Glossary

A logistics partner that manages services such as warehousing, transportation, and order fulfillment on behalf of shippers. Many Hawai‘i businesses use 3PL providers for mainland consolidation and neighbor island distribution.

Freight left unclaimed or undeliverable due to shipper or consignee error.

The consignee’s receipt of a shipment, ending the carrier’s delivery obligation.

Extra service fees beyond standard transport, such as lift-gate use, inside delivery, storage, or special handling.

U.S. Customs’ automated systems for sharing import/export and manifest data.

A duty or tax based on the declared value of goods. Common for high-value imports into Hawai‘i.

Cargo shipped by airplane, the fastest but most expensive mode of transport. Frequently used for urgent Hawai‘i shipments like perishables, pharmaceuticals, or e-commerce.

Non-negotiable contract for air cargo transport, serving as both receipt and proof of carriage.

A group of carriers that coordinate schedules and share vessel or aircraft space.

Cargo placed next to a vessel for loading.

Carrier notification to consignee that freight has reached port or terminal. Includes container details and free time expiration.

A return trip where a truck or container carries freight instead of returning empty, often at reduced rates.

Essential neighbor island shipping service using small vessels to move containers and loose freight between O‘ahu and the outer islands.

The key legal document in shipping, serving as a receipt, transport contract, and title of goods. Includes Ocean Bills of Lading (Hawai‘i freight from West Coast) and Air Waybills.

A signed but unspecified transfer of ownership on a Bill of Lading.

Supports used to secure cargo inside a container or truck to prevent shifting during ocean transit to Hawai‘i.

A tractor operating without a trailer.

A customs-controlled storage facility where imported goods can remain duty-free until released.

Non-containerized freight, such as vehicles, construction equipment, or heavy machinery, commonly shipped to Hawai‘i.

Loose goods like grain, sand, or fuel transported without packaging.

The driver’s compartment of a truck or tractor.

A company that physically moves freight by ocean, air, or trucking. Examples: Matson (ocean), Hawaiian Airlines (air), local Hawai‘i trucking companies.

A trucking firm providing local pick-up and delivery.

Document showing that a shipment is insured.

A wheeled frame used for hauling containers over the road in Hawai‘i.

Blocks placed against trailer or container wheels to prevent rolling.

A specific good or product being shipped. Proper classification is essential for customs and freight pricing.

Damage or shortages discovered only after unpacking cargo.

The receiving party of a shipment (customer or buyer).

The party sending the shipment.

Combining smaller shipments into one container or truckload for efficiency and cost savings. Frequently used for Hawai‘i-bound LCL shipments.

Transferring freight directly from inbound trucks to outbound trucks without long-term storage.

Licensed specialist handling import/export compliance and clearance.

The process of declaring goods with government authorities for import into Hawai‘i.

Deadline for freight to arrive at a facility or port to be loaded onto a scheduled sailing.

A deadhead refers to the empty miles a truck travels after delivering a load, or when traveling to pick up a new load, without carrying any cargo.

Fees for leaving containers at port longer than the free time allowed.

Charges for holding a truck or container at a customer’s location beyond free time.

Loading/unloading platform at a terminal or warehouse.

A service where cargo moves directly from the shipper’s location to the consignee’s door.

Short-haul trucking, such as moving containers from Honolulu Harbor to a warehouse.

Packaging or blocking material used to secure cargo.

Freight All Kinds. different types of commodities are grouped together and shipped under a single freight rate, rather than assigning individual classification codes or rates for each product.

A shipment using an entire container exclusively for one customer.

A measure equal to one 40-foot container.

Trailer with no sides or roof, used in Hawai‘i for oversized freight and areas without docks.

Federal Maritime Commission. It's the U.S. government agency responsible for regulating the country's international ocean transportation system. The FMC's primary role is to ensure a fair and competitive environment for exporters, importers, and consumers by overseeing the activities of ocean carriers, freight forwarders, and other intermediaries.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. It is a U.S. government agency responsible for regulating and providing safety oversight of commercial motor vehicles.(CMV’s)

Equipment used to move palletized freight.

The number of days a container can sit at port before demurrage fees apply.

Carrier invoice listing freight charges.

A logistics provider (like 9th Isle Logistics) that manages shipping arrangements, consolidation, and documentation for customers.

A shipment that fills an entire truck.

Global classification system used for customs and duties.

Dangerous goods requiring special handling (e.g., fuel, chemicals, batteries).

Hawai‘i Island’s primary east-side port for agriculture and construction cargo.

Hawai‘i’s busiest commercial harbor and the state’s main import gateway.

A shipping system where freight passes through a central hub (e.g., Honolulu) before reaching neighbor islands.

International trade rules defining buyer and seller responsibilities (e.g., FOB, CIF).

Barge and feeder vessel transport between O‘ahu and neighbor islands.

Freight using multiple modes (ocean + truck + barge).

Controlling storage, movement, and stock levels in warehouses.

Importer Security Filing. It's a mandatory electronic submission of information to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) for cargo entering the United States via ocean vessel.

Inventory strategy where goods arrive only as needed.

Maui’s main commercial port.

O‘ahu’s secondary harbor.

West Hawai‘i Island’s port serving retail, resort, and construction freight.

Total cost of goods delivered, including freight, insurance, and duties.

The final transport step to the consignee’s address.

Cargo not filling a full container; consolidated with others.

Hydraulic platform on trucks for heavy deliveries without docks.

Freight moved between distant cities or ports.

Small trucking shipments consolidated with others.

A detailed list of cargo contents, used by carriers and customs.

The primary ocean carrier between the U.S. West Coast and Hawai‘i.

Feeder barge delivering freight to Kaunakakai Harbor.

Kaua‘i’s main cargo port in Līhu‘e.

Combining shipments for cost-efficient transport between Hawaiian islands.

National Motor Freight Classification code, is a system used to classify freight for less-than-truckload (LTL) shipping.

A freight company that issues its own Bill of Lading but doesn’t operate vessels.

Cargo moved by vessel, the most cost-effective option for Hawai‘i-bound goods.

Oversized cargo that exceeds container dimensions.

Wooden or plastic platforms used to stack and move cargo efficiently.

Warehouse service where goods are picked from inventory and packed for shipping.

Authorized port where international cargo is cleared by customs.

Signed receipt confirming delivery to consignee.

A temperature-controlled container used for perishable cargo.

Vessels with ramps for wheeled cargo such as vehicles.

Published schedule of vessel or barge departures/arrivals serving Hawai‘i.

The Shipper's Export Declaration (SED), now known as Electronic Export Information (EEI) is a form that provides information about the shipment to customs authorities when exporting.

Coastal freight transport, such as Honolulu to Kaua‘i or Maui.

Inventory tracking code for specific products.

Dockside loading/unloading of cargo vessels in Hawai‘i’s harbors.

Published freight rate schedule and rules.

Facility where freight is received, sorted, and transferred between trucks, ships, or barges.

Container capacity measure equal to one 20-foot container.

Cargo transfer between vessels or barges during transit.

Ground transport to/from ports, warehouses, and customers across Hawai‘i.

This pertains to hazmat, or hazardous materials.  It’s a four-digit code used to identify hazardous materials during transport.

Storage of goods in a facility until distribution.

Non-negotiable shipping document with cargo details and routing.

Port fee charged for use of a wharf to load/unload freight.

Premium delivery service including unpacking, installation, and disposal of packing materials.