Definitions, as published
The definition of each term exactly as its official source words it, with the article or page it comes from.
| Term slug | Definition text | Citation |
|---|---|---|
| region | The border region in which the incident occurred; border regions are defined by each component | CBP STAT Data Dictionary, section/entry “Region” (PDF pp. 2–15). |
| apprehensions | The physical control or temporary detainment of a person by U.S. Border Patrol between Ports of Entry (POEs) who is not lawfully in the U.S. which may or may not result in an arrest. | CBP STAT Data Dictionary, section/entry “Apprehensions” (PDF pp. 2–15). |
| encounter-type | The category of encounter based on Title of Authority and component | CBP STAT Data Dictionary, section/entry “Encounter Type” (PDF pp. 2–15). |
| inadmissible-alien-s | People encountered by Office of Field Operations at ports of entry who are seeking admission to the United States but are determined to be inadmissible, are seeking humanitarian protection, or withdraw their application for admission and return to their country of origin. | CBP STAT Data Dictionary, section/entry “Inadmissible Alien(s)” (PDF pp. 2–15). |
| title-of-authority | The authority under which the alien was processed | CBP STAT Data Dictionary, section/entry “Title of Authority” (PDF pp. 2–15). |
| unknown-citizenship | Unknown citizenship may be applied if the alien is stateless, an asylee, the country is not recognized as a sovereign nation by the U.S. government, or the citizenship cannot be determined. | CBP STAT Data Dictionary, section/entry “Unknown Citizenship” (PDF pp. 2–15). |
| drug-metric | The amount of drugs seized in pounds (lbs.) or kilograms (kg) | CBP STAT Data Dictionary, section/entry “Drug Metric” (PDF pp. 2–15). |
| drug-type | The common name of the drug seized | CBP STAT Data Dictionary, section/entry “Drug Type” (PDF pp. 2–15). |
| count-of-seizure-events | The number of seizure events (Discrete variable) | CBP STAT Data Dictionary, section/entry “Count of Seizure Events” (PDF pp. 2–15). |
| currency-seizures-amount-usd | The amount of currency seized in dollars (USD) (Continuous variable) | CBP STAT Data Dictionary, section/entry “Currency Seizures Amount (USD)” (PDF pp. 2–15). |
| seizure-type | The seizure is either weapons or ammunition & gun parts | CBP STAT Data Dictionary, section/entry “Seizure Type” (PDF pp. 2–15). |
| quantity-seized | The count of the item seized (Discrete variable) | CBP STAT Data Dictionary, section/entry “Quantity Seized” (PDF pp. 2–15). |
| commodity-categorization | Higher level categorization of commodity groupings | CBP STAT Data Dictionary, section/entry “Commodity Categorization” (PDF pp. 2–15). |
| commodity-grouping | The type of commodity intercepted | CBP STAT Data Dictionary, section/entry “Commodity Grouping” (PDF pp. 2–15). |
| conveyance | the means of transporting traveler(s) | CBP STAT Data Dictionary, section/entry “Conveyance” (PDF pp. 2–15). |
| category | Further describes the mode of transportation used to present for entry into the U.S. | CBP STAT Data Dictionary, section/entry “Category” (PDF pp. 2–15). |
| count | The number of conveyances or travelers presented for entry into the U.S. (Discrete variable) | CBP STAT Data Dictionary, section/entry “Count” (PDF pp. 2–15). |
| withhold-release-order-wro | An enforcement action that results when CBP determines that the evidence reasonably, but not conclusively, demonstrates that merchandise was mined, produced, or manufactured wholly or in part by convict or forced labor (or other prohibited forms of labor identified in 19 U.S.C. 1307) and is being, or is likely to be, imported to the United States. | CBP STAT Data Dictionary, section/entry “Withhold Release Order (WRO)” (PDF pp. 2–15). |
| finding | An enforcement action that results when CBP determines that the evidence demonstrates that merchandise was mined, produced, or manufactured wholly or in part by convict or forced labor (or other prohibited forms of labor identified in 19 U.S.C. 1307) and is being, or is likely to be, imported to the United States. | CBP STAT Data Dictionary, section/entry “Finding” (PDF pp. 2–15). |
| harmonized-tariff-schedule-of-the-united-states-htsus | Merchandise arriving at a U.S. port of entry is classified into a tariff schedule number. This number is reported to CBP to determine the product and proper duty rate. | CBP STAT Data Dictionary, section/entry “Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS)” (PDF pp. 2–15). |
