Glossary

Term Description
A00 EU tax code indicating customs duty
A2M Access2Markets website from the European Commission to assist companies trading with the EU and EU companies exporting worldwide. Replaced the MADB in 2020
AA Association Agreement between the and a non-member country
AA Classified Management Enterprises - AEO equivalent scheme in China
AAD Administration Accompanying Document - used to control the movement of excise goods. Replaced by EMCS
AAEI American Association of Exporters and Importers found 1921
AANZFTA ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement
AANZTA ASEAN, Australia and New Zealand Trade Agreement
AB Appellate Body (WTO)
ABD Authorised by Declaration - replaced SiA for Special Procedures into the EU under UCC
ABI Automated Broker Interface
ABM Account Based Management
ABP Animal By-Prodcuts
Accounting Period The period (for deferment purposes) during which transactions are charged to the same period account for settlement
ACE Automated Commercial Environment
ACFTA (1) ASEAN + China Free Trade Agreement
ACFTA (2) African Continental Free Trade Agreement
ACI Advanced Caro Information
ACL Allowable Chain Load
ACP (1) African Caribbean and Pacific group of countries
ACP (2) Accredited Client Programme - a system of authorising compliant and secure importers and exporters similar to AEO in countries such as the UAE and India
ACP (3) Authorised Consignee Premises (under EU NCTS)
Actual Debt Duty and VAT calculated and due at import
ACWL Advisory Centre on WTO Law
Ad Valorem According to value.
ADB Asian Development Bank
ADR (1) Accord Dangeroux Routier - Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road agreement
ADR (2) Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR): Pilot scheme (2012) used independent HMRC facilitators to help customers resolve disputes with HMRC
ADS Aerospace, Defence & Security organisation (formed from EGAD)
Ad Valorem According to value.
AECA Arms Export Control Act (USA)
AEO Authorised Economic Operator - see also EOS
AEO (C) Customs Simplification only - approval under AEO scheme
AEO (F) Full approval under AEO scheme - being phased out under UCC
AEO (S) Supply Chain Safety & Security only - approval under AEO scheme
AEO-GT Authorised Economic Operator scheme - Guatemala
AER Anticipated Export Record (see ECS)
AES Automated Export System (term used in USA FTR)
AES (2) Approved Exporter Scheme used to authorise exporters under FTA/PTA so they can make invoice declarations to confirm the goods qualify under the agreement
AFAS ASEAN Framework Agreement on Services
AfDB African Development Bank
AFF Additional Freight Fee (Customs duty)
AFIS Anti-Fraud Information System
AFRA Air Freight Rates application - it is an online, real-time rate distribution and management application
AFTC Advanced Freight Targeting Capability (UK Border Force)
AFTD American Foreign Trade Definitions, out of date shipping terms not to be used.
AG Agricultural products (under WTO terms)
AG Australia Group (export controls)
AGR Agriculture (USA EAR license exception)
AHTN ASEAN Harmonised Tariff Nomenclature
AI Additional Information - an important field on the UK/EU customs entry
AICO ASEAN Industrial Cooperation Scheme
AIFTA ASEAN + India Free Trade Agreement
Air Express Operator see also courier/ integrator
AIS Automated Import System - part of ICS
AJCEP ASEAN + Japan Common Effective Preference
AKFTA ASEAN + S. Korea Free Trade Agreement
AL Ammunitions List the German equivalent of our Military List
ALADI Asociación Latinoamericana de Integración (English acronym LAIA) is a Latin American trade integration association based in Montevideo, Uruguay.
ALV Automatic Licence Verification
Amber Box WTO Term: Domestic support for agriculture that is considered to distort trade and therefore subject to reduction commitments. Technically calculated as 'Aggregate Measurement of Support' (AMS).
AMPS Administrative Monetary Penalty System - part of Canada's PIP scheme
AMS Aggregate Measurement of Support (see Amber Box)
AMSCI Advanced Manufacturing Supply Chain Initiative
AMU Arab Maghreb Union
ANDEAN Country Group - Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru & Venezuela
AOG Aircraft on Ground
AOR Advanced Origin Ruling (GB) - a system of obtaining a ruling on the origin of goods, often required when preference is being claimed
APA Advance Pricing Agreement (Not used in the EU)- an international customs valuation term
APEC Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation
APEO The APEO scheme is a fish specific extension to the AEO approval. Granted via DEFRA. Launched 2010
APHA Animal and Plant Health Agency (UK)
API active pharmaceutical ingredient
API Advanced Passenger Information (see also PNR)
APO Air Force Post Office
APP Adjusted Peak Performance (USA EAR license exception and computer
Approved Exporter Approval to make invoice declarations in the place of issuing EUR1 forms
APR Additional Permissive Re-exports (USA EAR license exception)
APTA Asia-Pacific Trade Agreement, previously named Bangkok Agreement
AQIS Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service
ARC Administrative Reference Code (Excise Goods)
ARF ASEAN Regional Forum
Article 22 (10) Dual-Use clause under which certain DUEC goods can move within the EU without requiring an export licence. From EU Regulation 483/2009
Article 50 the clause within the TFEU which starts the process of a member leaving the EU
Arusha Declaration WTO Declaration on Customs Integrity
ASEAN Association of South East Asian Nations (10 members) Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, The Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Myanmar
ASIC Aviation Security Identification Card
ASPAC Asia Pacific Region
ASYCUDA Automated System for Customs Data
AT Anti-Terrorism (Wassenaar Arrangement reason for control)
ATA Admission Temporaire/Temporary Admission procedure
ATAF African Tax Administration Forum
ATaR Advanced Tariff Ruling (GB) - a system of obtaining a definitive commodity code from customs for goods being imported
ATF Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (USA)
ATIGA ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement
ATMs Autonomous Trade Measures
ATP Autonomous Trade Preferences
ATPA Andean Trade Preferences Act
ATPCO Airline Tariff Publishing Company
ATR (1) Preference Movement Certificate (Turkey - EU Associate Trade Agreement) - no longer applicable to GB companies
ATR (2) Anticipated Transit Record
ATS Automated Targeting Systems (Customs)
ATT Arms Trade Treaty
ATT United Nations Arms Trade Treaty
AU African Union
AVE Ad Valorem Equivalent
AVG Average
AVS EAR exception for shipments of aircraft and vessels (USA)
AWB Air waybill (air freight).
AWT Advance Witholding Tax
Term Description
A00 EU tax code indicating customs duty
A2M Access2Markets website from the European Commission to assist companies trading with the EU and EU companies exporting worldwide. Replaced the MADB in 2020
AA Association Agreement between the and a non-member country
AA Classified Management Enterprises - AEO equivalent scheme in China
AAD Administration Accompanying Document - used to control the movement of excise goods. Replaced by EMCS
AAEI American Association of Exporters and Importers found 1921
AANZFTA ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement
AANZTA ASEAN, Australia and New Zealand Trade Agreement
AB Appellate Body (WTO)
ABD Authorised by Declaration - replaced SiA for Special Procedures into the EU under UCC
ABI Automated Broker Interface
ABM Account Based Management
ABP Animal By-Prodcuts
Accounting Period The period (for deferment purposes) during which transactions are charged to the same period account for settlement
ACE Automated Commercial Environment
ACFTA (1) ASEAN + China Free Trade Agreement
ACFTA (2) African Continental Free Trade Agreement
ACI Advanced Caro Information
ACL Allowable Chain Load
ACP (1) African Caribbean and Pacific group of countries
ACP (2) Accredited Client Programme - a system of authorising compliant and secure importers and exporters similar to AEO in countries such as the UAE and India
ACP (3) Authorised Consignee Premises (under EU NCTS)
Actual Debt Duty and VAT calculated and due at import
ACWL Advisory Centre on WTO Law
Ad Valorem According to value.
ADB Asian Development Bank
ADR (1) Accord Dangeroux Routier - Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road agreement
ADR (2) Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR): Pilot scheme (2012) used independent HMRC facilitators to help customers resolve disputes with HMRC
ADS Aerospace, Defence & Security organisation (formed from EGAD)
Ad Valorem According to value.
AECA Arms Export Control Act (USA)
AEO Authorised Economic Operator - see also EOS
AEO (C) Customs Simplification only - approval under AEO scheme
AEO (F) Full approval under AEO scheme - being phased out under UCC
AEO (S) Supply Chain Safety & Security only - approval under AEO scheme
AEO-GT Authorised Economic Operator scheme - Guatemala
AER Anticipated Export Record (see ECS)
AES Automated Export System (term used in USA FTR)
AES (2) Approved Exporter Scheme used to authorise exporters under FTA/PTA so they can make invoice declarations to confirm the goods qualify under the agreement
AFAS ASEAN Framework Agreement on Services
AfDB African Development Bank
AFF Additional Freight Fee (Customs duty)
AFIS Anti-Fraud Information System
AFRA Air Freight Rates application - it is an online, real-time rate distribution and management application
AFTC Advanced Freight Targeting Capability (UK Border Force)
AFTD American Foreign Trade Definitions, out of date shipping terms not to be used.
AG Agricultural products (under WTO terms)
AG Australia Group (export controls)
AGR Agriculture (USA EAR license exception)
AHTN ASEAN Harmonised Tariff Nomenclature
AI Additional Information - an important field on the UK/EU customs entry
AICO ASEAN Industrial Cooperation Scheme
AIFTA ASEAN + India Free Trade Agreement
Air Express Operator see also courier/ integrator
AIS Automated Import System - part of ICS
AJCEP ASEAN + Japan Common Effective Preference
AKFTA ASEAN + S. Korea Free Trade Agreement
AL Ammunitions List the German equivalent of our Military List
ALADI Asociación Latinoamericana de Integración (English acronym LAIA) is a Latin American trade integration association based in Montevideo, Uruguay.
ALV Automatic Licence Verification
Amber Box WTO Term: Domestic support for agriculture that is considered to distort trade and therefore subject to reduction commitments. Technically calculated as 'Aggregate Measurement of Support' (AMS).
AMPS Administrative Monetary Penalty System - part of Canada's PIP scheme
AMS Aggregate Measurement of Support (see Amber Box)
AMSCI Advanced Manufacturing Supply Chain Initiative
AMU Arab Maghreb Union
ANDEAN Country Group - Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru & Venezuela
AOG Aircraft on Ground
AOR Advanced Origin Ruling (GB) - a system of obtaining a ruling on the origin of goods, often required when preference is being claimed
APA Advance Pricing Agreement (Not used in the EU)- an international customs valuation term
APEC Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation
APEO The APEO scheme is a fish specific extension to the AEO approval. Granted via DEFRA. Launched 2010
APHA Animal and Plant Health Agency (UK)
API active pharmaceutical ingredient
API Advanced Passenger Information (see also PNR)
APO Air Force Post Office
APP Adjusted Peak Performance (USA EAR license exception and computer
Approved Exporter Approval to make invoice declarations in the place of issuing EUR1 forms
APR Additional Permissive Re-exports (USA EAR license exception)
APTA Asia-Pacific Trade Agreement, previously named Bangkok Agreement
AQIS Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service
ARC Administrative Reference Code (Excise Goods)
ARF ASEAN Regional Forum
Article 22 (10) Dual-Use clause under which certain DUEC goods can move within the EU without requiring an export licence. From EU Regulation 483/2009
Article 50 the clause within the TFEU which starts the process of a member leaving the EU
Arusha Declaration WTO Declaration on Customs Integrity
ASEAN Association of South East Asian Nations (10 members) Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, The Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Myanmar
ASIC Aviation Security Identification Card
ASPAC Asia Pacific Region
ASYCUDA Automated System for Customs Data
AT Anti-Terrorism (Wassenaar Arrangement reason for control)
ATA Admission Temporaire/Temporary Admission procedure
ATAF African Tax Administration Forum
ATaR Advanced Tariff Ruling (GB) - a system of obtaining a definitive commodity code from customs for goods being imported
ATF Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (USA)
ATIGA ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement
ATMs Autonomous Trade Measures
ATP Autonomous Trade Preferences
ATPA Andean Trade Preferences Act
ATPCO Airline Tariff Publishing Company
ATR (1) Preference Movement Certificate (Turkey - EU Associate Trade Agreement) - no longer applicable to GB companies
ATR (2) Anticipated Transit Record
ATS Automated Targeting Systems (Customs)
ATT Arms Trade Treaty
ATT United Nations Arms Trade Treaty
AU African Union
AVE Ad Valorem Equivalent
AVG Average
AVS EAR exception for shipments of aircraft and vessels (USA)
AWB Air waybill (air freight).
AWT Advance Witholding Tax
Term Description
B00 EU tax code indicating VAT
B2B Business to Business Sales
B2C Business to Consumer Sales
B/D Banker's Draft (payment term).
B/E Bill of Exchange (payment term).
B/L Bill of Lading (sea freight).
BAG Baggage (USA EAR license exception)
Batch In the context of EDIFACT messages a batch is a number of messages sent   in sequence in the same transmission
BC Beneficiary countries under a trade agreement
BCC British Chambers of Commerce
BCP Border Control Posts (for veterinary and similar checks on imported   goods)
BDC Beneficiary Developing Countries - under GSP
BDV Brussels Definition of Value
BEIS UK Department for Enterprise Innovation and Skills formed July 2016. Took on some functions from the BIS
BERR Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (formerly the   DTI, replaced by BIS and currently called DIT)
BERTI Binding European Retrieval of Tariff Information - the UK national BTI   system
BF Border Force (UK)
BIA British Importers Association - closed 1999
BIFA British International Freight Association
Binding Tariff Commitment not to increase a rate of duty beyond an agreed level. Once a   rate of duty is bound, it may not be raised without compensating the affected   parties.
BIP Bond Insurance Policy - a UK Export Finance service
BIS (1) UK Department for Business Innovations & Skills (replaced BERR from   June 2009) replaced by DIT in July 2017
BIS (2) USA Bureau of Industry and Security
BIT Bilateral investment treaty
BLA Bilateral labour agreement
Blue Box WTO Term: Amber Box types of support, but with constraints on production   or other conditions designed to reduce the distortion. Currently not limited.
Blue Line AEO equivalent customs compliance scheme in Brazil
BoD Bill of Discharge
BoE (1) Bank of England
BoE (2) Bill of Exchange (also see B/E)
BOI Binding Origin Information Ruling (EI + NI) - a system of obtaining a   ruling on the origin of goods, often required when preference is being   claimed
BOM (1) Bill of Materials
BOM (2) Border Operating Module - UK procedures for trading after EU Exit
Bonded Goods Goods stored under the charge of customs, sealed until import duties are   paid or goods taken out of the country.
Bonded Warehouse Warehouse where bonded goods are stored.
BOP Balance of Payments
Break Bulk The dismantling of a large consignment into smaller lots for onward   distribution to more than one customer.
Brexit Conjoined word created to mean Britains Exit from the European Union
BRICs International trade term coined in 2001 to describe the rise of key   markets: Brazil, Russia, India and China
BRIICS OECD abbreviation adding Indonesia and South Africa to the normal BRIC   acronym
BSI British Standards Institute
BTA Bilateral Trade Agreement
BTA Border Tax Adjustment
BTI Binding Tariff Information Ruling (EU + NI) - a system of obtaining a   definitive commodity code from customs for goods being imported
BTIA Bilateral Trade and Investment Agreement
BTN Brussels Tariff Nomenclature (1959)
BU Business Unit
Bulk Cargo Loose cargo, not unitised, not loaded in containers or on pallets
BVI Binding Value Information Ruling (Not used in EU)
BXA Bureau of Export Administration (USA)
Term Description
B00 EU tax code indicating VAT
B2B Business to Business Sales
B2C Business to Consumer Sales
B/D Banker's Draft (payment term).
B/E Bill of Exchange (payment term).
B/L Bill of Lading (sea freight).
BAG Baggage (USA EAR license exception)
Batch In the context of EDIFACT messages a batch is a number of messages sent   in sequence in the same transmission
BC Beneficiary countries under a trade agreement
BCC British Chambers of Commerce
BCP Border Control Posts (for veterinary and similar checks on imported   goods)
BDC Beneficiary Developing Countries - under GSP
BDV Brussels Definition of Value
BEIS UK Department for Enterprise Innovation and Skills formed July 2016. Took on some functions from the BIS
BERR Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (formerly the   DTI, replaced by BIS and currently called DIT)
BERTI Binding European Retrieval of Tariff Information - the UK national BTI   system
BF Border Force (UK)
BIA British Importers Association - closed 1999
BIFA British International Freight Association
Binding Tariff Commitment not to increase a rate of duty beyond an agreed level. Once a   rate of duty is bound, it may not be raised without compensating the affected   parties.
BIP Bond Insurance Policy - a UK Export Finance service
BIS (1) UK Department for Business Innovations & Skills (replaced BERR from   June 2009) replaced by DIT in July 2017
BIS (2) USA Bureau of Industry and Security
BIT Bilateral investment treaty
BLA Bilateral labour agreement
Blue Box WTO Term: Amber Box types of support, but with constraints on production   or other conditions designed to reduce the distortion. Currently not limited.
Blue Line AEO equivalent customs compliance scheme in Brazil
BoD Bill of Discharge
BoE (1) Bank of England
BoE (2) Bill of Exchange (also see B/E)
BOI Binding Origin Information Ruling (EI + NI) - a system of obtaining a   ruling on the origin of goods, often required when preference is being   claimed
BOM (1) Bill of Materials
BOM (2) Border Operating Module - UK procedures for trading after EU Exit
Bonded Goods Goods stored under the charge of customs, sealed until import duties are   paid or goods taken out of the country.
Bonded Warehouse Warehouse where bonded goods are stored.
BOP Balance of Payments
Break Bulk The dismantling of a large consignment into smaller lots for onward   distribution to more than one customer.
Brexit Conjoined word created to mean Britains Exit from the European Union
BRICs International trade term coined in 2001 to describe the rise of key   markets: Brazil, Russia, India and China
BRIICS OECD abbreviation adding Indonesia and South Africa to the normal BRIC   acronym
BSI British Standards Institute
BTA Bilateral Trade Agreement
BTA Border Tax Adjustment
BTI Binding Tariff Information Ruling (EU + NI) - a system of obtaining a   definitive commodity code from customs for goods being imported
BTIA Bilateral Trade and Investment Agreement
BTN Brussels Tariff Nomenclature (1959)
BU Business Unit
Bulk Cargo Loose cargo, not unitised, not loaded in containers or on pallets
BVI Binding Value Information Ruling (Not used in EU)
BXA Bureau of Export Administration (USA)
Term Description
C79 Monthly VAT statement issued by HMRC to show VAT paid on imports which can be reclaimed by the company under normal VAT procedures
C88 Form The document reference number given in the UK to the SAD Form
C to B Customs to Business (information chain)
C to C Customs to Customs (information chain)
C to G Customs to Government (information chain)
C&F Cost & Freight very old abbreviation for the Incoterms® rule CFR
C-TPAT Customs + Trade Partnership Against Terrorism - an accreditation program for USA importers. To be extended to exporting companies so it can be used alongside the AEO scheme
C.EU Civil Aircraft End-Use procedure
CAA Civil Aviation Authority.
Cabotage In maritime transport, sea shipping between ports of the same country, usually along coasts.
CACB Brazil Confederation of Trade and Business
CACM Central American Common Market - comprised of Costa Rica, Panama, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras & Nicaragua
CACO Central Asian Cooperation Organisation
CACR Cuban Assets Control Regulations (USA)
CAD Cash Against Documents (payment term).
CAIS Central American Integration System
CAN Andean Community
CAN Customs Alert Network (Customs modernisation tool)
CAO Cargo Aircraft Only
CAO Computer Audit Officers
CAP Counterfeiting and Piracy Group (WCO)
CAP (1) Common Agricultural Policy
CAP (2) Compliance/ Corrective Action Plan
CARICOM Caribbean Community
CARIFORUM Caribbean Forum of African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) States
Carnet Booklet issued by ICC to make customs clearance on temporary movements easier.
Carrier The provider of the main means of transport in a shipment, e.g. airline, vessel operator, trucker.
CAS Chemical Abstracts Service
CAT Conventional Arms Transfer Policy
CB Chemical Biological (USA EAR reason for control)
CBD Cash Before Delivery (payment term).
CBD Convention on Biological Diversity
CBP Customs and Border Protection Agency - USA Customs Authority
CBR Carrier Baggage Voucher - similar to the MUCR but relates to shipments declared by small parcel express operators
CBSA Canada Border Services Agency
CBTPA United States-Caribbean Basin Trade Partnership Act
CC (1) Commodity code - an abbreviation used within the EU
CC (2) Centralised Clearance - the future! Under this the trader or forwarder in the EU will decide which member state to make Customs declarations in regardless of the physical location of the goods
CC (3) Change in Chapter (Preference origin qualifying rules)
CC (4) Crime Control concerns (see CCC (4))
CC Committee Customs Code Committee
CC(5) Consolidated Code the consolidation of the EU Customs Code in 2012 prior to the modernisations of the legislation in 2013 (in force 2016)
CCAMLR Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources
CCAT Commerce Classification Automated Tracking System (USA)
CCC (1) Customs Cooperation Council
CCC (2) Customs Code Committee
CCC (3) China Compulsory Certification
CCC (4) Commerce Country Chart (USA)
CCCN Customs Cooperation Council Nomenclature
CCF Customs Clearance Fee
CCG Customs Comprehensive Guarantee
CCI Centralised Clearance for Import (EU)
CCIP Customs Code Implementing Provisions
CCIQ ChinaCustoms Inspection and Quarantine
CCL Commerce Control List USA EAR regulations
CCMAA Agreement on Cooperation and Mutual Administrative Assistance in Customs Matters between EU and Japan (signed 30 Jan 2008)
CCN Common Communications Networks - part of ECS
CCOIC China Chamber of International Commerce
CCP cargo clearance permit
CCP Customs Civil Penalties
CCR Customs Clearance Requests
CCS-UK Cargo Community System-UK. The name given to the computerised cargo processing system operating in the UK major airports.
