Shipping and freight
forwarding glossary

Term	Definition
Tail Lift	A tail lift is a mechanical device to raise and lower the rear end of a vehicle. Tail lifts are often used on trucks and vans to make it easier to load and unload cargo.
Tank	A tank is a large container used to store liquids or compressed gases. Tanks are often used in industrial and military applications, and many different types of tanks exist. Some common types of tanks include Storage tanks, Pressure tanks, Fuel tanks, and Water tanks.
Tare Weight	Tare weight is the weight of an empty container. The net weight of a shipment is obtained by deducting the tare weight from the gross weight. The costs for the freight are calculated using this result.
Tautliner	A tautliner is a semi-trailer with a taut, or tight, fabric roof. This roof covers the entire length and width of the trailer and is typically made from PVC-coated polyester. The tautliner is a popular choice for hauling various goods, as it offers good protection from the elements and is easy to load and unload.
Telematics	Telematics is a system that allows for the remote monitoring and management of vehicles. This system uses various sensors and tracking devices to collect data on a vehicle’s location, speed, and other factors. This data can track the vehicle’s movements, monitor its performance, and even diagnose problems.
Telescopic Trailer	A telescopic trailer is a type of trailer that can be extended to accommodate different loads. The most common type of telescopic trailer is a semi-trailer, which can be extended to accommodate different lengths of loads.
Tender	A tender is a formal proposal to supply services or goods. In some cases, a tender may be the first step in a formal procurement process, in which case it will be followed by negotiation and a contract. In other cases, a tender may be an invitation to submit an offer without further commitment.
Terminal	A terminal is a space or site that can handle the loading and unloading of cargo and operate as a hub for passengers transferring between vehicles.
Terminal Handling Charges (THC)	Terminal Handling Charges (THC) are fees assessed by terminals for cargo handling. These fees are set by terminals per container basis and are generally considered on both inbound and outbound shipments.
Thermo	Thermo means to heat or temperature. It relates to heat, warmth, hotness, temperature, or thermal energy. The phrase is primarily used in technical and scientific language.
Third-party Logistics (3PL)	Third-party logistics (3PL) is a service in which a company outsources its logistics and distribution functions to another company. 3PL providers typically specialize in integrated operations, which can include any combination of transportation, warehousing, and value-added services such as packaging, cross-docking, and inventory management.
Three Dimensional Loading	Three Dimensional Loading determines the most effective packing strategy using 3D photographs of containers and the associated goods. Because of this, planning for a small arrangement may be done quickly and effectively.
Timber Transport	Timber Transport is the process of transporting timber from the point of harvest to the point of processing or sale.
Time Window	A time window is a period during which a particular activity or event can take place. In logistics, it means the period during which a shipment is delivered or picked up.
Toll	A toll is a charge that a road user pays to use a specific stretch of road, highway, or bridge.
Tour Planning	Tour planning is the process of organizing transport orders into tours and allocating them in a specific order. One person or one vehicle typically conducts the tour.
Tracking and Tracing	Tracking and tracing follow a product or item’s life cycle, from production to delivery to disposal. This can be done manually or with technology and can be used for various purposes, including ensuring quality control, tracking inventory, and managing shipments.
Trade Logistics	Trade logistics is organizing the transportation and storage of goods to facilitate international trade. It includes the coordination of various players in the supply chain, such as manufacturers, suppliers, retailers, and transportation companies. Trade logistics can be complex, particularly in supply chains that span multiple countries.
Trailer	A trailer is a vehicle designed for transporting large or heavy cargo.
Trailer Drops	Trailer drops are when a trailer is backed up to a loading dock, and the trailer is dropped so the contents can be unloaded.
Transaction Costs	Transaction costs are incurred by a business when buying or selling goods and services. They include the costs of searching for a suitable counterparty, negotiating a price, and closing the transaction.
Transshipment	Transshipment is the process of moving goods from one mode of transportation to another.
Transit Time	Transit time is the time required to deliver a shipment after it has been picked up from the point of departure. Essentially, it is the time needed to move something from one location to another.
Transfer Order	A transfer order is a document used to move items between storage units inside a warehouse or from one warehouse site to another.
Transport Management System (TMS)	A transport management system (TMS) is a software solution designed to streamline the operations of a transportation and logistics company. A TMS can help improve the efficiency of shipping, tracking, and managing transportation resources and data.
Transport Order	In business, a transport order is a request to move goods from one location to another. It is typically used in businesses that deal with physical goods, such as manufacturers, distributors, and retailers. A transport order typically contains information about the goods to be moved, the origin and destination of the move, and the date and time when the move should occur.
Transport of Dangerous Goods	Transportation of dangerous goods is the movement of hazardous materials by land, sea, or air. The term “dangerous goods” refers to flammable, corrosive, explosive, poisonous, or otherwise hazardous materials.
Transportation	Transportation is the movement of people, animals, and goods from one location to another. There are many modes of transportation, including walking, biking, cars, buses, trains, planes, and boats.
Transportation Mode	Transportation mode is the means by which people and goods move from one place to another. The most common modes of transportation are by foot, bicycle, automobile, train, boat, and airplane.
Transportation Planning	Transportation planning is a branch of urban planning that deals with developing and managing transportation systems in urban areas. It assesses the need for transportation infrastructure and services and develops plans to meet those needs.
Transporter	A transporter is a vehicle, ship, or aircraft having a sizable cargo hold appropriate for long-distance travel. Vans, transport ships, and transport planes are the three basic types of transporters.
Truck	A truck is a large, heavy vehicle used for transporting goods, materials, or people.
Truck Driver	A truck driver is a person who drives a truck for a living. The driver often operates a vehicle to convey products by road from one location to another.
Truckload	A truckload is a shipment of goods that is large enough to fill an entire truck.
Twenty-Foot Container Equivalent Unit (TEU)	A twenty-foot container equivalent unit (TEU) measures container capacity on a ship or container terminal. One TEU is equivalent to one 20-foot-long (6.1 m) ISO container.
Two-Party Logistics(2PL)	Two-party logistics(2PL) is a business arrangement in which two companies work together to provide a complete set of logistics services for a product. In a two-party logistics arrangement, one company typically includes transportation and warehousing services, while the other provides order fulfillment and customer service.
Two-Man Handling	Two-man handling is lifting and carrying a load using two people. This method is often used when the load is too heavy or awkward for one person to lift and carry safely.