📚 International Consolidation Glossary

International parcel consolidation is a cross-border logistics model where customers ship parcels from Taobao, Pinduoduo, JD, or multiple sellers to a domestic consolidation warehouse. The consolidation provider handles inbound inspection, parcel merging, reinforcement, customs declaration, international shipping, clearance, and last-mile delivery to overseas addresses.

It is suited for overseas Chinese, international students shopping across multiple platforms, and cross-border sellers restocking in small quantities. Compared with direct shipping, consolidation focuses on multi-parcel merging, cost optimisation, and unified customs clearance and delivery.

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Last updated: 2026-04-17 · Reviewed by the JunFeng International operations, customer service, and customs clearance teams · Term definitions are general industry explanations; specific carrier rules are subject to route and destination country policy.

12 categories · 251 professional terms explained

Showing 251 of 251 terms

What is the difference between international consolidation, international forwarding, direct shipping, and dedicated freight?

Match the channel to the scenario: multi-platform personal shoppers are better served by consolidation; sellers with standardised single-ticket shipments are better served by dedicated freight or direct shipping.

Mode	Who it suits	Process difference	Cost characteristics	Key risks
International Consolidation	Overseas Chinese, international students, multi-platform shoppers, small-batch restocking sellers	Ship to domestic consolidation warehouse first, then merge, declare, dispatch, clear customs, and deliver last mile	Optimises cost for multiple parcels; merging usually reduces fees	Unclear customer code, declaration info, or sensitive-cargo rules may affect inbound or clearance
International Forwarding	Cross-border shoppers, individuals or merchants needing forwarding	Ship to a forwarding warehouse, then have the forwarder send overseas	More flexible per ticket, but not always cheaper than consolidation for multiple parcels	Significant variation in forwarding rules, storage time, and declaration requirements
Direct Shipping	Single-item buyers, standardised platform orders	Seller ships directly from origin to overseas address, bypassing a consolidation warehouse	Simple process, but difficult to merge multiple parcels or customise packaging	Less control when dealing with tax issues, returns, or packaging problems
Dedicated Freight	Cross-border sellers, repeat buyers, customers requiring reliable transit times and stable customs clearance	Fixed trunk haul, clearance, and last-mile delivery combination tailored to specific country routes	Generally more stable pricing; suited to standardised shipping and ongoing despatch	Goods category, weight, dimensions, and tax model accepted by the route must be confirmed in advance

Frequently Used Terms & Common Questions

This section collects the most commonly encountered terms, tax and customs guidance, and route information in international consolidation, so you can quickly find what you need.

If you want a single-page overview of duties included, duties not included, DDP, DAP, VAT, GST, and customs inspection, start with the customs & tax guide.

Warehousing & Operations (26 terms)

Shelving: The process of placing received goods on designated shelf locations in the warehouse for easier retrieval, packing, and dispatch.
Inbound Check-in: The process by which a parcel arrives at the consolidation warehouse, is signed for, logged, and shelved, entering the queue for processing.
Outbound Dispatch: The operation of dispatching a parcel from the warehouse after packing, labelling, and handover to the carrier.
Sorting: The process of classifying goods by route, destination, channel, or batch.
Box Splitting: Dividing one or more parcels into multiple separate shipping units, often to avoid overweight, oversize, or risk-control issues.
Reinforced Packaging: Enhancing parcel protection using bubble wrap, stretch film, corner guards, wooden frames, or similar materials.
Packaging Removal: Removing excess outer packaging or filler material from goods to reduce parcel volume and weight.
Shoebox Removal: Removing the original shoebox before packing footwear for shipment, to reduce volume and shipping cost.
Consolidation: Merging multiple parcels into a single shipping unit to reduce volume, lower freight cost, or simplify delivery.
Re-verification: Checking the address, item count, channel, and declaration details again before dispatch to reduce errors.
Multi-platform Consolidation: Collecting parcels from Taobao, Pinduoduo, JD, 1688, and other platforms at the same consolidation warehouse and merging them, reducing duplicate first-weight charges and simplifying delivery.
Storage Slot: The specific numbered position within the warehouse where goods are stored, used to improve management efficiency.
Palletising: Securing goods to a pallet for transport, enabling forklift handling and bulk loading/unloading.
Unpacking: Opening original courier packaging to inspect the contents or to prepare for repacking.
Photo Inspection: The warehouse takes photos to report the parcel's arrival condition, outer packaging status, or product details to the customer.
Picking: Retrieving specific goods or parcels from their storage locations per order requirements.
Re-boxing: Transferring goods from the original box to a new one to optimise volume, improve protection, or meet shipping requirements.
Wooden Frame: An external wooden support structure made for fragile or high-value large items.
Wooden Crate: Full wooden-box packaging for goods that require a high level of protection.
Measuring Dimensions: Recording the length, width, and height of a parcel to calculate volumetric weight and select the appropriate packaging.
Item Count Check: Verifying the number of parcels, items, or accessories to prevent shortages or missing pieces.
Weighing: Measuring the actual weight of a parcel in the warehouse, as the basis for billing and packing.
Label Application: Affixing waybills, identification labels, or sorting codes to the outside of a parcel.
Waterproof Packaging: Reducing the risk of moisture or water damage during transit by using waterproof bags, stretch film, or similar materials.
Pre-declaration: Submitting parcel information to the system before the parcel arrives at the warehouse, helping the warehouse identify and manage inbound parcels.
Cargo Inspection: Warehouse staff check the parcel's appearance, quantity, category, or condition to confirm it matches the pre-declaration information.

