Trade & Rodex Reference Library

Find trade terms, requirements and Rodex concepts.

Term index

Term	Region	Type	Status

Trade & logistics

122

ADR

European road transport of dangerous goods.

ADR is the European agreement governing the transport of dangerous goods by road, setting rules for how they must be classified, packaged, labelled, and loaded, and what training and equipment the vehicle and driver need. Exporters shipping hazardous materials by road within or through Europe must comply with it for every consignment. Getting classification, packaging, or documentation wrong under ADR can result in the shipment being refused, delayed, or fined during roadside checks.

AEO

Global / not region-specific

Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) is a status granted by EU customs authorities to businesses that meet defined criteria for customs compliance, financial solvency, and, depending on the type of AEO status, security and safety standards in their supply chain. Holding AEO status can bring practical benefits such as fewer physical and document checks and faster clearance of goods. Exporters and importers should care because AEO status is also a prerequisite for certain other trade facilitation schemes and is recognised by some non-EU customs authorities under mutual recognition agreements.

AES

Automated Export System

AES (Automated Export System) is the EU's electronic system for submitting export declarations and recording that goods have physically left the customs territory. Exporters, or their customs agent, use it for every export declaration, since a paper-based process is no longer accepted. If exit is not confirmed in AES, the export declaration stays open and the movement cannot be treated as completed, which can affect VAT zero-rating and other export-based reliefs.

Comment

Replaces ECS .

AES/iDMS/eDMS

Global / not region-specific

AES for Belgium. Replaces PLDA

App

Global / not region-specific

A general term for a Software product regardless of context.

Comment

This does not only refer to mobile software.

Article

Global / not region-specific

A unique type of item that can be traded. Example: A zoo shop sells cat food for kittens, dog food for tall dogs and elephant food for Norwegian elephants. Those are three different articles. An article can also be a service, subscription, rental or anything that can be sold and purchased.

Comment

Professional sellers normally use the term Article to refer to items they sell.

Article number

Global / not region-specific

A unique human-readable identifier for a specific article type, unique within one and the same organization.

Comment

Common equivalents:
Product ID
SKU
@product ID

Example:

A zoo shop sells cat food, and assigns the Article number 100200 to this type of product.

AS4

Global / not region-specific

Integration between importer’s own IT system and ICS2 for submission of ENS.

Comment

If importer lacks integration the STP can be used.

ATLAS, ZMWS, eCustoms (Germany)

Global / not region-specific

ATLAS (Automatisiertes Tarif- und Lokales Zollabwicklungssystem) is the German customs administration's IT system for processing electronic customs declarations, covering imports, exports, and transit movements. It is Germany's national implementation of the EU's electronic customs systems, in the same role as the customs IT platforms operated by other EU member states. Exporters moving goods through Germany should care because declarations to German customs offices must be submitted through ATLAS in the correct message format before goods can be released.

AWB

Air Waybill

Global / not region-specific

An Air Waybill (AWB) is the transport document issued for shipments carried by air, serving as a contract of carriage between the shipper and the airline (or its agent) and as a receipt for the goods. Unlike an ocean bill of lading ( BOL ), an AWB is not a document of title and cannot be used to transfer ownership of the goods. A Master Air Waybill ( MAWB ) covers cargo consolidated by a freight forwarder, while a House Air Waybill ( HAWB ) is issued by the forwarder to each individual shipper within that consolidation. The AWB number is used to track the shipment through the airline's system.

Format

11-digit (3-digit airline prefix + 8-digit number/check digit).

B1 message (export)

Global / not region-specific

A B1 message is the electronic declaration type used across the EU to declare goods for standard export from the customs territory, as defined in the EU's common customs data model. It is the export-side counterpart to the H1 import declaration and must be submitted electronically to the customs office of export before the goods leave the EU. Exporters should care because using the correct declaration type code, such as B1 for a standard export, determines which data fields must be completed and whether the declaration is accepted.

Battery specifications, safety & transport

Product data and shipment requirements

Global / not region-specific Compliance

Battery information identifies what is actually installed: chemistry, manufacturer and model, capacity, configuration and relevant safety or test documentation. A replacement battery can change both the product assessment and the requirements for shipping it.

Transport

Shipping requirements depend on chemistry, energy rating, battery condition, whether it is installed in equipment, and the mode of transport. For lithium batteries, applicable UN 38.3 testing and test-summary requirements must be checked alongside packaging, marking and handling rules. A battery passport is a separate concept; it does not replace transport information.

