Basic Exporting Guide
APPENDIX I
EXPORT GLOSSARY
Acceptance _ This term has several related meanings: (1) A time
draft (or bill of exchange) that the drawee has accepted and
is unconditionally obligated to pay at maturity. The draft
must be presented first for acceptance _ the drawee becomes
the "acceptor" _ then for payment. The word "accepted" and the
date and place of payment must be written on the face of the
draft. (2) The drawee's act in receiving a draft and thus
entering into the obligation to pay its value at maturity. (3)
Broadly speaking, any agreement to purchase goods under
specified terms. An agreement to purchase goods at a stated
price and under stated terms.
Ad valorem _ According to value. See Duty.
Advance against documents _ A loan made on the security of the
documents covering the shipment.
Advising bank _ A bank, operating in the exporter's country, that
handles letters of credit for a foreign bank by notifying the
export firm that the credit has been opened in its favor. The
advising bank fully informs the exporter of the conditions of
the letter of credit without necessarily bearing
responsibility for payment.
Advisory capacity _ A term indicating that a shipper's agent or
representative is not empowered to make definitive decisions
or adjustments without approval of the group or individual
represented. Compare Without reserve.
Agent _ See Foreign sales agent.
Air waybill _ A bill of lading that covers both domestic and
international flights transporting goods to a specified
destination. This is a nonnegotiable instrument of air
transport that serves as a receipt for the shipper, indicating
that the carrier has accepted the goods listed and obligates
itself to carry the consignment to the airport of destination
according to specified conditions. Compare Inland bill of
lading, Ocean bill of lading, and Through bill of lading.
Alongside _ The side of a ship. Goods to be delivered "alongside"
are to be placed on the dock or barge within reach of the
transport ship's tackle so that they can be loaded aboard the
ship.
Antidiversion clause _ See Destination control statement.
Arbitrage _ The process of buying foreign exchange, stocks, bonds,
and other commodities in one market and immediately selling
them in another market at higher prices.
Asian dollars _ U.S. dollars deposited in Asia and the Pacific
Basin. Compare Eurodollars.
ATA Carnet _ See Carnet.
Balance of trade _ The difference between a country's total imports
and exports. If exports exceed imports, a favorable balance of
trade exists; if not, a trade deficit is said to exist.
Barter _ Trade in which merchandise is exchanged directly for other
merchandise without use of money. Barter is an important means
of trade with countries using currency that is not readily
convertible.
Beneficiary _ The person in whose favor a letter of credit is
issued or a draft is drawn.
Bill of exchange _ See Draft.
Bill of lading _ A document that establishes the terms of a
contract between a shipper and a transportation company under
which freight is to be moved between specified points for a
specified charge. Usually prepared by the shipper on forms
issued by the carrier, it serves as a document of title, a
contract of carriage, and a receipt for goods. Also see Air
waybill, Inland bill of lading, Ocean bill of lading, and
Through bill of lading.
Bonded warehouse _ A warehouse authorized by customs authorities
for storage of goods on which payment of duties is deferred
until the goods are removed.
Booking _ An arrangement with a steamship company for the
acceptance and carriage of freight.
Buying agent _ See Purchasing agent.
Carnet _ A customs document permitting the holder to carry or send
merchandise temporarily into certain foreign countries (for
display, demonstration, or similar purposes) without paying
duties or posting bonds.
Cash against documents (CAD) _ Payment for goods in which a
commission house or other intermediary transfers title
documents to the buyer upon payment in cash.
Cash in advance (CIA) _ Payment for goods in which the price is
paid in full before shipment is made. This method is usually
used only for small purchases or when the goods are built to
order.
Cash with order (CWO) _ Payment for goods in which the buyer pays
when ordering and in which the transaction is binding on both
parties.
Certificate of inspection _ A document certifying that merchandise
(such as perishable goods) was in good condition immediately
prior to its shipment (see chapter 12).
Certificate of manufacture _ A statement (often notarized) in which
a producer of goods certifies that manufacture has been
completed and that the goods are now at the disposal of the
buyer.
Certificate of origin _ A document, required by certain foreign
countries for tariff purposes, certifying the country of
origin of specified goods (see chapter 12).
CFR _ Cost and freight. A pricing term indicating that the cost of
the goods and freight charges are included in the quoted
price; the buyer arranges for and pays insurance (see chapter
10).