After-Sales & Risk (16 terms)

Force Majeure: Abnormal shipping situations caused by factors beyond human control, such as war, natural disasters, policy changes, or strikes.
Lost Parcel: A parcel lost during transit, warehousing, or delivery that cannot be delivered to the recipient.
Misdirected Parcel: Goods mistakenly packed or dispatched to another customer's order, causing a wrong-shipment problem.
Declared-value Cover: An additional compensation service purchased based on the declared value, raising the payout ceiling if an incident occurs.
Cargo Insurance: A transit risk coverage service provided by the logistics company or a third party, covering situations such as loss or damage.
Disclaimer Clause: A clause in a logistics service agreement specifying situations under which the service provider bears no liability for compensation.
Missing Item: Fewer items in the parcel than the shipped or declared quantity, which may occur at the receipt, packing, or transit stage.
Delay: Actual transit time exceeding normal expectations, possibly caused by flights, customs, weather, or peak-season congestion.
Abandoned Shipment: A shipment not shipped or delivered because of a parcel issue, prohibitive cost, or the customer abandoning the process.
Refusal of Delivery: The recipient actively refuses to accept the parcel, which may result in a return, destruction, or additional charges.
Peak-season Congestion: During holidays, promotional seasons, or logistics peak periods, the overall efficiency of warehousing, shipping, customs, and delivery declines.
Claims Processing: In the event of lost, damaged, or abnormal goods, the customer applies for compensation from the logistics service provider per the applicable rules.
Damage: The outer packaging or internal goods are damaged or functionally impaired during transit.
Return Shipment: A parcel returned to the origin warehouse, overseas warehouse, or destroyed due to customs failure, refusal, or delivery anomaly.
Destruction: A parcel disposed of locally by law due to non-compliance, customs failure, unclaimed status, or prohibitive return costs.
Wrong Delivery: Goods dispatched to the wrong country, wrong address, or wrong recipient.

Country & Address (11 terms)

Residential Delivery: The delivery destination is a private home; some commercial couriers differentiate pricing for residential vs. commercial addresses.
Commercial Address Delivery: The delivery destination is a business location such as a company, shop, or office.
Address Standardisation: Normalising the format, correcting spelling, and unifying the structure of addresses submitted by the customer.
Address Validation: The system checks whether the recipient address is complete, real, and deliverable.
State Code: The state or province abbreviation in addresses for countries such as the US and Canada, used to improve address accuracy.
Recipient Tax ID: A tax identification number that some countries require the recipient to provide for import clearance.
Customs Document Request: During clearance, customs or the agent requests additional documents such as invoices, payment proof, or identity documents.
English Address: A delivery address written in English as required for international shipping, typically including street, city, state/province, and postcode.
Identity Document: Identity documents such as a passport, national ID, or local ID that some countries may require from the recipient at customs clearance.
Postcode / ZIP Code: The postal code for the delivery area, a key piece of information for last-mile delivery and address identification.
Consolidation Warehouse Address: The address provided by the consolidation service for customers to use when placing orders on domestic e-commerce platforms, typically requiring the customer's identification code, phone number, or remarks so the warehouse can attribute the inbound parcel.

Core Concepts (19 terms)

