| M/N |
Marks and Numbers. |
| M3 |
Cubic Meters. |
| Manufacturer's Certificate |
A Certificate of Manufacture is used when a buyer intends to pay for goods prior to shipment, but the lead time for the manufacturing process is lengthy and the buyer does not which to tie up funds too far in advance. Usually, the goods are manufactured after a small down payment. when the goods have been manufactured, the seller prepares a Manufacturer's Certificate stating that the goods ordered have been produced in accordance with the contract with the buyer. Upon receiving the certificate, the buyer forwards both payment and shipping instructions, and the shipment is made by the seller. |
| Marine Cargo Insurance |
Average - A term in marine cargo insurance signifying loss or damage to merchandise. General average - A loss arising out of a voluntary sacrifice made of any part of a shipment or cargo to prevent loss of the whole and for the benefit of all persons concerned. FPA - Free of particular average - a provision in a marine cargo insurance policy that no claim shall be paid for damage to goods in the course of a voyage unless a loss is sustained that totals or exceeds a certain percentage of the value as specified in the policy. The object of such a provision is the avoidance of petty claims. Open Policy - A contract between an insurance company and the exporter by which all shipments made by the assured are automatically protected from the time the merchandise leaves the initial shipping. Particular average - A partial loss or damage of merchandise caused by a peril insured against, but which is not a general-average loss. |
| Merchandise Processing Fee (MPF) |
Merchandise Processing Fee (MPF) is an automatic charge US Customs applies on imports into the USA. Merchandise Processing Fee (MPF) -0.21% (.0021) of Invoice Value, Minimum $25, Maximum $480. |
| MLB |
Mini-Land Bridge. |
| N/ |
Notify Party. |
| NCV (No Commercial Value) |
Shipments declared as having no commercial value but having a value for Customs. Best example would be business documents. |
| Non-Conference Rate |
Rates which are assessed by those lines that do not belong to a particular conference. Rates can be approximately 10% lower than conference rates. |
| Non-Dutiable |
Those goods which are exempt from duty as per each nation's Customs regulation. |
| NOS/NES |
Not otherwise specified/Not elsewhere specified. This term often appears in ocean or airfreight tariffs respectively. If no rate for the specific commodity shipped appears in the tariff, then a general class rate (for example, "printed matter NES") will apply. Such rates usually are higher than rates for specific commodities. |
| NVOCC |
Non-vessel operating common carrier. A firm that offers the same services as an ocean carrier, but which does not own or operate a vessel. NVOCCs usually act as consolidators, accepting small shipments (LCL) and consolidating them into full containerloads. They then act as a shipper, tendering the containers to ocean common carriers. They are required to file tariffs with the Federal Maritime commission and are subject to the same laws and statutes that apply to primary common carriers. |
| O/B |
Onboard Vessel. |
| O/F |
Ocean Freight (charges). |
| OBL |
Ocean Bill of Lading. |
| Ocean
Bill of Lading |
Issued by: Steamship line Purpose: Each
carrier has its own bill of lading form. Serves as contract
of carriage between carrier and shipper, spelling out legal
responsibilities and liability limits for all parties to the
shipment. The B/L also can be used to transfer title to the
goods to a party named in the document. Specifics shipment details,
such as number of pieces, weight, destination, etc. Usually
three signed originals issued. Licensed consolidators (NVOCCs)
issue their own B/Ls to shippers. |
| On-Deck
Cargo |
Cargo usually stowed on the deck of a vessel.
This cargo is usually subjected to wind and sea water. |
| On-Board
Courier |
A dedicated messenger who physically accompanies
an international shipment. |
| On-Forwarding |
Forwarding a shipment from an intermediate
stop to its final destination; subject to additional charge. |
| Open
Tops |
A 20' or 40' container with the top being
open. Used for oversized cargo, and it's covered by a tarp for
protection of the cargo. |
| Oversized
Pieces |
Shipments of 85 inches or greater that
are too large to fit on a pallet. |