Charter party _ A written contract, usually on a special form,
between the owner of a vessel and a "charterer" who rents use
of the vessel or a part of its freight space. The contract
generally includes the freight rates and the ports involved in
the transportation.
CIF _ Cost, insurance, freight. A pricing term indicating that the
cost of the goods, insurance, and freight are included in the
quoted price (see chapter 10).
Clean bill of lading _ A receipt for goods issued by a carrier that
indicates that the goods were received in "apparent good order
and condition," without damages or other irregularities.
Compare Foul bill of lading.
Clean draft _ A draft to which no documents have been attached.
Collection papers _ All documents (commercial invoices, bills of
lading, etc.) submitted to a buyer for the purpose of
receiving payment for a shipment.
Commercial attache _ The commerce expert on the diplomatic staff of
his or her country's embassy or large consulate.
Commercial invoice _ An itemized list of goods shipped, usually
included among an exporter's collection papers (see chapter
12).
Commission agent _ See Purchasing agent.
Common carrier _ An individual, partnership, or corporation that
transports persons or goods for compensation.
Confirmed letter of credit _ A letter of credit, issued by a
foreign bank, the validity of which has been confirmed by a
U.S. bank. An exporter whose payment terms are a confirmed
letter of credit is assured of payment by the U.S. bank even
if the foreign buyer or the foreign bank defaults. See Letter
of credit. (Also see chapter 13.)
Consignment _ Delivery of merchandise from an exporter (the
consignor) to an agent (the consignee) under agreement that
the agent sell the merchandise for the account of the
exporter. The consignor retains title to the goods until the
consignee has sold them. The consignee sells the goods for
commission and remits the net proceeds to the consignor.
Consular declaration _ A formal statement, made to the consul of a
foreign country, describing goods to be shipped.
Consular invoice _ A document, required by some foreign countries,
describing a shipment of goods and showing information such as
the consignor, consignee, and value of the shipment. Certified
by a consular official of the foreign country, it is used by
the country's customs officials to verify the value, quantity,
and nature of the shipment (see chapter 12).
Convertible currency _ A currency that can be bought and sold for
other currencies at will.
Correspondent bank _ A bank that, in its own country, handles the
business of a foreign bank.
Countertrade _ The sale of goods or services that are paid for in
whole or in part by the transfer of goods or services from a
foreign country. (See Barter.)
Countervailing duty _ A duty imposed to counter unfairly subsidized
products.
CPT (carriage paid to) and CIP (carriage and insurance paid to) _
Pricing terms indicating that carriage, or carriage and
insurance, are paid to the named place of destination. They
apply in place of CFR and CIF, respectively, for shipment by
modes other than water.
Credit risk insurance _ Insurance designed to cover risks of
nonpayment for delivered goods. Compare Marine insurance.
Customhouse broker _ An individual or firm licensed to enter and
clear goods through customs.
Customs _ The authorities designated to collect duties levied by a
country on imports and exports. The term also applies to the
procedures involved in such collection.
Date draft _ A draft that matures in a specified number of days
after the date it is issued, without regard to the date of
acceptance. See Draft, Sight draft, and Time draft. (Also see
chapter 13.)
Deferred payment credit _ Type of letter of credit providing for
payment some time after presentation of shipping documents by
exporter.
Demand draft _ See Sight draft.
Destination control statement _ Any of various statements that the
U.S. government requires to be displayed on export shipments
and that specify the destinations for which export of the
shipment has been authorized (see chapter 12).
Devaluation _ The official lowering of the value of one country's
currency in terms of one or more foreign currencies. For
example, if the U.S. dollar is devalued in relation to the
French franc, one dollar will "buy" fewer francs than before.
DISC _ Domestic international sales corporation (see chapter 11).
Discrepancy _ Letter of credit _ When documents presented do
not conform to the letter of credit it is referred to as a
discrepancy.
Dispatch _ An amount paid by a vessel's operator to a charterer if
loading or unloading is completed in less time than stipulated
in the charter party.
Distributor _ A foreign agent who sells for a supplier directly and
maintains an inventory of the supplier's products.
Dock receipt _ A receipt issued by an ocean carrier to acknowledge
receipt of a shipment at the carrier's dock or warehouse
facilities. Also see Warehouse receipt.