Dropshipping: A fulfilment model where the supplier or warehouse ships directly to the end buyer after the merchant receives an order.
Dedicated Route Logistics: Fixed logistics routes built for specific countries or regions, generally offering more targeted pricing, transit times, and customs stability.
Warehouse-to-Warehouse: A logistics service transporting goods from the origin warehouse to the destination warehouse, without delivering to the final individual address.
Dual Customs Door-to-Door: The service provider handles both export and import customs clearance and delivers to the overseas recipient address; whether taxes are included depends on whether the quote explicitly states DDP, duty-paid, or dual-clearance duty-inclusive.
Also known as: Dual Clearance Delivery / Door to Door Customs Clearance
Domestic Consolidation Warehouse: A warehouse located in China that receives domestically purchased parcels and carries out inspection, consolidation, packing, and dispatch.
International Small Packet: An international postal product for lighter, smaller goods; typically lower in cost but with relatively average transit time and tracking reliability.
International Forwarding: A service where the customer ships goods to a forwarding warehouse first, then the forwarding company re-ships them overseas; compared with international consolidation, forwarding focuses more on re-shipping, while consolidation emphasises multi-parcel merging, cost optimisation, and unified customs clearance and delivery.
Also known as: Cross-border Forwarding / Overseas Forwarding
International Parcel Consolidation: A cross-border logistics model where customers ship parcels from Taobao, Pinduoduo, JD, or multiple sellers to a domestic consolidation warehouse; the provider handles inbound, inspection, consolidation, reinforcement, declaration, international transport, customs clearance, and last-mile delivery to an overseas address. Related terms: consolidation, volumetric weight, chargeable weight, customs clearance, DDP, beginner's guide.
Also known as: Overseas Consolidation / Cross-border Consolidation / China Consolidation Shipping
First-mile: The first international transport leg, from the origin-country warehouse to the destination-country warehouse, port, or distribution centre.
Small-batch Replenishment: A logistics scenario where a cross-border seller or small-B customer sends small quantities of stock to an overseas warehouse, store, or end-customer address via consolidation, dedicated routes, or air-sea shipping.
Last-mile: The final delivery leg after goods arrive in the destination country, from the local warehouse, customs port, or delivery station to the final recipient.
Pinduoduo Consolidation: A cross-border shipping method where the customer places orders on Pinduoduo, sends parcels from multiple sellers to a consolidation warehouse, and the provider handles inbound, consolidation, and overseas shipping.
Also known as: PDD Consolidation / Pinduoduo Overseas Shipping
Overseas Warehouse: A warehousing node in the destination country or target market, used for local stock, distribution, transit, and returns processing.
Taobao Consolidation: A service for customers who shop on Taobao to send multiple sellers' parcels to a domestic consolidation warehouse, which then consolidates, declares, and ships to the overseas address; suitable for overseas Chinese and international students buying from multiple shops.
Also known as: Taobao Consolidation / Taobao Overseas Shipping
Direct Mail: The seller or platform ships goods directly from the dispatch point to the overseas recipient's address, bypassing the customer's chosen consolidation warehouse; suitable for single items and low-complexity orders, but less convenient than consolidation for multi-platform shopping.
Also known as: Direct Shipping / Direct Mail
Personal Effects Consolidation: A consolidation scenario primarily involving items for personal use, such as clothing, books, daily necessities, and school supplies; goods typically need to be declared with the true item name and a reasonable value.
Cross-border Shipping: The act of an individual or business sending goods from their home country to an overseas address, common in scenarios involving international students, overseas Chinese families, cross-border e-commerce, and gift sending.
Cross-border Logistics: The full-chain logistics activities involved in transporting goods from one country to another, including collection, transport, customs clearance, and delivery.
Door-to-Door: A full-service logistics solution covering collection at the sender's address through to delivery at the recipient's address, also known as Door to Door.

Delivery & Sign-off (11 terms)

Proxy Sign-off: A parcel signed for by a receptionist, neighbour, family member, property manager, or other non-addressee.
Redelivery: After a failed first delivery attempt, the logistics company arranges a second or further delivery.
Remote Address: The delivery address is in an area with poor service coverage and high delivery cost, which may incur a remote area surcharge.
Address Error: The delivery address is incomplete, inaccurate, or in a format not accepted by the local courier, which may cause delay or a return.
Last-mile Delivery: The delivery stage after goods complete international transport and customs clearance, when the destination country's local courier, postal service, truck, or own fleet delivers to the final recipient address.
Also known as: Last Mile Delivery / Final-mile Delivery
No One to Sign: No one is available at the delivery address to receive the parcel; may require redelivery or self-collection.
Final-mile Delivery: The process by which a local courier or delivery company delivers the parcel to the recipient after international transport and customs clearance.
Failed Delivery: The courier fails to deliver the parcel to the recipient due to address error, no one to sign, or inability to contact the recipient.
Delivery Dispute: Although the system shows a delivery confirmation, the recipient did not actually receive the parcel or disputes the delivery record.
Self-collection: The recipient must collect the parcel from a designated service point, warehouse, or locker.
Scheduled Delivery: A service where the specific delivery window is pre-booked to match the recipient's schedule.

