ETA, ETD, B/L, FCL, cut-off, customs clearance, and congestion – import has its own language, full of abbreviations and specialized terms. They appear in correspondence with suppliers, commercial documents, carrier notifications, and during customs clearance. Knowing them facilitates monitoring the entire process – from placing an order abroad to receiving goods at the warehouse. This glossary explains key terms related to import, international transport, documentation, customs clearance, and the safety of imported food.
Importing is much more than just purchasing goods from a foreign manufacturer. A single shipment involves suppliers, freight forwarders, shipowners, customs agencies, carriers, ports, warehouses, and regulatory authorities, each using their own terminology.
Some terms come directly from English and are also commonly used in this form by Polish companies. Therefore, an importer may receive information about a change in the ETD one day, a cut-off shift the next, and later about congestion at the port or a change in the ETA date. The dictionary below allows you to quickly check what the most common terms mean.
20′ – twenty-foot container
One of the basic types of containers used in maritime transport. The 20-foot designation refers to the container's length of approximately 20 feet. A standard container of this type is often referred to as a 20-foot DV or 20-foot GP. Its capacity is approximately 33 m³, although the actual amount of cargo that can be loaded also depends on its weight, packaging method, and carrier constraints.
40' – forty-foot container
A container is approximately 40 feet long. A standard 40' GP container has a capacity of approximately 67 m³. 40' HC (High Cube) containers are also used for transport, as they are taller and offer more cargo space. The choice between 20' and 40' depends on factors such as the quantity, weight, and volume of the goods being transported.
A
Customs agent
A person with the appropriate knowledge and authority to represent a business in customs matters. They can prepare and submit customs declarations and assist in the proper conduct of the import procedure.
Shipowner
A company that operates a vessel on its own behalf. In everyday language within the logistics industry, the term is often used to refer to a shipping line that handles container transport.
B
B/L – Bill of Lading
A sea bill of lading is one of the basic documents used in maritime transport. It confirms the acceptance of cargo for transport and contains information regarding, among others, the shipper, consignee, vessel, ports, and the goods being transported.
Batch / Lot
A specific product batch that can be identified based on its assigned marking. In the case of food, the batch number is particularly important for product traceability and allows for linking the product to documentation, test results, and a specific delivery.
Booking
Reserving space on a ship, container, or other means of transport. Once the booking is confirmed, the freight forwarder or carrier provides details about the planned transport, such as the ship, ports, ETD, and cut-off.
C
Carrier
The entity responsible for the transport of goods. Depending on the mode of transport, this may be a shipping line, road carrier, rail carrier, or air carrier.
Certificate of Origin
A document confirming the country of origin of the goods. This may be required in certain commercial transactions or customs procedures, including the application of relevant tariff rules.
CHED-D – Common Health Entry Document
Common Health Entry Document for certain consignments of food and feed of non-animal origin entering the European Union, in particular those subject to an increased level of controls or specific import conditions.
The first part of the CHED-D is completed by the entity responsible for the shipment in the TRACES-NT system to pre-notify it for inspection. The CHED-D replaces the previously used CED document.
It's important to remember that not all imported food of non-animal origin requires a CHED-D. This depends on the product, the country of origin, and the current import control regulations.
CI – Commercial Invoice
A commercial invoice issued by a seller contains information regarding the transaction, including the seller and buyer, the goods, their quantity and value, and the terms of sale. It is one of the basic documents used during customs clearance.
CN – Combined Nomenclature
The Combined Nomenclature (CN) is used in the European Union to classify goods. The CN code determines, among other things, the applicable tariff rules for a given product.
COA – Certificate of Analysis
A certificate of analysis containing test results or parameters for a specific product batch. The scope of the COA depends on the product and manufacturer. In the case of food, it may include, for example, selected physicochemical or microbiological parameters, or results regarding specific contaminants.
Consignee – recipient
The entity indicated in the transport document as the recipient of the shipment.
Container
A standardized transport unit used primarily in maritime and intermodal transport. Thanks to its uniform dimensions, the container can be transported by ship, rail, and road without the need for reloading the goods themselves.
Customs clearance
The procedure for placing goods under the appropriate customs procedure. For import, this includes, among other things, declaring the goods, classifying them, determining their customs value and origin, and determining import duties.