| examination | Physical cargo exam or document exam. | CBP STAT Data Dictionary, section/entry “Examination” (PDF pp. 2–15). |
| shipment | A shipment is defined as the totality of goods subjected to UFLPA review on one CBP cargo release entry. When a CBP cargo release entry is not present or required on an import transaction, a shipment is the totality of goods on one bill (bill of lading or airway bill). | CBP STAT Data Dictionary, section/entry “Shipment” (PDF pp. 2–15). |
| gang-affiliation | An individual’s association with a gang, as identified through CBP processing or other law enforcement information. This designation may be based on available records, self-admission, law enforcement documentation, or other relevant information and does not, by itself, indicate a criminal conviction. | CBP STAT Data Dictionary, section/entry “Gang Affiliation” (PDF pp. 2–15). |
| aa | Always Afloat. A contract term requiring that the vessel not rest on the ground. In some ports the ship is aground when approaching or at berth. | MARAD Glossary of Shipping Terms (May 2008), entry “AA”. |
| aar | Abbreviation for: – Against All Risks (insurance clause). – Association of American Railroads. | MARAD Glossary of Shipping Terms (May 2008), entry “AAR”. |
| abi | U.S. Customs’ “Automated Broker Interface,” by which brokers file importers’ entries electronically. | MARAD Glossary of Shipping Terms (May 2008), entry “ABI”. |
| accessorial-charges | Charges that are applied to the base tariff rate or base contract rate, e.g., bunkers, container, currency, destination/delivery. | MARAD Glossary of Shipping Terms (May 2008), entry “Accessorial Charges”. |
| advance | To move cargo up line to a vessel leaving sooner than the one booked. See also Roll. | MARAD Glossary of Shipping Terms (May 2008), entry “Advance”. |
| advanced-notice-of-arrival-anoa | Any vessel entering United States waters from a foreign port is required to give a 96–hour ANOV. Any vessel of 300 gross registered tonnage and greater is required to give the ANOA to the U.S. Coast Guard’s National Vessel Movement Center. Any vessel under 300 gross registered tons is required to give the ANOA to the appropriate Captain of the Port. | MARAD Glossary of Shipping Terms (May 2008), entry “Advanced Notice of Arrival (ANOA)”. |
| aframax-tanker | A vessel of 70,000 to 119,000 DWT capacity. The largest tanker size in the AFRA (average freight rate assessment) tanker rate system. | MARAD Glossary of Shipping Terms (May 2008), entry “Aframax Tanker”. |
| air-waybill | The forwarding agreement or carrying agreement between shipper and air carrier and is issued only in nonnegotiable form. | MARAD Glossary of Shipping Terms (May 2008), entry “Air Waybill”. |
| all-in | The total price to move cargo from origin to destination, inclusive of all charges. | MARAD Glossary of Shipping Terms (May 2008), entry “All In”. |
| ams | The U.S. Customs’ “Automated Manifest System.” | MARAD Glossary of Shipping Terms (May 2008), entry “AMS”. |
| antidumping-duty | A tariff imposed to discourage sale of foreign goods, subsidized to sell at low prices detrimental to local manufacturers. | MARAD Glossary of Shipping Terms (May 2008), entry “Anti–Dumping Duty”. |
| arrival-notice | A notification by carrier of ship’s arrival to the consignee, the “Notify Party,” and – when applicable – the “Also Notify Party.” These parties in interest are listed in blocks 3, 4 and 10, respectively, of the Bill of Lading. | MARAD Glossary of Shipping Terms (May 2008), entry “Arrival Notice”. |
| automated-identification-system-ais | It is a system used by ships and Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) principally for the identification and the locating of vessels. AIS provides a means for ships to electronically exchange ship data including: identification, position, course, and speed, with other nearby ships and VTS stations. | MARAD Glossary of Shipping Terms (May 2008), entry “Automated Identification System (AIS)”. |
| backhaul | To haul a shipment back over part of a route it has traveled. | MARAD Glossary of Shipping Terms (May 2008), entry “Backhaul”. |
| baf | Abbreviation for “Bunker Adjustment Factor.” Used to compensate steamship lines for fluctuating fuel costs. Sometimes called “Fuel Adjustment Factor” or FAF. | MARAD Glossary of Shipping Terms (May 2008), entry “BAF”. |
| bco | Abbreviation for “Beneficial Cargo Owner.” Refers to the importer of record, who physically takes possession of cargo at destination and does not act as a third party in the movement of such goods. | MARAD Glossary of Shipping Terms (May 2008), entry “BCO”. |