Customs & Compliance (41 terms)

CE (Conformité Européenne): CE is a conformity marking used in the EU market; certain electronics, appliances, toys, and machinery entering the European market may need to meet relevant safety and compliance requirements.
Also known as: CE Marking
DAP (Delivered at Place): DAP stands for Delivered at Place; goods are delivered to the agreed destination but import duties and taxes are typically borne by the buyer or recipient; consolidation users often treat it as a duties-not-included or pay-on-delivery model.
Also known as: Delivered At Place / Duty Not Included
DDP (Delivered Duty Paid): DDP stands for Delivered Duty Paid; the seller or logistics provider bears agreed transport, clearance, and tax obligations and delivers goods to the destination; in consolidation it commonly corresponds to dual-clearance duty-inclusive or duty-paid delivery.
Also known as: DDP / Delivered Duty Paid / Dual Clearance Duty-inclusive
DDU (Delivered Duty Unpaid): DDU is an older trade term used in logistics to mean duties-not-included or pay-on-delivery; formally replaced by DAP in current rules, but users still commonly use DDU to refer to duty-exclusive channels.
Also known as: Delivered Duty Unpaid / Duties Not Included
EORI: The EU Economic Operators Registration and Identification number, required for customs declarations in some EU import operations.
FCC (Federal Communications Commission): FCC refers to the US Federal Communications Commission; electronics with wireless, Bluetooth, communications, or radio-frequency functions entering the US market may involve certification or compliance requirements.
Also known as: Federal Communications Commission
FDA (Food and Drug Administration): FDA refers to the US Food and Drug Administration; food, drugs, cosmetics, and medical devices entering the US may be subject to relevant regulatory requirements.
Also known as: U.S. Food and Drug Administration
HS Code: The internationally standardised commodity classification code, used to determine the product category, applicable tariff rate, and regulatory requirements.
IOR (Importer of Record): IOR stands for Importer of Record, the party legally responsible for import declaration, tax payment, and compliance obligations; especially important in commercial imports and cross-border seller replenishment scenarios.
Also known as: Importer of Record
IOSS (Import One-Stop Shop): IOSS is the EU Import One-Stop Shop mechanism, applicable to VAT declaration and payment for some low-value B2C goods; applicability depends on goods value, platform rules, and import model.
Also known as: Import One-Stop Shop / EU VAT One-Stop Shop
IPPC Fumigation Mark: The International Plant Protection Convention mark stamped on compliant wooden packaging; destination customs or quarantine authorities may use it to determine whether wooden crates or pallets meet import requirements.
Also known as: IPPC Mark / Fumigation Mark
MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet): MSDS is a Material Safety Data Sheet; some liquid, powder, chemical, or battery-related products may need to provide one for carrier acceptance, security screening, or customs clearance.
Also known as: Material Safety Data Sheet
UN38.3: UN38.3 is a safety testing standard commonly required for lithium batteries in air and international transport; products containing batteries may need to confirm the relevant test documentation before shipping.
Under-declaration: Intentionally declaring a value lower than the true goods value to reduce tax, which carries the risk of inspection and penalties.
Export Customs Clearance: The customs declaration and review process completed before goods leave the country of origin.
Country of Origin: The country or region where goods were produced, manufactured, or substantially transformed, which is important in tariff and compliance determination.
Certificate of Origin: An official or authorised document proving the country of origin of goods, which can be used to benefit from preferential tariff rates or meet import requirements.
Brand Authorisation Letter: A certificate issued by the brand owner or rights holder authorising sales, agency, or use; may be required for branded goods at customs inspection or platform compliance checks.
Commercial Invoice: A document used for customs clearance and trade settlement, typically listing the goods' names, quantities, unit prices, and total value.
Duty-paid: The taxes corresponding to the goods have been paid in full, allowing the process to proceed to customs clearance or delivery.
Customs Flag: Customs has flagged a shipment for close attention, which may lead to inspection, delay, or requests for supplementary documents.
Shipper: The party that engages the logistics service provider to transport goods; may be an individual user, seller, supplier, or dispatch company; shipping documents typically require shipper information.
Also known as: Shipper / Consignor / Sender
Customs Hold: Goods are temporarily detained by customs, usually due to incomplete documentation, declaration anomalies, or sensitive product categories.
Customs Declaration: The act of declaring the name, quantity, value, and purpose of goods to customs.
Customs Declaration Agent: A professional organisation that acts as agent for export or import customs declaration, submitting declaration data to customs based on shipping documents and product information.
Inspection Declaration: The process of declaring goods to inspection and quarantine authorities, required for goods subject to quarantine, testing, or health inspection.
Consignee / Recipient: The party at the destination who receives the parcel or goods; address, phone number, tax ID, or identity information may affect customs clearance and last-mile delivery.
Also known as: Consignee / Recipient
Customs Release: Goods are permitted to continue transport or delivery after completing customs review, inspection, or tax payment.
Wood Packaging Quarantine: Quarantine or compliance review of wooden packaging such as crates, pallets, and frames; non-compliant packaging may result in return, destruction, or additional handling charges.
Customs Inspection: Customs opens, verifies, reviews documentation, or randomly checks declared goods to confirm their actual condition and compliance.
Customs Clearance: The process of declaring goods to customs at import or export, undergoing review, and completing release.
Customs Broker: An agent that assists with import customs clearance, document submission, tax payment, and release follow-up; often works alongside customs declaration agents and destination country agents.
Also known as: Customs Broker / Customs Agent
Declaration: The act of completing and submitting relevant goods information during transport and customs clearance, including name, quantity, and value.
Declared Value: The value of goods declared to customs, which typically affects tariff calculations, inspection risk, and compensation basis.
Declared Item Name: The product name filled in for customs declaration, which should be as specific, truthful, and classifiable as possible, avoiding vague descriptions like "gift", "accessories", or "sample".
Tax Number: An identification number used for import declaration, tax payment, or identity verification; different countries may require recipients to provide different types of tax numbers.
Packing List: A document listing the goods details, quantities, and packaging condition inside a parcel, used for customs clearance and warehouse verification.
Import Customs Clearance: The process of declaring goods to local customs after they arrive in the destination country, paying taxes, undergoing inspection, and obtaining release.
Import Licence: A permit required for certain goods to enter the destination country; without this licence, customs clearance may not be possible.
Accompanying Documents: Documents required during transport or customs clearance, such as invoices, packing lists, declarations, and licences.
Over-declaration: The declared value is noticeably higher than the actual goods value, which may lead to excessive taxes or attract customs attention.