CCT Central Community Transit - see CT below
CCTO Central Community Transit Office
CCV Committee on Customs Valuation (WCO)
CCVO Combined Certificate of Value and Origin
CD Council Directive
CDM Customs Data Model
CDS Customs Declaration System - replacement system for CHIEF in UK
CE Mark Conformit© Europeanne (European Conformity) - compliance procedure and mark
CEC (1) Council for Economic Cooperation (NAFTA)
CEC (2) Commission of the European Communities
CECA Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement
CED Common Entry Document for the Feed and Food of Non-Animal Origin
CEE Center of Excellence & Expertise (USA CBP)
CEFTA Canada-Europe Free Trade Association Agreement
CEMA79 Customs & Excise Management Act 1979 - current UK law
CEMAC Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa
CEN Customs Enforcement Network (Customs modernisation tool)
CENcomm Customs Enforcement Network communication tool (Customs modernisation tool)
CENMaT Customs Enforcement Management Team
CEPA Closer Economic Partnership Agreement (China)
CEPT Common effective preference tariff
Certified Document such as a CofO stamped by a Chamber of Commerce (also see legalised)
CESS A customs duty levied on certain goods only, similar to excise
CET Common External Tariff
CETA Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement between EU and Canada
CFR (1) Cost and Freight (an Incoterms® rule).
CFR (2) Code of Federal Regulations (USA)
CFS Container Freight Station
CFSP (1) Customs Freight Simplified Procedure - simplified import entry procedure used in the UK
CFSP (2) Common Foreign Security Policy EU supply chain security scheme
CFW EU Competency Framework for AEO
CGC Customs Golden Client scheme - the security accreditiation system in Malaysia
CGEA Community General Export Authorisation - an EU version of an open licence now superceded by UGEAs (see below)
Chargeable Weight The actual gross weight or volume weight of a shipment, whichever is higher (except in cases where a lower charge for a higher minimum weight applies)
CHIEF Customs Handling of Import/Export Freight.
CHIEF Classic Name given to the current Customs Computer operating in the UK while it is undergoing replacement Customs Handling of Import and Export Freight
CIAT Inter-American Center of Tax Administrations
CIE Customs Input Entry - a way of submitting customs declarations into CHIEF
CIF (1) Cost, Insurance & Freight (an Incoterms® rule).
cif (2) jargon - cost, insurance, freight
CIM Conditions of international carriage of goods by rail.
CIN Customer Information Note (issued by UK DEFRA)
CIP (1) Carriage, Insurance paid to (an Incoterms® rule).
CIP (2) Customs Information Papers
CIQ ChinaInspection and Quarantine Services
CIS (1) Commonwealth of Independent States (comprising former Soviet Union countries - 12 members)
CIS (2) Carnet Indemnity Scheme
CISADA Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act of 2010 (USA)
CITEX Customs, International Trade & Excise (UK Customs)
CIV Civilian (USA EAR license enception)
CIVETS International trade term describing major developing markets; Colombia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Egypt, Turkey and South Africa
CJ Council Jurisdiction
CJEU Court of Justice - European Union
Clear / Clearance The clearance of an entry is the point at which revenue associated with the declaration has been paid or secured and the entry can no longer be queried or amended on CHIEF. The goods can now be released into the declared Customs procedure or can be removed under a transit arrangement (subject to any commercial considerations)
Clearing Agent The party appointed to submit entries to customs authorities on behalf of the buyer will handle duty, VAT and other financial accruals on behalf of his client.
CMAA Customs Co-operative and Mutual Assistance in Customs Matters Agreement - 1997 Agreement between USA and EU.
CMR Conditions of international carriage of goods by road.
CN (1) European Community combined nomenclature (based on Harmonised System adopted by EC).
CN (2) Cryptography Note - explanatory note for Category 5 Part 2 of dual-use list
CNEN Combined Nomenclature Explanatory Notes
CNL Competitive Need Limitation - under GSP
COCOM Co-ordinating Committee of Multilateral Export Controls (replaced by Wassenaar Arrangement)
Codex Alimentaruis FAO/WHO commission that deals with international standards on food safety.
COF Contribution to funding of social security (Customs duty)
CofO Certificate of Origin
COM/I Commercial Invoice.
COMESA Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa
Commodity Code Code used to identify goods under a tariff number
Commodity Rates The rate applies to the shipment of a specific product between specified ports. It is lower than the general cargo rate.
Consignee Importer (Buyer) - destination address.
Consignor Exporter (Seller) - party who instigates the export.
Consol (Consolidation) Bulking together of several shipments to same destination to reduce cost.
Controlled Goods Goods which are subject to control under the Export of Goods (Control) Order 2008.
Controlled Technology Technology relating to the design, development production and use of controlled goods, therefore subject to restrictions at export
COOL Country of Origin Labelling
CoRAP Community Rolling Action Plan
COT Consumption Tax
COTIF Convention Concerning International Carriage by Rail (Convention relative aux transports internationaux ferroviaires)
COTS Commercial off the shelf
Countertrade A generic term to identify a reciprocal form of export contract involving barter and other methods of trading
Country of Departure The country from which a means of transport departs.
Country of Destination The country to which goods are transported as final country for delivery.
Country of Origin Country in which the goods have been produced or manufactured.
Country Whence Consigned Country from which the goods are shipped, not related to origin of goods
Courier Company see also integrator/ air express operator
CP Contracting Party (to a WTO/WCO instrument or tool)
CPC Customs Procedure Code.
CPD Carnet Carnet de Passage en Douane
CPEI Now known as Special Procedures - Customs Procedures with Economic Impact - a whole range of special procedures giving traders faster clearance of goods, removing duty/VAT liabilities, or extending the period of time duty needs to be paid, eg IPR, OPR, Warehousing, End-Use
CPL European Regulation on Classification, Labelling and Packaging of Substances and Mixtures
CPM Cost plus, Method - an international customs valuation term
CPT Carriage Paid to (an Incoterms®  rule).
CR Customs Regulation
CRI Cargo Report Information
CRM (1) Common Risk Management framework: EU scheme being adopted in all members states setting a standard system of risk management checks on freight. Will be essential when Centralised Clearance comes in. Also see RMF
CRM (2) Customer Relationship Manager (HMRC officer responsible for your business activities)
CRO WTO Committee on Rules of Origin
CRP CHIEF Replacement Programme
CRR Common Risk Rules (part of EU Security System)
CRTA Committee on Regional Trade Agreements
CRTA Committee on Regional Trade Agreements
CS Central Site (for administrating AEO application in the UK)
CSA Customs Self Assessment Programme - part of Canada PIP security accreditation scheme
CSCM Corporate Supply Chain Management
CSDP Common Security & Defence Policy (EU)
CSDR Community System of Duty Reliefs
CSE Customs Supervised Exports (replaces LCP under UCC)
CSI (1) Container Security Initiative
CSI (2) Common Service Interface (part of ECS)
CSP Community System Providers
CSR Corporate Social Responsibility
CT Community Transit - see also NCTS
CTC (1) Common Transit Convention
CTC (2) Change in Tariff Classification - qualifying criteria type under preference agreements
CTD Committee on Trade and Development
CTD WTO Committee on Trade and Development.
CTDSS ā€œ Special Sessionsā€, ie, negotiations meetings, of the WTO Committee on Trade and Development.
CTE The WTO Committee on Trade and Environment.
CTESS ā€œ Special Sessionsā€, ie, negotiations meetings, of the WTO Committee on Trade and Environment.
CTG Council for Trade in Goods oversees WTO agreements on goods, including the ATC.
CTH Change in Tariff Heading (Preference origin qualifying rules)
CTN Cargo Tracking Note
CTP Composite Theoretical Performance (USA EAR license exception and processor control parameter).
CTS (1) Cargo Tracking System
CTS (2) Compliant Trader Schemes - AEO equivalent customs compliance scheme in Rwanda and Tanzania
CTS (3) Consolidated Tariff Schedules Database
CTS (4) World Trade Organization (WTO) Consolidated Tariff Schedules
CTSH Change to Tariff Sub Heading (Preference origin qualifying rules)
CUG Customs Union Group
CUP Comparable Uncontrolled Price - an international customs valuation term
CUSDEC Customs Declaration
CUSRES Customes Response (from an import or export declaration)
Customs Authority that polices and controls international trade statements, declarations and undertake safety and security checks
Customs 2013 The EU scheme to rewrite all customs regulations for 2013 - delayed
Customs Regimes Customs procedures available to traders and forwarders to simplify the movement of goods, declarations or to permit the suspension or waiver of customs duties, eg IPR, etc - see also CPEI
Customs Warehousing A special regime that allows traders and forwarders to hold/ store goods without the need to complete full declarations at the time of arrival.
CV Customs Value
CVA WTO Customs Value Agreement also abbreviation ACV
CW Customs Warehouse
CWC (1) Chemical Weapons Convention
CWC (2) Country Whence Consigned
CWO Cash with order (payment term).
Term Description
C79 Monthly VAT statement issued by HMRC to show VAT paid on imports which can be reclaimed by the company under normal VAT procedures
C88 Form The document reference number given in the UK to the SAD Form
C to B Customs to Business (information chain)
C to C Customs to Customs (information chain)
C to G Customs to Government (information chain)
C&F Cost & Freight very old abbreviation for the Incoterms® rule CFR
C-TPAT Customs + Trade Partnership Against Terrorism - an accreditation program for USA importers. To be extended to exporting companies so it can be used alongside the AEO scheme
C.EU Civil Aircraft End-Use procedure
CAA Civil Aviation Authority.
Cabotage In maritime transport, sea shipping between ports of the same country, usually along coasts.
CACB Brazil Confederation of Trade and Business
CACM Central American Common Market - comprised of Costa Rica, Panama, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras & Nicaragua
CACO Central Asian Cooperation Organisation
CACR Cuban Assets Control Regulations (USA)
CAD Cash Against Documents (payment term).
CAIS Central American Integration System
CAN Andean Community
CAN Customs Alert Network (Customs modernisation tool)
CAO Cargo Aircraft Only
CAO Computer Audit Officers
CAP Counterfeiting and Piracy Group (WCO)
CAP (1) Common Agricultural Policy
CAP (2) Compliance/ Corrective Action Plan
CARICOM Caribbean Community
CARIFORUM Caribbean Forum of African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) States
Carnet Booklet issued by ICC to make customs clearance on temporary movements easier.
Carrier The provider of the main means of transport in a shipment, e.g. airline, vessel operator, trucker.
CAS Chemical Abstracts Service
CAT Conventional Arms Transfer Policy
CB Chemical Biological (USA EAR reason for control)
CBD Cash Before Delivery (payment term).
CBD Convention on Biological Diversity
CBP Customs and Border Protection Agency - USA Customs Authority
CBR Carrier Baggage Voucher - similar to the MUCR but relates to shipments declared by small parcel express operators
CBSA Canada Border Services Agency
CBTPA United States-Caribbean Basin Trade Partnership Act
CC (1) Commodity code - an abbreviation used within the EU
CC (2) Centralised Clearance - the future! Under this the trader or forwarder in the EU will decide which member state to make Customs declarations in regardless of the physical location of the goods
CC (3) Change in Chapter (Preference origin qualifying rules)
CC (4) Crime Control concerns (see CCC (4))
CC Committee Customs Code Committee
CC(5) Consolidated Code the consolidation of the EU Customs Code in 2012 prior to the modernisations of the legislation in 2013 (in force 2016)
CCAMLR Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources
CCAT Commerce Classification Automated Tracking System (USA)
CCC (1) Customs Cooperation Council
CCC (2) Customs Code Committee
CCC (3) China Compulsory Certification
CCC (4) Commerce Country Chart (USA)
CCCN Customs Cooperation Council Nomenclature
CCF Customs Clearance Fee
CCG Customs Comprehensive Guarantee
CCI Centralised Clearance for Import (EU)
CCIP Customs Code Implementing Provisions
CCIQ ChinaCustoms Inspection and Quarantine
CCL Commerce Control List USA EAR regulations
CCMAA Agreement on Cooperation and Mutual Administrative Assistance in Customs Matters between EU and Japan (signed 30 Jan 2008)
CCN Common Communications Networks - part of ECS
CCOIC China Chamber of International Commerce
CCP cargo clearance permit
CCP Customs Civil Penalties
CCR Customs Clearance Requests
CCS-UK Cargo Community System-UK. The name given to the computerised cargo processing system operating in the UK major airports.
CCT Central Community Transit - see CT below
CCTO Central Community Transit Office
CCV Committee on Customs Valuation (WCO)
CCVO Combined Certificate of Value and Origin
CD Council Directive
CDM Customs Data Model
CDS Customs Declaration System - replacement system for CHIEF in UK
CE Mark Conformit© Europeanne (European Conformity) - compliance procedure and mark
CEC (1) Council for Economic Cooperation (NAFTA)
CEC (2) Commission of the European Communities
CECA Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement
CED Common Entry Document for the Feed and Food of Non-Animal Origin
CEE Center of Excellence & Expertise (USA CBP)
CEFTA Canada-Europe Free Trade Association Agreement
CEMA79 Customs & Excise Management Act 1979 - current UK law
CEMAC Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa
CEN Customs Enforcement Network (Customs modernisation tool)
CENcomm Customs Enforcement Network communication tool (Customs modernisation tool)
CENMaT Customs Enforcement Management Team
CEPA Closer Economic Partnership Agreement (China)
CEPT Common effective preference tariff
Certified Document such as a CofO stamped by a Chamber of Commerce (also see legalised)
CESS A customs duty levied on certain goods only, similar to excise
CET Common External Tariff
CETA Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement between EU and Canada
CFR (1) Cost and Freight (an Incoterms® rule).
CFR (2) Code of Federal Regulations (USA)
CFS Container Freight Station
CFSP (1) Customs Freight Simplified Procedure - simplified import entry procedure used in the UK
CFSP (2) Common Foreign Security Policy EU supply chain security scheme
CFW EU Competency Framework for AEO
CGC Customs Golden Client scheme - the security accreditiation system in Malaysia
CGEA Community General Export Authorisation - an EU version of an open licence now superceded by UGEAs (see below)
Chargeable Weight The actual gross weight or volume weight of a shipment, whichever is higher (except in cases where a lower charge for a higher minimum weight applies)
CHIEF Customs Handling of Import/Export Freight.
CHIEF Classic Name given to the current Customs Computer operating in the UK while it is undergoing replacement Customs Handling of Import and Export Freight
CIAT Inter-American Center of Tax Administrations
CIE Customs Input Entry - a way of submitting customs declarations into CHIEF
CIF (1) Cost, Insurance & Freight (an Incoterms® rule).
cif (2) jargon - cost, insurance, freight
CIM Conditions of international carriage of goods by rail.
CIN Customer Information Note (issued by UK DEFRA)
CIP (1) Carriage, Insurance paid to (an Incoterms® rule).
CIP (2) Customs Information Papers
CIQ ChinaInspection and Quarantine Services
CIS (1) Commonwealth of Independent States (comprising former Soviet Union countries - 12 members)
CIS (2) Carnet Indemnity Scheme
CISADA Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act of 2010 (USA)
CITEX Customs, International Trade & Excise (UK Customs)
CIV Civilian (USA EAR license enception)
CIVETS International trade term describing major developing markets; Colombia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Egypt, Turkey and South Africa
CJ Council Jurisdiction
CJEU Court of Justice - European Union
Clear/Clearance The clearance of an entry is the point at which revenue associated with the declaration has been paid or secured and the entry can no longer be queried or amended on CHIEF. The goods can now be released into the declared Customs procedure or can be removed under a transit arrangement (subject to any commercial considerations)
Clearing Agent The party appointed to submit entries to customs authorities on behalf of the buyer will handle duty, VAT and other financial accruals on behalf of his client.
CMAA Customs Co-operative and Mutual Assistance in Customs Matters Agreement - 1997 Agreement between USA and EU.
CMR Conditions of international carriage of goods by road.
CN (1) European Community combined nomenclature (based on Harmonised System adopted by EC).
CN (2) Cryptography Note - explanatory note for Category 5 Part 2 of dual-use list
CNEN Combined Nomenclature Explanatory Notes
CNL Competitive Need Limitation - under GSP
COCOM Co-ordinating Committee of Multilateral Export Controls (replaced by Wassenaar Arrangement)
Codex Alimentaruis FAO/WHO commission that deals with international standards on food safety.
COF Contribution to funding of social security (Customs duty)
CofO Certificate of Origin
COM/I Commercial Invoice.
COMESA Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa
Commodity Code Code used to identify goods under a tariff number
Commodity Rates The rate applies to the shipment of a specific product between specified ports. It is lower than the general cargo rate.
Consignee Importer (Buyer) - destination address.
Consignor Exporter (Seller) - party who instigates the export.
Consol (Consolidation) Bulking together of several shipments to same destination to reduce cost.
Controlled Goods Goods which are subject to control under the Export of Goods (Control) Order 2008.
Controlled Technology Technology relating to the design, development production and use of controlled goods, therefore subject to restrictions at export
COOL Country of Origin Labelling
CoRAP Community Rolling Action Plan
COT Consumption Tax
COTIF Convention Concerning International Carriage by Rail (Convention relative aux transports internationaux ferroviaires)
COTS Commercial off the shelf
Countertrade A generic term to identify a reciprocal form of export contract involving barter and other methods of trading
Country of Departure The country from which a means of transport departs.
Country of Destination The country to which goods are transported as final country for delivery.
Country of Origin Country in which the goods have been produced or manufactured.
Country Whence Consigned Country from which the goods are shipped, not related to origin of goods
Courier Company see also integrator/ air express operator
CP Contracting Party (to a WTO/WCO instrument or tool)
CPC Customs Procedure Code.
CPD Carnet Carnet de Passage en Douane
CPEI Now known as Special Procedures - Customs Procedures with Economic Impact - a whole range of special procedures giving traders faster clearance of goods, removing duty/VAT liabilities, or extending the period of time duty needs to be paid, eg IPR, OPR, Warehousing, End-Use
CPL European Regulation on Classification, Labelling and Packaging of Substances and Mixtures
CPM Cost plus, Method - an international customs valuation term
CPT Carriage Paid to (an Incoterms®  rule).
CR Customs Regulation
CRI Cargo Report Information
CRM (1) Common Risk Management framework: EU scheme being adopted in all members states setting a standard system of risk management checks on freight. Will be essential when Centralised Clearance comes in. Also see RMF
CRM (2) Customer Relationship Manager (HMRC officer responsible for your business activities)
CRO WTO Committee on Rules of Origin
CRP CHIEF Replacement Programme
CRR Common Risk Rules (part of EU Security System)
CRTA Committee on Regional Trade Agreements
CRTA Committee on Regional Trade Agreements
CS Central Site (for administrating AEO application in the UK)
CSA Customs Self Assessment Programme - part of Canada PIP security accreditation scheme
CSCM Corporate Supply Chain Management
CSDP Common Security & Defence Policy (EU)
CSDR Community System of Duty Reliefs
CSE Customs Supervised Exports (replaces LCP under UCC)
CSI (1) Container Security Initiative
CSI (2) Common Service Interface (part of ECS)
CSP Community System Providers
CSR Corporate Social Responsibility
CT Community Transit - see also NCTS
CTC (1) Common Transit Convention
CTC (2) Change in Tariff Classification - qualifying criteria type under preference agreements
CTD Committee on Trade and Development
CTD WTO Committee on Trade and Development.
CTDSS ā€œ Special Sessionsā€, ie, negotiations meetings, of the WTO Committee on Trade and Development.
CTE The WTO Committee on Trade and Environment.
CTESS ā€œ Special Sessionsā€, ie, negotiations meetings, of the WTO Committee on Trade and Environment.
CTG Council for Trade in Goods oversees WTO agreements on goods, including the ATC.
CTH Change in Tariff Heading (Preference origin qualifying rules)
CTN Cargo Tracking Note
CTP Composite Theoretical Performance (USA EAR license exception and processor control parameter).
CTS (1) Cargo Tracking System
CTS (2) Compliant Trader Schemes - AEO equivalent customs compliance scheme in Rwanda and Tanzania
CTS (3) Consolidated Tariff Schedules Database
CTS (4) World Trade Organization (WTO) Consolidated Tariff Schedules
CTSH Change to Tariff Sub Heading (Preference origin qualifying rules)
CUG Customs Union Group
CUP Comparable Uncontrolled Price - an international customs valuation term
CUSDEC Customs Declaration
CUSRES Customes Response (from an import or export declaration)
Customs Authority that polices and controls international trade statements, declarations and undertake safety and security checks
Customs 2013 The EU scheme to rewrite all customs regulations for 2013 - delayed
Customs Regimes Customs procedures available to traders and forwarders to simplify the movement of goods, declarations or to permit the suspension or waiver of customs duties, eg IPR, etc - see also CPEI
Customs Warehousing A special regime that allows traders and forwarders to hold/ store goods without the need to complete full declarations at the time of arrival.
CV Customs Value
CVA WTO Customs Value Agreement also abbreviation ACV
CW Customs Warehouse
CWC (1) Chemical Weapons Convention
CWC (2) Country Whence Consigned
CWO Cash with order (payment term).
