Every word on the invoice.
80 terms that appear on shipping documents and invoices; each in one paragraph, with the Turkish term you will see on invoices from Turkish carriers and agents, and a link to the detailed page where one exists. Definitions give the generally accepted meaning; where your contract defines a term differently, the contract prevails. No tariffs or amounts are given.
No matching term. It may be covered in the knowledge base: all pages.
A
- A.TR movement certificate A.TR dolaşım belgesi
- A.TR is the certificate proving that industrial goods are in free circulation under the Turkey–EU customs union. It is not a proof of origin; anti-dumping duty on third-country goods still applies despite an A.TR. Related page →
- Air waybill (AWB) Hava konşimentosu (AWB)
- The air waybill (AWB) is the document of the air carriage contract. It does not represent the goods and cannot be endorsed; delivery is made against the consignee's proof of identity. The carrier's MAWB and the forwarder's HAWB are separate documents. Related page →
- All-in rate All-in navlun
- An all-in rate is a quote in which base freight and certain surcharges are bundled into one price. It has no standard definition; which items are included varies by carrier and forwarder, so the scope should be confirmed in writing. Related page →
- ATA / ATD ATA / ATD
- ATA (Actual Time of Arrival) is the actual arrival time, ATD (Actual Time of Departure) the actual departure time. ETA/ETD are estimates; clocks and delivery plans run on the actual times.
B
- BAF (Bunker Adjustment Factor) BAF
- BAF (Bunker Adjustment Factor) is the surcharge that passes changes in fuel prices through to the freight. It rests on a tariff the carrier publishes unilaterally and has no international regulatory definition. Related page →
- Bill of lading Konşimento
- A bill of lading is the document evidencing the carrier's receipt of the goods and the contract of carriage, and at the same time a document of title. If made out to order it is transferred by endorsement; at destination the goods are released only against an original. Related page →
- Block train Blok tren
- A block train is a complete train running for one shipper or forwarder from a single origin to a single destination without wagons being split at intermediate stations. For regular volume it gives a more predictable timetable than road. Related page →
- Bonded warehouse Antrepo
- A bonded warehouse is a place where goods are stored under customs supervision without import duties being paid. Goods in bond can be sold, handled or re-exported; duty falls due only on a declaration for free circulation.
- Booking Booking (rezervasyon)
- A booking reserves vessel space and equipment with the carrier. The booking confirmation states the pick-up depot and the gate-in, documentation and VGM cut-offs; missing them rolls the cargo to the next vessel.
C
- CAF (Currency Adjustment Factor) CAF
- CAF (Currency Adjustment Factor) is the surcharge that passes exchange-rate movements through to the freight. Like BAF it depends on the carrier's tariff and can be changed unilaterally. Related page →
- Cargo insurance Yük sigortası
- Cargo insurance is the policy covering loss of or damage to goods in transit. The level of cover is set by Institute Cargo Clauses (A), (B) or (C); the minimum under CIF is (C), under CIP (A). It is distinct from the carrier's liability cover. Related page →
- CBM (cubic metre) CBM (metreküp)
- CBM expresses the volume of a consignment in cubic metres, calculated as length × width × height. In LCL sea and groupage road transport, freight is usually charged on the greater of weight and volume. Related page →
- Certificate of origin Menşe şahadetnamesi
- A certificate of origin is the chamber-of-commerce-certified non-preferential document showing the country where goods were produced. Preferential tariff treatment needs a EUR.1 or an origin declaration; the certificate alone gives no reduction. Related page →
- CFS (Container Freight Station) CFS
- A CFS (Container Freight Station) is the facility where LCL cargo is stuffed into and, at destination, stripped from containers. For LCL the delivery and receipt point is the CFS; its charges arise separately from THC.