BOL, BL, B/L, MBL, HBL, eBL

Global / not region-specific

Bill of Lading
A transport document that:

Acts as a receipt for goods.
Acts as evidence of the carriage contract.
May act as a document of title (ownership transfer).

Used for sea transportation. It is issued by freight forwarder after the goods have been handed over for transport.

Typical information

Parties

Shipper
Consignee
Notify Party

Transport

Carrier
Vessel name
Voyage number
Port of Loading (POL)
Port of Discharge (POD)
Place of Receipt (optional)
Place of Delivery (optional)

Cargo

Marks and numbers
Number of packages
Package type
Description of goods
Gross weight
Volume (CBM)
Container number(s)
Seal number(s)

Document details

B/L number
Issue date
Number of original B/Ls issued
Freight prepaid / freight collect

Comment

Only use BOL, none of the other abbreviations!

BP

Battery Passport

Global / not region-specific

The Battery Passport (BP) is a digital record, required under the EU Batteries Regulation and related to the broader Digital Product Passport (DPP) initiative, that documents a battery's lifecycle data, including its materials, carbon footprint, and supply-chain due diligence information. Exporters placing certain batteries, initially electric vehicle and industrial batteries, on the EU market will need to provide this digital passport once the requirement takes effect. Batteries placed on the market without the required passport data can be barred from sale in the EU.

CBAM

Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism

For carbon-intensive goods (steel, aluminium, cement, fertilisers, etc.). Reporting on embedded emissions starts earlier; financial obligations (buying certificates) phase in. Mostly affects bulk/industrial, but relevant for some merchants.

Comment

Requires documentation of
• Embedded emission calculations per product
• Energy consumption, fuel type
• Raw material consumption
• Third party verification reports
• Technical explanations regarding the production process.
From 2027 and onwards, importers must buy CBAM Certificates.

CBR

Customs Broker Reference

Broker-assigned shipment reference

Comment

Identifier/reference number for a licensed customs broker handling declarations.

CDS

Global / not region-specific

The Customs Declaration Service (CDS) is the IT platform operated by HM Revenue & Customs for submitting UK import and export customs declarations, having replaced the older CHIEF system. Traders and their customs agents use CDS to file declarations, pay duties and VAT, and manage authorisations such as duty deferment accounts. Exporters shipping to or from the UK should care because declarations must be filed correctly in CDS for goods to clear UK customs, and CDS uses different data formats and codes than CHIEF did.

China IP SME Helpdesk

Global / not region-specific

The China IP SME Helpdesk is a free advisory service, co-funded by the European Commission, that helps EU small and medium-sized enterprises protect and enforce their intellectual property rights when trading with or manufacturing in China. Exporters and manufacturers dealing with Chinese suppliers or customers can use it for guidance on registering trademarks, patents, and designs in China, and on responding to IP infringement. It matters operationally because unprotected IP in China can be difficult or costly to enforce after the fact, so registering and understanding local IP rules before trading is generally more effective than acting only once a problem arises.

CMRT

Global / not region-specific

Conflict Minerals Reporting Template

Comment

Standardized Excel form for 3TG supply chain due diligence (smelters, origin).

CPRS

Client Profile Registration System

Global / not region-specific

An online registration and accreditation system managed by the Philippine Bureau of Customs (BOC).

Curb mass

Definition Global / not region-specific

The mass of a vehicle in its specified ready-to-drive condition. Mass is measured in kilograms; weight is a force. The included fuel, equipment and occupants depend on the applicable definition.

Comment

Curb is the US spelling; kerb is the British spelling. Record which measurement definition is used.

Curb Weight

Definition Global / not region-specific

The mass of a vehicle in its specified ready-to-drive condition. Kerb weight and curb weight are spelling variants. Fuel, equipment and occupant allowances depend on the applicable rules or manufacturer specification.

Comment

Do not automatically substitute tare weight or unladen weight: the measurement conditions may differ.

DAG

Directed Acyclic Graph

Global / not region-specific

An ordered list of steps, where no step can lead back to any earlier step. Useful to express information such as dependencies. In Rodex it is used to trace sales orders to invoices and purchase orders etc.

Comment

Similar to hierarchical structure.

De Minimis

Global / not region-specific

The threshold value of a product under which value tax or customs duties are exempted.

DELTA IE (replaces SAD, DELTA G and DELTA X in France)

Global / not region-specific

DELTA IE is the French electronic customs-clearance service that replaces the earlier DELTA G and DELTA X declaration systems and the former SAD-based process. It is relevant when goods are declared to French customs.

