Trading Import Export Abbreviations: Essential Glossary (with some Pro Use Lines)
If you buy or sell across borders, mastering trading import export abbreviations saves time and money. This practical glossary explains the most-used terms: INCOTERMS, AQL, MOQ, HS codes, documents, shipping and payment jargon, with plain-English meanings and copy-paste lines you can use at trade shows and in supplier emails.
Why trading import export abbreviations matter?
Clear abbreviations align expectations on delivery terms, inspections, compliance, and cash flow, preventing costly surprises after the PO.
Use this plain-English glossary at trade shows and when sourcing.
Logistics & INCOTERMS
- INCOTERMS: Delivery/risk rules: EXW, FOB, CFR, CIF, DAP, DDP.
Pro use: “Quote EXW/FOB/CIF [port] with lead time and price breaks.” - EXW: Ex Works (buyer handles all from seller’s door).
- FOB: Free On Board (seller to port + loading; buyer after loading).
- CFR/CIF: Cost (and Insurance) Freight to destination port.
- DAP/DDP: Delivered At Place / Delivered Duty Paid.
- GW/NW: Gross/Net Weight.
- CBM: Cubic meters (volume).
- ETD/ETA: Estimated depart/arrival.
- B/L / AWB: Bill of Lading (sea) / Air Waybill (air).
- LCL / FCL: Less-than / Full container load.
- TEU / FEU: 20-ft / 40-ft container units.
- VGM: Verified Gross Mass (SOLAS rule).
- THC / ISPS / CAF / BAF / PSS / GRI: Port & carrier surcharges (terminal, security, currency, bunker fuel, peak season, general rate increase).
Pro use: “Break out THC/BAF/PSS/GRI in the freight quote.”
Incoterms 2020
CPT: Carriage Paid To (named place).
CIP: Carriage & Insurance Paid To (named place; higher insurance than CIF).
DPU: Delivered at Place Unloaded (replaces DAT).
Roles & parties
IOR / EOR: Importer / Exporter of Record (legal party responsible).
NVOCC: Non-Vessel Operating Common Carrier.
3PL / 4PL: Third- / Fourth-party logistics provider.
FF: Freight Forwarder.
Certifications & Compliance
- CE / UKCA / FCC / UL / ETL / GS / TÜV: Safety/compliance marks (EU, UK, US, DE).
Pro use: “Please share DoC and current lab reports for CE/FCC/UL.” - RoHS / REACH / CPSIA: Substance & safety regulations.
Pro use: “Confirm RoHS and REACH (SVHC) status for this SKU.” - ISO 9001 / 14001: Quality / environmental systems.
Pro use: “Send valid ISO certificates (issuer + expiry).” - SDS/MSDS: Safety Data Sheet.
Pro use: “Attach the SDS for customs and logistics.”
Quality & Sampling
- QC / QA: Quality Control / Assurance.
- AQL: Acceptable Quality Limit (e.g., 2.5 major / 4.0 minor).
Pro use: “PSI at AQL 2.5/4.0; fail → rework + re-inspection.” - PP Sample: Pre-production sample.
- Golden Sample: Signed master reference.
- FAT / SAT: Factory / Site Acceptance Test.
Use this field guide to trading import export abbreviations to standardize quotes, reduce risk, and negotiate better terms.
Shipping Ops & Milestones
- POL / POD: Port of Loading / Discharge.
CY / CFS: Container Yard / Container Freight Station. - Free time / DEM / DET: Free storage; demurrage; detention.
Pro use: “Confirm free time at POD and DEM/DET rates.” - NOR: Notice of Readiness (vessel).
- IMDG / IATA-DGR: Dangerous goods codes (sea/air).
- DIM weight: Charged weight for airfreight (size-based).
Customs & Tax
- HS / HTS code: Tariff classification.
Pro use: “Propose HS code + duty rate for EU/US; we’ll verify.” - COO / C/O: Certificate of Origin (preferential or non-pref).
- EORI: EU Economic Operator Registration & Identification.
- VAT / IOSS / OSS: Value-added tax; EU e-commerce schemes.
- MRN / ENS / ISF (10+2) / AMS: Movement & security filings (EU/US).
- EUR.1 / Form A / REX / GSP: Preferential origin proofs.
- ATA Carnet: Temporary admission for samples/equipment.
- T1: EU transit document.
Pro use: “Ship under T1 to defer duties until final clearance.”
How to Negotiate Like a Pro at Trade Fairs? Do This, Ask This
Pricing, Orders & Capability
- MOQ: Minimum Order Quantity.
Pro use: “Share MOQ and price breaks at 1×/2×/5× MOQ.” - RFP / RFQ: Request for Proposal/Quotation.
- OEM / ODM: Your design vs supplier design re-branded.
- Lead time: Days from PO/deposit to ship.
- Tooling/Mold Fee: One-time cost for custom parts.
- Capacity: Max output per period.
Origin & Trade Policy
HTSUS / TARIC: US / EU tariff schedules.