Term Description
D-Trade Dept of State electronic export licensing system (USA)
DA Delegated Acts (of the EU UCC). DA are mandated under the Customs   Code (see also IA)
DAERA Department for Agriculture and Rural Affairs (Ireland)
DAF Delivered at Frontier (Incoterms® Rule under the 2000 set but not in the   2010 terms)
DAN Deferment Account Number
DAP Delivered At Place - new term in Incoterms 2010® Rules
DAT Delivered At Terminal - term in Incoterms 2010® Rules not applicable in   Incoterms 2020 Rules
DCFTA Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area between Georgia and Moldova (Dec   2011)
DCS Destination Control Statement (USA EAR)
DDA (1) Duty Deferment Account
DDA (2) Doha Development Agenda (WTO)
DDP Delivered Duties Paid - an Incoterms® Rule
DDS (1) Data Dissemination System
DDS (2) Duty Deferment Scheme
DDTC Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (USA ITAR)
DDU Delivered Duties Unpaid (Incoterms® Rule under the 2000 set but not in   the 2010 terms)
DECC Department of Energy & Climate Change (UK)
Deferment Credit account opened with HMRC so import duty and VAT is paid once a   month not prior to the goods being released. Requires a bank guarantee to   cover 2 months worth of duty/VAT spend. Also see SIVA
DEP Designated Export Point - a place (not a port or airport) authorised by   HMRC for the export clearance of freight
DEQ Delivered ex Quay (Incoterms® Rule under the 2000 set but not in the 2010   terms)
DES Delivered ex Ship (Incoterms® Rule under the 2000 set but not in the 2010   terms)
DESA United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs
DESO Defence Export Services Organisation (replaced by DSO)
DESP Directorate of Export Services Policy
DeXEU UK Department for Exiting the EU - formed July 2016
DFAR Defense (DoD) Federal Acquisition Regulations
DfID Department for International Development - now part of FCDO
DG Directorate General - EU Commission
DGFT Director General of Foreign Trade, Ministry of Commerce (Government of   India)
DGN Dangerous Goods Note
Direct Export Goods exiting the UK for direct transport to a non-EU country, ie not   travelling through any other member state (see also Indirect Export)
Distance selling rules The rules that define how VAT eligible sales from the UK to end customers   (business to consumer, B2C) in EU countries are handled
Distortian Trade Term: When prices and production are higher or lower than levels   that would usually exist in a competitive market.
DIT Department for International Trade (replaced BIS in UK July 2016)
DM (1) Data Model (WCO Tool)
DM (2) Developed Markets
DMS Duty Management System
DNL Do Not Load - possible instruction under ECS or ICS security systems
DoC Department of Commerce (USA)
DoD Department of Defense (USA)
DOJ Department of Justice (USA)
DOS Department of State (USA)
DOT Department of Transport (USA)
DPL Denied Parties List (USA - EAR)
DPO Documentary Proof of Origin
DPU Delivered at Place Unloaded - an Incoterms Rule introduced in 2020
DR (1) Direct Representation - the   declarant (forwarder) acts as an agent on behalf of the importer/ exporter   and therefore does not have any legal responsibility if errors are made.   Unless an agent has written proof they are contracted as "DR" they   will assumed to be acting under Indirect Representation (IR) by HMRC
DR (2) Document Reference - an abbreviation used on customs entries before the   title of a document used to support the presentation to customs, eg import   licence
DSAB Digital Services at the Border (UK term)
DSAS Defence Security and Assurance Services (UK MoD)
DSB Dispute Settlement Body (part of WTO)
DSO Defence and Security Organisation (part of UKTI)
DSP5 Dept of State Proforma for Permanent export unclassified hardware and or   tech data
DSP61 Dept of State Proforma Temporary import unclassified hardware being   returned
DSP73 Dept of State Proforma Temporary export unclassified hardware
DSP83 Dept of State Re-transfer and Use assurance (not a licence)
DSP84 Dept of State Proforma Permanent export and temporary export/import   classified hardware/tech data
DSP119 Amendment form for a DSP (not licence)
DSP (1) Department of State Proforma - ITAR document/permit
DSP (2) Dispute Settlement Panel (part of WTO)
DSS Diplomatic Security Service
DSU Dispute Settlement Understanding (DSU)
DTA Double Taxation Agreements
DTAG Defence Trade Advisory Group (USA)
DTC Defense Trade Control (USA)
DTCT US-UK Defence Trade Co-operation Treaty
DTI (1) Department of Trade & Industry - currently named DIT (other names   BERR and BIS)
DTI (2) Direct Trader Input
DTI System A trade computer system that supports a network of trade users and   provides access to CHIEF IES. Inventory Systems are usually associated with a   DTI System
DTrade 2 Effective April 2009 upgrade in the USA Dept of State electronic export   licensing system
DTSA Defense Technology Security Agency (ITAR/EAR)
DTT Double Taxation Treaty
DU Dual-Use
Dual-Use Goods Goods not specifically designed, modified or adapted for military use but   of a high technological level as listed in the Strategic Control List as   defined by the Wassenaar Agreement. Meaning they require an export licence to   leave the UK/EU
DUCR Declarant's Unique Consignment Reference
DUEC Dual-Use European Community - EU list of Wassenaar Arrangement controlled   goods
Duty Levy imposed on the landed value of goods imported. Controlled by the   Customs Authorities the percentage is based on the commodity code applicable   to the goods.
DVC Delivery Verification Certificate
DWP Department of Work and Pensions
Term Description
D-Trade Dept of State electronic export licensing system (USA)
DA Delegated Acts (of the EU UCC). DA are mandated under the Customs   Code (see also IA)
DAERA Department for Agriculture and Rural Affairs (Ireland)
DAF Delivered at Frontier (Incoterms® Rule under the 2000 set but not in the   2010 terms)
DAN Deferment Account Number
DAP Delivered At Place - new term in Incoterms 2010® Rules
DAT Delivered At Terminal - term in Incoterms 2010® Rules not applicable in   Incoterms 2020 Rules
DCFTA Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area between Georgia and Moldova (Dec   2011)
DCS Destination Control Statement (USA EAR)
DDA (1) Duty Deferment Account
DDA (2) Doha Development Agenda (WTO)
DDP Delivered Duties Paid - an Incoterms® Rule
DDS (1) Data Dissemination System
DDS (2) Duty Deferment Scheme
DDTC Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (USA ITAR)
DDU Delivered Duties Unpaid (Incoterms® Rule under the 2000 set but not in   the 2010 terms)
DECC Department of Energy & Climate Change (UK)
Deferment Credit account opened with HMRC so import duty and VAT is paid once a   month not prior to the goods being released. Requires a bank guarantee to   cover 2 months worth of duty/VAT spend. Also see SIVA
DEP Designated Export Point - a place (not a port or airport) authorised by   HMRC for the export clearance of freight
DEQ Delivered ex Quay (Incoterms® Rule under the 2000 set but not in the 2010   terms)
DES Delivered ex Ship (Incoterms® Rule under the 2000 set but not in the 2010   terms)
DESA United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs
DESO Defence Export Services Organisation (replaced by DSO)
DESP Directorate of Export Services Policy
DeXEU UK Department for Exiting the EU - formed July 2016
DFAR Defense (DoD) Federal Acquisition Regulations
DfID Department for International Development - now part of FCDO
DG Directorate General - EU Commission
DGFT Director General of Foreign Trade, Ministry of Commerce (Government of   India)
DGN Dangerous Goods Note
Direct Export Goods exiting the UK for direct transport to a non-EU country, ie not   travelling through any other member state (see also Indirect Export)
Distance selling rules The rules that define how VAT eligible sales from the UK to end customers   (business to consumer, B2C) in EU countries are handled
Distortian Trade Term: When prices and production are higher or lower than levels   that would usually exist in a competitive market.
DIT Department for International Trade (replaced BIS in UK July 2016)
DM (1) Data Model (WCO Tool)
DM (2) Developed Markets
DMS Duty Management System
DNL Do Not Load - possible instruction under ECS or ICS security systems
DoC Department of Commerce (USA)
DoD Department of Defense (USA)
DOJ Department of Justice (USA)
DOS Department of State (USA)
DOT Department of Transport (USA)
DPL Denied Parties List (USA - EAR)
DPO Documentary Proof of Origin
DPU Delivered at Place Unloaded - an Incoterms Rule introduced in 2020
DR (1) Direct Representation - the   declarant (forwarder) acts as an agent on behalf of the importer/ exporter   and therefore does not have any legal responsibility if errors are made.   Unless an agent has written proof they are contracted as "DR" they   will assumed to be acting under Indirect Representation (IR) by HMRC
DR (2) Document Reference - an abbreviation used on customs entries before the   title of a document used to support the presentation to customs, eg import   licence
DSAB Digital Services at the Border (UK term)
DSAS Defence Security and Assurance Services (UK MoD)
DSB Dispute Settlement Body (part of WTO)
DSO Defence and Security Organisation (part of UKTI)
DSP5 Dept of State Proforma for Permanent export unclassified hardware and or   tech data
DSP61 Dept of State Proforma Temporary import unclassified hardware being   returned
DSP73 Dept of State Proforma Temporary export unclassified hardware
DSP83 Dept of State Re-transfer and Use assurance (not a licence)
DSP84 Dept of State Proforma Permanent export and temporary export/import   classified hardware/tech data
DSP119 Amendment form for a DSP (not licence)
DSP (1) Department of State Proforma - ITAR document/permit
DSP (2) Dispute Settlement Panel (part of WTO)
DSS Diplomatic Security Service
DSU Dispute Settlement Understanding (DSU)
DTA Double Taxation Agreements
DTAG Defence Trade Advisory Group (USA)
DTC Defense Trade Control (USA)
DTCT US-UK Defence Trade Co-operation Treaty
DTI (1) Department of Trade & Industry - currently named DIT (other names   BERR and BIS)
DTI (2) Direct Trader Input
DTI System A trade computer system that supports a network of trade users and   provides access to CHIEF IES. Inventory Systems are usually associated with a   DTI System
DTrade 2 Effective April 2009 upgrade in the USA Dept of State electronic export   licensing system
DTSA Defense Technology Security Agency (ITAR/EAR)
DTT Double Taxation Treaty
DU Dual-Use
Dual-Use Goods Goods not specifically designed, modified or adapted for military use but   of a high technological level as listed in the Strategic Control List as   defined by the Wassenaar Agreement. Meaning they require an export licence to   leave the UK/EU
DUCR Declarant's Unique Consignment Reference
DUEC Dual-Use European Community - EU list of Wassenaar Arrangement controlled   goods
Duty Levy imposed on the landed value of goods imported. Controlled by the   Customs Authorities the percentage is based on the commodity code applicable   to the goods.
DVC Delivery Verification Certificate
DWP Department of Work and Pensions
Terms Description
E2 Page 2 of an import entry in the UK - shows duty/VAT paid and valuation   details
E3+3 Countries involved in the Iran JCPOA - France, Germany, UK and China,   Russia, USA
e-AAD Electronic version of the Administrative Accompanying Document required   for excise movements see EMCS
E-BPG Export Best Practice Guide
e-BTI Electronic version of BTI - UK HMRC
e-RPA Electronic Version of the RPA
EAA Export Administration Act (EAR)
EAC East African Community
EAD Export Accompanying Document for indirect exports to meet Security &   Safety Regulations in the EU
EAEC Eurasian Economic Community - the Customs Union of Russia, Belarus and   Kazakhstan
EAN European Article Number
EAP East Asia and Pacific
EAR Export Administration Regulations - USA equivalent to DUEC
EAR99 A category of goods under the USA Dual-use control list which are not   normally subject to export licensing regulations but are controlled when   being shipped to denied parties/destinations. Not to be confused with NLR
eATA Project to develop an electronic ATA Carnet
EAU The Eurasian Union - economic and political union of Belarus, Kazakhstan,   Kyrgyzstan, the Russian Federation, Tajikstan and other post-Soviet states
EBA Everything But Arms (EU)
EBS English Business Survey
EBTI European Binding Tariff Information
EC (1) European Community - term used to identify the group of countries for   trade purposes
EC (2) European Commission
ECA Economic Committee for Africa
ECCAS Economic Community of Central African States
ECCN Export Control Classification Number - category of goods caught on the   USA EAR dual-use list
ECEG Electronic Crime Expert Group
ECGD Export Credits Guarantee Department - now UK Export Finance (UKEF)
ECHA European Chemicals Agency
ECICS European Customs Inventory of Chemical Substance
ECJ European Court of Justice
ECJU Export Control Joint Unit -part of DIT it comprises ECO, FCDO, MOD
ECN+ Explicit Congestion Notification (part of ECS)
eCO online electronic Certificate of Origin
ECO (1) Export Control Organisation - part of DIT
ECO (2) Economic Code - used in customs regimes to establish a company's right   not to pay or suspend import customs duties
ECO (3) Export Compliance Officer (usually used in USA)
ECOWAS Economic Community of Western African States
ECP Economic Competitiveness Package (WCO)
ECR Export Control Reform (USA ITAR/EAR)
ECS Export Control System (nothing to do with export licences) - this is the   EU safety and security control systems requiring pre-departure messages for   all goods leaving the MS of the EU
ECS1 Fiscal control part of the ECS, replacing the manual SAD Copy 3 for   indirect exports - happened 1st July 2009
ECS2 Introduces the Pre-Departure Safety and Security Measures
ECTIB European Defence Technological and Industrial Base
ECTN Electronic Cargo Tracking Note
ECU European Currency Unit
EDB Economic Development Board
EDI Electronic Data Interchange
EEA European Economic Area - a group of countries using the same fiscal   regulations, comprised of the EU member states plus Iceland, Norway and   Liechtenstein
EEC Eurasian Economic Commission began work 1-1-2012
EEI Electronic Export Information (USA FTR)
EEP Export Enhancement Programme programme of US export subsidies given   generally to compete with subsidized agricultural exports from the EU on   certain export markets.
EEU Eurasian Economic Union 2015
EFA Export Finance Advisors - part of UKEF
EFTA European Free Trade Association: Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and   Switzerland
EGAD UK organisation Exporters Group Aerospace & Defence (see ADS)
EGS Environmental Goods and Services
EHC Export Health Certificates
EI Encryption Item (reason for export control)
EIA (1) Economic Integration Agreement
EIA (2) Environmental Impact Assessment
EIDR Entry Into Declarants Records
ELA Export Licence Applications
EM Emerging Markets
EMCS Excise Movement Control System
EMS Export Management System (USA EAR)
EMU Economic and Monetary Union
ENC Encryption (USA EAR license exception)
Enhanced CHIEF Name given to the programme for updating the UK Customs Computer by 2017   Customs Handling of Import and Export Freight
ENO Entry Number - the formal customs declaration reference
ENP European Neighbourhood Policy
ENS Entry Summary Declaration (ICS) - see also ESD
EnU End-Use procedures in the EU
EO (1) Economic Operator (see also EORI and AEO)
EO (2) Executive Order (USA government)
EOD Export on Demand System
EOI Evidence of identity
EoR Exporter of Record
EORI Economic Operator Registration Identification number - used in the GB and   EU (also see AEO). In the UK it evolved from the VAT and TURN - see also EOS
EOS Economic Operator Systems = AEO and EORI
EP European Parliament
EPA Economic Partnership Agreements - are a scheme to create a Free Trade   Area (FTA) between the EU and the ACP countries
EPCI Enhanced Proliferation Control Initiative (EAR proliferation rules)
EPD Energy Products Directive
EPSS Excise Payment Security System
EPU Entry Processing Unit - the point where goods are declared to Customs or   where specific activities take place
EPZ Export Processing Zone
ERTS Enhanced Remote Transit Shed - specially authorised warehouses approved   to hold freight prior to customs clearance. Tends to be freight forwarders'   premises
ESCAP Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific
ESCAP United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific
ESCI European Supply Chain Institute
ESD Exit Summary Declaration - the export declaration under ECS (see also   ENS)
ESL Export Sales List - used in conjunction with the Intrastat report. It   states the EU VAT registration numbers of companies supplied goods from the   UK. Issued monthly
ESM Emergency Safeguard Mechanism
EST Environmentally-sound technology.
EST&P Environmentally-sound technology and products.
ET External Transit (EU term)
ETA Estimated Time of Arrival
ETID Europe, Trade and International Directorate
ETS (1) Estimated Time of Shipment
ETS (2) Electronic Transit System - new name (2016) for the NCTS
ETSF External Temporary Storage Facility
ETSF (AD) Approved Depository - External Temporary Storage Facility
ETSF (SP) Approved CFSP Temporary Storage Facilities - External Temporary   Storage Facility
ETSI European Telecommunications Standards Institute
EU (1) European Union - legal name of the EC
EU (2) Abbreviation used by Customs to express any End-Use duty relief procedure
EUGA Alternative abbreviation for the UEGA European Union General (Export)   Authorisations for dual-use 3rd country exports
EUMOFA European Market Observatory for Fishery and Aquaculture Products
EUR1 Form European Preference/Movement Certificate used between EU countries and   countries with whom the EU has bilateral trade agreements. Confirms goods   qualify under the origin rules of the agreement(s). Also applicable for GB exports to UK FTA   partners
EUR-MED Similar to the EUR1 Form the EUR-MED is used when goods can only meet the   rules of preference origin by taking into consideration material from   Mediterranean countries not in the EU. Also applicable for GB exports to UK   FTA partners
EurAsEC Eurasian Economic Community - Customs Union currently with Russia,   Belarus and Kazakhstan (also known as EAEC)
EUS End User Statement
EUU End User Undertaking - declaration made by customer to confirm the   end-use of goods subject to export controls. Need to obtain or confirm   correct use of export licences.
EWP Ex-works Price abbreviation used in FTA/PTAs
EX1 Not an official term but was used to indicate the NES Export Declaration   needed when goods cross EU MS by road prior to being exported into a non-EU   country (indirect export). Replaced by the EAD
Excise Duty A national tax levied on "luxury" goods - in the EU goods   subject to excise taxes are hydrocarbon oils, alcohol and tobacco. As this is   a domestic tax goods in these categories moving around the EU come under   customs control (see EMCS)
Export Licence A specific approval granted by the authorities (UK = ECO) approving goods   caught on a control list (eg dual-use or military list) to be exported out of   the UK.
EXPY Average product/ income of a country's export basket (see PRODY below)
EXS Exit Summary Declaration under ECS - see also ESD
Extra-territoriality Additional controls by the origin authorities on strategic goods and   technology after it has left the origin country or manufactured   overseas. Current in USA but also Australia, Japan and UK on some items.
EXW EXW - an Incoterms® Rule more appropriate for domestic trade than   international transactions
exworks jargon: means the price of goods only includes the cost of goods, packing   and profit
Terms Description
E2 Page 2 of an import entry in the UK - shows duty/VAT paid and valuation   details
E3+3 Countries involved in the Iran JCPOA - France, Germany, UK and China,   Russia, USA
e-AAD Electronic version of the Administrative Accompanying Document required   for excise movements see EMCS
E-BPG Export Best Practice Guide
e-BTI Electronic version of BTI - UK HMRC
e-RPA Electronic Version of the RPA
EAA Export Administration Act (EAR)
EAC East African Community
EAD Export Accompanying Document for indirect exports to meet Security &   Safety Regulations in the EU
EAEC Eurasian Economic Community - the Customs Union of Russia, Belarus and   Kazakhstan
EAN European Article Number
EAP East Asia and Pacific
EAR Export Administration Regulations - USA equivalent to DUEC
EAR99 A category of goods under the USA Dual-use control list which are not   normally subject to export licensing regulations but are controlled when   being shipped to denied parties/destinations. Not to be confused with NLR
eATA Project to develop an electronic ATA Carnet
EAU The Eurasian Union - economic and political union of Belarus, Kazakhstan,   Kyrgyzstan, the Russian Federation, Tajikstan and other post-Soviet states
EBA Everything But Arms (EU)
EBS English Business Survey
EBTI European Binding Tariff Information
EC (1) European Community - term used to identify the group of countries for   trade purposes
EC (2) European Commission
ECA Economic Committee for Africa
ECCAS Economic Community of Central African States
ECCN Export Control Classification Number - category of goods caught on the   USA EAR dual-use list
ECEG Electronic Crime Expert Group
ECGD Export Credits Guarantee Department - now UK Export Finance (UKEF)
ECHA European Chemicals Agency
ECICS European Customs Inventory of Chemical Substance
ECJ European Court of Justice
ECJU Export Control Joint Unit -part of DIT it comprises ECO, FCDO, MOD
ECN+ Explicit Congestion Notification (part of ECS)
eCO online electronic Certificate of Origin
ECO (1) Export Control Organisation - part of DIT
ECO (2) Economic Code - used in customs regimes to establish a company's right   not to pay or suspend import customs duties
ECO (3) Export Compliance Officer (usually used in USA)
ECOWAS Economic Community of Western African States
ECP Economic Competitiveness Package (WCO)
ECR Export Control Reform (USA ITAR/EAR)
ECS Export Control System (nothing to do with export licences) - this is the   EU safety and security control systems requiring pre-departure messages for   all goods leaving the MS of the EU
ECS1 Fiscal control part of the ECS, replacing the manual SAD Copy 3 for   indirect exports - happened 1st July 2009
ECS2 Introduces the Pre-Departure Safety and Security Measures
ECTIB European Defence Technological and Industrial Base
ECTN Electronic Cargo Tracking Note
ECU European Currency Unit
EDB Economic Development Board
EDI Electronic Data Interchange
EEA European Economic Area - a group of countries using the same fiscal   regulations, comprised of the EU member states plus Iceland, Norway and   Liechtenstein
EEC Eurasian Economic Commission began work 1-1-2012
EEI Electronic Export Information (USA FTR)
EEP Export Enhancement Programme programme of US export subsidies given   generally to compete with subsidized agricultural exports from the EU on   certain export markets.
EEU Eurasian Economic Union 2015
EFA Export Finance Advisors - part of UKEF
EFTA European Free Trade Association: Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and   Switzerland
EGAD UK organisation Exporters Group Aerospace & Defence (see ADS)
EGS Environmental Goods and Services
EHC Export Health Certificates
EI Encryption Item (reason for export control)
EIA (1) Economic Integration Agreement
EIA (2) Environmental Impact Assessment
EIDR Entry Into Declarants Records
ELA Export Licence Applications
EM Emerging Markets
EMCS Excise Movement Control System
EMS Export Management System (USA EAR)
EMU Economic and Monetary Union
ENC Encryption (USA EAR license exception)
Enhanced CHIEF Name given to the programme for updating the UK Customs Computer by 2017   Customs Handling of Import and Export Freight
ENO Entry Number - the formal customs declaration reference
ENP European Neighbourhood Policy
ENS Entry Summary Declaration (ICS) - see also ESD
EnU End-Use procedures in the EU
EO (1) Economic Operator (see also EORI and AEO)
EO (2) Executive Order (USA government)
EOD Export on Demand System
EOI Evidence of identity
EoR Exporter of Record
EORI Economic Operator Registration Identification number - used in the GB and   EU (also see AEO). In the UK it evolved from the VAT and TURN - see also EOS
EOS Economic Operator Systems = AEO and EORI
EP European Parliament
EPA Economic Partnership Agreements - are a scheme to create a Free Trade   Area (FTA) between the EU and the ACP countries
EPCI Enhanced Proliferation Control Initiative (EAR proliferation rules)
EPD Energy Products Directive
EPSS Excise Payment Security System
EPU Entry Processing Unit - the point where goods are declared to Customs or   where specific activities take place
EPZ Export Processing Zone
ERTS Enhanced Remote Transit Shed - specially authorised warehouses approved   to hold freight prior to customs clearance. Tends to be freight forwarders'   premises
ESCAP Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific
ESCAP United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific
ESCI European Supply Chain Institute
ESD Exit Summary Declaration - the export declaration under ECS (see also   ENS)
ESL Export Sales List - used in conjunction with the Intrastat report. It   states the EU VAT registration numbers of companies supplied goods from the   UK. Issued monthly
ESM Emergency Safeguard Mechanism
EST Environmentally-sound technology.