- Chargeable weight Ücrete esas ağırlık
- Chargeable weight is the weight on which freight is calculated: the greater of gross weight and volumetric weight. In air cargo IATA rounding rules apply; on road and LCL the coefficient varies by carrier. Related page →
- CIC (Container Imbalance Charge) CIC
- CIC (Container Imbalance Charge) is the surcharge reflecting the cost of repositioning empty containers that accumulate in certain directions. It is applied by lane and direction. Related page →
- CMR CMR
- CMR is the 1956 convention governing international road carriage contracts; the CMR note of the same name is the consignment note for that carriage. It does not represent the goods; the limits of carrier liability are set in the convention. Related page →
- Container number (ISO 6346) Konteyner numarası (ISO 6346)
- A container number under ISO 6346 consists of a three-letter owner code, a category letter (usually U), a six-digit serial number and a check digit. The check digit catches transcription errors; if it does not match, the number is wrong. Related page →
- Customs declaration Gümrük beyannamesi
- A customs declaration is the official statement lodging goods under a customs procedure. It carries the tariff code, value, origin, delivery term and document details; a wrong declaration brings penalties and delay. Related page →
- Customs value Gümrük kıymeti
- Customs value is the base on which import duties are calculated. In Turkey, freight and insurance up to the port of entry are included in the value; the delivery term therefore directly determines the value to be declared. Related page →
- Cut-off Cut-off
- A cut-off is the latest time by which the container, the shipping instruction or the VGM declaration must reach the carrier. Each is a separate cut-off; missing one rolls the cargo off the vessel and opens demurrage risk. Related page →
- CY (Container Yard) CY
- CY (Container Yard) is the terminal area where full and empty containers are received and released. For FCL the delivery point is the CY; the term "CY/CY" describes container-yard delivery at both ends.
D
- Delivery order (ordino) Ordino
- The delivery order (ordino) is the release instruction issued by the agent telling the terminal to whom an import container is to be delivered. Its function is not in dispute; charging it as a separate fee has been the subject of Turkish court decisions. Related page →
- Demurrage Demuraj
- Demurrage is the daily charge levied by the carrier when a full container stays at the terminal after free time expires. It stops at gate-out; not to be confused with storage, which is paid to the terminal. Related page →
- Detention Detention
- Detention is the daily charge levied by the carrier when a container is kept outside the terminal — at the consignee's premises or in transit — beyond free time. It stops when the empty container is returned to the depot. Related page →
- Documentary credit (letter of credit) Akreditif
- A documentary credit is a bank's undertaking to pay against a complying presentation of stipulated documents. The bank deals in documents, not goods; the bill of lading type and the "on board" notation therefore decide payment. Governed by UCP 600. Related page →
- Dunnage Dunnage (dolgu)
- Dunnage is the filler material — timber, airbags or foam — placed in gaps to stop cargo shifting and knocking together in transit. It takes up space and comes off the capacity calculation. Related page →
E
- EIR (Equipment Interchange Receipt) EIR
- The EIR (Equipment Interchange Receipt) is the hand-over record issued whenever a container changes hands between terminal, depot or haulier. The damage remarks on it are the only counter-evidence against a later damage invoice.
- EORI number EORI numarası
- EORI is the registration and identification number of every economic operator dealing with customs in the European Union. The consignee's EORI on imports into the EU and the shipper's on exports from it is mandatory on the declaration.
- ETA / ETD ETA / ETD
- ETA (Estimated Time of Arrival) is the estimated arrival time, ETD (Estimated Time of Departure) the estimated departure. They rest on the carrier's schedule and are not binding; clocks run on actual dates, not estimates.
