Accreditation
Certification by duly recognized body of the facilities, capability, objectivity, competence, and integrity of an agency, service, or operational group or individual to provide the specific service or operation needed. For example, the Registrar Accreditation Board accredits those organizations that register companies to the ISO 9000 series standards.

Ad Valorem
In proportion to the value.

Agent (Agt.)
A person authorized to transact business for, and in the name of, another person or company.

AMS
Automated Manifest System. An application that expedites the clearance of cargo for the subsequent release of containers when imported to the U.S. through electronic submission of cargo manifests in lieu of bulk paper manifests.

Arrival notice
An advice that the carrier sends to the consignee advising of goods coming forward for delivery. Pertinent information such as BL number, container number and total charges due from consignee etc, are included and sent to consignee prior to vessel arrival. This is done gratuitously by the carrier to ensure smooth delivery but there is no obligation by the carrier to do so. The responsibility to monitor the transit and present himself to take timely delivery still rests with the consignee.

Awkward cargo
Cargo of irregular size that can either be containerized (packed in container) or non-containerized (without equipment associated with) during transportation. It requires prior approval on a case by case basis before confirmation of booking.

Axle load
Maximum load permitted to be carried on each axle of a motor vehicle.

Bill of lading (B/L)
Official legal document representing ownership of cargo, a negotiable document to receive cargo, and the contract for cargo between the shipper and the carrier.

Block train
Railcars grouped in a train by destination so that segments (blocks) can be uncoupled and routed to different destinations as the train moves through various junctions. Eliminates the need to break up a train and sort individual railcars at each junction.

Blocking or bracing
Wood or metal supports to keep shipments in place or on railcars.

Bls.
Bales. A kind of customary packing unit.

Bobtail
Movement of a tractor, without trailer, over the highway.

Bona fide
In good faith.

Booking number
A reference number for bookings registered. It should be unique without duplication for a three-year period.

Bow
The front of a vessel.

Box
Common term for an ocean going freight container.

Boxcar
A closed freight car.

BPS
Business Process and Systems - section within ISD responsible for implementation of IRIS-2 and user support in system and business processes.

Break-bulk cargo
Goods shipped loose in the vessel抯 hold and not in a container.

British Thermal Unit (BTU)
The amount of heat required to produce a temperature change of one degree Fahrenheit in one pound of water.