DGDDI (French Customs)

Global / not region-specific

The Direction Générale des Douanes et Droits Indirects (DGDDI) is the French customs and excise administration, responsible for enforcing customs law, collecting duties and certain indirect taxes, and controlling the movement of goods across France's borders. It also operates France's national customs IT systems used to process import, export, and transit declarations. Exporters trading with or through France should care because DGDDI is the authority that clears, inspects, and can hold shipments at the French border.

DGR

Dangerous Goods Regulations

Global / not region-specific

The IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR) is the industry rulebook, published by IATA, that sets the detailed requirements for classifying, packaging, marking, labelling, and documenting hazardous materials shipped by air; airlines require compliance with it for every dangerous goods shipment. Exporters shipping hazardous materials by air need to follow the DGR's packing instructions and complete a Dangerous Goods Declaration (DGD) that meets its requirements. Non-compliant dangerous goods shipments can be refused by the airline or, in the event of an incident, expose the shipper to liability.

Due Diligence Declaration

EU US

A due diligence declaration is a formal statement by a company that it has investigated and verified specific facts about its products or supply chain before placing goods on a market, such as confirming they are not linked to deforestation, conflict minerals, or forced labor. Different laws require different due diligence declarations; examples include the EU Deforestation Regulation's due diligence statement and the supply chain due diligence obligations under US laws such as the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act. Exporters should care because failing to produce a required due diligence declaration, or providing an inaccurate one, can result in goods being refused entry or held at the border.

EIDR

Entry in Declarant’s Records

Global / not region-specific

Entry in the Declarant's Records (EIDR) is an EU customs simplification that allows an authorised trader to release goods for a customs procedure by recording the necessary details directly in their own commercial records, instead of submitting a full customs declaration at the time of release. A supplementary declaration is normally still submitted to customs afterward. Exporters and importers should care because EIDR can speed up the release of goods at the border, but it requires prior authorisation from customs and record-keeping systems that meet customs requirements.

EMC

Electromagnetic Compatibility compliance

The Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) Directive is the EU directive requiring electrical and electronic equipment to neither emit excessive electromagnetic interference nor be unduly affected by interference from other devices. Exporters placing such equipment on the EU market must ensure it meets EMC requirements and carries CE marking before it can be sold, alongside directives such as RED or LVD where applicable. Non-compliant equipment can be barred from the EU market or subject to enforcement action by national authorities.

EO

Economic Operator

Global / not region-specific

An Economic Operator (EO) is any person or business that, in the course of their commercial activity, is involved in activities covered by customs legislation, such as importing, exporting, manufacturing, or transporting goods. The term is defined in the EU's Union Customs Code and applies broadly to anyone engaging with customs authorities, including importers, exporters, carriers, and customs representatives. Economic Operators must generally hold an EORI number to interact with customs systems, such as filing declarations or safety and security notifications like the Entry Summary Declaration (ENS).

EOR

Exporter of Record

Global / not region-specific

The Exporter of Record (EOR) is the party that is legally and administratively responsible for an export transaction, including ensuring that customs export declarations are accurate and that the shipment complies with export control and licensing requirements. The EOR is typically the seller or the party named on the export customs declaration, and is not necessarily the owner of the goods. Getting the EOR designation right matters because that party bears liability for export compliance failures, such as missing licenses or misclassified goods.

EORI Number

An EORI (Economic Operators Registration and Identification) number is a unique identifier issued to businesses and individuals that carry out customs-related activities within the European Union or the United Kingdom. It is required to complete customs declarations and to import or export goods across the EU's or UK's external border. Once registered with one EU member state's customs authority, an EORI number is valid, via the shared EU database, for that operator's dealings with all EU customs authorities. Businesses that also trade with the UK need a separate UK EORI number, since the UK has operated its own scheme since Brexit.

Comment

When exporting from China to Europe, the EORI number of the recipient must be stated on the commercial invoice.
Syntax: Country code + number.

Format

Country code + number.

EPR

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is a policy approach, widely adopted across the EU and other markets, that makes producers and importers financially and operationally responsible for the end-of-life management of their products, such as collection, recycling, or disposal. Exporters placing covered product categories, such as packaging, electronics, or batteries, on a market with EPR rules generally must register with a national scheme, report volumes, and pay associated fees. Selling covered products without meeting EPR obligations can result in fines or the products being barred from that market.

