Freight Glossary

A plain-language guide to common freight and logistics terminology.

Accessorial: An additional service beyond standard pickup and delivery that incurs an extra charge. Common accessorials include liftgate service, inside delivery, detention, and residential pickup or delivery.

Bill of Lading (BOL): A legal document issued by a carrier to a shipper that serves as a receipt for the freight, a contract for transportation, and a document of title. The BOL details the type, quantity, and destination of the goods.
Broker: A licensed intermediary that arranges freight transportation between shippers and carriers. Brokers do not own trucks or handle freight directly but coordinate logistics and negotiate rates on behalf of their customers.

Carrier: A company that physically transports freight using its own trucks, drivers, and equipment. Carriers may operate locally, regionally, or nationally and are licensed by the FMCSA.
Class (Freight): A standardized classification system (classes 50 through 500) established by the NMFTA that categorizes commodities for LTL pricing. Class is determined by density, stowability, handling, and liability characteristics.
Consignee: The person or company designated to receive a shipment at its destination. The consignee is named on the bill of lading and is responsible for accepting delivery of the freight.
Cross-dock: A logistics practice where freight is unloaded from an incoming truck and loaded directly onto an outbound truck with minimal or no storage time. Cross-docking reduces handling and speeds up transit.

Deadhead: The distance a truck travels empty, without a revenue-generating load. Deadhead miles increase carrier costs and are often factored into rate negotiations.
Detention: A charge assessed when a truck is held at a pickup or delivery location beyond the allotted free time (typically two hours). Detention compensates the carrier for lost productivity while waiting to be loaded or unloaded.
Drayage: The short-distance transport of freight, typically between a port, rail terminal, or intermodal facility and a warehouse or final destination. Drayage is a critical link in intermodal shipping.
Drop Trailer: A service where the carrier leaves an empty trailer at a shipper or consignee location for loading or unloading at their convenience. The carrier returns later to pick up the loaded or emptied trailer.

ETA (Estimated Time of Arrival): The projected date and time a shipment is expected to arrive at its destination. ETAs are provided by carriers and may be updated during transit based on conditions.
Expedited: A premium shipping service that guarantees faster-than-standard transit times. Expedited freight may involve dedicated trucks, team drivers, or priority handling to meet tight delivery deadlines.

Flatbed: An open trailer without sides or a roof, used for hauling oversized, heavy, or irregularly shaped freight that cannot fit in a standard enclosed trailer. Flatbed loads often require tarps and securement equipment.
Freight Class: See Class (Freight). A classification system used to determine LTL shipping rates based on the characteristics of the commodity being shipped.
FTL (Full Truckload): A shipping mode where a single shipment occupies an entire trailer. FTL shipments travel directly from origin to destination without stops to consolidate or deconsolidate other freight.

Hazmat: Short for hazardous materials. Freight classified as hazmat requires special handling, documentation, placarding, and certified drivers. Common hazmat classes include flammables, corrosives, and explosives.

Intermodal: A shipping method that uses two or more modes of transportation (such as truck and rail) to move freight. Intermodal shipping is often more cost-effective for long-haul lanes and reduces highway congestion.

LTL (Less Than Truckload): A shipping mode for freight that does not require an entire trailer. LTL shipments from multiple shippers are consolidated onto a shared trailer, with costs divided based on space and weight used.
Lumper: A third-party worker or service hired to load or unload freight at a warehouse or distribution center. Lumper fees are an accessorial charge that may be required at certain facilities.

Manifest: A document listing all cargo carried on a specific vehicle or shipment. The manifest includes descriptions, quantities, weights, and destinations for each piece of freight.

NMFC (National Motor Freight Classification): A standardized system managed by the National Motor Freight Traffic Association that assigns freight classes to commodities. The NMFC number and class determine LTL pricing.

Over-dimensional: Freight that exceeds standard legal dimensions for width, height, or length and may require special permits, escorts, or route planning. Over-dimensional loads are typically shipped on flatbed or specialized trailers.

Pallet: A flat platform (usually wooden) used to stack, store, and transport freight. Standard pallet dimensions are 48 by 40 inches. Palletized freight is easier to handle and reduces the risk of damage during shipping.
Partial: A shipping mode that falls between LTL and FTL. Partial freight occupies a significant portion of a trailer but not the full space. It offers fewer handling points than LTL and lower cost than FTL.
POD (Proof of Delivery): A document signed by the consignee confirming that a shipment was received. The POD typically includes the date and time of delivery, the condition of the freight, and any exceptions noted at delivery.
PRO Number: A progressive or tracking number assigned by the carrier to identify and track a specific shipment throughout the transportation process. PRO numbers are used for shipment visibility and billing.

Rate Confirmation: A document agreed upon by the broker and carrier that confirms the terms of a load, including the rate, pickup and delivery details, equipment type, and any special instructions.
Reefer: A refrigerated trailer or container used to transport temperature-sensitive freight such as food, pharmaceuticals, or chemicals. Reefer trailers maintain a set temperature range throughout transit.

Shipper: The person or company that sends freight from the origin point. The shipper is responsible for preparing, packaging, and tendering the goods to the carrier for transportation.
Spot Rate: A one-time freight rate quoted for an individual shipment based on current market conditions. Spot rates fluctuate with supply and demand and differ from contract rates, which are negotiated for a set period.

Tarp: A protective covering placed over freight on a flatbed trailer to shield it from weather and road debris during transit. Tarping is an accessorial charge and may be required for certain commodities.
Transit Time: The total time required to transport freight from pickup to delivery, typically measured in business days. Transit time varies based on distance, shipping mode, and service level.

Warehouse: A facility used for storing, staging, and distributing freight. Warehouses may offer value-added services such as cross-docking, inventory management, and order fulfillment.

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