Logistics Nodes & Tracking (19 terms)

Transit / Transshipment: Goods passing through an intermediate node during transit for transshipment, sorting, or onward forwarding.
Handed to Warehouse: The parcel has been delivered to a designated warehouse, consolidation centre, or carrier warehouse, awaiting further processing.
Handed to Airline: The shipment has been handed over to the airline or air freight system, awaiting loading or departure.
Arrived at Port / Airport: The vessel or flight carrying the goods has arrived at the destination port or airport.
Arrived at Station: The goods have arrived at a transit hub, rail station, or regional distribution depot.
Successfully Delivered: The parcel has been successfully delivered and signed for, indicating completed delivery in the tracking status.
Vessel Departed: The vessel carrying the goods has officially departed from the origin port.
Cargo Pickup: The logistics company collects goods from the supplier, warehouse, or customer-specified location.
Parcel Collected: The logistics company or courier has collected the parcel from the sender, or confirmed the parcel has entered the transport system.
Out for Delivery: The parcel has been handed to the last-mile courier or local delivery network and is on its way to the delivery address.
Customs Clearance in Progress: The goods are undergoing review, inspection, duty payment, or release procedures at the destination country's customs.
Customs Cleared: The goods have completed customs formalities and are authorised to enter the destination country's logistics distribution network.
Tracking History: The record of a parcel's transport journey shown in the system, including status updates, timestamps, and location information.
Signed / Delivered: The act of the recipient or authorised person confirming receipt of the parcel; also a key milestone marking delivery completion.
Local Last-Mile Delivery: The stage after goods arrive in the destination country where a local delivery service completes the final delivery.
Container Loading: Loading goods into a shipping container in preparation for sea freight or bulk transport.
Departed / Airborne: The flight carrying the goods has left the departure airport and begun the international air freight leg.
Tracking Stalled: The tracking status has not been updated for an extended period, which may be caused by goods in transit, scanning delays, or system sync issues.
Transfer Tracking Number: The new tracking number assigned to a parcel when it changes carrier at different shipping stages, commonly seen when switching between the international leg and the last mile.

System & Documents (15 terms)

Inbound Code / Customer ID: A code used to identify the parcel's owner, commonly included in the consolidation warehouse address, recipient name, or remarks; missing this code may cause inbound delays or unrecognised parcels.
Also known as: Customer Code / Warehouse ID
Inbound Record: A document or system record logging a parcel's inbound information, including item count, weight, and timestamp.
Outbound Record: A document or system record logging a parcel's departure from the warehouse, used to verify outbound shipment details.
Parcel Number: The number used by the warehouse or system to identify an individual parcel; may differ from the tracking number.
Service Ticket: A record used by customer service, operations, or the warehouse to log and handle parcel exceptions, enquiries, or after-sales issues.
Batch: A group of goods processed together under the same time window, route, or operational plan.
Label Code: A barcode or QR code used internally in the warehouse to identify parcels, storage locations, batches, or sorting rules.
Channel Code: An internal identification code assigned in the system to different logistics routes or transport products.
Status Update Callback: The process by which a carrier or logistics node syncs the latest shipment status back to the platform system.
Proof of Delivery: A record or electronic receipt confirming that a parcel has been received by the recipient or an authorised representative.
Order Number: The business reference number generated when a user places an order on the platform, used for internal management and service tracking.
Tracking Sync: The process of transferring and updating logistics tracking information across different systems.
Waybill Number: The unique identification number generated by the logistics system for each parcel, used for lookup and tracking.
Exception Parcel: A parcel that has encountered an issue at any stage — warehousing, transport, customs clearance, or delivery — requiring manual follow-up.
Shipping Label: The logistics label affixed to the outside of a parcel, typically containing the address, barcode, waybill number, and sorting information.