Comment

Policy making producers financially/operationally responsible for product end-of-life (collection, recycling, disposal).

ESC

Export Supervision Code

China

The Export Supervision Code (ESC) is a code assigned by Chinese customs authorities that governs how a shipment is supervised and processed during export clearance. Exporters shipping from China must apply the correct ESC on customs declarations, as it determines the applicable inspection, documentation, and clearance requirements for that shipment. Using an incorrect ESC can lead to customs delays or rejection of the declaration.

ESG

Environmental, Social, Governance

Global / not region-specific

Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) refers to a set of non-financial criteria used to assess a company's or supplier's environmental impact, social practices, and governance standards. Exporters increasingly encounter ESG requirements when buyers, marketplaces, or investors request supplier ESG assessments or reporting as part of due diligence or sustainability commitments. Failing to meet a buyer's ESG expectations can jeopardize a supply relationship even where no specific regulation is at issue.

Comment

Supplier ESG Assessment
Environmental/social/governance assessment

ETS

EU Emissions Trading System

This EU system limits covered greenhouse-gas emissions through a declining cap and tradable allowances. Operators must surrender allowances for their verified emissions.

EU Access2Markets Customs Documents

This refers to the broader set of customs-related document requirements shown for a specific product and destination market in the European Commission's Access2Markets portal, which exporters can search by product code and destination country for applicable tariffs, rules of origin, and documentation requirements. It draws on the same underlying market-access database as the portal's other country- and product-specific listings. Exporters should care because consulting Access2Markets before shipping helps identify the documents a destination market is likely to require, reducing the risk of delays at customs.

EU Product Compliance Portal

The EU Product Compliance Portal is the European Commission's official "Your Europe" web tool for looking up which product-specific regulatory requirements, such as CE marking , apply before placing a product on the EU market. Exporters use it early in product development or market entry to identify which EU directives and standards their product category falls under. Missing a requirement flagged on the portal can result in the product being non-compliant or blocked from sale in the EU.

EUCDM

EU Customs Data Model

Global / not region-specific

The EU Customs Data Model (EUCDM) is the common data and message model that defines the data elements, formats, and codes used across the EU's electronic customs systems, such as those for import, export, and transit declarations. It is based on international standards, including the UN/CEFACT data model and the WCO Data Model, and ensures that different national customs IT systems exchange and interpret declaration data consistently. Exporters should care because this data model determines what information must be provided, and in what format, when submitting electronic customs declarations anywhere in the EU.

GCM

Gross Combination Mass

Definition Global / not region-specific

Denotes the maximum allowable weight of a vehicle combination when loaded to its fullest. It considers the vehicle, its passengers, cargo, and any towed units.
Formula:
GCM = Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) + Maximum Permissible Trailer Mass

GCW

Gross Combination Weight

Definition Global / not region-specific

The total vehicle’s weight, including its cargo, passengers, and trailer.
The formula for GCW is:
GCW = Weight of Powered Vehicle + Weight of Trailer + Cargo Weight.

GLN

Global Location Number

Global / not region-specific

A Global Location Number (GLN) is a GS1 standard identifier used to uniquely identify a physical location, legal entity, or function within a supply chain, such as a warehouse, factory, or trading partner. Exporters use GLNs in EDI messages, shipping documents, and trading-partner systems to unambiguously identify parties and locations without relying on names or addresses that can vary. Using an incorrect or missing GLN can cause shipments or documents to be misrouted within a trading partner's systems.

GTIN

Global Trade Item Number

Definition Global / not region-specific

A Global Trade Item Number (GTIN) is the GS1 standard identifier for a specific trade item or product SKU, encoded in barcodes and product data; EAN and UPC codes are specific GTIN formats. Exporters encounter it whenever they list products on marketplaces, generate shipping labels, or complete commercial documentation that requires a standardized product identifier. Using the wrong GTIN, or reusing one across different product variants, can cause listing rejections, barcode scan failures, or mismatched commercial records.

Comment

GTIN identifies a product SKU, not an individual physical item.

If you need to identify individual units, use

Serial Number (SN)
UDI (medical devices)
SGTIN (Serialized GTIN, GS1)

GTINs include a check digit; validating length alone is insufficient. A GS1 Mod-10 check should also be performed.

Format

8/12/13/14 digits (with check digit).

GTW

Gross Trailer Weight / Gross Train Weight

Definition Global / not region-specific

The abbreviation has two uses: gross trailer weight is the loaded trailer’s total weight; gross train weight is the total weight of a towing vehicle and its trailers. State which meaning applies.

