The language of freight, made clear. A practical reference for your next shipment conversation.
From the paperwork to the trailer, find out what each term means before you plan your move.
Definitions are educational summaries. Their meaning may vary by contract, carrier, jurisdiction, or operating context.
10 terms · A–Z
An extra service or condition beyond standard pickup and delivery.
A service or condition beyond basic pickup and delivery, such as liftgate or limited access.
If a destination warehouse lacks a loading dock and requires a hydraulic liftgate trailer, booking the liftgate accessorial upfront prevents driver refusal and re-delivery charges.
A document that describes the shipment and its transport instructions.
A shipment document describing the freight and transportation instructions.
When the carrier arrives at your pickup dock, the shipping lead and driver sign the BOL to formally transfer custody and confirm piece counts before departure.
The person or organization designated to receive a shipment.
The party designated to receive the shipment.
If a retail distribution center is listed as consignee, their receiving clerk inspects tamper-evident seals and signs delivery paperwork upon trailer arrival.
The person or organization sending or tendering a shipment.
The party tendering or sending the shipment.
As consignor, the supplier stages palletized freight, confirms legal gross weight limits, and provides commodity declarations prior to carrier pickup.
A short container move often linked to a port, rail ramp, or intermodal facility.
A short-distance container move often connected to a port, rail ramp, or intermodal facility.
Hauling an ocean container 18 miles from a St. Louis intermodal rail ramp to a regional cross-dock warehouse for devanning.
An LTL category shaped by freight density, handling, stowability, and liability.
An LTL classification influenced by density, handling, stowability, and liability.
Dense steel machine castings might be rated at Class 70, whereas lightweight, bulky plastic crates might fall under Class 250, directly impacting base LTL pricing.
A shipment that shares trailer capacity with other freight.
Less than truckload: freight sharing trailer capacity with other shipments.
Shipping 2 pallets weighing 1,600 lbs from St. Louis to Chicago where sharing trailer capacity with other freight is far more economical than booking a dedicated 53ft trailer.
Documentation showing that delivery occurred under the applicable process.
Proof of delivery: documentation that delivery occurred, subject to the applicable process.
An electronic signature and timestamp captured by the carrier upon receiver acceptance, essential for closing invoices and resolving claim disputes.
Common shorthand for refrigerated or temperature-controlled equipment.
Common shorthand for refrigerated or temperature-controlled equipment.
Transporting pharmaceutical solutions or fresh dairy products that require continuous 36°F setpoints documented by onboard digital temperature loggers.
A shipment planned around dedicated trailer capacity.
A shipment planned around dedicated trailer capacity.
Booking dedicated 53ft trailer capacity for 26 pallets (42,000 lbs) moving straight from shipper to consignee without intermediate cross-dock handling.
Take the next step with guides to equipment, preparation, and common shipping questions.
Share your freight, locations, and timing to start the conversation.