Documentary draft _ A draft to which documents are attached.
Documents against acceptance (D/A) _ Instructions given by a
shipper to a bank indicating that documents transferring title
to goods should be delivered to the buyer (or drawee) only
upon the buyer's acceptance of the attached draft.
Draft (or Bill of exchange) _ An unconditional order in writing
from one person (the drawer) to another (the drawee),
directing the drawee to pay a specified amount to a named
drawer at a fixed or determinable future date (see chapter
13). See Date draft, Sight draft, Time draft.
Drawback _ Articles manufactured or produced in the United States
with the use of imported components or raw materials and later
exported are entitled to a refund of up to 99 percent of the
duty charged on the imported components. The refund of duty is
known as a drawback.
Drawee _ The individual or firm on whom a draft is drawn and who
owes the stated amount. Compare Drawer. Also see Draft.
Drawer _ The individual or firm that issues or signs a draft and
thus stands to receive payment of the stated amount from the
drawee. Compare Drawee. Also see Draft.
Dumping _ Selling merchandise in another country at a price below
the price at which the same merchandise is sold in the home
market or selling such merchandise below the costs incurred in
production and shipment.
Duty _ A tax imposed on imports by the customs authority of a
country. Duties are generally based on the value of the goods
(ad valorem duties), some other factor such as weight or
quantity (specific duties), or a combination of value and
other factors (compound duties).
EMC _ See Export management company.
ETC _ See Export trading company.
Eurodollars _ U.S. dollars placed on deposit in banks outside the
United States; usually refers to deposits in Europe.
Ex _ From. When used in pricing terms such as "ex factory" or "ex
dock," it signifies that the price quoted applies only at the
point of origin (in the two examples, at the seller's factory
or a dock at the import point). In practice, this kind of
quotation indicates that the seller agrees to place the goods
at the disposal of the buyer at the specified place within a
fixed period of time.
Exchange permit _ A government permit sometimes required by the
importer's government to enable the import firm to convert its
own country's currency into foreign currency with which to pay
a seller in another country.
Exchange rate _ The price of one currency in terms of another, that
is, the number of units of one currency that may be exchanged
for one unit of another currency.
Eximbank _ Export-Import Bank of the United States.
Export broker _ An individual or firm that brings together buyers
and sellers for a fee but does not take part in actual sales
transactions.
Export commission house _ An organization which, for a commission,
acts as a purchasing agent for a foreign buyer.
Export declaration _ See Shipper's export declaration.
Export license _ A government document that permits the licensee to
export designated goods to certain destinations. See General
export license and Individually validated export license.
(Also see chapter 11.)
Export management company _ A private firm that serves as the
export department for several producers of goods or services,
either by taking title or by soliciting and transacting export
business on behalf of its clients in return for a commission,
salary, or retainer plus commission (see chapter 4).
Export trading company _ A firm similar or identical to an export
management company. (See chapter 4.)
Factoring houses _ See chapter 14.
FAS _ Free alongside ship. A pricing term indicating that the
quoted price includes the cost of delivering the goods
alongside a designated vessel (see chapter 10).
FCA _ "Free carrier" to named place. Replaces the former term "FOB
named inland port" to designate the seller's responsibility
for the cost of loading goods at the named shipping point. May
be used for multimodal transport, container stations, and any
mode of transport, including air.
FCIA _ Foreign Credit Insurance Association (see chapter 14).
FI _ Free in. A pricing term indicating that the charterer of a
vessel is responsible for the cost of loading and unloading
goods from the vessel.
Floating policy _ See Open policy.
FO _ Free out. A pricing term indicating that the charterer of a
vessel is responsible for the cost of loading goods from the
vessel.
FOB _ "Free on board" at named port of export. A pricing term
indicating that the quoted price covers all expenses up to and
including delivery of goods upon an overseas vessel provided
by or for the buyer.
Force majeure _ The title of a standard clause in marine contracts
exempting the parties for nonfulfillment of their obligations
as a result of conditions beyond their control, such as
earthquakes, floods, or war.
Foreign exchange _ The currency or credit instruments of a foreign
country. Also, transactions involving purchase or sale of
currencies.
Foreign freight forwarder _ See Freight forwarder.