GVM

Gross Vehicle Mass

Definition Global / not region-specific

The maximum weight a vehicle can legally weigh when fully loaded.
Formula:
GVM = Vehicle’s Unladen Weight + Maximum Allowable Payload

Comment

Risks confusion with VGM (Verified Gross Mass) since VGM sometimes is also called GVM (Gross Verified Mass). Therefore, always use GVM for the vehicle mass!

GVW

Gross Vehicle Weight

Definition Global / not region-specific

refers to the actual weight of a vehicle, including its base weight and the weight of any cargo. Unlike GVM, which is a limit, GVW is a current measurement.
Formula:
GVW = Vehicle’s Unladen Weight + Current Payload.

GW

Gross weight

Definition Global / not region-specific

Represents the combined shipment weight and all its packaging materials, including the container’s weight.
Gross weight = Net weight + Tare Weight

Comment

Use this term. Don’t use Laden weight.

H1 declaration

Global / not region-specific

H1 is the declaration type code used across the EU, under the common customs data requirements, for the standard customs declaration to release imported goods for free circulation. It is the most commonly used import declaration type for goods entering the EU market outside of any special customs procedure. Exporters and their customs agents should care because selecting the wrong declaration type code changes which data elements the declaration must contain and can cause the declaration to be rejected.

H1 message (imports)

Global / not region-specific

The H1 message is the electronic data message used to submit an H1 import declaration to an EU member state's national customs system, structured according to the EU's common customs data model. It carries the full set of data elements required for that declaration type, such as the goods description, value, and tariff classification. Exporters and their customs brokers should care because the H1 message must be correctly formatted and complete for the receiving customs system to accept the declaration.

HAWB

House Air Waybill

Global / not region-specific

A House Air Waybill (HAWB) is the air waybill that a freight forwarder issues to an individual shipper for cargo consolidated with other shippers' goods into a single air shipment under one Master Air Waybill (MAWB) . It serves as the shipper's contract and receipt with the forwarder, while the MAWB is the forwarder's own contract with the airline. Exporters who book air freight through a forwarder typically receive a HAWB rather than an airline-issued AWB .

ICS

Global / not region-specific

ICS (Import Control System) was the European Union's original system for collecting advance electronic cargo information, in the form of Entry Summary Declarations (ENS), before goods arrived in the EU customs territory. It is being progressively replaced by Import Control System 2 (ICS2), which extends the same safety and security screening to more transport modes and introduces stricter data requirements. Exporters should care because, depending on the transport mode and its ICS2 rollout phase, cargo may now need to be pre-declared under ICS2 rather than the original ICS.

Insurance Certificate

Global / not region-specific

An insurance certificate is a document, issued by an insurer or their agent, that confirms cargo insurance coverage is in place for a specific shipment, including details such as the insured value and the risks covered. It is often required as one of the standard shipping documents alongside the commercial invoice and bill of lading, particularly under Incoterms rules such as CIF and CIP, where the seller must arrange insurance. Exporters should care because banks, buyers, or customs may require proof of insurance before releasing payment or clearing goods, and inadequate coverage can leave a shipment underinsured in the event of loss or damage.

IOR

Importer of Record

The Importer of Record (IOR) is the party that is legally and administratively responsible for an import transaction, including ensuring customs declarations are accurate, duties and taxes are paid, and the imported goods comply with destination-market regulations - the import-side counterpart to the Exporter of Record (EOR) . Exporters selling into a market where they don't have a local legal presence often need their buyer, a customs broker, or a dedicated IOR service to act in this role, since some markets require the IOR to be a local entity. Getting the IOR designation wrong, or using an unauthorised party, can result in the shipment being held at customs or the responsible party facing liability for compliance failures.

IOSS

Import One-Stop Shop

EU electronic portal designed to simplify VAT compliance for distance sales of imported goods valued at €150 or less.

Comment

The system allows non-EU sellers to collect, declare, and pay VAT to EU tax authorities through a single monthly return in one member state, rather than registering in every country where customers are located.

ITSP

IT Service Provider

Global / not region-specific

An ITSP is any party that delivers IT Services to a declarant/representative by operating an AS4 access point as a Sender. An ITSP must be identified (EORI & digital certificate) and registered in UUM&DS to be authorised to exchanges messages with the Shared Trader Interface (STI).

Comment

A party that provides a Software as a Service (SaaS) platform to an ITSP, or to a declarant/representative, is not an ITSP. It only provides technical components that require additional specific operational configuration to properly function as a Sender.