- ETS surcharge ETS surşarjı
- The ETS surcharge passes through, per container, the cost of emission allowances the carrier buys for voyages within the EU Emissions Trading System. From 2026, 100% of emissions are covered, including methane and nitrous oxide. Related page →
- EUR-MED EUR-MED
- EUR-MED is the certificate proving preferential origin under the pan-Euro-Mediterranean cumulation system for goods containing inputs from several agreement countries. It replaces EUR.1 between countries applying that cumulation. Related page →
- EUR.1 movement certificate EUR.1 dolaşım sertifikası
- EUR.1 is the certificate proving preferential origin in trade with free-trade-agreement partners. Unlike A.TR it is a proof of origin; it is also used in EU trade for agricultural and ECSC products. Related page →
F
- FCL / LCL FCL / LCL
- FCL (Full Container Load) is carriage where one shipper uses the whole container; LCL (Less than Container Load) is carriage where several shippers' cargo is consolidated in one container. LCL freight is charged by volume or weight and delivery is at the CFS. Related page →
- FCR (Forwarder's Certificate of Receipt) FCR
- The FCR (Forwarder's Certificate of Receipt) is the FIATA document showing that the forwarder has received the goods for dispatch to a named consignee. It does not represent the goods and is not negotiable; it is used as proof of FOB/FCA delivery.
- Feeder Feeder
- A feeder is the smaller vessel or service carrying containers between ports the mainline vessels do not call at and the transshipment hub. A feeder leg adds a transshipment and a wait to the transit time.
- FIATA FBL FIATA FBL
- The FIATA FBL is the negotiable multimodal bill of lading issued by a freight forwarder. The issuing forwarder assumes responsibility for the whole carriage; only authorised firms may issue it, on serially numbered forms. Related page →
- Flat rack / Open top Flat rack / Open top
- A flat rack has no side walls or roof; an open top has a tarpaulin roof. Both are special containers for out-of-gauge and crane-loaded heavy pieces; they carry surcharges and need terminal planning. Related page →
- Free time Serbest zaman (free time)
- Free time is the number of days a container can be used without charge before the demurrage or detention clock starts. It varies by carrier, lane, direction and contract; whether calendar or working days count is stated in the tariff. Related page →
- Free zone Serbest bölge
- A free zone is an area deemed outside the customs territory, where goods can enter, be processed and stored duty-free. A sale from the free zone into Turkey counts as an import and requires a declaration.
- Freight forwarder Taşıma işleri organizatörü (forwarder)
- A freight forwarder plans transport on behalf of its customer, contracts with carriers and organises ancillary services such as documentation, customs and warehousing. In Turkey the activity requires a TİO authorisation certificate. Related page →
- Freight prepaid / collect Freight prepaid / collect
- Freight prepaid is the bill of lading notation showing that freight is paid by the shipper at origin; freight collect, by the consignee at destination. The notation covers freight only; destination THC and local charges must be asked about separately. Related page →
G
- Gate-in / Gate-out Gate-in / Gate-out
- Gate-in is the container's entry through the terminal gate, gate-out its exit. On exports gate-in decides whether the cut-off is met; on imports gate-out stops demurrage and starts detention. Related page →
- GRI (General Rate Increase) GRI
- A GRI (General Rate Increase) is a general freight increase the carrier applies from a given date. A booking accepted but not yet loaded may fall under the new tariff; quote validity should be read against the loading date. Related page →
- Groupage (consolidation) Parsiyel (groupage)
- Groupage is carriage in which several shippers' consignments are consolidated in one vehicle or container. Freight is charged by volume, weight or loading metre; because of collection and distribution, transit is longer than for a full load. Related page →
H
- High cube (HC) High cube (HC)
- A high cube is a container 30 cm taller than standard (2,896 mm external height). Because the floor dimensions are the same, single-layer pallet count does not change; the advantage appears in double stacking. Related page →
- House / Master bill of lading House / Master konşimento
- The master bill of lading is issued between the carrier and the forwarder, the house bill between the forwarder and its customer. The consignee collects against the house bill from the forwarder's agent, the forwarder against the master from the carrier; confusing the two stalls delivery. Related page →
- HS code / Turkish tariff position (GTİP) GTİP
- GTİP is the 12-digit code classifying goods in the Turkish customs tariff. Its first six digits are shared with the international Harmonized System (HS); duty rates, document requirements and preferential tariffs depend on this code.