BTI: Binding Tariff Information (EU ruling on HS code).
MFN: Most-Favoured Nation duty rate.
FTA / EPA: Free-/Economic-Partnership Agreement (preferential tariffs).
AD / CVD: Anti-Dumping / Countervailing Duties.
De minimis: Duty-free threshold for low-value imports.
ATR.1: Proof of preferential movement EU–Türkiye.
Country/market Conformity Programs
CoC: Certificate of Conformity (country pre-export checks).
SASO / SABER: Saudi conformity & online certification.
SONCAP: Nigeria conformity assessment.
PVoC: Pre-Export Verification of Conformity (e.g., KEBS Kenya).
FDA / CPSC / TSCA: US food/drug, consumer safety, chemicals.
CFDA / NMPA: China drug/medical regulator (if relevant categories).
Safety & product docs (additions)
COA: Certificate of Analysis (lab results per batch).
CFS: Certificate of Free Sale (marketability proof).
PHYTO / Health Cert: Phytosanitary / sanitary certificates.
WEEE / EPR: Waste/Electronics & Extended Producer Responsibility.
Payments, Risk & Banking
- T/T: Bank wire (often 30/70).
- L/C (Sight/Usance): Letter of Credit (immediate/deferred).
- OA: Open Account (post-delivery; insure).
- CAD / D/P / D/A: Cash Against Documents / Documents against Payment / Acceptance.
- SWIFT MT103: Wire transfer message type.
- FX forward / hedge: Lock exchange rate.
- Trade Insurance: Insured OA/Net 30 (credit insurer).
Pro use: “We prefer Net 30 (insured) after pilot order.”
Commercial Docs
- PI / CI / PL: Proforma / Commercial Invoice / Packing List.
- SLI: Shipper’s Letter of Instruction.
- CoO / DoC: Certificate of Origin / Declaration of Conformity.
- Inspection report: Third-party QC result.
- Packing declaration: Materials & treatment (e.g., ISPM-15 for wood).
Packaging & Labeling
- SKU: Stock Keeping Unit.
- UPC / EAN: Retail barcodes (US/EU).
- FNSKU: Amazon’s barcode (FBA).
- ISTA: Packaging test protocols (drop/vibration/compression).
- SN: Serial Number
Shipping & ops (extras)
- CFS / CY: Container Freight Station / Yard.
- ISPM-15: Wood packaging treatment mark (stamp requirement).
- UN number: Dangerous goods identifier.
- HSN / SAC: India tariff/service codes (if you trade with India).
- SCAC: US Standard Carrier Alpha Code.
- IMO: International Maritime Organization (often in DG contexts).
Insurance & Risk
- ICC(A/B/C): Cargo insurance clauses (All Risks, With Average, FPA).
- GIT: Goods in Transit insurance.
- WSRCC: War, Strikes, Riots & Civil Commotion cover.
- General Average: Shared loss principle in marine claims.
Method of risk analysis in a company | Examples and steps of the process
Banking & Payments (EU/intl specifics)
- IBAN: International Bank Account Number: standardized account number for cross-border payments (2-letter country code + 2 check digits + BBAN). Example: FR76 1695 8000 0182 9417 4767 836.
- BIC (SWIFT): Business Identifier Code: bank identifier used on international wires (8 or 11 chars: bank + country + location [+ branch]). Example: QNTOFRP1XXX.
- SEPA: Single Euro Payments Area — EU/EEA scheme for euro payments.
• SCT: SEPA Credit Transfer (standard).
• SCT Inst: Instant credit transfer (24/7, seconds).
• SDD Core / B2B: SEPA Direct Debit for consumers / businesses (B2B has no refund right; both require a mandate). - KYC / AML: Know Your Customer / Anti-Money Laundering, identity, UBO (Ultimate Beneficial Owner), and sanctions checks required by banks and payment providers.
Documents (a few more you’ll meet)
- Packing Declaration: (You listed) keep for timber/ISPM-15.
- Certificate of Inspection: Sometimes distinct from PSI report.
- Commercial Invoice “Incoterm clause”: Ensure term + named place are written exactly (e.g., CIP Paris, Incoterms® 2020).
- Insurance Certificate: Evidence of cover (esp. under CIF/CIP).
Conclusion
Knowing trading import export abbreviations isn’t about memorizing acronyms, it’s about faster, safer decisions. Normalize every quote to the same INCOTERM, lock QC with AQL/PSI, verify compliance (CE/RoHS/REACH), and protect cash flow with the right payment terms. Keep this glossary handy and reuse the pro lines to win better prices, lead times, and reliability.
Use this glossary as your working playbook: standardize quotes (EXW/FOB/CIF), lock QC upfront (AQL + PSI), verify compliance (CE/RoHS/REACH/DoC), and protect cash flow (T/T, L/C, or insured OA). Small habits, like asking for price breaks and carton CBM, and protect margin on every shipment.
Financial risk management in business: how to put it in place