Kerb Weight

Rodex Terminology

Definition Global / not region-specific

Comment

Do not automatically substitute tare weight or unladen weight: the measurement conditions may differ.

Laden Weight

Rodex Terminology

Definition Global / not region-specific

Weight when loaded.
Includes cargo and fuel.

Comment

In Rodex we avoid this term and use Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) instead.

LC

Letter of Credit

Global / not region-specific

A Letter of Credit (LC) is a written undertaking issued by a bank, at the request of a buyer, to pay the seller a specified amount once the seller presents documents that comply exactly with the terms stated in the LC, such as a bill of lading, commercial invoice, and packing list. It shifts payment risk from the buyer to the issuing bank, provided the seller meets the LC's documentary requirements. Exporters should care because banks pay against the documents presented, not the physical goods, so even minor discrepancies between the documents and the LC's terms can delay or prevent payment.

Example:

LC2026000123

LOTL

List of Trusted Lists

Global / not region-specific

Lists of EO:s who have registered with ICS2.

MAWB

Master Air Waybill

Global / not region-specific

A Master Air Waybill (MAWB) is the air waybill covering a consolidated air shipment, issued by the airline to the freight forwarder that assembled cargo from multiple shippers into that shipment. It is the contract of carriage between the airline and the forwarder, distinct from the individual House Air Waybill (HAWB) the forwarder issues to each shipper within the consolidation. Exporters whose cargo is consolidated will not usually see the MAWB directly, since it covers the whole consignment rather than their individual shipment.

Means of transport

Global / not region-specific

Means of transport refers to the particular vehicle, vessel, aircraft, or other physical device used to carry goods or persons, such as a specific ship, truck, or railcar, as distinct from the mode of transport (the general method, e.g. sea, road, rail). Exporters encounter this distinction on transport documents and customs declarations, which often require identifying both the mode and the specific means of transport used for a shipment. Recording the correct means of transport is needed for accurate customs clearance and cargo tracking.

MPN

Manufacturer Part Number

Definition Global / not region-specific

A unique alphanumeric code assigned by a manufacturer to identify a specific product or component within their catalog.

Comment

Unlike SKUs, which are created by retailers for internal inventory tracking, an MPN remains consistent regardless of the seller or distributor, ensuring precise identification across the supply chain.

Purpose: Enables accurate product identification, inventory management, procurement, and warranty support by distinguishing items that may look similar but have different specifications or compatibility requirements.
Format Varies by manufacturer and can include letters, numbers, or a combination, often encoding details like size, tolerance, or revision.
Location: Typically found on the product label, packaging, user manual, or etched directly onto the item itself.
Industry Application: Critical in sectors like electronics, automotive, and aerospace where precise part matching is essential for function and safety.

Format

Varies by manufacturer and can include letters, numbers, or a combination, often encoding details like size, tolerance, or revision.

MRN

Unique number on a validated H1 declaration

Global / not region-specific

A Movement Reference Number (MRN) is the unique reference number that an EU customs system automatically generates and assigns once a customs declaration, such as an import, export, or transit declaration, has been successfully validated. It is used to identify and track that specific declaration through subsequent customs processes and communications. Exporters should care because the MRN is often needed to prove that a declaration was accepted, for example when goods must be tracked, amended, or referenced in follow-up correspondence with customs.

MSDS

Material Safety Data Sheet

Global / not region-specific

A Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) is the predecessor name for the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) , providing hazard, handling, and emergency-response information for a chemical, liquid, or battery product; most jurisdictions have moved to the GHS -aligned SDS format, but the older MSDS term and layout still appear on legacy documentation. Exporters shipping hazardous or regulated goods, such as those containing chemicals or lithium batteries, must ensure carriers and customs authorities receive a current data sheet alongside the Dangerous Goods Declaration . Relying on an outdated or missing MSDS/SDS can result in carrier refusal or shipment delays.

Comment

Now SDS, Critical for any shipment containing chemicals, liquids, or lithium batteries.

NCTS

New Computerized Transit System

Global / not region-specific

The New Computerised Transit System (NCTS) is the electronic system used to lodge and manage customs transit declarations for goods moving under the Common Transit Convention or the Union transit procedure across the EU, the UK, and certain other European countries. It replaced the paper-based transit procedure with electronic declarations and movement tracking. Exporters and hauliers moving goods across multiple customs territories under transit should care because an NCTS transit declaration allows goods to move without paying import duties at each border crossing until they reach their final customs destination.