Billing & Pricing (36 terms)

GST (Goods and Services Tax): GST is Goods and Services Tax, commonly applicable in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and other markets; whether GST applies to an imported parcel depends on the destination country's tax rules, declared value, and clearance method.
Also known as: Goods and Services Tax
VAT (Value Added Tax): VAT is Value Added Tax, commonly applicable during import or sale in the UK, EU, and other markets; whether VAT applies to a cross-border shipment depends on the destination country's rules, declared value, goods category, and clearance model.
Also known as: Value Added Tax
Duties Not Included: Duties not included means the shipping quote does not cover destination country taxes; import duties, VAT, or consumption tax are typically borne by the recipient. Common with DAP, DDU, or certain commercial courier channels.
Also known as: Tax on Delivery / Duty Unpaid
Warehousing Fee: A storage fee charged when goods remain in the warehouse beyond the free storage period.
Residential Surcharge: An additional fee that may be charged when commercial couriers or truck deliveries are made to residential addresses, commonly seen in the US, Canada, and other markets.
Also known as: Residential Surcharge
Volumetric Weight: Volumetric weight, also called dimensional weight, is calculated from the parcel's length, width, height, and the carrier's conversion factor; commonly used for billing lightweight, bulky goods. Most routes charge the greater of actual weight and volumetric weight as the chargeable weight. See volumetric weight calculator FAQ.
Also known as: Dimensional Weight / Volumetric Weight
Remote Area Surcharge: An additional fee charged when the delivery address is in a remote area that is difficult to service.
Customs Duty: Tax levied by customs when goods are imported into the destination country, based on declared value, goods category, and applicable tax rate.
Duty Prepayment: Estimated customs duties paid in advance by the shipper, platform, or logistics provider before clearance or delivery, reducing the likelihood of the recipient being asked to pay on the spot.
Split Parcel Fee: A service fee incurred when one or more parcels are split into multiple independent shipping units.
Reinforcement Fee: A fee charged for reinforcement services such as wooden frames, bubble wrap, or corner guards applied to fragile or high-risk goods.
Duties Included: Duties included means the shipping quote already covers destination country import taxes within the agreed scope; the recipient generally does not need to pay additional taxes. Common with DDP or dual-clearance duty-inclusive routes, but still subject to declared goods category, value, and destination country policy.
Also known as: Dual Clearance Duty-inclusive / Tax Inclusive
Dual Clearance Duty-Inclusive: A service model in which the provider handles both export and import customs clearance and includes agreed-scope taxes within the quoted price.
Consolidation Fee: A handling fee that may apply when multiple parcels are combined into a single shipment.
Value Added Tax (VAT): A tax levied on goods during import or at the point of sale in certain countries, commonly seen in European markets.
Actual Weight: The physical weight of a parcel after it has been weighed; one of the key references for calculating shipping charges.
Packing Fee: A fee charged by the warehouse for repacking, reinforcing, or protective wrapping services provided for the customer.
Customs Declaration Fee: A service fee charged by the customs broker or logistics provider for handling export customs declaration.
Unboxing Fee: A fee charged by the warehouse for removing original packaging, inspecting contents, or repacking goods.
Handling Fee: A service fee for warehouse operations such as inspection, packing, labelling, sorting, and handling.
Minimum Chargeable Weight: The minimum weight threshold set by a route or channel for billing purposes; even if the parcel's actual weight is below this threshold, the minimum chargeable weight is applied.
Dimensional Weight: Dimensional weight is a common alias for volumetric weight, calculated from the parcel's length, width, height, and the carrier's conversion factor, reflecting the cost of space occupied by lightweight, bulky goods.
Also known as: Volumetric Weight / Dimensional Weight
Light Bulky Cargo: Goods that are large in volume but light in weight; typically billed by volumetric weight.
Excise Tax / Consumption Tax: A tax levied on specific categories of goods during import or sale, such as alcohol and perfume.
Fuel Surcharge: An additional charge levied by carriers to account for fuel price fluctuations, commonly seen in air freight and commercial courier services.
Tax Remittance Service: A service where the logistics provider, customs broker, or platform pays the destination country's taxes on behalf of the user based on declared information, then recovers the amount as agreed or includes it in the quoted price.
Additional Weight Rate: The billing rate applied to weight beyond the initial weight tier, typically charged per 0.5 kg, 1 kg, or other incremental units.
Weight Rounding-up: The rule of rounding up to the nearest 0.5 kg, 1 kg, or other unit when calculating shipping charges; for example, 1.1 kg may be billed as 1.5 kg or 2 kg.
Chargeable Weight: Chargeable weight is the final weight used to calculate shipping fees, typically the greater of actual weight and volumetric weight, then rounded up or subject to a minimum chargeable weight per channel rules. See shipping and billing guide.
Also known as: Billable Weight / Chargeable Weight
Overweight Surcharge: An additional fee charged when a single parcel's weight exceeds the standard limit.
Oversize Surcharge: An additional fee incurred when the dimensions of a shipment exceed the length limit set by the carrier or channel.
Freight / Shipping Fee: The basic logistics cost incurred for transporting goods from the origin to the destination.
Weight-to-Volume Ratio: The relationship between actual weight and volumetric proportion, used to determine whether a parcel is closer to heavy cargo or light bulky cargo.
Heavy Cargo: Goods with a relatively high actual weight and density, typically billed by actual weight.
Surcharge: Additional charges beyond the base shipping fee, incurred due to special circumstances or extra services.
Initial Weight Rate: The billing rate applied to the first weight tier in logistics pricing, typically higher than the rate for each additional unit of weight.