EST&P Environmentally-sound technology and products.
ET External Transit (EU term)
ETA Estimated Time of Arrival
ETID Europe, Trade and International Directorate
ETS (1) Estimated Time of Shipment
ETS (2) Electronic Transit System - new name (2016) for the NCTS
ETSF External Temporary Storage Facility
ETSF (AD) Approved Depository - External Temporary Storage Facility
ETSF (SP) Approved CFSP Temporary Storage Facilities - External Temporary   Storage Facility
ETSI European Telecommunications Standards Institute
EU (1) European Union - legal name of the EC
EU (2) Abbreviation used by Customs to express any End-Use duty relief procedure
EUGA Alternative abbreviation for the UEGA European Union General (Export)   Authorisations for dual-use 3rd country exports
EUMOFA European Market Observatory for Fishery and Aquaculture Products
EUR1 Form European Preference/Movement Certificate used between EU countries and   countries with whom the EU has bilateral trade agreements. Confirms goods   qualify under the origin rules of the agreement(s). Also applicable for GB exports to UK FTA   partners
EUR-MED Similar to the EUR1 Form the EUR-MED is used when goods can only meet the   rules of preference origin by taking into consideration material from   Mediterranean countries not in the EU. Also applicable for GB exports to UK   FTA partners
EurAsEC Eurasian Economic Community - Customs Union currently with Russia,   Belarus and Kazakhstan (also known as EAEC)
EUS End User Statement
EUU End User Undertaking - declaration made by customer to confirm the   end-use of goods subject to export controls. Need to obtain or confirm   correct use of export licences.
EWP Ex-works Price abbreviation used in FTA/PTAs
EX1 Not an official term but was used to indicate the NES Export Declaration   needed when goods cross EU MS by road prior to being exported into a non-EU   country (indirect export). Replaced by the EAD
Excise Duty A national tax levied on "luxury" goods - in the EU goods   subject to excise taxes are hydrocarbon oils, alcohol and tobacco. As this is   a domestic tax goods in these categories moving around the EU come under   customs control (see EMCS)
Export Licence A specific approval granted by the authorities (UK = ECO) approving goods   caught on a control list (eg dual-use or military list) to be exported out of   the UK.
EXPY Average product/ income of a country's export basket (see PRODY below)
EXS Exit Summary Declaration under ECS - see also ESD
Extra-territoriality Additional controls by the origin authorities on strategic goods and   technology after it has left the origin country or manufactured   overseas. Current in USA but also Australia, Japan and UK on some items.
EXW EXW - an Incoterms® Rule more appropriate for domestic trade than   international transactions
exworks jargon: means the price of goods only includes the cost of goods, packing   and profit
Terms Description
F680 Form 680 - DSO application to release information on military goods to   promote the sale of, or release information related to their products to   overseas markets. Sometimes a requirement to use an OGEL
FAK Freight all Kinds
FARS Federal Acquisition Regulations (USA)
FAS Flexible Accounting System
FAS Free Alongside Ship - an Incoterms® Rule
FAST Free and Secure Trade - part of the PIP and CSA security accredition   programme in Canada
FATF Financial Action Task Force - an inter-governmental body, has   recentlyreiterated its calls for countries to apply effective   counter-measures to protect their financial sectors from money laundering and   financing of terrorism risks emanating from Iran
FCA Free Carrier - an Incoterms® Rule
FCG Free Circulation Goods (EU Term) also see UG
FCL Full Container Load (single supplier) - see also FCX
FCDO Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
FCO Foreign & Commonwealth Office - now the FCDO
FCPA Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (USA)
FCPA US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act
FCX Full Container Load (multiple Suppliers) - see also FCL
FDI Foreign Direct Investment
FEC Front End Credibility checkes - mechanism on CHIEF whereby apparently   "odd" data is identified in response to the submission of a   declaration, eg commodity code doesn't exist.
FEDAT Freight Engagement and Data Acquisition Team (part of UK Border Force   DSAB)
FEZ Free Economic Zone
FFS Frontier Freight Solution - UK HMRC project for replacing CHIEF when it   ceases operation (sometime between 2015-2030)
FHDDS Fulfilment House Due Diligence Scheme
FIA Freedom of Information Act (UK)
FLEGT Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trace
FMS Foreign Military Sales
FMV (1) Fair Market Value
FMV (2) Fair Manufacturing Value
FOB Free on Board - an Incoterms® Rule (not appropriate for containerised   freight under the 2010 set)
FOC Free of Charge (Payment Term)
FOI Freedom of Information Act
FoIA Freedom of Information Act 2000 (UK)
Form A GSP Preference Certificate
Form B A Certificate of Origin issued in GSP beneficiary countries when the   goods do not qualify for preference
Forwarder The party contracted primarily to prepare export documentation and act as   interface between shipper and carrier
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.
FP Free Port
FPM FEDAT Partnership Managers
FPO (1) Fast Parcel Operator
FPO (2) Fleet Post Office
FPPI Foreign Principal Party in Interest (FTR) - USA Term
Free Circulation Goods which can freely move around the EU without requiring customs   paperwork. Goods are in free circulation if they are either wholly   manufactured in the EU or imported (in all or part) and all relevant import   duties have been paid
Freight collect Indication from the shipper as to who pays main freight costs - collected   at destination
Freight forward Indication from the shipper as to who pays main freight costs - sent   forward to consignee's account
Freight prepaid Indication from the shipper as to who pays main freight costs - costs   paid by shipper
FRN Federal Register Notice
FROB Freight Remaining on Board (part of ECS terminology)
Frontier Any place where the goods are still to be notified formally to Customs by   placing them under a nominated Customs procedure
FSC Facility Security Code
FSD Final Supplementary Declaration - this completes the entry of any goods   originally declared to Customs under CFSP or NES
FTA Free Trade Agreement
FTAA Free Trade Area of the Americas (NAFTA + 34 S. American countries [not   Cuba] - not in place still under discussions which have stalled
FTAAP Free Trade Area of the Asia Pacific
FTC Free Trade Commission
FTR Foreign Trade Statistics Regulations (USA)
FTSR Foreign Trade Statistics Regulations (USA)
FTWZ Free Trade & Warehousing Zone
FTZ Free Trade Zones
Full Declaration When this term is used Customs are referring to "normal"   procedures for declaring goods, ie no simplified procedure is applicable.
FZ Free Zone
Terms Description
F680 Form 680 - DSO application to release information on military goods to   promote the sale of, or release information related to their products to   overseas markets. Sometimes a requirement to use an OGEL
FAK Freight all Kinds
FARS Federal Acquisition Regulations (USA)
FAS Flexible Accounting System
FAS Free Alongside Ship - an Incoterms® Rule
FAST Free and Secure Trade - part of the PIP and CSA security accredition   programme in Canada
FATF Financial Action Task Force - an inter-governmental body, has   recentlyreiterated its calls for countries to apply effective   counter-measures to protect their financial sectors from money laundering and   financing of terrorism risks emanating from Iran
FCA Free Carrier - an Incoterms® Rule
FCG Free Circulation Goods (EU Term) also see UG
FCL Full Container Load (single supplier) - see also FCX
FCDO Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
FCO Foreign & Commonwealth Office - now the FCDO
FCPA Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (USA)
FCPA US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act
FCX Full Container Load (multiple Suppliers) - see also FCL
FDI Foreign Direct Investment
FEC Front End Credibility checkes - mechanism on CHIEF whereby apparently   "odd" data is identified in response to the submission of a   declaration, eg commodity code doesn't exist.
FEDAT Freight Engagement and Data Acquisition Team (part of UK Border Force   DSAB)
FEZ Free Economic Zone
FFS Frontier Freight Solution - UK HMRC project for replacing CHIEF when it   ceases operation (sometime between 2015-2030)
FHDDS Fulfilment House Due Diligence Scheme
FIA Freedom of Information Act (UK)
FLEGT Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trace
FMS Foreign Military Sales
FMV (1) Fair Market Value
FMV (2) Fair Manufacturing Value
FOB Free on Board - an Incoterms® Rule (not appropriate for containerised   freight under the 2010 set)
FOC Free of Charge (Payment Term)
FOI Freedom of Information Act
FoIA Freedom of Information Act 2000 (UK)
Form A GSP Preference Certificate
Form B A Certificate of Origin issued in GSP beneficiary countries when the   goods do not qualify for preference
Forwarder The party contracted primarily to prepare export documentation and act as   interface between shipper and carrier
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.
FP Free Port
FPM FEDAT Partnership Managers
FPO (1) Fast Parcel Operator
FPO (2) Fleet Post Office
FPPI Foreign Principal Party in Interest (FTR) - USA Term
Free Circulation Goods which can freely move around the EU without requiring customs   paperwork. Goods are in free circulation if they are either wholly   manufactured in the EU or imported (in all or part) and all relevant import   duties have been paid
Freight collect Indication from the shipper as to who pays main freight costs - collected   at destination
Freight forward Indication from the shipper as to who pays main freight costs - sent   forward to consignee's account
Freight prepaid Indication from the shipper as to who pays main freight costs - costs   paid by shipper
FRN Federal Register Notice
FROB Freight Remaining on Board (part of ECS terminology)
Frontier Any place where the goods are still to be notified formally to Customs by   placing them under a nominated Customs procedure
FSC Facility Security Code
FSD Final Supplementary Declaration - this completes the entry of any goods   originally declared to Customs under CFSP or NES
FTA Free Trade Agreement
FTAA Free Trade Area of the Americas (NAFTA + 34 S. American countries [not   Cuba] - not in place still under discussions which have stalled
FTAAP Free Trade Area of the Asia Pacific
FTC Free Trade Commission
FTR Foreign Trade Statistics Regulations (USA)
FTSR Foreign Trade Statistics Regulations (USA)
FTWZ Free Trade & Warehousing Zone
FTZ Free Trade Zones
Full Declaration When this term is used Customs are referring to "normal"   procedures for declaring goods, ie no simplified procedure is applicable.
FZ Free Zone
Terms Description
G7 Group of seven leading industrial countries: Canada, France, Germany,   Italy, Japan, United Kingdom, United States.
G8 G7 plus Russia.
G15 Group of 15 developing countries acting as the main political organ for   the Non-Aligned Movement.
G77 Group of developing countries set up in 1964 at the end of the first   UNCTAD (originally 77, but now more than 130 countries).
GB Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales)
G.B.O Goods in Bad Order (Bill of Lading statement)
GAFTA Greater Arab Free Trade Agreement (also known as PAFTA)
GATS General Agreement on Trade in Services
GATT General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade
GBS Group B Shipments (USA EAR license exception)
GC General Correspondence (USA ITAR)
GCC Gulf Co-operative Council
GCHQ Government Communications Headquarters
GCR General Cargo Rates
GDM Goods Departed Message - electronic message received from CHIEF under NES   procedure to show that goods have been exported.
GDP Gross Domestic Product
GDPR General Data Protection Regulation
GEA Global Express Association
GEO Government Equalities Office (UK)
GEP Global Entrepreneur Programme
GES Global Express Association (association of FPO, eg DHL, UPS, TNT, Fedex)
GFI Global Financial Integrity
GFT EAR exception for shipments of gift parcels and humanitarian donations
GHA Ground Handling Agent
GHS United Nations Globally Harmonised System of Classification and Labelling   of Chemicals
GI Geographical Indicators
GIIS Global Information and Intelligence Project Group
GIR General Interpretive Rules for Classifying Goods under the Harmonised   System (called GRI in USA)
GMP Good Manufacturing Practice
GMR Goods Movement Reference Number
GNC Globally Network Customs (WCO Concept)
Golden Card AEO equivalent customs compliance scheme in Thailand
Golden List AEO equivalent scheme in Jordan
GOST Certificate Conformity certificate raised for goods shipped to Russia under their   pre-shipment inspection rules
GOV Government (USA EAR license exception)
GPA Government Procurement Agreement (WTO)
GPA Government Procurement Agreement: a “plurilateral” agreement (ie,   signed by only some WTO members) covering the procurement of goods, services   and capital infrastructure by governments and other public authorities.
GPL (1) Global Project Licence (export controls)
GPL (2) Government Procurement Law
Green Box WTO Term: Domestic support for agriculture that is allowed without limits   because it does not distort trade, or at most causes minimal distortion
GRI General Rules for Interpretation used when Classifying Goods under the   Harmonised System (called GIR in UK)
GRN (1) Goods Received Note
GRN (2) Transit Guarantee Number - used in EU for NCTS movements
Gross Weight Total weight of goods and packing
Groupage Small consignments bulked together and consigned by a forwarder or   carrier as one shipment to reduce the cost of freight. This term tends to   apply to sea freight and road haulage
GSP Generalised System of Preferences - see also Form A and Form B
GSP Form A The certificate declaring both the origin of goods and that they conform   to the preference rules
GSP Form B A certificate issues from a GSP country which only confirm origin but   states that the goods do not qualify for preference
GSP Form D Combined Declaration of Origin and Preference for goods moving within   ASEAN to establish GSP qualifying status
GST General Sales Tax - a tax collected in other countries domestically and   on imports; similar to VAT
GSTP Global System of Trade Preferences for Developing Countries
GTGA Government to Government Assurance
GTM Global Trade Management
GTSP Global Tax Simplification Program
GU General Undertaking - generally known as an End-User Undertaking (EUU) -   export controls
GUM Guarantee Management System
GVMS Goods Vehicle Movement Service
Terms Description
G7 Group of seven leading industrial countries: Canada, France, Germany,   Italy, Japan, United Kingdom, United States.
G8 G7 plus Russia.
G15 Group of 15 developing countries acting as the main political organ for   the Non-Aligned Movement.
G77 Group of developing countries set up in 1964 at the end of the first   UNCTAD (originally 77, but now more than 130 countries).
GB Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales)
G.B.O Goods in Bad Order (Bill of Lading statement)
GAFTA Greater Arab Free Trade Agreement (also known as PAFTA)
GATS General Agreement on Trade in Services
GATT General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade
GBS Group B Shipments (USA EAR license exception)
GC General Correspondence (USA ITAR)
GCC Gulf Co-operative Council
GCHQ Government Communications Headquarters
GCR General Cargo Rates
GDM Goods Departed Message - electronic message received from CHIEF under NES   procedure to show that goods have been exported.
GDP Gross Domestic Product
GDPR General Data Protection Regulation
GEA Global Express Association
GEO Government Equalities Office (UK)
GEP Global Entrepreneur Programme
GES Global Express Association (association of FPO, eg DHL, UPS, TNT, Fedex)
GFI Global Financial Integrity
GFT EAR exception for shipments of gift parcels and humanitarian donations
GHA Ground Handling Agent
GHS United Nations Globally Harmonised System of Classification and Labelling   of Chemicals
GI Geographical Indicators
GIIS Global Information and Intelligence Project Group
GIR General Interpretive Rules for Classifying Goods under the Harmonised   System (called GRI in USA)
GMP Good Manufacturing Practice
GMR Goods Movement Reference Number
GNC Globally Network Customs (WCO Concept)
Golden Card AEO equivalent customs compliance scheme in Thailand
Golden List AEO equivalent scheme in Jordan
GOST Certificate Conformity certificate raised for goods shipped to Russia under their   pre-shipment inspection rules
GOV Government (USA EAR license exception)
GPA Government Procurement Agreement (WTO)
GPA Government Procurement Agreement: a “plurilateral” agreement (ie,   signed by only some WTO members) covering the procurement of goods, services   and capital infrastructure by governments and other public authorities.
GPL (1) Global Project Licence (export controls)
GPL (2) Government Procurement Law
Green Box WTO Term: Domestic support for agriculture that is allowed without limits   because it does not distort trade, or at most causes minimal distortion
GRI General Rules for Interpretation used when Classifying Goods under the   Harmonised System (called GIR in UK)
GRN (1) Goods Received Note
GRN (2) Transit Guarantee Number - used in EU for NCTS movements
Gross Weight Total weight of goods and packing
Groupage Small consignments bulked together and consigned by a forwarder or   carrier as one shipment to reduce the cost of freight. This term tends to   apply to sea freight and road haulage
GSP Generalised System of Preferences - see also Form A and Form B
GSP Form A The certificate declaring both the origin of goods and that they conform   to the preference rules
GSP Form B A certificate issues from a GSP country which only confirm origin but   states that the goods do not qualify for preference
GSP Form D Combined Declaration of Origin and Preference for goods moving within   ASEAN to establish GSP qualifying status
GST General Sales Tax - a tax collected in other countries domestically and   on imports; similar to VAT
GSTP Global System of Trade Preferences for Developing Countries
GTGA Government to Government Assurance
GTM Global Trade Management
GTSP Global Tax Simplification Program
GU General Undertaking - generally known as an End-User Undertaking (EUU) -   export controls
GUM Guarantee Management System
GVMS Goods Vehicle Movement Service
Term Description
HAWB House Air Waybill
HazMat Hazardous Materials - USA government official term for Dangerous Goods
HLSG High Level Strategic Group (WCO)
HMF Harbour Maintenance Fee
HMG HM Government
HMRC Her Majesty's Revenue & Customs (formerly HMCE)
HMT Her Majesty's Treasury
hOds WTO Term: Heads of delegations (usually ambassadors or ministers).
Home Use Goods being imported for use/ sale in the UK or the EU
HPC High Performance Computer (dual-use controls)
HRFNAO High risk food or feed not of animal origin
HS Code Harmonised System Code (tariff number)
HSC Harmonised System Committee
HSEN Harmonised System Explanatory Notes
HSNO Hazardous Substances and New Organisms
HTISC Harmonised Tariff Item Statistical Code - Australia
HTS Harmonised Tariff Schedule (USA - FTR)
Hub The central transhipment point in a network, serviced by truck transport   and serving spokes
HWP WCO Harmonisation Work Programme
Term Description
HAWB House Air Waybill
HazMat Hazardous Materials - USA government official term for Dangerous Goods
HLSG High Level Strategic Group (WCO)
HMF Harbour Maintenance Fee
HMG HM Government
HMRC Her Majesty's Revenue & Customs (formerly HMCE)
HMT Her Majesty's Treasury
hOds WTO Term: Heads of delegations (usually ambassadors or ministers).
Home Use Goods being imported for use/ sale in the UK or the EU
HPC High Performance Computer (dual-use controls)
HRFNAO High risk food or feed not of animal origin
HS Code Harmonised System Code (tariff number)
HSC Harmonised System Committee
HSEN Harmonised System Explanatory Notes
HSNO Hazardous Substances and New Organisms
HTISC Harmonised Tariff Item Statistical Code - Australia
HTS Harmonised Tariff Schedule (USA - FTR)
Hub The central transhipment point in a network, serviced by truck transport   and serving spokes
HWP WCO Harmonisation Work Programme
Term Description
I/L Import Licence - either individual or open general - issued to allow or   limit imports of certain specified commodities. Controlled by the ILB of the   DIT in the UK
IA Implemented Acts (of the EU UCC). IA can be debated by the MS under   the Customs Code Implementing Provision (see also DA)
IADB Inter-American Development Bank
IAEA International Atomic Energy Agency
IATA International Air Transport Association
IB Interventions Board (for agricultural goods)
IBFD International Bureau of Fiscal Documentation
IBRD International Bank for Reconstruction and Development also known as the   World Bank
IBSA Trade Agreement under discussion - India, Brazil and South Africa   trilaterial deal
ICAO International Civil Airlines Operation
ICC International Chamber of Commerce
ICCPR International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
ICD Inland Clearance Deport - a place (not a port or airport) authorised by   HMRC for the import clearance of freight
ICD Interface Control Document
ICESCR International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
ICN International Competition Network
ICO Information Commissioners Office (UK)
ICP (1) Implied Compliance Papers (from USA CBP)
ICP (2) Internal Control Programme - in-company compliance (USA ITAR)
ICR Inventory consignment reference
ICS (1) Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers
ICS (2) Import Control System: EU wide supply chain security system came into   force January 2011
ICS (3) Import Clearance Status Codes
ICSID International Centre for the Settlement of Investment Disputes
ICT Information & Communication Technologies (WCO Guidelines)
ICT Intra-Community Transfer - EU Directive aiming to simplify the terms and   conditions of intra-community transfers of defence-realted products within   the EU
ICTSD International Centre for Trade and Sustainable Development
IDB Integrated Data Base
IDB World Trade Organization’s (WTO) Integrated Data Base
IDR Import Duty Rate
IE Individual Examination (ADD Measure)
IE501 ICS/ECS code generated by CHIEF stating that "goods are on their   way"
IE518 ICS/ECS code generated by CHIEF stating that "goods have   exited"
IEC Code Importer/Exporter Code Number issued in India
IEEPA International Emergency Economic Powers Act - USA (EAR and OFAC)
IFC International Finance Corporation
IFIA International Federation of Inspection Agencies
IGO International Government Organisation, eg WTO
IIC International Import Certificate - a form sometimes supplied to support   export licence application when the customers/ suppliers are based within the   EU. Can replace an EUU
I/L Import Licence
ILB Import Licensing Branch
IMCO Internal Marketing & Consumer Protection Committe (EU)
IMF International Monetary Fund
IMO International Maritime Organisation
IMP Code A code applied to cargo that requires special handling - eg live animals   (AVI), cargo aircraft only (CAO), foodstuffs (EAT), human remains (HUM), Dry   ice (DRY), perishable cargo (PER)
Incoterms Rules A set of internationally recognised shipping/delivery terms published by   the ICC. They define where costs and risk passes from buyer to seller in   contracts. Current set Incoterm® 2020 rules
Indirect Export Goods going to a non-EU country but travelling through other members   states prior to the final exit from the EU, eg road shipments from UK to   Russia. See also direct export
INF Title given to Information Documents used by customs within the EU when   goods being moved are under customs control
INN Table The International Non-proprietary Names (INN) Table is a reference   document published by the WCO Secretariat to facilitate the identification of   pharmaceutical substances or active pharmaceutical ingredients against the   corresponding Harmonised System (HS) Code.
