Do you know your LCL from and FCL? Do you want BAR or FIDI? Inevitably, as part of an international move, there will be some terminology and acronyms that appear in formal documentation from governments and managing bodies. To help you with these, we have created a simple guide to international moving terms and terminology.
Key International Moving Terms
At Gerson Relocation we aim to make things as simple and transparent for you as possible. We do this by keeping our communications simple and provide clear explanations to help you. These are an excerpt from our international moving guide which you can download for free.
Air freight
The method of transporting shipments by air.
AWB
Air Waybill. A document provided by the airline as a receipt of goods.
BAR
British Association of Removers, the UK key association of moving companies
BoL
Bill of Lading. This acts as a receipt.
Carrier
The company transporting the items, for example airline company or sea container company.
CoD
Cash on Delivery. Where payment is required at the time of delivery.
Customs clearance
The process of passing your shipment and personal possessions through the destination country’s customs. Managing the documentation, communication and payment of customs charges.
Demurrage
A charge payable at the port if a shipment cannot be loaded due to delays – normally due to customs procedures.
Door-to-door
Also known as home-to-home, a service which covers the entire process. Note that some movers do not quote on this basis.
FAIM
FIDI Accredited International Mover. The primary quality kite mark for an international moving company.
FCL
Full Container Load means that the move is the only one packed into the container with a scheduled shipping date.
FIDI
FIDI is the primary international association for moving companies.
FX
Foreign Exchange, using a specialist FX service could cost a lot less than an international bank transfer and most likely get you a better exchange rate on the currency. You can take a look at our FX service offer.
Groupage
Where many small moves are consolidated together and share a container with no set shipping date.
HHG
Household Goods. The personal items being moved.
IAM
International Association of Movers, a US based association of moving companies for US domestic and international moves.
IPT
Insurance Premium Tax, tax applied to an insurance premium.
ISO Container
A standard steel container. Either 20ft or 40ft in size.
Ladder lift
Apparatus used to take items into and out of properties with difficult high-level access, e.g. top floor flats.
LCL
Less than Container Load. A part-load shipment despatched on a scheduled service.
Liftvan
A wooden crate used to export personal goods.
PBO
Packed By Owner. Where the shipment is packed by the person moving.
PoD
Port of Dispatch, where your items will be shipped from.
PoE
Port of Entry, where your items will enter your new country.
Shipper
The person who is moving.
ToR
Transfer of Residence. The form used to apply for tax relief when moving personal items from outside the EU to the UK.
WHC
Warehouse Handling Charge. An additional charge for items coming in and out of storage.
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