I
- IMDG Code IMDG Kodu
- The IMDG Code is the set of IMO rules governing the carriage of dangerous goods by sea. Every dangerous substance is identified by a UN number and class; packing, labelling, segregation and declaration follow the code.
- Incoterms® Incoterms®
- Incoterms® are the eleven rules published by the ICC defining the place of delivery, risk transfer and cost split between seller and buyer. The version in force is 2020; the rules do not govern passing of title or payment. Related page →
- Intermodal / Multimodal İntermodal / Multimodal
- Intermodal transport carries cargo by more than one mode in the same load unit (container, trailer) without handling the goods themselves; multimodal is carriage by more than one mode under a single contract. The two are often combined in one shipment. Related page →
- Inward processing Dahilde işleme rejimi
- Inward processing is the customs procedure allowing inputs for goods to be exported to enter Turkey without import duties, or against a guarantee. If the commitment is not closed, duties fall due with interest.
- ISPS ISPS
- ISPS (International Ship and Port Facility Security Code) is the IMO code governing security measures at ships and port facilities. Its cost is passed on as an ISPS surcharge by the carrier or the terminal. Related page →
L
- Lashing Lashing (bağlama)
- Lashing is securing cargo inside a container or vehicle with straps, chains or ropes. The CTU Code at sea and EN 12195 on the road set the securing rules; inadequate lashing is the insurer's first objection in a claim.
- LDM (loading metre) LDM (yükleme metresi)
- An LDM (loading metre) is one metre of a road vehicle's length across its full width. Groupage road pricing is often based on LDM; non-stackable cargo counts as full loading metres. Related page →
- LSS (Low Sulphur Surcharge) LSS
- LSS (Low Sulphur Surcharge) reflects the extra cost of the obligation to burn low-sulphur fuel. Some carriers include it in BAF, others show it as a separate item. Related page →
N
- Notify party Notify party
- The notify party is the party named on the bill of lading to be informed on the vessel's arrival, usually the consignee or its customs broker. It confers no right to take delivery; that right depends on the consignee box and the bill type. Related page →
- NVOCC NVOCC
- An NVOCC (Non-Vessel Operating Common Carrier) is a transport operator that runs no vessels but issues its own bill of lading and assumes carrier liability. For the customer the counterpart is the NVOCC, which contracts separately with the line.
O
- OOG (out of gauge) OOG (gabari dışı)
- OOG (out of gauge) is cargo exceeding the internal dimensions of a standard container. It needs a flat rack or open top and, because it blocks neighbouring slots, carries extra freight and terminal planning. Related page →
P
- Packing list Çeki listesi
- The packing list shows the contents, quantity, gross and net weight and dimensions of every package in a shipment. It is used more than the invoice in customs inspection, insurance claims and load planning.
- PSS (Peak Season Surcharge) PSS
- PSS (Peak Season Surcharge) is the extra charge the carrier applies during the peak season on the back of demand. It can take effect mid-month; in fixed-price agreements check whether surcharges are fixed. Related page →
R
- Reefer Reefer
- A reefer is a container with its own refrigeration unit that holds a set temperature. It has a maximum stacking line for air circulation; the temperature log is evidence in a claim, and plugged-in waiting is charged separately. Related page →
- RO-RO RO-RO
- RO-RO (roll-on/roll-off) is carriage in which trailers and vehicles are driven on board over a ramp. On Turkey–Europe road shipments it is part of the intermodal link, with accompanied or unaccompanied trailers. Related page →
S
- Sea waybill Sea waybill
- A sea waybill is a sea transport document that does not represent the goods; delivery is made against the consignee's proof of identity rather than an original. Where payment is secured, it removes document waiting and demurrage risk. Related page →
- Seal Mühür (seal)
- A seal is the single-use lock fitted to the container door, its number recorded on the bill of lading. If the number does not match the document at destination, or the seal is broken, that is the first ground for a loss or shortage claim.