Foreign sales agent _ An individual or firm that serves as the
foreign representative of a domestic supplier and seeks sales
abroad for the supplier.
Foreign trade zone _ See Free-trade zone.
Foul bill of lading _ A receipt for goods issued by a carrier with
an indication that the goods were damaged when received.
Compare Clean bill of lading.
Free port _ An area such as a port city into which merchandise may
legally be moved without payment of duties.
Free-trade zone _ A port designated by the government of a country
for duty-free entry of any nonprohibited goods. Merchandise
may be stored, displayed, used for manufacturing, etc., within
the zone and reexported without duties being paid. Duties are
imposed on the merchandise (or items manufactured from the
merchandise) only when the goods pass from the zone into an
area of the country subject to the customs authority.
Freight forwarder _ An independent business that handles export
shipments for compensation. (A freight forwarder is among the
best sources of information and assistance on U.S. export
regulations and documentation, shipping methods, and foreign
import regulations.)
GATT _ General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade. A multilateral
treaty intended to help reduce trade barriers between
signatory countries and to promote trade through tariff
concessions.
General export license _ Any of various export licenses covering
export commodities for which Individually validated export
licenses are not required. No formal application or written
authorization is needed to ship exports under a general export
license (see chapter 11).
Gross weight _ The full weight of a shipment, including goods and
packaging. Compare Tare weight.
Import license _ A document required and issued by some national
governments authorizing the importation of goods into their
individual countries.
Individually validated export license _ A required document issued
by the U.S. Government authorizing the export of specific
commodities. This license is for a specific transaction or
time period in which the exporting is to take place. Compare
General export license. (Also see chapter 11.)
Inland bill of lading _ A bill of lading used in transporting goods
overland to the exporter's international carrier. Although a
through bill of lading can sometimes be used, it is usually
necessary to prepare both an inland bill of lading and an
ocean bill of lading for export shipments. Compare Air
waybill, Ocean bill of lading, and Through bill of lading.
International freight forwarder _ See Freight forwarder.
Irrevocable letter of credit _ A letter of credit in which the
specified payment is guaranteed by the bank if all terms and
conditions are met by the drawee. Compare Revocable letter of
credit. (Also see chapter 13.)
Letter of credit (L/C) _ A document, issued by a bank per
instructions by a buyer of goods, authorizing the seller to
draw a specified sum of money under specified terms, usually
the receipt by the bank of certain documents within a given
time (see chapter 13).
Licensing _ A business arrangement in which the manufacturer of a
product (or a firm with proprietary rights over certain
technology, trademarks, etc.) grants permission to some other
group or individual to manufacture that product (or make use
of that proprietary material) in return for specified
royalties or other payment.
Manifest _ See Ship's manifest.
Marine insurance _ Insurance that compensates the owners of goods
transported overseas in the event of loss that cannot be
legally recovered from the carrier. Also covers air shipments.
Compare Credit risk insurance.
Marking (or marks) _ Letters, numbers, and other symbols placed on
cargo packages to facilitate identification.
Ocean bill of lading _ A bill of lading (B/L) indicating that the
exporter consigns a shipment to an international carrier for
transportation to a specified foreign market. Unlike an inland
B/L, the ocean B/L also serves as a collection document. If it
is a "straight" B/L, the foreign buyer can obtain the shipment
from the carrier by simply showing proof of identity. If a
"negotiable" B/L is used, the buyer must first pay for the
goods, post a bond, or meet other conditions agreeable to the
seller. Compare Air waybill, Inland bill of lading, and
Through bill of lading.
On board bill of lading _ A bill of lading in which a carrier
certifies that goods have been placed on board a certain
vessel.
Open account _ A trade arrangement in which goods are shipped to a
foreign buyer without guarantee of payment. The obvious risk
this method poses to the supplier makes it essential that the
buyer's integrity be unquestionable.
Open insurance policy _ A marine insurance policy that applies to
all shipments made by an exporter over a period of time rather
than to one shipment only.
Order bill of lading _ A negotiable bill of lading made out to the
order of the shipper.
Packing list _ A list showing the number and kinds of items being
shipped, as well as other information needed for
transportation purposes (see chapter 12).
Parcel post receipt _ The postal authorities' signed acknowledgment
of delivery to receiver of a shipment made by parcel post.