INTA Committee on International Trade (EU)
Intangible Export Controlled technology or software transmitted overseas by email, fax,   telephone conversation
Integrator see also courier/ air express operator
Intrastat Intra-Community Trade Statistics: monthly reports required to be   submitted to EU Customs on movements of goods in free circulation to other   member states of the EU (see also ESL and SD)
Intermediary company employed to act between customs, the freight industry and   companies importing and exporting goods
Inventory System A (trade) computer system that controls the arrival and departure of   consignments at most ports and airports in the UK. See also DTI system
Invoice Document issued by the supplier of goods detailing the transaction,   description of goods and values involved
IOR Importer of Record
IOR-ARC Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional Cooperation
IOSS Import OnStop Shop - EU systems for VAT between non-EU companies and   consumers
IP Inward Processing - Customs duty relief procedure (see IPR (1))
IPA Instrument for Pre-Accession assistance (EU)
IPAFFS Import of products, animals, food and feed system (UK system similar to   EU TRACES)
IPCP Import Product Certification Programme
IPM Interface Public Members (Customs modernisation tool)
IPPTA Indonesia-Pakistan Preferential Trade Agreement
IPR (1) Intellectual Property Rights
IPR (2) Inward Processing Relief - also abbreviated as IP. A customs regime   procedure which permits the suspension of customs duty and VAT if goods   temporarily imported into the EU for a process, eg repair, manufacturing.   Goods must be correctly imported and exported into this regime.
IR Indirect Representation - this is when the declarant (eg forwarder)   shares liability for all information submitted to customs ("jointly and   severely responsible"). Unless an agent has written authorisation to the   contrary HMRC will assume they are acting as IR. See also DR
IRCAI Index of Revealed Comparative Advantage in Innovation
IRG Immediate Release Guidelines (WCO Tool)
IRGC Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corp Economic Exclusion Act
IRU International RoadTransport Union
ISA Iran Sanctions Act (USA)
ISBP International Standard Banking Practice - a document instructing banks on   the best practice methods of checking documents under letter of credit   transactions
ISCM International Supply Chain Management - guidelines lay down by the WCO
ISF Import Security Filing - also known as 10+ 2 rule - a system of safety   and security declarations operated in the USA; requires pre-notification of   freight details 24 hours in advance of a ship destined for the USA being   loaded
ISI Import Substitution Industrialisation
ISO International Standards Organisation
ISPM15 International Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measure mainly covering wood   packaging (Measure 15)
ISPS Code International Ship and Port Facility Security Code - international   mandatory IMP convention
IT Individual Treatment (ADD Measure)
ITA Information Technology Agreement - A Ministerial Declaration on Trade in   Information Technology
ITA-II Information Technology Agreement 2nd revision December 2013
ITAR International Traffic In Arms Regulations - USA Military List subject to   export, re-export and re-transfer controls
ITAS US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) Import Trade Auxiliary   Communication System
ITC International Tax Compact
ITC The International Trade Centre, originally established by the old GATT   and is now operated jointly by the WTO and the UN, the latter acting through   the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). Focal point for   technical cooperation on trade promotion of developing countries.
ITC (2) UN International Trade Commission
ITCB International Textiles and Clothing Bureau Geneva-based group of some 20   developing country exporters of textiles and clothing.
ITDA International Trade Data System (USA)
ITDLO International Trade Development Liasion Officer - a role in UK customs
ITE Integrated Tariff Environment
ITN Internal Transaction Number (FTR)
ITRA Iran Threat Reduction and Human Rights Act of 2012 (USA)
ITRA (EO) Executive Order implementing portions of the ITRA
ITSF Internal Temporary Storage Facility
ITSF (R) Internal Temporary Storage Facility (Remote)
ITSW International Trade Single Window - single source of information
IVL Individual Validated License (USA term under EAR)
Term Description
I/L Import Licence - either individual or open general - issued to allow or   limit imports of certain specified commodities. Controlled by the ILB of the   DIT in the UK
IA Implemented Acts (of the EU UCC). IA can be debated by the MS under   the Customs Code Implementing Provision (see also DA)
IADB Inter-American Development Bank
IAEA International Atomic Energy Agency
IATA International Air Transport Association
IB Interventions Board (for agricultural goods)
IBFD International Bureau of Fiscal Documentation
IBRD International Bank for Reconstruction and Development also known as the   World Bank
IBSA Trade Agreement under discussion - India, Brazil and South Africa   trilaterial deal
ICAO International Civil Airlines Operation
ICC International Chamber of Commerce
ICCPR International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
ICD Inland Clearance Deport - a place (not a port or airport) authorised by   HMRC for the import clearance of freight
ICD Interface Control Document
ICESCR International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
ICN International Competition Network
ICO Information Commissioners Office (UK)
ICP (1) Implied Compliance Papers (from USA CBP)
ICP (2) Internal Control Programme - in-company compliance (USA ITAR)
ICR Inventory consignment reference
ICS (1) Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers
ICS (2) Import Control System: EU wide supply chain security system came into   force January 2011
ICS (3) Import Clearance Status Codes
ICSID International Centre for the Settlement of Investment Disputes
ICT Information & Communication Technologies (WCO Guidelines)
ICT Intra-Community Transfer - EU Directive aiming to simplify the terms and   conditions of intra-community transfers of defence-realted products within   the EU
ICTSD International Centre for Trade and Sustainable Development
IDB Integrated Data Base
IDB World Trade Organization’s (WTO) Integrated Data Base
IDR Import Duty Rate
IE Individual Examination (ADD Measure)
IE501 ICS/ECS code generated by CHIEF stating that "goods are on their   way"
IE518 ICS/ECS code generated by CHIEF stating that "goods have   exited"
IEC Code Importer/Exporter Code Number issued in India
IEEPA International Emergency Economic Powers Act - USA (EAR and OFAC)
IFC International Finance Corporation
IFIA International Federation of Inspection Agencies
IGO International Government Organisation, eg WTO
IIC International Import Certificate - a form sometimes supplied to support   export licence application when the customers/ suppliers are based within the   EU. Can replace an EUU
I/L Import Licence
ILB Import Licensing Branch
IMCO Internal Marketing & Consumer Protection Committe (EU)
IMF International Monetary Fund
IMO International Maritime Organisation
IMP Code A code applied to cargo that requires special handling - eg live animals   (AVI), cargo aircraft only (CAO), foodstuffs (EAT), human remains (HUM), Dry   ice (DRY), perishable cargo (PER)
Incoterms Rules A set of internationally recognised shipping/delivery terms published by   the ICC. They define where costs and risk passes from buyer to seller in   contracts. Current set Incoterm® 2020 rules
Indirect Export Goods going to a non-EU country but travelling through other members   states prior to the final exit from the EU, eg road shipments from UK to   Russia. See also direct export
INF Title given to Information Documents used by customs within the EU when   goods being moved are under customs control
INN Table The International Non-proprietary Names (INN) Table is a reference   document published by the WCO Secretariat to facilitate the identification of   pharmaceutical substances or active pharmaceutical ingredients against the   corresponding Harmonised System (HS) Code.
INTA Committee on International Trade (EU)
Intangible Export Controlled technology or software transmitted overseas by email, fax,   telephone conversation
Integrator see also courier/ air express operator
Intrastat Intra-Community Trade Statistics: monthly reports required to be   submitted to EU Customs on movements of goods in free circulation to other   member states of the EU (see also ESL and SD)
Intermediary company employed to act between customs, the freight industry and   companies importing and exporting goods
Inventory System A (trade) computer system that controls the arrival and departure of   consignments at most ports and airports in the UK. See also DTI system
Invoice Document issued by the supplier of goods detailing the transaction,   description of goods and values involved
IOR Importer of Record
IOR-ARC Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional Cooperation
IOSS Import OnStop Shop - EU systems for VAT between non-EU companies and   consumers
IP Inward Processing - Customs duty relief procedure (see IPR (1))
IPA Instrument for Pre-Accession assistance (EU)
IPAFFS Import of products, animals, food and feed system (UK system similar to   EU TRACES)
IPCP Import Product Certification Programme
IPM Interface Public Members (Customs modernisation tool)
IPPTA Indonesia-Pakistan Preferential Trade Agreement
IPR (1) Intellectual Property Rights
IPR (2) Inward Processing Relief - also abbreviated as IP. A customs regime   procedure which permits the suspension of customs duty and VAT if goods   temporarily imported into the EU for a process, eg repair, manufacturing.   Goods must be correctly imported and exported into this regime.
IR Indirect Representation - this is when the declarant (eg forwarder)   shares liability for all information submitted to customs ("jointly and   severely responsible"). Unless an agent has written authorisation to the   contrary HMRC will assume they are acting as IR. See also DR
IRCAI Index of Revealed Comparative Advantage in Innovation
IRG Immediate Release Guidelines (WCO Tool)
IRGC Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corp Economic Exclusion Act
IRU International RoadTransport Union
ISA Iran Sanctions Act (USA)
ISBP International Standard Banking Practice - a document instructing banks on   the best practice methods of checking documents under letter of credit   transactions
ISCM International Supply Chain Management - guidelines lay down by the WCO
ISF Import Security Filing - also known as 10+ 2 rule - a system of safety   and security declarations operated in the USA; requires pre-notification of   freight details 24 hours in advance of a ship destined for the USA being   loaded
ISI Import Substitution Industrialisation
ISO International Standards Organisation
ISPM15 International Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measure mainly covering wood   packaging (Measure 15)
ISPS Code International Ship and Port Facility Security Code - international   mandatory IMP convention
IT Individual Treatment (ADD Measure)
ITA Information Technology Agreement - A Ministerial Declaration on Trade in   Information Technology
ITA-II Information Technology Agreement 2nd revision December 2013
ITAR International Traffic In Arms Regulations - USA Military List subject to   export, re-export and re-transfer controls
ITAS US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) Import Trade Auxiliary   Communication System
ITC International Tax Compact
ITC The International Trade Centre, originally established by the old GATT   and is now operated jointly by the WTO and the UN, the latter acting through   the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). Focal point for   technical cooperation on trade promotion of developing countries.
ITC (2) UN International Trade Commission
ITCB International Textiles and Clothing Bureau Geneva-based group of some 20   developing country exporters of textiles and clothing.
ITDA International Trade Data System (USA)
ITDLO International Trade Development Liasion Officer - a role in UK customs
ITE Integrated Tariff Environment
ITN Internal Transaction Number (FTR)
ITRA Iran Threat Reduction and Human Rights Act of 2012 (USA)
ITRA (EO) Executive Order implementing portions of the ITRA
ITSF Internal Temporary Storage Facility
ITSF (R) Internal Temporary Storage Facility (Remote)
ITSW International Trade Single Window - single source of information
IVL Individual Validated License (USA term under EAR)
Term Description
JCCC Joint Consultative Customs Committee
JCL Joint Contractual Liability (when securing financial guarantees for   customs purposes)
JCPOA Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (Iran Sanctions)
JETCO Joint Economic and Trade Commission
JV Joint Venture
Term Description
JCCC Joint Consultative Customs Committee
JCL Joint Contractual Liability (when securing financial guarantees for   customs purposes)
JCPOA Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (Iran Sanctions)
JETCO Joint Economic and Trade Commission
JV Joint Venture
Term Description
kg kilogrammes
KORUS The US-Korea free trade agreement   
KPCS Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (related to controls on diamonds)
Term Description
kg kilogrammes
KORUS The US-Korea free trade agreement   
KPCS Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (related to controls on diamonds)
Term Description
LADI Is a Latin American trade integration association based in Montevideo,   Uruguay (aka Association Latino-Americana de Integration (ALADI)
LAIA Latin American Integration Association
Landed Value The amount calculated by adding the value of the goods to amounts for   freight and insurance
LC Letter of Credit - a letter from one bank authorising payment to the   seller on presentation of compliant documents to the banks (payment term)
LCH Landing Charges
LCP Local Clearance Procedures - permits importers/exporters/ forwarders to   do full customs declarations at their own premises under control of their   local customs office.
LDC Less Developed Countries
LDCF Less Developed Countries Framework
LE Law Enforcement division of HMRC now undertaking some work formerly done   at ports/ airports
Legalised Documents, such as a CofO, stamped by the Embassy of the receiving   country (also see certified)
LIC99 Standard customs code used in the UK to indicate that, though similar   goods may require an export or import licence, the ones being presented to   customs at this time do not. May be required to justify use of this code
List N A commercial site (ie non-Government) on UK soil that is approved to hold   UK government secure information relating to civil nuclear research or power   generation, and is administered by the Office for Nuclear Regulation.
List Rules The rules of origin (preferential and non-preferential) under which a   product is deemed to originate in a certain country (market) due to specific   criteria linked to the HS Chapter of the goods in question
List X A commercial site (ie non-Government) on UK soil that is approved to hold   UK government protectively marked information marked as 'confidential' and   above. It is applied to a company's specific site and not a company as a   whole. The term has been used since the 1930s and is equivalent to FSC used   in other countries.
LLDC Landlocked Developing Countries
LO Licensing Officer (EAR/ITAR/OFAC)
LOP Labour, Overheads and Profit
LRN Local Reference Number used on a customs entry
LTD Long Term Declaration used within the EU-UK TCA to confirm goods do not   qualify for preference
LTSD Long Term Supplier Declaration
LVBI Low Value Bulking Imports (replaced by BIRDS in UK)
LVCR Low Value Consignment Relief - a UK Customs term
LVS (1) Low Value Shipments (USA EAR license exception)
LVS (2) Low Value Statement used on invoices to replace preference forms, eg EUR1   Forms
Term Description
LADI Is a Latin American trade integration association based in Montevideo,   Uruguay (aka Association Latino-Americana de Integration (ALADI)
LAIA Latin American Integration Association
Landed Value The amount calculated by adding the value of the goods to amounts for   freight and insurance
LC Letter of Credit - a letter from one bank authorising payment to the   seller on presentation of compliant documents to the banks (payment term)
LCH Landing Charges
LCP Local Clearance Procedures - permits importers/exporters/ forwarders to   do full customs declarations at their own premises under control of their   local customs office.
LDC Less Developed Countries
LDCF Less Developed Countries Framework
LE Law Enforcement division of HMRC now undertaking some work formerly done   at ports/ airports
Legalised Documents, such as a CofO, stamped by the Embassy of the receiving   country (also see certified)
LIC99 Standard customs code used in the UK to indicate that, though similar   goods may require an export or import licence, the ones being presented to   customs at this time do not. May be required to justify use of this code
List N A commercial site (ie non-Government) on UK soil that is approved to hold   UK government secure information relating to civil nuclear research or power   generation, and is administered by the Office for Nuclear Regulation.
List Rules The rules of origin (preferential and non-preferential) under which a   product is deemed to originate in a certain country (market) due to specific   criteria linked to the HS Chapter of the goods in question
List X A commercial site (ie non-Government) on UK soil that is approved to hold   UK government protectively marked information marked as 'confidential' and   above. It is applied to a company's specific site and not a company as a   whole. The term has been used since the 1930s and is equivalent to FSC used   in other countries.
LLDC Landlocked Developing Countries
LO Licensing Officer (EAR/ITAR/OFAC)
LOP Labour, Overheads and Profit
LRN Local Reference Number used on a customs entry
LTD Long Term Declaration used within the EU-UK TCA to confirm goods do not   qualify for preference
LTSD Long Term Supplier Declaration
LVBI Low Value Bulking Imports (replaced by BIRDS in UK)
LVCR Low Value Consignment Relief - a UK Customs term
LVS (1) Low Value Shipments (USA EAR license exception)
LVS (2) Low Value Statement used on invoices to replace preference forms, eg EUR1   Forms
Term Description
M&A Mergers and Acquisitions
M-PCA Multi-Party Commercial Agreement - a type of free trade agreement
M.EU Military End-Use - a customs regime
MAA Mutual Assistance Agreements (Customs to Customs)
MADB The EU Market Access Database - replaced 2020 by the Access2Markets website (A2M)
MAFTA Malaysia- Australia Free Trade Agreement
Maghred Country Group - Algeria, Morocco & Tunisia
MAI Market Access Intelligence
MAI Multilateral Agreement on Investment
Manifest List of goods, cargo, destination(s) for one movement of goods by air or sea
MAP Mutual Agreement Procedure
Mashraq Country Group - Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon & Syria
MASP Multi-Annual Strategic Plan - the plan used by UK Customs for the introduction of trade simplification procedures recommended by the EU. Already in place CFSP, NES, NCTS
MAWB Master Air Waybill
Max WTO Term to indicate Maximum duty charged
Max fac Maximum Facilitation - UK preferred option of a future relationship with the EU after Brexit
MaxNOM Maximum Non-Originating Material permitted for goods to still qualify as preferential under a trade agreement
MCC Modernised Customs Code (also see Customs 2013) - the re-writing of the customs rules and regulation in the EU
MCCIP Modernised Customs Code Implementation Provisions
MCD Munitions Control Division
MCP Main Compensating Product (under IP regulations)
MDE Major Defence Equipment
MEA Multilateral Environmental Agreement
MECR Multilateral Export Control Regimes, they are WA, AG, MTCR and NSG
MENA Middle East and North Africa
Mercosur Customs Union between Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay and Venezuela: Mercado Común del Sur (Common Market of South America)
MET Market Economy Treatment (ADD Measure)
METI Ministry of Economic Trade & Industry (Japan)
MFA Multifibre Arrangement (1974-94) under which countries whose markets are disrupted by increased imports of textiles and clothing from another country were able to negotiate quota restrictions.
MFN Most Favoured Nations customs duty agreements between countries setting the Standard Rate of Customs duty against the tariff
MG Missile Group
MID Manufacturer's Identification Number under the AEO/C-TPAT agreement (MRA)
MID Manufacturers Identification (USA)
MID Manufacturers Identification Details
MIFT Manchester International Freight Terminal
Military Goods Goods or technology specifically designed, modified or reconfigured for military purposes as detailed in the military list controls, eg UK ML
Minimum Charge The lowest rate applicable on each type of air cargo service no matter how small the shipment
Minimum Weight The lowest weight at which a freight rate is applicable (see Weight Breaks)
MINT Mexico, Indonesia, Nigeria and Turkey emerging markets ripe for trade development
MIPDs Multi-Annual Indicative Planning Documents (EU)
MIST Mexico, Indonesia, South Korea and Turkey: an acronym invented by Goldman Sachs in 2012 to cover the 4 biggest world markets with potential
MITA AEO equivalent customs compliance scheme in Indonesia
ML (1) UK Military List
ML (2) Munitions List under the USA ITAR
MLA Manufacturing License Agreement (USA - ITAR)
MLAT Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty
MNC Multinational Company
MNE Multinational Enterprise
MOA Memorandum of Arrangements
MoD Ministry of Defence
MODS Merchandise in Baggage Online Declaration Service
MOP Method of Payment - used on UK customs entries to indicate how duty/VAT will be paid
MOT Means of Transport
MOU Memorandum of Understanding - often between Customs and freight company/ trader
MPIV Monthly Postponed Import VAT statement
MRA Mutual Recognition Agreements - under AEO schemes
MRN Movement Reference Number - electronic code (bar-code) used by EU customs to control the movement of goods under a number of systems, eg ECS, EMCS, ICS, NCTS
MS Member State of the EU
MSAR Macau Special Administrative Region
MSC Member State Committee
MSDS Material Safety Data Sheet
MSIC Maritime Security Identification Card
MSS Management Support System - data of imports/exports supplied by subscription from HMRC
MT Missile Technology (reason for export control)
MTCR Missile Technology Control Regime
MTN Multilateral Trade Negotiation
MUCR Master Unique Consignment Reference
Term Description
M&A Mergers and Acquisitions
M-PCA Multi-Party Commercial Agreement - a type of free trade agreement
M.EU Military End-Use - a customs regime
MAA Mutual Assistance Agreements (Customs to Customs)
MADB The EU Market Access Database - replaced 2020 by the Access2Markets website (A2M)
MAFTA Malaysia- Australia Free Trade Agreement
Maghred Country Group - Algeria, Morocco & Tunisia
MAI Market Access Intelligence
MAI Multilateral Agreement on Investment
Manifest List of goods, cargo, destination(s) for one movement of goods by air or sea
MAP Mutual Agreement Procedure
Mashraq Country Group - Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon & Syria
MASP Multi-Annual Strategic Plan - the plan used by UK Customs for the introduction of trade simplification procedures recommended by the EU. Already in place CFSP, NES, NCTS
MAWB Master Air Waybill
Max WTO Term to indicate Maximum duty charged
Max fac Maximum Facilitation - UK preferred option of a future relationship with the EU after Brexit
MaxNOM Maximum Non-Originating Material permitted for goods to still qualify as preferential under a trade agreement
MCC Modernised Customs Code (also see Customs 2013) - the re-writing of the customs rules and regulation in the EU
MCCIP Modernised Customs Code Implementation Provisions
MCD Munitions Control Division
MCP Main Compensating Product (under IP regulations)
MDE Major Defence Equipment
MEA Multilateral Environmental Agreement
MECR Multilateral Export Control Regimes, they are WA, AG, MTCR and NSG
MENA Middle East and North Africa
Mercosur Customs Union between Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay and Venezuela: Mercado Común del Sur (Common Market of South America)
MET Market Economy Treatment (ADD Measure)
METI Ministry of Economic Trade & Industry (Japan)
MFA Multifibre Arrangement (1974-94) under which countries whose markets are disrupted by increased imports of textiles and clothing from another country were able to negotiate quota restrictions.