- Shipping instruction (SI) Shipping instruction (SI)
- The shipping instruction tells the carrier how to draw up the bill of lading — shipper, consignee, notify party, description of goods, marks. It has its own cut-off; a late or wrong SI brings amendment fees and delay. Related page →
- Spot / contract rate Spot / sözleşmeli navlun
- A spot rate is the market price of the day for a single shipment; a contract rate is a price agreed in advance for a period and volume. In a contract rate, which surcharges are fixed must be written item by item; otherwise the price is not fixed. Related page →
- Storage (terminal storage) Ardiye
- Storage is the fee charged by the port or terminal operator for a container waiting in the yard. It is paid to a different party from demurrage and runs on a separate clock; both charges can accrue for the same days. Related page →
- Surrender B/L Surrender B/L
- Surrender is handing the original bill of lading back to the carrier at the port of loading so that the goods are released at destination without a document. It has the same effect as a telex release and should not be used without payment security. Related page →
T
- T1 / T2 (NCTS) T1 / T2 (NCTS)
- T1 and T2 are transit declarations lodged in the NCTS system between the EU and common transit countries. T1 covers goods not in free circulation, T2 goods in free circulation; Turkey is a party to the common transit convention.
- Tare Dara
- Tare is the weight of the empty container, shown on the plate on its door. Payload is gross weight minus tare; the VGM declaration covers cargo plus tare. Related page →
- TARIC TARIC
- TARIC is the European Union's integrated customs tariff; it adds two digits to the CN code to show duty rates, quotas, anti-dumping measures and document requirements. On exports to the EU the importer's obligations are read from it.
- Telex release Telex release
- A telex release is the electronic release message the carrier sends to its destination agent once the original bill of lading has been surrendered at the port of loading. It removes the document courier; even with release given, a delivery order is still needed. Related page →
- TEU / FEU TEU / FEU
- A TEU (twenty-foot equivalent unit) is the 20-foot, an FEU (forty-foot equivalent unit) the 40-foot container equivalent; one FEU counts as two TEU. Vessel capacity and port statistics are given in TEU, while freight is priced by container type. Related page →
- THC (Terminal Handling Charge) THC
- THC (Terminal Handling Charge) is the charge for handling the container at the terminal — crane, yard moves, loading and discharge. It arises separately as OTHC at origin and DTHC at destination; under the C rules, whether destination THC is included in freight is the most frequent dispute. Related page →
- TIR Carnet TIR Karnesi
- The TIR Carnet is the document that stands in for the customs duty guarantee in international road transit by sealed vehicle under the TIR Convention. No customs inspection or deposit is required in the countries of transit. Related page →
- Transit time Transit süresi
- Transit time is the time a consignment takes from origin to destination. Carrier schedules give it port-to-port; door-to-door time grows once customs and inland legs are added. It is an estimate, not a commitment.
- Transshipment Aktarma (transshipment)
- Transshipment is moving cargo from one vessel to another at an intermediate port. It is unavoidable on lanes with no direct service; every transshipment adds waiting time and handling risk to the transit.
V
- VGM (Verified Gross Mass) VGM
- VGM (Verified Gross Mass) is the verified gross weight of a packed container — cargo plus tare — required under SOLAS. The shipper declares it; if it is not submitted by the VGM cut-off, the container is not loaded. Related page →
- Volumetric weight Hacim ağırlığı
- Volumetric weight is the consignment's volume converted to kilograms with a divisor. In air cargo the divisor is 6,000 cm³/kg; road has no universal coefficient. Freight is charged on the greater of gross and volumetric weight. Related page →
This glossary is for information only and is not legal or customs advice. Bases: ICC Incoterms® 2020, UCP 600, IMO SOLAS and IMDG, ISO 6346, FIATA document standards, Turkish Customs Law No. 4458. Where your contract gives a term a different meaning, the contract text prevails.