| bill-of-lading-b-l | A document that establishes the terms of a contract between a shipper and a transportation company. It serves as a document of title, a contract of carriage and a receipt for goods. | MARAD Glossary of Shipping Terms (May 2008), entry “Bill of Lading (B/L)”. |
| break-bulk | – To unload and distribute a portion or all of the contents of a rail car, container, trailer, or ship. – Loose, non–containerized mark and count cargo. – Packaged cargo that is not containerized. | MARAD Glossary of Shipping Terms (May 2008), entry “Break Bulk”. |
| bulk-cargo | Not in packages or containers; shipped loose in the hold of a ship without mark and count. Grain, coal and sulfur are usually bulk freight. | MARAD Glossary of Shipping Terms (May 2008), entry “Bulk Cargo”. |
| cabotage | Water transportation term applicable to shipments between ports of a nation; commonly refers to coastwise or intercoastal navigation or trade. Many nations, including the United States, have cabotage laws which require national flag vessels to provide domestic interport service. | MARAD Glossary of Shipping Terms (May 2008), entry “Cabotage”. |
| cargo-manifest | A manifest that lists all cargo carried on a specific vessel voyage. | MARAD Glossary of Shipping Terms (May 2008), entry “Cargo Manifest”. |
| cargo-preference | Cargo reserved by a Nation’s laws for transportation only on vessels registered in that Nation. Typically the cargo is moving due to a direct or indirect support or activity of the Government. | MARAD Glossary of Shipping Terms (May 2008), entry “Cargo Preference”. |
| carrier | Any person or entity who, in a contract of carriage, undertakes to perform or to procure the performance of carriage by rail, road, sea, air, inland waterway or by a combination of such modes. | MARAD Glossary of Shipping Terms (May 2008), entry “Carrier”. |
| cartage | Usually refers to intra–city hauling on drays or trucks. Same as drayage. | MARAD Glossary of Shipping Terms (May 2008), entry “Cartage”. |
| chassis | A frame with wheels and container locking devices in order to secure the container for movement. | MARAD Glossary of Shipping Terms (May 2008), entry “Chassis”. |
| container | A truck trailer body that can be detached from the chassis for loading into a vessel, a rail car or stacked in a container depot. Containers may be ventilated, insulated, refrigerated, flat rack, vehicle rack, open top, bulk liquid or equipped with interior devices. A container may be 20 feet, 40 feet, 45 feet, 48 feet or 53 feet in length, 8’0” or 8’6” in width, and 8’6” or 9’6” in height. | MARAD Glossary of Shipping Terms (May 2008), entry “Container”. |
| contract-carrier | Any person not a common carrier who, under special and individual contracts or agreements, transports passengers or property for compensation. | MARAD Glossary of Shipping Terms (May 2008), entry “Contract Carrier”. |
Sources
- Glossary for Transport Statistics — 6th edition (2026) — Eurostat, UNECE ve ITF-OECD · Reusable with attribution
- UNCTADstat maritime/transport metadata — UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) / UNCTADstat · Reusable with attribution
- IMO conventions and maritime definitions — official definition clauses and terminology pages — International Maritime Organization (IMO) · Reusable with attribution
- U.S. federal air cargo/security definitions associated with ICAO scope — International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO); auxiliary U.S. federal regulatory sources · Public domain
- United States federal transport and customs definitions — GPO / Office of Federal Register / PHMSA-DOT / FMCSA-DOT / FMC / CBP-DHS / U.S. Congress · Public domain
- European Union transport and customs definitions — European Parliament and Council instruments; Publications Office of the EU / EUR-Lex · Reusable with attribution
- Hague–Visby Article I via UK legislation.gov.uk — UN Treaty Collection/UN, UNCITRAL, UNECE, ICAO, OTIF ve UK legislation.gov.uk · Reusable with attribution
- BTS/FMCSA/FMC/CBP/MARAD federal-authored glossary rows — BTS; FMCSA; FMC; CBP; MARAD · Public domain
- United Kingdom official transport and customs terms — HMRC; Department for Transport; Traffic Commissioners/DVSA; UK Parliament/legislation.gov.uk · Reusable with attribution
1,049 further records are on file but not shown, because the publisher's terms do not clearly allow them to be republished.