MFN Most Favoured Nations customs duty agreements between countries setting the Standard Rate of Customs duty against the tariff
MG Missile Group
MID Manufacturer's Identification Number under the AEO/C-TPAT agreement (MRA)
MID Manufacturers Identification (USA)
MID Manufacturers Identification Details
MIFT Manchester International Freight Terminal
Military Goods Goods or technology specifically designed, modified or reconfigured for military purposes as detailed in the military list controls, eg UK ML
Minimum Charge The lowest rate applicable on each type of air cargo service no matter how small the shipment
Minimum Weight The lowest weight at which a freight rate is applicable (see Weight Breaks)
MINT Mexico, Indonesia, Nigeria and Turkey emerging markets ripe for trade development
MIPDs Multi-Annual Indicative Planning Documents (EU)
MIST Mexico, Indonesia, South Korea and Turkey: an acronym invented by Goldman Sachs in 2012 to cover the 4 biggest world markets with potential
MITA AEO equivalent customs compliance scheme in Indonesia
ML (1) UK Military List
ML (2) Munitions List under the USA ITAR
MLA Manufacturing License Agreement (USA - ITAR)
MLAT Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty
MNC Multinational Company
MNE Multinational Enterprise
MOA Memorandum of Arrangements
MoD Ministry of Defence
MODS Merchandise in Baggage Online Declaration Service
MOP Method of Payment - used on UK customs entries to indicate how duty/VAT will be paid
MOT Means of Transport
MOU Memorandum of Understanding - often between Customs and freight company/ trader
MPIV Monthly Postponed Import VAT statement
MRA Mutual Recognition Agreements - under AEO schemes
MRN Movement Reference Number - electronic code (bar-code) used by EU customs to control the movement of goods under a number of systems, eg ECS, EMCS, ICS, NCTS
MS Member State of the EU
MSAR Macau Special Administrative Region
MSC Member State Committee
MSDS Material Safety Data Sheet
MSIC Maritime Security Identification Card
MSS Management Support System - data of imports/exports supplied by subscription from HMRC
MT Missile Technology (reason for export control)
MTCR Missile Technology Control Regime
MTN Multilateral Trade Negotiation
MUCR Master Unique Consignment Reference
Term Description
n-UG Non-Union Goods - new term introduced with the UCC in the EU (also see   T1)
NACCS Nippon Automated Cargo and Port Consolidated System
NAFTA North American Free Trade Agreement (USA, Canada and Mexico)
NAMA Non-agricultural market access: broadly covers industrial, fisheries and   forestry products
NAS National Advice Service - HMRC's helpline 0845 0109000
NAV Non-Ad Valorem Duty
NB Nota bene (EAR)
NCA Nuclear Cooperation Agreement
nCEN National Customs Enforcement Network
NCH National Clearance Hub - UK Customs central controlling office
NCP New Customs Partnership - UK second option on the future trade   relationship with the EU after Brexit
NCTS New Computerised Transit Systme - not new but an electronic tracking   system used by Customs authorities around the EU plus EFTA to control the   movement of "controlled" goods within the EU. Term replaced by ETS   - Electronic Transit System in 2016
NCV No commercial value
NDA Non-Disclosure Agreement
Negotiated Rate In the USA an agreed rate between an airline and a shipper which is not   otherwise provided in the current air freight rate tariff. These rates became   legal when aifreight was deregulated in Nov 1977
NES (1) National Export Systetm - UK electronic system for declaring exports into   CHIEF (based on SAD)
NES (2) Not Elsewhere Specified (USA - EAR term)
NETP Non-Established Taxable Person
Nett Rate Either the cost per unit of transporting a shipment or the lowest   discounted rate a carrier is willing to offer a customer. The term can be   used either way
Nett Weight Weight of the goods only
NFAC National Freight Advisory Committee (USA)
NFAU National Frontier Approvals Unit (UKBF)
NGEA National General Export Authorisation - abbreviation used in the EU to   indicate national open licences for the export of controlled   goods/technology, eg UK and OGEL. See also UGEA
NGTF Negotiating Group on Trade Facilitation (WTO)
NIDAC National Indigenous Drug & Alcohol Committee
NI Northern Ireland
NILP Non-Inventory Linked Ports
NIRU National Imports Relief Unit - located in Enniskillen it is UK Customs   office looking after duty relief procedures under the simplified   authorisation
NLR (1) No Licence Required - UK means goods not high technology (ie dual-use) or   specially designed or modified for military purposes.
NLR (2) No Licence Required - USA means that though the goods/technology is   controlled no physical export license is required to export, often due to an   exception or country of destination not deemed a risk for those particular   items.
NMC Non-Manipulation Certificate
NOM Non-originating Material
Non-AG Non-Agricultural products (WTO term)
NoTC Nature of Transaction Code - used in Intrastat declarations to declare   why goods physically moved to another member state of the EU
Notify Party Additional party shown on an air waybill, bill of lading, etc normally to   aid customs clearance or payment issues. This party will be contacted on   arrival of the goods though they do not have to physically take the goods.
NOVA Notification of Vehicle Arrivals (UK HMRC)
NP Nuclear Non-proliferation concerns (see USA CCC (4))
NPO Non-Preference Origin
NS National Security (USA EAR reason for control)
NSG Nuclear Suppliers Group (EAR)
NTAS National Temporary Admission Section - HMRC office in Salford UK
NTB Non-Tariff Barrier
NTM Non-Tariff Measure
NTR Normal Trade Relations (see also PNTR)
N-UG Non-Union Goods - new term introduced with the UCC in the EU (also see   T1)
Nuisance Tariff Tariff so low that it costs the government more to collect it than the   revenue it generates. Sometimes, a tariff that does not have any protective   effect some countries defend this as necessary in order to raise revenues
Term Description
n-UG Non-Union Goods - new term introduced with the UCC in the EU (also see   T1)
NACCS Nippon Automated Cargo and Port Consolidated System
NAFTA North American Free Trade Agreement (USA, Canada and Mexico)
NAMA Non-agricultural market access: broadly covers industrial, fisheries and   forestry products
NAS National Advice Service - HMRC's helpline 0845 0109000
NAV Non-Ad Valorem Duty
NB Nota bene (EAR)
NCA Nuclear Cooperation Agreement
nCEN National Customs Enforcement Network
NCH National Clearance Hub - UK Customs central controlling office
NCP New Customs Partnership - UK second option on the future trade   relationship with the EU after Brexit
NCTS New Computerised Transit Systme - not new but an electronic tracking   system used by Customs authorities around the EU plus EFTA to control the   movement of "controlled" goods within the EU. Term replaced by ETS   - Electronic Transit System in 2016
NCV No commercial value
NDA Non-Disclosure Agreement
Negotiated Rate In the USA an agreed rate between an airline and a shipper which is not   otherwise provided in the current air freight rate tariff. These rates became   legal when aifreight was deregulated in Nov 1977
NES (1) National Export Systetm - UK electronic system for declaring exports into   CHIEF (based on SAD)
NES (2) Not Elsewhere Specified (USA - EAR term)
NETP Non-Established Taxable Person
Nett Rate Either the cost per unit of transporting a shipment or the lowest   discounted rate a carrier is willing to offer a customer. The term can be   used either way
Nett Weight Weight of the goods only
NFAC National Freight Advisory Committee (USA)
NFAU National Frontier Approvals Unit (UKBF)
NGEA National General Export Authorisation - abbreviation used in the EU to   indicate national open licences for the export of controlled   goods/technology, eg UK and OGEL. See also UGEA
NGTF Negotiating Group on Trade Facilitation (WTO)
NIDAC National Indigenous Drug & Alcohol Committee
NI Northern Ireland
NILP Non-Inventory Linked Ports
NIRU National Imports Relief Unit - located in Enniskillen it is UK Customs   office looking after duty relief procedures under the simplified   authorisation
NLR (1) No Licence Required - UK means goods not high technology (ie dual-use) or   specially designed or modified for military purposes.
NLR (2) No Licence Required - USA means that though the goods/technology is   controlled no physical export license is required to export, often due to an   exception or country of destination not deemed a risk for those particular   items.
NMC Non-Manipulation Certificate
NOM Non-originating Material
Non-AG Non-Agricultural products (WTO term)
NoTC Nature of Transaction Code - used in Intrastat declarations to declare   why goods physically moved to another member state of the EU
Notify Party Additional party shown on an air waybill, bill of lading, etc normally to   aid customs clearance or payment issues. This party will be contacted on   arrival of the goods though they do not have to physically take the goods.
NOVA Notification of Vehicle Arrivals (UK HMRC)
NP Nuclear Non-proliferation concerns (see USA CCC (4))
NPO Non-Preference Origin
NS National Security (USA EAR reason for control)
NSG Nuclear Suppliers Group (EAR)
NTAS National Temporary Admission Section - HMRC office in Salford UK
NTB Non-Tariff Barrier
NTM Non-Tariff Measure
NTR Normal Trade Relations (see also PNTR)
N-UG Non-Union Goods - new term introduced with the UCC in the EU (also see   T1)
Nuisance Tariff Tariff so low that it costs the government more to collect it than the   revenue it generates. Sometimes, a tariff that does not have any protective   effect some countries defend this as necessary in order to raise revenues
Term Description
OBL Ocean Bill of Lading
OCAC Organisation of Central Asian Cooperation - composed of Kazahstan,   Kyrgyszstan, Tajikstan, Uzbekistan and Russia
OCT Overseas Countries & Territories
ODC Other Duty Charges
ODR Online Dispute Resolution
ODS Ozone Depleting Substances
OECD Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development
OEE Office of Export Enforcement (USA BIS)
OEM Original Equipment Manufacturer
OFAC Office of Foreign Assets Control (US Government)
OFSI Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation
OG(I)L Open General Import Licence - UK/EU licence which approves the import of   all goods except those named in the appendices of the OGIL. Current version   Issued May 2009
OGD Other Government Department(s)
OGEL Open General Export Licence - a system of general approvals issued by the   UK ECJU which permits the export of controlled goods named in the OGEL to   named destinations without the requirement of an individual export licence.   Companies must register for first time use of any OGEL via SPIRE
OGTCL Open General Trade Control Licence
OIEL Open Individual Export Licence
OIIL Office of Intelligence and Investigative Liaison (USA CBP)
OIT Office of Information & Technology (USA CBP)
OITCL Open Individual Trade Control Licence
OJ Official Journal
OLAF European Anti- Fraud Office (its French name: Office de Lutte   Anti-Fraude)
OMA Orderly Marketing Arrangement
OMD Organisation Mondiale des Douanes French name for the WCO
OMR Outermost Regions of the EU
OMS Other Member State (of the EU)
OoFE Office of First Entry - related to ICS
OoSE Office of Subsequent Entry - related to ICS
OPCW Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons
OPEC Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries
OPR EU Customs Procedure allowing goods to be exported outside the EU on a   temporary basis for a process, eg repair, further manufacture, and then be   returned to the EU without the requirement to pay customs duties on the value   of the original export product
OSBP One-Stop Border Post
OSCE Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe
OSR Onward Supply Relief (VAT can be passed to another Member State at   import) also referred to as Regime 42
OT Office of International Trade (USA CBP)
OTD Office of Training and Development (USA CBP)
OTDS overall trade-distorting domestic support, eg Blue Box or Amber Box   support
OTS Overseas Trade Statistics
Term Description
OBL Ocean Bill of Lading
OCAC Organisation of Central Asian Cooperation - composed of Kazahstan,   Kyrgyszstan, Tajikstan, Uzbekistan and Russia
OCT Overseas Countries & Territories
ODC Other Duty Charges
ODR Online Dispute Resolution
ODS Ozone Depleting Substances
OECD Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development
OEE Office of Export Enforcement (USA BIS)
OEM Original Equipment Manufacturer
OFAC Office of Foreign Assets Control (US Government)
OFSI Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation
OG(I)L Open General Import Licence - UK/EU licence which approves the import of   all goods except those named in the appendices of the OGIL. Current version   Issued May 2009
OGD Other Government Department(s)
OGEL Open General Export Licence - a system of general approvals issued by the   UK ECJU which permits the export of controlled goods named in the OGEL to   named destinations without the requirement of an individual export licence.   Companies must register for first time use of any OGEL via SPIRE
OGTCL Open General Trade Control Licence
OIEL Open Individual Export Licence
OIIL Office of Intelligence and Investigative Liaison (USA CBP)
OIT Office of Information & Technology (USA CBP)
OITCL Open Individual Trade Control Licence
OJ Official Journal
OLAF European Anti- Fraud Office (its French name: Office de Lutte   Anti-Fraude)
OMA Orderly Marketing Arrangement
OMD Organisation Mondiale des Douanes French name for the WCO
OMR Outermost Regions of the EU
OMS Other Member State (of the EU)
OoFE Office of First Entry - related to ICS
OoSE Office of Subsequent Entry - related to ICS
OPCW Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons
OPEC Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries
OPR EU Customs Procedure allowing goods to be exported outside the EU on a   temporary basis for a process, eg repair, further manufacture, and then be   returned to the EU without the requirement to pay customs duties on the value   of the original export product
OSBP One-Stop Border Post
OSCE Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe
OSR Onward Supply Relief (VAT can be passed to another Member State at   import) also referred to as Regime 42
OT Office of International Trade (USA CBP)
OTD Office of Training and Development (USA CBP)
OTDS overall trade-distorting domestic support, eg Blue Box or Amber Box   support
OTS Overseas Trade Statistics
Term Description
P2P Permission to Proceed - Customs response instruction related to ECS and   ICS
P/N Promissory Note (payment term)
PACE AEO equivalent customs compliance scheme in El Salvador
PACER Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations
PAFTA Pan-Arab Free Trade Area
Pallet A platform of standard dimensions on which goods are assembled and   secured by nets and strags before being loaded as a unit onto transportation.
PAPD Pre-Arrival/Pre-Departure Messaging System - the general term for the   supply chain security messages being introduced around the world. EU versions   are ICS and ECS
Paragraph 6 Systems A “waiver” and pending amendment allowing generic medicines to be   made under “compulsory licences” exclusively for export to countries that   cannot produce the medicines themselves. The system deals with a problem   identified in Paragraph 6 of the 2001 Doha Declaration on the TRIPS   (intellectual property) Agreement and Public Health by removing a limit in   the TRIPS Agreement’s Article 31(f) on the amount nations can export under   a compulsory licence to countries needing the medicines.
Parallel imports When a product made legally (i.e. not pirated) abroad is imported without   the permission of the intellectual property right-holder (e.g. the trademark   or patent owner). Some countries allow this, others do not.
Paris Convention Treaty, administered by the World Intellectual Property Organization   (WIPO), for the protection of industrial intellectual property, i.e. patents,   utility models, industrial designs, etc.
PARN Pre-Authenicated Release Note (EU NCTS)
PBN Pre-Boarding Notification – GB/NI/ROI trade
PC Partial Cumulation (Rules of preference origin)
PCA Post Clearance Amendments
PCC Processing under Customs Control - a Customs regime merged with IP under   from 1st May 2016 under UCC changes
PCFC Political Contributions, Fees and Commissions (ITAR)
PEE Prior Export Equivalents (under EU Inward Processing)
PEM Pan-Euro-Med Regional Convention
PGA Partner Government Agencies
PIC Partners in Compliance - part of the Canadan PIP security accredition   scheme
PICTA Pacific Island Countries Trade Agreement
PIP Partners in Protection - Canada's AEO scheme accrediting safe and secure   international traders. Also see AMPS, CSA, FAST and PIC
PIS Contribution to Social Integration Programs (Customs duty)
PL UK specific strategic goods category within the Military List. Indicates   Paramilitary Use/ Design
PM Political Military (USA ITAR)
PN (1) Part Number
PN (2) Promissory Note (payment term)
PNR Passenger Name Record (see also API)
PNTR Permanent Normal Trade Relations (see also NTR)
POA Power of Attorney
POAO Products of Animal Origin
POD (1) Paid on Delivery (payment term)
POD (2) Proof of Delivery
POD (3) Period of Disposal - used with regard to Inward Processing Relief to   establish the length of time a company may keep an item in the EU without   having to account for customs duty
POIC Overseas Private Investment Corporation
POP Convention Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic
Post Entry Goods entered to customs after they ahve been exported or imported. Also   refers to an amendment being made to an existing customs entry
Potential Debt Customs duty (and VAT) suspended at import under a Special   Procedure. Under UCC this requires a   financial guarantee
POUS Proof of Union Status (EU-UCC) see also T2F and T2L
PPI Principal Party in Interest (USA)
PPP Purchasing Power Parity
PRA Paperwork Reduction Act (USA)
Pre-Entry Relates to the requirement that goods must be declared to customs prior   to export
PRODY Average Productivity/ Incomer of countries exporting (see also EXPY)
PROFAC Customs Facilitation Programme for Reliable Trade - equivalent AEO   programme in Costa Rica
PRTR Pollutant Release and Transfer Registry
PSA Post Shipment Advices - CHIEF pre-notification required in certain   instances under the UK electronic export declaration procedure (NES). Not to   be confused with pre-departure messaging
PSCG Private Sector Consultative Group (WCO)
PSI Pre-Shipment Inspection
PSM Profit Split Method - an international customs valuation term
PSR Product Specific Rule (a qualification List Rule under FTA/PTA)
PTA Preferential Trade Agreement/ Arrangements (Agreements)
PTC Permanent Technical Committee (WCO)
PTS Permission to Ship (CITEX approval for SIEL to EU countries)
PVA Postponed VAT Accounting (for imports)
PVOC Pre-Export Verification of Conformity
Term Description
P2P Permission to Proceed - Customs response instruction related to ECS and   ICS
P/N Promissory Note (payment term)
PACE AEO equivalent customs compliance scheme in El Salvador
PACER Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations
PAFTA Pan-Arab Free Trade Area
Pallet A platform of standard dimensions on which goods are assembled and   secured by nets and strags before being loaded as a unit onto transportation.
PAPD Pre-Arrival/Pre-Departure Messaging System - the general term for the   supply chain security messages being introduced around the world. EU versions   are ICS and ECS
Paragraph 6 Systems A “waiver” and pending amendment allowing generic medicines to be   made under “compulsory licences” exclusively for export to countries that   cannot produce the medicines themselves. The system deals with a problem   identified in Paragraph 6 of the 2001 Doha Declaration on the TRIPS   (intellectual property) Agreement and Public Health by removing a limit in   the TRIPS Agreement’s Article 31(f) on the amount nations can export under   a compulsory licence to countries needing the medicines.
Parallel imports When a product made legally (i.e. not pirated) abroad is imported without   the permission of the intellectual property right-holder (e.g. the trademark   or patent owner). Some countries allow this, others do not.
Paris Convention Treaty, administered by the World Intellectual Property Organization   (WIPO), for the protection of industrial intellectual property, i.e. patents,   utility models, industrial designs, etc.
PARN Pre-Authenicated Release Note (EU NCTS)
PBN Pre-Boarding Notification – GB/NI/ROI trade
PC Partial Cumulation (Rules of preference origin)
PCA Post Clearance Amendments
PCC Processing under Customs Control - a Customs regime merged with IP under   from 1st May 2016 under UCC changes
PCFC Political Contributions, Fees and Commissions (ITAR)
PEE Prior Export Equivalents (under EU Inward Processing)
PEM Pan-Euro-Med Regional Convention
PGA Partner Government Agencies
PIC Partners in Compliance - part of the Canadan PIP security accredition   scheme
PICTA Pacific Island Countries Trade Agreement
PIP Partners in Protection - Canada's AEO scheme accrediting safe and secure   international traders. Also see AMPS, CSA, FAST and PIC
PIS Contribution to Social Integration Programs (Customs duty)
PL UK specific strategic goods category within the Military List. Indicates   Paramilitary Use/ Design
PM Political Military (USA ITAR)
PN (1) Part Number
PN (2) Promissory Note (payment term)
PNR Passenger Name Record (see also API)
PNTR Permanent Normal Trade Relations (see also NTR)
POA Power of Attorney
POAO Products of Animal Origin
POD (1) Paid on Delivery (payment term)
POD (2) Proof of Delivery
POD (3) Period of Disposal - used with regard to Inward Processing Relief to   establish the length of time a company may keep an item in the EU without   having to account for customs duty
POIC Overseas Private Investment Corporation
POP Convention Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic
Post Entry Goods entered to customs after they ahve been exported or imported. Also   refers to an amendment being made to an existing customs entry
Potential Debt Customs duty (and VAT) suspended at import under a Special   Procedure. Under UCC this requires a   financial guarantee
POUS Proof of Union Status (EU-UCC) see also T2F and T2L
PPI Principal Party in Interest (USA)
PPP Purchasing Power Parity
PRA Paperwork Reduction Act (USA)
Pre-Entry Relates to the requirement that goods must be declared to customs prior   to export
PRODY Average Productivity/ Incomer of countries exporting (see also EXPY)
PROFAC Customs Facilitation Programme for Reliable Trade - equivalent AEO   programme in Costa Rica
PRTR Pollutant Release and Transfer Registry
PSA Post Shipment Advices - CHIEF pre-notification required in certain   instances under the UK electronic export declaration procedure (NES). Not to   be confused with pre-departure messaging
PSCG Private Sector Consultative Group (WCO)
PSI Pre-Shipment Inspection
PSM Profit Split Method - an international customs valuation term
PSR Product Specific Rule (a qualification List Rule under FTA/PTA)
PTA Preferential Trade Agreement/ Arrangements (Agreements)
PTC Permanent Technical Committee (WCO)
PTS Permission to Ship (CITEX approval for SIEL to EU countries)
PVA Postponed VAT Accounting (for imports)
PVOC Pre-Export Verification of Conformity
Term Description
QIZ Qualified Industrial ZoneS - similar to free trade zones
QMV Qualified Majority Voting
QRs Quantitative restrictions specific limits on the quantity or value of   goods that can be imported (or exported) during a specific time period.
Quad Canada, EU, Japan and the United States.
Quota Quantity limit (ceiling) levied on the import of certain goods; often   controlled by import licence
Term Description
QIZ Qualified Industrial ZoneS - similar to free trade zones
QMV Qualified Majority Voting
QRs Quantitative restrictions specific limits on the quantity or value of   goods that can be imported (or exported) during a specific time period.