Cut-off
The deadline by which a specific activity related to the planned transport must be completed. Several types of cut-offs exist in maritime transport. These may include, for example, the deadline for delivering the container to the terminal, providing instructions for the bill of lading, or completing specific documentation formalities. Exceeding the cut-off may mean that the container will not be loaded onto the planned vessel and will have to wait for another connection.
D
Demurrage
A fee for exceeding the free time allowed for using a container at a terminal or port. Detailed charging rules depend on the carrier and the transport conditions.
Detention
A fee typically charged when a container remains outside the terminal at the customer's disposal beyond the specified free period, for example, after being picked up from a port. Demurrage and detention are sometimes confused, and the way they are billed may vary between shipping lines.
E
EORI
Economic Operators Registration and Identification – the EU system for identifying entities participating in customs operations. The EORI number is used to identify an economic operator in contacts with customs authorities within the EU.
ETA – Estimated Time of Arrival
The estimated time of arrival of a vessel, aircraft, or other means of transportation at its destination. In maritime imports, ETA often refers to the scheduled date of arrival of the vessel at the port of destination. This date is approximate and may change during transit.
ETD – Estimated Time of Departure
The estimated time of departure or departure of a means of transport from the point of departure for a given leg of the journey. In maritime transport, ETD most often refers to the planned time of departure of a vessel from the port of loading.
F
FCL – Full Container Load
Transport in which a container is intended for the cargo of a single shipper or consignee. This does not necessarily mean that the container must be 100% full.
FOB – Free On Board
One of the Incoterms® rules defining the allocation of costs and responsibilities between the seller and the buyer in maritime or inland waterway transport. Under the FOB formula, the seller is responsible for delivering the goods to the designated port of shipment and placing them on board the vessel selected by the buyer. From the moment of loading onto the vessel, the risk associated with the goods passes to the buyer. The buyer arranges and pays for the onward maritime transport and bears the associated costs.
Freight
A term referring to the carriage of goods and, depending on the context, the cost of transporting them. In international trade, terms such as sea freight or air freight are often used.
Free time
The period during which the importer can use a container or terminal without additional fees of a certain type. After this period, demurrage or detention fees, among other charges, may be charged.
H
HS Code – Harmonized System Code
A code used in the international commodity classification system. The HS system forms the basis for more detailed classifications used by individual countries and customs territories, including the EU's CN nomenclature.
IJHARS – Inspection of Commercial Quality of Agricultural and Food Products
An institution responsible for monitoring the commercial quality of agricultural and food products, including certain products imported to Poland from non-European Union countries. Border inspections may include, among other things, product documentation, labeling, and packaging, its quality characteristics, and transport and storage conditions. Samples may also be collected for testing if necessary. Not every shipment is subject to mandatory IJHARS inspection – this depends on, among other factors, the type of product, its CN code, and the batch size specified in applicable regulations.
Incoterms®
A set of international trade rules developed by the International Chamber of Commerce. They define the allocation of responsibilities, costs, and risks between the seller and the buyer in connection with the delivery of goods. Common rules include EXW, FCA, FOB, CFR, CIF, CPT, CIP, DAP, DPU, and DDP.
Invoice
A commercial document issued by a seller to a buyer. In imports, it is one of the primary documents confirming the transaction.
K
KAS – National Revenue Administration
This administration is responsible, among other things, for the implementation of tasks related to customs clearance of goods imported from outside the European Union. The customs authorities operating within the National Revenue Administration (KAS) play a key role in the import process. Import clearance involves verifying, among other things, the customs declaration, the goods' tariff classification, their value and origin, and import-related duties. The KAS also administers the PUESC system and Single Window services, which enable the electronic handling of some import-related formalities.
Congestion
Congestion at a port, terminal, or other transport infrastructure, resulting in limited capacity and delays. Congestion can be caused by factors such as a large number of ships or containers, equipment and personnel shortages, severe weather conditions, transport disruptions, or a sudden increase in cargo volume. For the importer, it can mean a shift in the ETD or ETA, a longer wait for the vessel to enter the port, transshipment delays, or a change in the planned delivery route.
L
LCL – Less than Container Load
Groupage transport, in which shipments belonging to different customers are consolidated into a single container. This solution is used when the quantity of goods does not justify the use of an entire container.
Lead time
The time required to complete a specific process—for example, from placing an order with a manufacturer to preparing the goods, or from ordering to delivery to the recipient. In import, lead time can include production, document preparation, transport to the port, international transport, customs clearance, and transport to the warehouse.