PEFCO _ Private Export Funding Corporation. A corporation that
lends to foreign buyers to finance exports from the United
States (see chapter 14).
Perils of the sea _ A marine insurance term used to designate heavy
weather, stranding, lightning, collision, and sea water
damage.
Phytosanitary inspection certificate _ A certificate, issued by the
U.S. Department of Agriculture to satisfy import regulations
for foreign countries, indicating that a U.S. shipment has
been inspected and is free from harmful pests and plant
diseases.
Political risk _ In export financing, the risk of loss due to such
causes as currency inconvertibility, government action
preventing entry of goods, expropriation or confiscation, and
war.
Pro forma invoice _ An invoice provided by a supplier prior to the
shipment of merchandise, informing the buyer of the kinds and
quantities of goods to be sent, their value, and important
specifications (weight, size, etc.).
Purchasing agent _ An agent who purchases goods in his or her own
country on behalf of foreign importers such as government
agencies and large private concerns.
Quota _ The quantity of goods of a specific kind that a country
permits to be imported without restriction or imposition of
additional duties.
Quotation _ An offer to sell goods at a stated price and under
specified conditions.
Remitting bank _ The bank that sends the draft to the overseas bank
for collection.
Representative _ See Foreign sales agent.
Revocable letter of credit _ A letter of credit that can be
canceled or altered by the drawee (buyer) after it has been
issued by the drawee's bank. Compare Irrevocable letter of
credit. (Also see chapter 13.)
Schedule B _ Refers to Schedule B, Statistical Classification of
Domestic and Foreign Commodities Exported from the United
States. All commodities exported from the United States must
be assigned a seven-digit Schedule B number.
Shipper's export declaration _ A form required for all shipments by
the U.S. Treasury Department and prepared by a shipper,
indicating the value, weight, destination, and other basic
information about an export shipment (see chapter 12).
Ship's manifest _ An instrument in writing, signed by the captain
of a ship, that lists the individual shipments constituting
the ship's cargo.
Sight draft (S/D) _ A draft that is payable upon presentation to
the drawee. Compare Date draft and Time draft (see chapter
13).
Spot exchange _ The purchase or sale of foreign exchange for
immediate delivery.
Standard industrial classification (SIC) _ A standard numerical
code system used by the U.S. government to classify products
and services.
Standard international trade classification (SITC) _ A standard
numerical code system developed by the United Nations to
classify commodities used in international trade.
Steamship conference _ A group of steamship operators that operate
under mutually agreed-upon freight rates.
Straight bill of lading _ A nonnegotiable bill of lading in which
the goods are consigned directly to a named consignee.
Tare weight _ The weight of a container and packing materials
without the weight of the goods it contains. Compare Gross
weight.
Tenor (of a draft) _ Designation of a payment as being due at
sight, a given number of days after sight, or a given number
of days after date.
Through bill of lading _ A single bill of lading converting both
the domestic and international carriage of an export shipment.
An air waybill, for instance, is essentially a through bill of
lading used for air shipments. Ocean shipments, on the other
hand, usually require two separate documents _ an inland bill
of lading for domestic carriage and an ocean bill of lading
for international carriage. Through bills of lading are
insufficient for ocean shipments. Compare Air waybill, Inland
bill of lading, and Ocean bill of lading.
Time draft _ A draft that matures either a certain number of days
after acceptance or a certain number of days after the date of
the draft. Compare Date draft and Sight draft (see chapter
13).
Tramp steamer _ A ship not operating on regular routes or
schedules.
Transaction statement _ A document that delineates the terms and
conditions agreed upon between the importer and exporter.
Trust receipt _ Release of merchandise by a bank to a buyer in
which the bank retains title to the merchandise. The buyer,
who obtains the goods for manufacturing or sales purposes, is
obligated to maintain the goods (or the proceeds from their
sale) distinct from the remainder of his or her assets and to
hold them ready for repossession by the bank.
Warehouse receipt _ A receipt issued by a warehouse listing goods
received for storage.
Wharfage _ A charge assessed by a pier or dock owner for handling
incoming or outgoing cargo.
Without reserve _ A term indicating that a shipper's agent or
representative is empowered to make definitive decisions and
adjustments abroad without approval of the group or individual
represented. Compare Advisory capacity