NW

Net weight

Definition Global / not region-specific

The weight of the goods alone, devoid of any packaging or ancillary components. In essence, it’s the pure weight of the product.

PC

Preference Claim

Global / not region-specific

An importer requests a reduced or zero customs duty under a preferential trade arrangement. The goods must meet the applicable origin rules and supporting-evidence requirements.

PCF

Product Carbon Footprint

Global / not region-specific

This measure quantifies greenhouse-gas emissions associated with a product, expressed as carbon-dioxide equivalents. The calculation must state its lifecycle boundary and the product quantity or function assessed.

PHMSA

Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) is the US Department of Transportation agency that regulates the safe transport of hazardous materials, including packaging, classification, and documentation requirements analogous to ADR in Europe. Exporters shipping hazardous materials to, from, or within the US must comply with PHMSA regulations for packaging, labeling, and shipping papers. Non-compliant shipments of hazardous materials can be refused by carriers or subject to enforcement action and penalties from PHMSA.

PP

Preference Program

Global / not region-specific

Trade programs/agreements granting preferential (reduced/zero) tariffs based on origin rules.

Preferential Origin

Global / not region-specific

Preferential origin is a status assigned to goods that qualify, under the rules of origin of a specific free trade agreement or customs union, for a reduced or zero customs duty rate in the destination market. Exporters must determine and document preferential origin, typically via a EUR.1 Certificate or an Approved Exporter Origin Declaration , before their buyer's customs authority can apply the preferential rate. Claiming preferential origin without meeting the agreement's origin rules can result in the duty being reassessed at the standard rate and possible penalties.

Comment

Requires

EUR.1 certificate
Approved Exporter Origin Declaration
A.TR movement certificate for industrial products under the EU-Turkey Customs Union.

PRO

Producer Responsibility Organizations

EU US

Organizations (often non-profits) managing EPR schemes on behalf of producers (fees, collection, reporting).

Proof of Origin

Global / not region-specific

Proof of origin is documentary evidence that a product qualifies as originating in a particular country of origin (COO) , which customs authorities can require to apply the correct duty treatment. It comes in two main types: non-preferential proof of origin, used for trade statistics, quotas, or trade remedies; and preferential proof of origin, such as a EUR.1 Certificate , used to claim a reduced or zero duty rate under a free trade agreement or preference program . Exporters should provide the type and format of proof of origin their buyer's customs authority requires, since claiming a preferential rate without valid proof of origin can result in the shipment being assessed at the full standard duty rate.

PRTR

Pollutant Release and Transfer Register

Global / not region-specific

A PRTR is an environmental database or inventory of potentially hazardous chemical substances and/or pollutants released to air, water and soil and transferred off-site for treatment or disposal.

PSRA

Product Safety Risk Assessment

Global / not region-specific

This assessment identifies how a product could cause harm and evaluates the likelihood and severity of that harm. It records the measures needed to reduce the risks.

PW

Payload weight

Definition Global / not region-specific

Weight that a vehicle/container/aircraft is carrying. May include cargo, passengers, luggage, equipment, depending on context.

RAG

Global / not region-specific

Retrieval-Augmented Generation

REX

Registered Exporter

REX (Registered Exporter system) is the EU database through which exporters register to self-certify the preferential origin of their goods, replacing the need for a customs authority to stamp each certificate. Exporters regularly shipping goods under EU trade preference arrangements register for a REX number and then include a statement on origin, referencing that number, directly on their invoice. Shipping without a valid REX registration, where one is required, means the preferential origin claim may not be accepted at the destination customs authority.

Comment

EU system/database for self-certification of preferential origin (exporters register for REX number).

RID

Regulations concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Rail.

RID (Regulations concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Rail) is the international agreement setting classification, packaging, and documentation requirements for shipping hazardous materials by rail in Europe, paralleling ADR for road and IMDG for sea. Exporters moving dangerous goods by rail must classify and document the shipment according to RID before it is accepted by the carrier. Non-compliant rail shipments of dangerous goods can be refused by the carrier or seized by authorities in transit.

Rodex

Global / not region-specific

The public/commercial name of this project.

SDG

Sustainable Development Goals

Global / not region-specific

The United Nations adopted 17 goals covering social, environmental and economic development. Organizations can use them to structure objectives and report contributions, but they are not product certifications.