Quad Canada, EU, Japan and the United States.
Quota Quantity limit (ceiling) levied on the import of certain goods; often   controlled by import licence
Term Description
RA (1) Risk Analysis - part of the audit requirements for being granted AEO or   similar supply chain security accreditation
RA (2) Risk Assessment - another name for the part of the audit requirements for   being granted AEO or similar supply chain security accreditation
RAR Risk Assessment Report
Rating Obtaining a formal statement from the ECO/BUS to say if your   goods/technology is subject to export licensing controls. Obtain via SPIRE
RCA Revealed Comparative Advantage
REACH European Union regulation concerning the Registration, E   valuation, Authorisation & restriction of CH emicals.
REFIT Regulatory Fitness and Performance
REIO Regional Economic Integration organisation (clause)
REV REC Revenue Recognition
REX (1) Rate of Exchange
REX (2) Registered Export System - authorisation to make invoice declarations   intially used to replace GSP Forms in the EU and now the Authorisation number   for trade under preference between the UK and EU
RFQ Request for Quotation
RFS Road Feeder Service
RGF Real Good Friends - 16 countries, the United States, countries from the   European Union, Japan, Canada, Norway, Switzerland, Australia, New Zealand,   Singapore, South Korea, Taipei, Pakistan, Mexico, Colombia, and Chile, call   themselves the real good friends (RGF) of liberalisation of trade in   services.
RGR Returned Goods Relief (EU Customs procedures)
RID Regulations Concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by   Rail
RILO Regional Intelligence Liaison Office (WCO)
RKC Revised Kyoto Convention (on TF)
RMA Returned Material Authorisation
RMF Risk Management Framework - world-wide security checking requirements
ROE Route of examination code (for customs entries)
RoHS Restriction of the Use of Certain Hazardous Substances in Electrical and   Electronic Equipment
ROO Rules of Origin
ROSA Rules of Origin Self Assessment tool - introduced 2020 by the European   Commission
ROU Record of Understanding
RoW Rest of the World
ROY Rate of Yield - used to calculate the use of goods under customs regimes   such as IPR or OPR
RPA Reciprocal Preference Agreement
RPA Rural Payments Agency: an Executive Agency of Defra and provides services   such as rural payments, rural inspections and livestock tracing.
RPL Replacement (USA EAR license exception)
RPM Resale Price Method - an international customs valuation term
RPS Restricted Party Screening
RS Regional Stability concerns (see USA CCC (4))
RTA Reciprocal Trade Agreement
RTA Regional Trade Agreement
RTA-IS Regional Trade Agreement Information System
RTBH Righ to be Heard
Rummage The act of searching a vessel or aircraft thoroughly, it includes moving   around turning over or looking through contents
RVC Regional Value Content - qualifying criteria type under preference   agreements
RWA Return Without Action
Term Description
RA (1) Risk Analysis - part of the audit requirements for being granted AEO or   similar supply chain security accreditation
RA (2) Risk Assessment - another name for the part of the audit requirements for   being granted AEO or similar supply chain security accreditation
RAR Risk Assessment Report
Rating Obtaining a formal statement from the ECO/BUS to say if your   goods/technology is subject to export licensing controls. Obtain via SPIRE
RCA Revealed Comparative Advantage
REACH European Union regulation concerning the Registration, E   valuation, Authorisation & restriction of CH emicals.
REFIT Regulatory Fitness and Performance
REIO Regional Economic Integration organisation (clause)
REV REC Revenue Recognition
REX (1) Rate of Exchange
REX (2) Registered Export System - authorisation to make invoice declarations   intially used to replace GSP Forms in the EU and now the Authorisation number   for trade under preference between the UK and EU
RFQ Request for Quotation
RFS Road Feeder Service
RGF Real Good Friends - 16 countries, the United States, countries from the   European Union, Japan, Canada, Norway, Switzerland, Australia, New Zealand,   Singapore, South Korea, Taipei, Pakistan, Mexico, Colombia, and Chile, call   themselves the real good friends (RGF) of liberalisation of trade in   services.
RGR Returned Goods Relief (EU Customs procedures)
RID Regulations Concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by   Rail
RILO Regional Intelligence Liaison Office (WCO)
RKC Revised Kyoto Convention (on TF)
RMA Returned Material Authorisation
RMF Risk Management Framework - world-wide security checking requirements
ROE Route of examination code (for customs entries)
RoHS Restriction of the Use of Certain Hazardous Substances in Electrical and   Electronic Equipment
ROO Rules of Origin
ROSA Rules of Origin Self Assessment tool - introduced 2020 by the European   Commission
ROU Record of Understanding
RoW Rest of the World
ROY Rate of Yield - used to calculate the use of goods under customs regimes   such as IPR or OPR
RPA Reciprocal Preference Agreement
RPA Rural Payments Agency: an Executive Agency of Defra and provides services   such as rural payments, rural inspections and livestock tracing.
RPL Replacement (USA EAR license exception)
RPM Resale Price Method - an international customs valuation term
RPS Restricted Party Screening
RS Regional Stability concerns (see USA CCC (4))
RTA Reciprocal Trade Agreement
RTA Regional Trade Agreement
RTA-IS Regional Trade Agreement Information System
RTBH Righ to be Heard
Rummage The act of searching a vessel or aircraft thoroughly, it includes moving   around turning over or looking through contents
RVC Regional Value Content - qualifying criteria type under preference   agreements
RWA Return Without Action
Term Description
S&S Safety and Security
SA Self-Assessment (AEO)
SAA EU bilateral Stabilisation and Association Agreements (SAAs) in place
SAARC South Asian Association for Regional Corporation - comprised of   Bangladesh, Bhuttan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka
SACU South African Customs Union
SAD Single Administrative Document - EU-wide customs document introduced in   1988. See also C88/NES
SADC South African Development Community
SADH SAD Harmonisation. A rationalising and standardisation procedure to   ensure all EU countries use and complete the SAD Form in the same way.   Completed 2008
SAFE (1) State Administration of Foreign Exchange (China)
SAFE (2) Safe and Fast Environment - principle of supply chain security
SAFE Framework WCO Standard to Secure and Facilitate Global Trade - from this the   concept of AEO and secure supply chain is being adopted around the world
SAFE Ports Act Security and Accountability for Every (SAFE) Port. USA introduced this   Act in 2006 as part of their security initiative, it includes the requirement   that every container is scanned before it leaves the export country if   destined for the USA.
SALW small arms and light weapons
SAOC Customs System of Reliable Operators - Argentina scheme similar to AEO
SAOC Customs System of Reliable Operators - the system of supply chain   accredition used in Argentina
SAP Not the accounting programme ... Single Electronic Access Point, a scheme   by which HMRC and other government bodies (DEFRA, RPA, ECJU) can make   information available to trade via a single access point
SAQ Self Assessment Questionnaire - used when applying for AEO status
SAR Special Administrative Region
SASP Single Authorisation for Simplified Procedures
SBC Standard Beneficiary Countries = main GSP Beneficiary countries under   EU-GSP agreement
SCF Supply Chain Finance
Schedule B The shorter, concise list of commodity codes used on export declaration   from the USA only first 4-digits correspond to HS codes
SCL Special Comprehensive License (USA EAR)
SCM Subsidies and Countervailing Measure Agreement (WTO)
SCO Special Compliance Officer (USA ITAR)
SCOMET Special Chemicals, Organisms, Materials, Equipment & Technology list   - (India - dual-use controls)
SCR Specific Commodity Rates
SCSS Supply Chain Security Specialists
SD Supplementary Declaration - official name of the Intrastat report stating   the physical movement of goods
SDBA Simplified Discharge by Anticipation - under EU IP duty relief scheme   discharge to EnU
SDPA Simplified Discharge Procedures: Aircraft
SDE Supplementary Declaration - Export. Only needed if a simplified export   declaration is made when goods are physically exported. A SDE gives full   information
SDGT Specially Designated Global Terrorist (on the USA Denied Party Lists)
SDI Supplementary Declaration - official name of the Intrastat report stating   the physical movement of goods
SDN Specially Designated National (USA OFAC)
SDN Specially Designated Nationals
SDNTK Specially Designated Narcotics Trafficking Kingpin
SDP Simplified Declaration Procedure
SDPA Simplified Discharge Procedure Aircraft - applies to a discharge   procedure under IP
SDS Safety Data Sheets
SDT Special and Differential Treatment special measures for developing   countries within WTO agreements
SDW Supplementary Declaration Warehouse
SEA Single European Authorisation. Customs scheme approving traders to use   Customs regimes in more than one member state of the EU. Not many companies   approved. See SASP
SEC Securities and Exchange Commission (USA)
SED Shipper's Export Declaration - the USA export customs form
SEED System for the Exchagne of Excise Data
SES (1) Standard Exchange System - used in IPR and OPR when items are repaired by   replacement
SES (2) Secure Export Scheme - the AEO type security accreditation in New Zealand
SEZ Special Economic Zone
SFD Simplified Frontier Declaration (part of CFSP)
SFO Serious Fraud Office
Shipper The company who originates the requirement to move goods
Short Shipped cargo landed that is less than the quantity which has been invoiced,   valued or declared
SI Statutory Instrument - UK official legislation alongside specific Acts of   Parliament
SiA (1) Simplified Authorisations - applying to use customs authorisation, eg IP,   OPR at the time of import/export. Term replaced by ABD under UCC 2016
SIA (2) Sustainability Impact Assessment
SIDS Small Island Developing States
SIEL Standard Individual Export Licence (UK ECJU) - related to controlled   goods
SIS Schengen Information System
SIS II Schengen Information System updated system went live in April 2013
SITC Standard International Trade Classification
SITCL Standard Individual Trade Control Licence
SITPRO Simplification of International Trade Procedures Board - worked on   standardising international documents world-wide. Closed in the UK July 2010
SIVA Simplified Import VAT Accounting - works alongside the Deferment Account   (see above). If an importer is SIVA approved then the supporting deferment   bank guarantee just has to cover 2 months worth of duty spend - not duty and   VAT.
SLA Service Level Agreement
SLI Shipper's Letter of Instruction
SMC Service Management Centre (formerly EDCS)
SME (1) Small & Medium Sized Enterprise
SME (2) Significant Military Equipment (USA ITAR)
SNAP-R Simplified Network Application Process Revised (EAR)
SOAC Customs System of Reliable Operators - similar to AEO in Argentina
SOEs State Owned Enterprises
SOLAS International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea
SOW Statement of work
SP Customs Special Procedures, eg IP, CW, TS, EnU, OP, TA
SP1 UK Application form for End-Use (EnU) under UCC
SP2 UK Application form for Cusoms Warehousing (CW) under UCC
SP3 UK Application form for Inward Processing (IP) under UCC
SP4 UK Application form for Outward Processing Relief (OPR) under UCC
SP5 UK Application form for Temporary Admission (TA) under UCC
SP (1) Specific Process (a qualification List Rule under FTA/PTA)
SP (2) Special Provision (Preference origin qualifying rules)
SP (3) Substantial Process (non-preference origin rule)
SP (4) Special Procedures - part of the UCC covering customs procedures. There   are 4 main types: Transit - Processing - Specific Use - Storage
SPARTECA South Pacific Regional Trade and Economic Cooperation Agreement. Comprises Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati,   Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, New Zealand, Niue, Papua New Guinea,   Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu.
SPIRE Shared Primary Information Resource Environment - the UK ECJU electronic   export licensing system. Completed September 2007
SPOFF Supervising office of customs
Spoke The route used to service smaller distribution centres or customers from   a central "Hub" distribution centre
SPS The Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures
SS Short Supply (EAR reason for control)
SSD Security and Safety Document
SSG Special Safeguards
SSN Standard Shipping Note - not used very often now, it is a freight   delivery note required at some ports or terminals for sea freight shipments.   Being replaced by computerised shipments
SSTL Safe & Secure Trade Lanes
STA Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) License Exception Strategic Trade   Authorization in EAR.
STA Strategic Trade Authorisation USA EAR License Exception
STC Single Transport Contract
STD Stamp Duty
STELA System for Tracking Export License Applications (EAR)
STP Secure Trade Partnership - the AEO type security accreditation in   Singapore
Stripping A term often used to denote the process for removing cargo from a   container.
Stuffing Denotes the process of loading cargo into a container.
STX Sales Tax
SU Stockist Undertaking - new export licence undertaking required by UK ECO   when shipping to Stockists overseas (from 31st July 2012)
SW Software
SWG SAFE Working Group
SWL Safe Working Load
Term Description
S&S Safety and Security
SA Self-Assessment (AEO)
SAA EU bilateral Stabilisation and Association Agreements (SAAs) in place
SAARC South Asian Association for Regional Corporation - comprised of   Bangladesh, Bhuttan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka
SACU South African Customs Union
SAD Single Administrative Document - EU-wide customs document introduced in   1988. See also C88/NES
SADC South African Development Community
SADH SAD Harmonisation. A rationalising and standardisation procedure to   ensure all EU countries use and complete the SAD Form in the same way.   Completed 2008
SAFE (1) State Administration of Foreign Exchange (China)
SAFE (2) Safe and Fast Environment - principle of supply chain security
SAFE Framework WCO Standard to Secure and Facilitate Global Trade - from this the   concept of AEO and secure supply chain is being adopted around the world
SAFE Ports Act Security and Accountability for Every (SAFE) Port. USA introduced this   Act in 2006 as part of their security initiative, it includes the requirement   that every container is scanned before it leaves the export country if   destined for the USA.
SALW small arms and light weapons
SAOC Customs System of Reliable Operators - Argentina scheme similar to AEO
SAOC Customs System of Reliable Operators - the system of supply chain   accredition used in Argentina
SAP Not the accounting programme ... Single Electronic Access Point, a scheme   by which HMRC and other government bodies (DEFRA, RPA, ECJU) can make   information available to trade via a single access point
SAQ Self Assessment Questionnaire - used when applying for AEO status
SAR Special Administrative Region
SASP Single Authorisation for Simplified Procedures
SBC Standard Beneficiary Countries = main GSP Beneficiary countries under   EU-GSP agreement
SCF Supply Chain Finance
Schedule B The shorter, concise list of commodity codes used on export declaration   from the USA only first 4-digits correspond to HS codes
SCL Special Comprehensive License (USA EAR)
SCM Subsidies and Countervailing Measure Agreement (WTO)
SCO Special Compliance Officer (USA ITAR)
SCOMET Special Chemicals, Organisms, Materials, Equipment & Technology list   - (India - dual-use controls)
SCR Specific Commodity Rates
SCSS Supply Chain Security Specialists
SD Supplementary Declaration - official name of the Intrastat report stating   the physical movement of goods
SDBA Simplified Discharge by Anticipation - under EU IP duty relief scheme   discharge to EnU
SDPA Simplified Discharge Procedures: Aircraft
SDE Supplementary Declaration - Export. Only needed if a simplified export   declaration is made when goods are physically exported. A SDE gives full   information
SDGT Specially Designated Global Terrorist (on the USA Denied Party Lists)
SDI Supplementary Declaration - official name of the Intrastat report stating   the physical movement of goods
SDN Specially Designated National (USA OFAC)
SDN Specially Designated Nationals
SDNTK Specially Designated Narcotics Trafficking Kingpin
SDP Simplified Declaration Procedure
SDPA Simplified Discharge Procedure Aircraft - applies to a discharge   procedure under IP
SDS Safety Data Sheets
SDT Special and Differential Treatment special measures for developing   countries within WTO agreements
SDW Supplementary Declaration Warehouse
SEA Single European Authorisation. Customs scheme approving traders to use   Customs regimes in more than one member state of the EU. Not many companies   approved. See SASP
SEC Securities and Exchange Commission (USA)
SED Shipper's Export Declaration - the USA export customs form
SEED System for the Exchagne of Excise Data
SES (1) Standard Exchange System - used in IPR and OPR when items are repaired by   replacement
SES (2) Secure Export Scheme - the AEO type security accreditation in New Zealand
SEZ Special Economic Zone
SFD Simplified Frontier Declaration (part of CFSP)
SFO Serious Fraud Office
Shipper The company who originates the requirement to move goods
Short Shipped cargo landed that is less than the quantity which has been invoiced,   valued or declared
SI Statutory Instrument - UK official legislation alongside specific Acts of   Parliament
SiA (1) Simplified Authorisations - applying to use customs authorisation, eg IP,   OPR at the time of import/export. Term replaced by ABD under UCC 2016
SIA (2) Sustainability Impact Assessment
SIDS Small Island Developing States
SIEL Standard Individual Export Licence (UK ECJU) - related to controlled   goods
SIS Schengen Information System
SIS II Schengen Information System updated system went live in April 2013
SITC Standard International Trade Classification
SITCL Standard Individual Trade Control Licence
SITPRO Simplification of International Trade Procedures Board - worked on   standardising international documents world-wide. Closed in the UK July 2010
SIVA Simplified Import VAT Accounting - works alongside the Deferment Account   (see above). If an importer is SIVA approved then the supporting deferment   bank guarantee just has to cover 2 months worth of duty spend - not duty and   VAT.
SLA Service Level Agreement
SLI Shipper's Letter of Instruction
SMC Service Management Centre (formerly EDCS)
SME (1) Small & Medium Sized Enterprise
SME (2) Significant Military Equipment (USA ITAR)
SNAP-R Simplified Network Application Process Revised (EAR)
SOAC Customs System of Reliable Operators - similar to AEO in Argentina
SOEs State Owned Enterprises
SOLAS International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea
SOW Statement of work
SP Customs Special Procedures, eg IP, CW, TS, EnU, OP, TA
SP1 UK Application form for End-Use (EnU) under UCC
SP2 UK Application form for Cusoms Warehousing (CW) under UCC
SP3 UK Application form for Inward Processing (IP) under UCC
SP4 UK Application form for Outward Processing Relief (OPR) under UCC
SP5 UK Application form for Temporary Admission (TA) under UCC
SP (1) Specific Process (a qualification List Rule under FTA/PTA)
SP (2) Special Provision (Preference origin qualifying rules)
SP (3) Substantial Process (non-preference origin rule)
SP (4) Special Procedures - part of the UCC covering customs procedures. There   are 4 main types: Transit - Processing - Specific Use - Storage
SPARTECA South Pacific Regional Trade and Economic Cooperation Agreement. Comprises Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati,   Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, New Zealand, Niue, Papua New Guinea,   Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu.
SPIRE Shared Primary Information Resource Environment - the UK ECJU electronic   export licensing system. Completed September 2007
SPOFF Supervising office of customs
Spoke The route used to service smaller distribution centres or customers from   a central "Hub" distribution centre
SPS The Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures
SS Short Supply (EAR reason for control)
SSD Security and Safety Document
SSG Special Safeguards
SSN Standard Shipping Note - not used very often now, it is a freight   delivery note required at some ports or terminals for sea freight shipments.   Being replaced by computerised shipments
SSTL Safe & Secure Trade Lanes
STA Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) License Exception Strategic Trade   Authorization in EAR.
STA Strategic Trade Authorisation USA EAR License Exception
STC Single Transport Contract
STD Stamp Duty
STELA System for Tracking Export License Applications (EAR)
STP Secure Trade Partnership - the AEO type security accreditation in   Singapore
Stripping A term often used to denote the process for removing cargo from a   container.
Stuffing Denotes the process of loading cargo into a container.
STX Sales Tax
SU Stockist Undertaking - new export licence undertaking required by UK ECO   when shipping to Stockists overseas (from 31st July 2012)
SW Software
SWG SAFE Working Group
SWL Safe Working Load
Term Description
T1 EU Customs status of goods which is used to decide if they have to be   presented to customs authorities when moving to another member state. Transit   Status 1 indicates that the goods are not in free circulation (non-Union   Goods - nUG) and therefore do have to be moved with customs forms. (see   NCTS/ETS and "free circulation goods")
T2 EU Customs status of goods which is used to decide if they have to be   presented to customs authorities when moving to another member state. Transit   Status 2 indicates that the goods ARE in free circulation (Union Goods - UG)   and can be shipped around the EU without customs forms. (see Intrastat and   "free circulation goods")
T2F Document raised by proof that the goods are in free circulation is   needed, eg when moving goods to a Special Territory of the EU (see POUS for   UCC term)
T2L Document raised by proof that the goods are in free circulation is   needed, eg when moving goods being shipped with mixed origin cargo, eg loaded   in Greece on a ship that arrived from North Africa (see POUS for UCC term)
TA (1) Temporary Admission - a customs procedure allowing the temporary import   of goods under certain conditions and customs controls
TA (2) Transitional Acts - part of the EU UCC
TAA Technical Assistant Agreement (USA - ITAR)
TACT The Air Cargo Tariff
TAD Transit Accompanying Document
Tare Actual weight of the packaging/ container without goods. Commonly seen on   the back of vehicles ie unloaded weight
TARIC The EU's system of identifying and controlling goods for customs control   purposes by the use of commodity code number. TARIC stands for Tarif Integre   des Communautes Europeanes
Tariff A document setting forth applicable rules, rates, charges, regulations -   used by freight companies and customs authorities
Tariff Number Also known as a commodity code. A series of numbers describing the type   of goods for customs purposes. Based on the Harmonised System
tariffication Procedures relating to the agricultural market-access provision in which   all non-tariff measures are converted into tariffs.