M
MRL – Maximum Residue Level
The maximum permissible residue level of a specific substance, such as a plant protection product, in food or feed. In the case of imported food, compliance with EU limits is crucial for the product's ability to be placed on the market.
P
Packing List
A document containing detailed information on how a shipment was packaged. It may include the number of packages, their net and gross weight, markings, dimensions, and the arrangement of the goods.
PI – Proforma Invoice
A pro forma invoice is issued before the actual commercial invoice. It is often used to confirm the terms of the order, the value of the goods, the quantity, the payment terms, and the delivery terms.
PIORiN – State Plant Health and Seed Inspection Service
The institution is responsible, among other things, for plant health supervision and phytosanitary inspection of specific plants, plant products, and other items moving in international trade. However, the PIORiN should not be considered an institution that routinely inspects every shipment of finished tea. Whether a given product is subject to phytosanitary requirements depends on its type, origin, and current plant health regulations.
PIS – State Sanitary Inspection (Sanepid)
The State Sanitary Inspectorate supervises the health safety of food, including certain non-animal products imported to Poland from outside the European Union. In the case of imported food, inspections may include documentation, identification and physical checks, and in certain situations, sampling for laboratory testing. Special rules apply to products subject to increased levels of inspection or specific conditions for import into the EU – in such cases, a document may be required, among other things. CHED-D supported in the TRACES-NT system.
POD – Port of Discharge
Port of discharge – the port where a container or goods is unloaded from a ship.
POL – Port of Loading
Port of loading – the port where the goods or container are loaded onto the ship.
R
RASFF – Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed
The Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed, operating in the EU, enables the rapid exchange of information between competent authorities on food and feed-related hazards. TRACES and RASFF are among the systems included in the EU's information management system for official controls – IMSOC.
S
Sampling – taking samples
The collection of a representative portion of a product for evaluation or testing purposes. Samples may be taken, among other things, before purchase, before shipment, upon receipt of a delivery, or during an official inspection.
Shipper
The entity indicated as the shipper of the goods in the shipping documentation. Depending on the transaction structure, this may be the manufacturer, seller, or other entity responsible for shipping.
Forwarder
An entity that organizes the transport of goods At the client's request. A freight forwarder plans the delivery process and coordinates individual stages of the transport, collaborating with carriers, shipowners, terminals, customs agencies, and warehouses, among others. Depending on the scope of the service, they may be responsible for, among other things, booking space on a vessel, organizing container transport to and from the port, transferring documents, and monitoring the shipment. They also inform the importer of any changes to the transport, such as a shift in the ETD or ETA, a change of vessel or port, or the occurrence of congestion. A freight forwarder is not the same as a carrier – the carrier performs the transport, while the forwarder primarily organizes and coordinates it.
Stuffing
The process of loading goods into a container. This may take place at a manufacturer's facility, warehouse, or terminal, among other locations.
T
THC – Terminal Handling Charges
Terminal fees related to handling a container at a port terminal. These fees may include activities related to its movement and transshipment.
Traceability
The ability to trace a product's origin and route through the supply chain. In the case of food, this allows us to determine, among other things, who originated a given batch and to which recipients it was subsequently distributed.
Transshipment
Transferring a container or cargo from one vessel to another at an intermediate port. For example, a container departing from Asia might first arrive at a major transshipment port and then be loaded onto another vessel bound for Europe. Any additional transshipment can impact the overall transit time.
TRACES-NT
The EU's electronic system is used, among other things, to manage documents and procedures related to official controls on specific goods entering the EU. It is in TRACES-NT that CHED-D documents are prepared for relevant shipments of food and feed of non-animal origin, among other things.
Customs, freight, ETA… or the language of import in practice
In international trade, a single abbreviation can contain information crucial to the entire supply chain. ETD allows us to determine when a ship should sail, ETA – when it should arrive at its destination port, and cut-off indicates the deadline for completing a specific activity before shipment.
Knowing these concepts allows for more efficient communication with manufacturers, freight forwarders, carriers, customs agencies, and regulatory authorities. It also facilitates document analysis and rapid response to delays and changes that occur during transport.
In practice, imports rarely proceed exactly according to the original schedule. ETD changes, port congestion, delayed shipments, and ETA shifts are all part of the reality of international logistics. The better an importer understands the language used at each stage of the delivery process, the easier it is to control the entire process—from ordering goods to receiving them at the warehouse.
