice is yours. Again don’t confuse packing with loading which was discussed in Part 1.

GRI – General Rate Increase – is a term used to describe an across-the-board tariff rate increase implemented by conference members and applied to base rates for shipment.

In Transit – Simply put this means the shipment is moving from home to warehouse, from warehouse to port, over the sea, from ship to warehouse and finally from warehouse to your home. All forms of movement are considered “in transit”.

Insurance – Insurance is recommended but it is optional.
You can purchase two types of insurance coverage; Limited Coverage and All Risk.
Limited Coverage will cover your shipment for total loss only; it will not cover damages of any kind.

All Risk Coverage will cover your shipment for loss and damages.
Insurance companies will not issue a policy for All Risk insurance unless the shipment is professionally packed. If you are packing your own shipment, you will only be able to purchase a policy for Limited Cover (total loss only). The cost of the insurance is based on a percentage of your declared value.

Live Load – Is a term used to describe a container that is loaded while the trucking company that carries the container to and from the port waits. The first 2 hours are generally free, and there will be an additional per hour fee charged after 2 hours. The driver that brings the container will not assist with the loading of the container.

Quarantine – This means the shipment is not allowed to leave a protected point because it is suspected of being a health or other hazard to the destination country. During the quarantine period (determined by the port authorities), the “Q” flag is raised.

RO/RO is the abbreviation for Roll On / Roll Off which is a method of shipping wheeled vehicles using ramps rather than cranes to lift the vehicle on or off of the ship. The vehicles are not in containers, but generally loaded in an area of the ship where the vehicle is secured at four points for the shipment.

THC – Terminal Handling Charge – is a charge made for service performed in a terminal area.

When comparing quotes and talking to international movers, knowledge and a little common sense goes a long way to a stress free move. Enjoy your new adventure.