Cargo Attributes (26 terms)

Counterfeit Goods: Goods suspected of counterfeiting well-known brands; typically classified as high-risk or non-compliant cargo and prone to customs seizure.
Built-in Battery: Products with a battery already installed inside the device, such as mobile phones, tablets, and electronic scales.
Cosmetics: Goods such as skincare products, makeup, and perfumes; often classified as sensitive cargo due to liquid, cream, or ingredient concerns.
Magnetised Cargo: Products containing magnetic components; may require additional testing or special handling in air transport.
Brand Infringement Risk: The risk that goods may involve disputes over trademarks, patents, copyrights, or brand authorisation; counterfeit goods, unauthorised branded items, or suspected infringing products are prone to carrier rejection or customs seizure.
Branded Goods: Goods bearing a brand name, trademark, or intellectual property identifier; customs clearance in some countries may involve infringement review risk.
Oversized Cargo: Goods that are large in weight or dimensions; generally better suited for sea freight or dedicated oversized cargo channels.
Battery-Containing Goods: Goods containing built-in batteries, accompanying batteries, or standalone battery products; typically subject to significant restrictions in air transport and customs clearance.
Volumetric Cargo: Goods that are large in volume but light in actual weight, typically billed by volumetric weight; may appear light but shipping costs can be high.
Sensitive Cargo: Sensitive cargo refers to goods subject to transport restrictions or customs sensitivity, such as liquids, powders, battery-containing products, cosmetics, food, and branded goods; confirm whether the route accepts such goods and provide required documents before shipping. See restricted and sensitive cargo FAQ.
Also known as: Special Cargo / Sensitive Cargo
Fragile Goods: Goods such as glassware, ceramics, and screens that are prone to breakage during transport; typically require additional protective packaging.
General Cargo: Goods with no significant safety risks or special transport restrictions; typically eligible for standard logistics routes.
Liquid Goods: Goods with liquid contents such as toners, serums, and beverages; typically classified as sensitive cargo.
Special Cargo: Goods requiring special declaration, special packaging, dedicated carriers, or special-channel transport; risks and requirements are generally higher than for general cargo.
Prohibited Items: Prohibited items are goods that logistics channels, aviation safety regulations, or destination customs forbid from being carried; they may be unable to be exported or imported due to safety, legal, intellectual property, or quarantine reasons. Mistaken shipment may result in return, seizure, or destruction. See prohibited items guide.
Also known as: Banned Goods / Prohibited Items
Powder Goods: Goods in powder form; subject to higher sensitivity during security screening and customs inspection.
Standalone Battery: Battery products shipped on their own, not installed in any device; typically subject to strict transport restrictions and not accepted by many standard routes.
Cream / Paste Goods: Goods with paste, cream, or semi-solid contents such as moisturising cream and toothpaste; often classified as sensitive cargo.
Pharmaceutical Goods: Products such as medicines, prescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs, and traditional Chinese medicines; typically subject to high customs requirements and not accepted by many routes.
Overweight Cargo: Goods with a single-piece weight exceeding a channel's limit; requiring special routing or repackaging.
Oversized Length Cargo: Goods where a single dimension exceeds the channel's maximum length limit; may incur a surcharge or be ineligible for standard routes.
Contraband: Items explicitly prohibited from transport by law or carrier rules, such as flammable and explosive materials, narcotics, and firearm components.
Accompanying Battery: Batteries sent alongside the device but not installed inside it; transport requirements are typically stricter than for built-in batteries.
Restricted Items: Items that are not absolutely prohibited but may only be transported via designated channels or after meeting specific conditions.
Food Products: Edible goods such as snacks, condiments, and health supplements; often subject to the destination country's hygiene, quarantine, and ingredient regulations.
High-Value Goods: Goods with a high declared value where the risk of compensation in case of loss or damage is significant; insurance or declared-value coverage is generally recommended.