TARP Trade in Animals and Related Products regulations
TAXUD Directorate General for Taxation and Customs Union
TBT Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade
TCA Trade Cooperation Agreement between the EU and UK
TCCV Technical Committee on Customs Valuation
TCMP Trade Compliance Measurement Program (US Customs)
TCP Technology Control Plan (USA - ITAR)
TCRO Technical Committee on Rules of Origin (WCO)
TCS Tariff Classification Service (UK)
TCTA UK Taxation (Cross-border Trade) Act 2018    replaced the UCC in GB from January 2021
TD Technical Data
TDCA Trade, Development and Cooperation Agreement
TEC Transatlantic Economic Council
TESCM Tax-Effective Supply Chain Management
TF Trade Facilitation (WTO/WCO)
TFA Trade Facilitation Action Plan
TFE Trader Front End (CHIEF UK)
TFE Trader Front End - method of declarations under ICS
TFEU Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union 2009
TGP OECD Transfer Pricing Guidelines (TPG) for Tax Administration
TGS Tax on the Circulation of Goods and Services (Customs duty)
TH Tariff Heading (term used in preference agreements = 1st 4-digits of HS   Code)
TH Tariff Headings
THC Terminal Handling Charges
The "Schedule" Another name for the section of the tariff listing commodity code numbers
TIB Temporary Import Bond
TIC Taxation Information and Communication: provides EU Member State   information on invoicing rules, VAT refunds and the standard VAT rate
TIEC Tax Information Exchange Method
TIFA Taiwan-US Trade and Investment Framework Agreement
TIFA Trade and Investment Framework Agreement
TIG Tax on Industrialised Goods
TIIN Tax Information and Impact Note
TIN TINs (Tax Identification Numbers) are used by EU countries to identify   taxpayers
TIN Trader Identification Number
TIR Transport Internationale Routes - road transport under customs control;   sealed on departure to be opened only at destination
TIR-EPD Transports Internationaux Routiers, Electronic Pre-Declaration
TIS Technical Interface Specification
TiSA Trade in Services Agreement being negotiated between the EU and China
TL Tariff Line
TLA Three Letter Acronym - especially for those people fed up with them!
TM Tariff Measures
TMP Temporary (USA EAR license exception)
TNMM Transactional Net Margin Method - an international customs valuation term
TORO Transfer of the rights and obligations used within the EU for   transferring responsibilities of a customs regime to another trader
TP Transfer Pricing - an international customs valuation term
TPA Transfer Price Agreement
TPP Trans-Pacific Partnership - also known as the Trans-Pacific Stretegic   Economic Partnership Agreement. A USA mulitateral free trade agreement. The   parties involved are, besides Australia, Brunei, Chile, New Zealand,   Singapore, Peru, the United States and Vietnam (since March 2010) as well as   Malaysia (since October 2010).
TPRM Trade Policy Review Mechanism
TR Russian Technical Regulations
TR Technical Regulations
TRACES Trade Control and Export System (EU).
TRAINS United Nations Conference on Trade and Development's Trade Analysis and   Information System
Transitional Period Period of time 1-01-2020 until 31-12-2020 when UK has left the EU but   remains under the rules and legislation of the Customs Union and Single   Market
TRC Telecommunications Regulatory Commission
TRIAD International trade term describing the 3 big trading markets of EU, USA   and Japan
TRIMS Trade Related Investment Measures
TRIPS Trade Related Intellectual Property Rights
TRIPS Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights
TRQ Tariff Rate Quota (see also TQ)
TRS Time Release Study (WCO Tool)
TS (1) Temporary Storage
TS (2) Trader Scheme - used to identify non-risk goods entering NI
TSAD Transit Security Accompanying Document
TSP Transitional Simplified Procedures - system of easements for imports from   EU to the UK introduced in 2019 but cancelled in February 2020
TSPA Technology and Software Publicly Available
TSR Technology and Software Restricted (EAR license exception)
TSS Trade Support Service between GB and NI
TSU Technology and Software Unrestricted (EAR license exception)
TSU Trade Statistics unit of HMRC
TTCP Technology Transfer Control Plan (USA - ITAR)
TTIP Transatlantic Trade & Investment Partnership - USA/EU FTA
TTIP Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership Trade Agreement under   negotiation between EU and the USA
TURN Trader's Unique Reference Number - used in the UK to identify exporters   and importers for customs purposes. Replaced in July 2009 by the EORI an EU   wide registration system
TVA Taxe a la valeur ajoutee (French VAT)
TWEA Trading with the Enemy Act (USA)
Term Description
T1 EU Customs status of goods which is used to decide if they have to be   presented to customs authorities when moving to another member state. Transit   Status 1 indicates that the goods are not in free circulation (non-Union   Goods - nUG) and therefore do have to be moved with customs forms. (see   NCTS/ETS and "free circulation goods")
T2 EU Customs status of goods which is used to decide if they have to be   presented to customs authorities when moving to another member state. Transit   Status 2 indicates that the goods ARE in free circulation (Union Goods - UG)   and can be shipped around the EU without customs forms. (see Intrastat and   "free circulation goods")
T2F Document raised by proof that the goods are in free circulation is   needed, eg when moving goods to a Special Territory of the EU (see POUS for   UCC term)
T2L Document raised by proof that the goods are in free circulation is   needed, eg when moving goods being shipped with mixed origin cargo, eg loaded   in Greece on a ship that arrived from North Africa (see POUS for UCC term)
TA (1) Temporary Admission - a customs procedure allowing the temporary import   of goods under certain conditions and customs controls
TA (2) Transitional Acts - part of the EU UCC
TAA Technical Assistant Agreement (USA - ITAR)
TACT The Air Cargo Tariff
TAD Transit Accompanying Document
Tare Actual weight of the packaging/ container without goods. Commonly seen on   the back of vehicles ie unloaded weight
TARIC The EU's system of identifying and controlling goods for customs control   purposes by the use of commodity code number. TARIC stands for Tarif Integre   des Communautes Europeanes
Tariff A document setting forth applicable rules, rates, charges, regulations -   used by freight companies and customs authorities
Tariff Number Also known as a commodity code. A series of numbers describing the type   of goods for customs purposes. Based on the Harmonised System
tariffication Procedures relating to the agricultural market-access provision in which   all non-tariff measures are converted into tariffs.
TARP Trade in Animals and Related Products regulations
TAXUD Directorate General for Taxation and Customs Union
TBT Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade
TCA Trade Cooperation Agreement between the EU and UK
TCCV Technical Committee on Customs Valuation
TCMP Trade Compliance Measurement Program (US Customs)
TCP Technology Control Plan (USA - ITAR)
TCRO Technical Committee on Rules of Origin (WCO)
TCS Tariff Classification Service (UK)
TCTA UK Taxation (Cross-border Trade) Act 2018    replaced the UCC in GB from January 2021
TD Technical Data
TDCA Trade, Development and Cooperation Agreement
TEC Transatlantic Economic Council
TESCM Tax-Effective Supply Chain Management
TF Trade Facilitation (WTO/WCO)
TFA Trade Facilitation Action Plan
TFE Trader Front End (CHIEF UK)
TFE Trader Front End - method of declarations under ICS
TFEU Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union 2009
TGP OECD Transfer Pricing Guidelines (TPG) for Tax Administration
TGS Tax on the Circulation of Goods and Services (Customs duty)
TH Tariff Heading (term used in preference agreements = 1st 4-digits of HS   Code)
TH Tariff Headings
THC Terminal Handling Charges
The "Schedule" Another name for the section of the tariff listing commodity code numbers
TIB Temporary Import Bond
TIC Taxation Information and Communication: provides EU Member State   information on invoicing rules, VAT refunds and the standard VAT rate
TIEC Tax Information Exchange Method
TIFA Taiwan-US Trade and Investment Framework Agreement
TIFA Trade and Investment Framework Agreement
TIG Tax on Industrialised Goods
TIIN Tax Information and Impact Note
TIN TINs (Tax Identification Numbers) are used by EU countries to identify   taxpayers
TIN Trader Identification Number
TIR Transport Internationale Routes - road transport under customs control;   sealed on departure to be opened only at destination
TIR-EPD Transports Internationaux Routiers, Electronic Pre-Declaration
TIS Technical Interface Specification
TiSA Trade in Services Agreement being negotiated between the EU and China
TL Tariff Line
TLA Three Letter Acronym - especially for those people fed up with them!
TM Tariff Measures
TMP Temporary (USA EAR license exception)
TNMM Transactional Net Margin Method - an international customs valuation term
TORO Transfer of the rights and obligations used within the EU for   transferring responsibilities of a customs regime to another trader
TP Transfer Pricing - an international customs valuation term
TPA Transfer Price Agreement
TPP Trans-Pacific Partnership - also known as the Trans-Pacific Stretegic   Economic Partnership Agreement. A USA mulitateral free trade agreement. The   parties involved are, besides Australia, Brunei, Chile, New Zealand,   Singapore, Peru, the United States and Vietnam (since March 2010) as well as   Malaysia (since October 2010).
TPRM Trade Policy Review Mechanism
TR Russian Technical Regulations
TR Technical Regulations
TRACES Trade Control and Export System (EU).
TRAINS United Nations Conference on Trade and Development's Trade Analysis and   Information System
Transitional Period Period of time 1-01-2020 until 31-12-2020 when UK has left the EU but   remains under the rules and legislation of the Customs Union and Single   Market
TRC Telecommunications Regulatory Commission
TRIAD International trade term describing the 3 big trading markets of EU, USA   and Japan
TRIMS Trade Related Investment Measures
TRIPS Trade Related Intellectual Property Rights
TRIPS Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights
TRQ Tariff Rate Quota (see also TQ)
TRS Time Release Study (WCO Tool)
TS (1) Temporary Storage
TS (2) Trader Scheme - used to identify non-risk goods entering NI
TSAD Transit Security Accompanying Document
TSP Transitional Simplified Procedures - system of easements for imports from   EU to the UK introduced in 2019 but cancelled in February 2020
TSPA Technology and Software Publicly Available
TSR Technology and Software Restricted (EAR license exception)
TSS Trade Support Service between GB and NI
TSU Technology and Software Unrestricted (EAR license exception)
TSU Trade Statistics unit of HMRC
TTCP Technology Transfer Control Plan (USA - ITAR)
TTIP Transatlantic Trade & Investment Partnership - USA/EU FTA
TTIP Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership Trade Agreement under   negotiation between EU and the USA
TURN Trader's Unique Reference Number - used in the UK to identify exporters   and importers for customs purposes. Replaced in July 2009 by the EORI an EU   wide registration system
TVA Taxe a la valeur ajoutee (French VAT)
TWEA Trading with the Enemy Act (USA)
Term Description
U110 UK import preferece claim based on exporter origin statement on import   paperwork
U111 UK import preference claim based on annual exporter origin statement on   letterhead listing goods
U112 UK import preferecne claim based on importer's knowledge
U116 EU import preference claim based on exporter origin statement on import   paperwork
U117 EU import preference claim based on annual exporter origin statement on   letterhead listing goods
U117 EU import preferecne claim based on importer's knowledge
UAC- OEA Certified Customs User -the Peru equivalent of AEO
UCAV Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle
UCC Union Customs Code - the newly issued amendment to the EU Customs Code   published (recast) in March 2012 comes into force in EU 1 May 2016. Formerly   known as the Modernised Customs Code
UCP600 Current version of the Uniform Customs and Practice guide for Documentary   Letters of Credit. Replaced UCP500 in July 2007
UCR Unique Consignment Reference
UDHR Universal Declaration of Human Rights
UEMOA African Economic and Monetary Union
UFH Usual Forms of Handling - used in conjunction with customs regimes such   as IPR
UG Union Goods - term introduced with the UCC. (see also T2)
UGEA Union General Export Authorisations - introduced into the EU in 2011 as   open general export approvals covering the shipment of dual-use goods and   technology. Replaced the CGEA
UKBF UK Border Force
UKCA UK Conformity Assessed - replaces CE Marking in GB
UKEF UK Export Finance organisation - replaced ECGD
UKGT UK Global Tariff - new tariff schedule came into force on UK leavin the   Transitional Period of the EU membership.    It replaced TARIC on 1-02-2021
UKTI UK Trade & Investment - formerly a division of BIS aimed at promoting   international trade, now merged within DIT
ULD Unit Load Device
UMA Arab Maghreb Union (Union du Maghreb Arabe, UMA)
UN United Nations
UN-LOCODE United Nations Code for Trade and Transport Locations
UN/ CEFACT United Nations Centre for Trade Facilitation and Electronic Business
UNCTAD United National Conference for Trade and Development
UNDG United Nations Dangerous Goods List
UNDP United Nations Development Programme
UNECE United National Economic Committee for Europe
UNFCC UN Framework Convention on Climate Change
Unit Load A number of pieces of freight or cargo in a single box, container or   pallet suitable for transporting as a single unit. Could also be a single   large item packaged for transporting, stacking or storage.
UNODC United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime
UNSPSC United Nations Standard Products and Services Code
UNTDED UN Trade Data Elements Directory
UoE Unit of Expertise
UPOV International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (Union   internationale pour la protection des obtentions végétales)
UPS Universal Product Code
URAA Uruguay Round Agreements Act
URC522 Uniform Rules for Collections under bills of exchange
USBP USA Border Patrol
USCIB United States Council for International Business
USG United StatesGovernment
USITC US International Trade Commission administers the import commodity codes
USML United States Munitions List (ITAR)
USPL United States Person Libya (USA EAR license exception)
USPPI United States Principal Party in Interest (USA FTR)
USTR USTtrade Representative
UV Unit Value
Term Description
U110 UK import preferece claim based on exporter origin statement on import   paperwork
U111 UK import preference claim based on annual exporter origin statement on   letterhead listing goods
U112 UK import preferecne claim based on importer's knowledge
U116 EU import preference claim based on exporter origin statement on import   paperwork
U117 EU import preference claim based on importers knowledge
U118 EU import preference claim based on annual exporter origin statement on   letterhead listing goods
UAC- OEA Certified Customs User -the Peru equivalent of AEO
UCAV Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle
UCC Union Customs Code - the newly issued amendment to the EU Customs Code   published (recast) in March 2012 comes into force in EU 1 May 2016. Formerly   known as the Modernised Customs Code
UCP600 Current version of the Uniform Customs and Practice guide for Documentary   Letters of Credit. Replaced UCP500 in July 2007
UCR Unique Consignment Reference
UDHR Universal Declaration of Human Rights
UEMOA African Economic and Monetary Union
UFH Usual Forms of Handling - used in conjunction with customs regimes such   as IPR
UG Union Goods - term introduced with the UCC. (see also T2)
UGEA Union General Export Authorisations - introduced into the EU in 2011 as   open general export approvals covering the shipment of dual-use goods and   technology. Replaced the CGEA
UKBF UK Border Force
UKCA UK Conformity Assessed - replaces CE Marking in GB
UKEF UK Export Finance organisation - replaced ECGD
UKGT UK Global Tariff - new tariff schedule came into force on UK leavin the   Transitional Period of the EU membership.    It replaced TARIC on 1-02-2021
UKTI UK Trade & Investment - formerly a division of BIS aimed at promoting   international trade, now merged within DIT
ULD Unit Load Device
UMA Arab Maghreb Union (Union du Maghreb Arabe, UMA)
UN United Nations
UN-LOCODE United Nations Code for Trade and Transport Locations
UN/ CEFACT United Nations Centre for Trade Facilitation and Electronic Business
UNCTAD United National Conference for Trade and Development
UNDG United Nations Dangerous Goods List
UNDP United Nations Development Programme
UNECE United National Economic Committee for Europe
UNFCC UN Framework Convention on Climate Change
Unit Load A number of pieces of freight or cargo in a single box, container or   pallet suitable for transporting as a single unit. Could also be a single   large item packaged for transporting, stacking or storage.
UNODC United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime
UNSPSC United Nations Standard Products and Services Code
UNTDED UN Trade Data Elements Directory
UoE Unit of Expertise
UPOV International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (Union   internationale pour la protection des obtentions végétales)
UPS Universal Product Code
URAA Uruguay Round Agreements Act
URC522 Uniform Rules for Collections under bills of exchange
USBP USA Border Patrol
USCIB United States Council for International Business
USG United StatesGovernment
USITC US International Trade Commission administers the import commodity codes
USML United States Munitions List (ITAR)
USPL United States Person Libya (USA EAR license exception)
USPPI United States Principal Party in Interest (USA FTR)
USTR USTtrade Representative
UV Unit Value
Term Description
VA Value Added (a qualification List Rule under FTA/PTA)
VAT Value Added Tax
VATE VAT exemption (new CDS code)
VAT Exempt Sales for which VAT doesn't apply.    If these are the only sales your business makes, your business is also   exempt from VAT registraion. Exempt is   not the same as zero-rated
VATZ VAT zero-rated (new CDS code)
VD Voluntary Disclosure
VER Voluntary Export Restraint
VEU Validated End User (USA EAR)
VFCC Value for Currency Conversion
VGDC Vietnam General Department of Customs
VIES VAT Information Exchange System (EU system for checking VAT Numbers)
VM Valuation Method
VMUO Value of Materials of Undetermined Origin
VNM Value of Non-Originating Material
Volumetric Weight Freight calculated and charged on the size of the shipment when the   actual weight does not adequately reflect the space the shipment requires.
VOM Value of Originating Material
VRA Voluntary Restraint Agreement
VVA VAT Value Adjustment figure - relating to imports VAT is charged on   inland storage and transport costs
Term Description
VA Value Added (a qualification List Rule under FTA/PTA)
VAT Value Added Tax
VATE VAT exemption (new CDS code)
VAT Exempt Sales for which VAT doesn't apply.    If these are the only sales your business makes, your business is also   exempt from VAT registraion. Exempt is   not the same as zero-rated
VATZ VAT zero-rated (new CDS code)
VD Voluntary Disclosure
VER Voluntary Export Restraint
VEU Validated End User (USA EAR)
VFCC Value for Currency Conversion
VGDC Vietnam General Department of Customs
VIES VAT Information Exchange System (EU system for checking VAT Numbers)
VM Valuation Method
VMUO Value of Materials of Undetermined Origin
VNM Value of Non-Originating Material
Volumetric Weight Freight calculated and charged on the size of the shipment when the   actual weight does not adequately reflect the space the shipment requires.
VOM Value of Originating Material
VRA Voluntary Restraint Agreement
VVA VAT Value Adjustment figure - relating to imports VAT is charged on   inland storage and transport costs
Term Description
w/m weight or measure
WA Wassenaar Arrangement
Waasenaar Arrangement Arrangement between countries to set the level of technology controlled   under the dual-use regulations
WAHID World Animal Health Information Database
WAML Wassenaar Arrangement Munitions List
WB (1) World Bank
WB (2) Weight Breaks = weights at which discounted rates will apply to a   shipment so that heavier or larger shipments are charged at a lower rate per   kg (lb is USA)
WBGC West Bank and Gaza Strip
WCF World Chambers Federation
WCO World Customs Organisation
WEF World Economic Forum
WFOEs Wholly Foreign Owned Enterprises
WHO World Health Organisation
WIP Work in Progress
WIPO World Intellectual Property Organisation
WITA Washington International Trade Association
WMD Weapons of Mass Destruction
WME Worlds Most Ethical companies
WMS Warehouse Management System
WO Wholly Originating or Wholly Obtained (Rule of Origin)
WO (1) Wholly Obtained - qualifying criteria type under preference agreements:   also used to establish non-preference origin
WO (2) Wholly Originating (non-preference origin rule)
World Bank International Bank for Reconstruction and Development also known as IBRD
WP (1) Wholly Produced (Rule of Origin)
WP (2) Working Programme - aprt of the EU implementation procedure for th UCC
WPM Wood Packaging Material
WT (1) Weight
WT (2) Weighted TeraFLOPS (dual-use measure of computer performance)
WTA World Trade Agenda
WTO World Trade Organisation
Term Description
w/m weight or measure
WA Wassenaar Arrangement
Waasenaar Arrangement Arrangement between countries to set the level of technology controlled   under the dual-use regulations
WAHID World Animal Health Information Database
WAML Wassenaar Arrangement Munitions List
WB (1) World Bank
WB (2) Weight Breaks = weights at which discounted rates will apply to a   shipment so that heavier or larger shipments are charged at a lower rate per   kg (lb is USA)
WBGC West Bank and Gaza Strip
WCF World Chambers Federation
WCO World Customs Organisation
WEF World Economic Forum
WFOEs Wholly Foreign Owned Enterprises
WHO World Health Organisation
WIP Work in Progress
WIPO World Intellectual Property Organisation
WITA Washington International Trade Association
WMD Weapons of Mass Destruction
WME Worlds Most Ethical companies
WMS Warehouse Management System
WO Wholly Originating or Wholly Obtained (Rule of Origin)
WO (1) Wholly Obtained - qualifying criteria type under preference agreements:   also used to establish non-preference origin
WO (2) Wholly Originating (non-preference origin rule)
World Bank International Bank for Reconstruction and Development also known as IBRD
WP (1) Wholly Produced (Rule of Origin)
WP (2) Working Programme - aprt of the EU implementation procedure for th UCC
WPM Wood Packaging Material
WT (1) Weight
WT (2) Weighted TeraFLOPS (dual-use measure of computer performance)
WTA World Trade Agenda
WTO World Trade Organisation
Term Description
XI EORI Northern Ireland companies EU EORI for customs purposes
XI VAT No Northern Ireland companies VAT number for intra-EU trade
XP High Performance Computer (USA EAR reason for control)
XPS Express Parcel Service
XTN External Transaction Number (USA FTR)
Term Description
XI EORI Northern Ireland companies EU EORI for customs purposes
XI VAT No Northern Ireland companies VAT number for intra-EU trade
XP High Performance Computer (USA EAR reason for control)
XPS Express Parcel Service
XTN External Transaction Number (USA FTR)
Term Description
YAF Young Arbitrators Forum (ICC)
YAR York Antwerp Rules 2004 - current rules cover General Average claims
YE Year End
Term Description
YAF Young Arbitrators Forum (ICC)
YAR York Antwerp Rules 2004 - current rules cover General Average claims
YE Year End
Term Description
Zero-rated The right to issue invoices without charging VAT - applicable to   shipments exported from the EU
ZEUS Zoll Einreihung Unterstatzung System (A German national system for   issuing various certificates related to customs procedures, including Binding   Tariff Information decisions)
ZPLA Zolltechnische Prafungs- und Lehranstalt (Customs Technical Testing and   Education Institute)
Term Description
Zero-rated The right to issue invoices without charging VAT - applicable to   shipments exported from the EU
ZEUS Zoll Einreihung Unterstatzung System (A German national system for   issuing various certificates related to customs procedures, including Binding   Tariff Information decisions)
ZPLA Zolltechnische Prafungs- und Lehranstalt (Customs Technical Testing and   Education Institute)
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