Operations & Service (14 terms)

Free Storage Period: The number of days a parcel may be stored in the warehouse free of charge after check-in; storage fees typically begin after this period expires.
Outbound Processing Time: The time required for a parcel to be processed and leave the warehouse after the shipment request is submitted.
After-Sales Response Time: The time required for the platform or service provider to investigate, handle, and respond after a parcel issue arises.
Customer Service Follow-up: A service where customer service staff track the parcel's transport, answer queries, handle exceptions, and communicate with the customer.
Exception Parcel Handling: Dedicated follow-up and resolution for parcels with customs exceptions, stalled tracking, delivery failures, loss, or damage.
Carrier Restrictions: The restrictions imposed by different logistics channels on dimensions, weight, goods category, declared value, or packaging.
Transit Time: The typical time a parcel takes from despatch to delivery; a key factor for customers choosing a logistics channel.
Peak Season Queue: A situation during peak periods when warehouse capacity is constrained and parcels must wait in queue for packing, outbound processing, or handover to carriers.
Service Coverage: The countries, regions, goods types, and value-added services supported by a given route or service product.
Route Suspended: A temporary halt to accepting orders or shipments on a given route due to policy changes, flight issues, customs conditions, or peak season pressure.
Route Selection: The process of matching a parcel to a suitable logistics route based on destination country, transit time, price, goods type, and customs requirements.
Delivery Confirmation Callback: The synchronisation of a delivery confirmation back to the platform after last-mile delivery is completed, so customers can check the result.
Delivery Completion Time: The total time from a parcel leaving the warehouse or being handed to a carrier to final delivery confirmation.
Route Recommendation: The platform or customer service recommending a more suitable shipping solution based on the customer's needs, such as sea freight, air freight, or a sensitive-cargo specialist route.

Transport Modes (17 terms)

FCL (Full Container Load): FCL stands for Full Container Load, meaning one shipment or one customer's goods occupy an entire shipping container; suited to high-volume, stable sea freight operations.
Also known as: FCL / Full Container Load
LCL (Less than Container Load): LCL stands for Less than Container Load, meaning multiple shipments from different customers share a single container; suited to sea freight volumes that do not fill a full container.
Also known as: LCL / Less than Container Load
Truck Delivery: Last-mile delivery completed by truck after goods arrive in the destination country; commonly used for sea freight oversized items, furniture, pallet cargo, and large-batch cross-border e-commerce restocking.
Also known as: Truck Delivery
Truck-Air Freight: A cross-border transport mode using truck as the main trunk haul; commonly used for routes between neighbouring countries or regions, and can be combined with air or sea freight.
Commercial Express: International express services provided by commercial courier companies such as DHL, UPS, and FedEx; typically faster but at a higher price.
Express Sea Freight: A faster sea freight product compared to standard ocean shipping; typically priced higher but offers a shorter transit time.
Economy Sea Freight: A sea freight product focused on cost efficiency; transit times are longer but shipping fees are generally lower.
Carrier: The company that actually bears transport responsibility — logistics, courier, airline, shipping line, or trucking firm; international consolidation may involve multiple carriers for the first mile, trunk haul, and last mile.
Also known as: Carrier
LCL Sea Freight: Sea freight in which goods from multiple customers are consolidated into a single container; suitable for customers whose cargo volume is less than a full container.
FCL Sea Freight: Sea freight in which a single customer uses an entire shipping container; suitable for large-volume, full-batch shipments.
Sea Freight + Local Delivery: A combined logistics model where the main leg uses sea freight and the last mile is handled by a local courier or truck; suitable for cross-border e-commerce restocking and oversized cargo.
Sea Freight: International transport by vessel; typically lower in cost but slower in transit, suited to oversized, heavy, or time-flexible shipments.
Air Freight + Local Delivery: A combined logistics model where the main leg uses air freight and the last mile is handled by a local courier or truck; typically faster than the sea freight equivalent.
Air Freight: International transport by aircraft; typically faster but more expensive, suited to urgent shipments and high-value goods.
Postal Channel: A logistics method that uses national postal systems or postal partner routes for cross-border transport and last-mile delivery.
Rail Freight: Cross-border transport by international railway; applicable to some Europe-Asia routes, offering a balance between cost and transit time.
Land Freight: Cross-border transport primarily by road; common between neighbouring countries and in regional trade scenarios.

How to Use This Glossary

If you are looking into how to ship overseas, start with the beginner's guide and FAQ; if you are comparing routes and transit times, go directly to the UK, USA, or Canada route pages.

This page is for looking up definitions and understanding term differences and risk boundaries; for specific accepted goods categories, taxes, and surcharges, refer to the latest channel quotes and destination country policy.

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