SKU

Stock Keeping Unit

Definition Global / not region-specific

A Stock Keeping Unit (SKU) is an internal identifier a business assigns to a distinct product or product variant to track inventory, distinguishing it from standardized external identifiers like the UPC or Article number . Exporters use SKUs internally for inventory management, order fulfillment, and warehouse operations, though SKUs are not standardized and typically aren't recognised outside the business that created them. Confusing an internal SKU with a standardized identifier on export documentation can cause mismatches with a buyer's or customs system's records.

SOLAS

International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea

SOLAS (the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea) is an international maritime safety convention. Exporters shipping by sea encounter it mainly through its requirement that the Verified Gross Mass (VGM) of a packed container be submitted to the carrier or terminal before loading. A container without a SOLAS-compliant VGM on file is refused loading by the carrier, which can delay the shipment.

ST

Sustainability Tracking

Global / not region-specific

This process records sustainability measures, such as emissions, material use and working conditions, over time. The measures, scope and reporting periods must be defined so results can be compared.

STI-STP

Shared Trader Interface-Shared Traders Portal

Global / not region-specific

A portal where an EO can submit ENS data to ICS2.

Comment

Usually needed for small importers who don’t have direct integration to ICS2 via AS4.

Tail Number

Global / not region-specific

A systematic catalog or database that indexes aircraft according to their unique registration marks, commonly referred to as tail numbers, which are alphanumeric codes displayed on the aircraft's exterior to identify individual civil and military aircraft worldwide.

TW

Tare Weight

Definition Global / not region-specific

The officially accepted weight of an empty container. Tare Weight means the weight of an empty container or vehicle.

Comment

Excludes the cargo. For vehicles, record the measurement conditions rather than assuming tare, unladen and kerb weight are identical.

UCC

EU's Union Customs Code

Global / not region-specific

The Union Customs Code (UCC) is the European Union's central legal framework governing customs procedures, applying uniformly across all EU member states. It sets out the rules for the import, export, and transit of goods, including customs declarations, customs valuation, tariff classification, and the rights and obligations of Economic Operators. The UCC replaced the earlier Community Customs Code and set the goal of moving EU customs processes to a fully electronic, paperless system. It matters to traders because it forms the legal basis for nearly all customs formalities carried out at the EU's external border.

UFLPA

Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act supply chain proof

Global / not region-specific

The Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA) is a US law creating a rebuttable presumption that goods manufactured wholly or partly in China's Xinjiang region involve forced labor, barring their import unless the importer provides clear and convincing evidence to the contrary. Exporters shipping to the US whose goods or inputs originate from, or pass through, Xinjiang may need to supply supply-chain traceability documentation, such as a Conflict Minerals Reporting Template (CMRT) or broader supply-chain ( SC ) evidence, to rebut the presumption. Shipments flagged under UFLPA without sufficient proof are detained by US Customs and Border Protection and can be excluded or seized.

Unladen Weight

Rodex Terminology

Definition Global / not region-specific

The mass of a vehicle without its load. The treatment of fuel, equipment and occupants depends on the applicable definition. It is not automatically interchangeable with kerb weight or tare weight.

UUM&DS

Uniform User Management and Digital Signature

Global / not region-specific

UUM&DS (Uniform User Management and Digital Signature) is the EU customs IT system, operated by DG TAXUD, that manages user access rights and digital signatures for parties exchanging electronic customs messages with EU systems such as ICS2 . An Economic Operator (EO) , its representative, or an IT Service Provider (ITSP) acting on its behalf must register and be granted access in UUM&DS, alongside an EORI Number and digital certificate, before being authorised to send data such as an Entry Summary Declaration (ENS) . Without valid UUM&DS registration, a trader's or IT provider's messages to EU customs systems are rejected, blocking the electronic filing needed to move goods.

VAT

Value Added Tax (VAT) is a consumption tax charged on goods and services at each stage of the supply chain in the EU and many other countries, ultimately borne by the end consumer. Exporters shipping into the EU encounter VAT at import, generally charged on the customs value of the goods, and again if they register to sell directly to EU consumers, where schemes such as IOSS can simplify collection. Getting VAT treatment wrong, such as failing to register where required, can result in shipments being held at customs or unexpected tax liabilities.

VGM

Definition Global / not region-specific

Verified Gross Mass (VGM) is the combined weight of a shipping container's tare weight and all its cargo (VGM = Container's Tare Weight + Weight of Cargo). Exporters or their agents must submit the VGM to the carrier or terminal before a container is loaded on a vessel, as required under the SOLAS convention. A container without a verified VGM on file is refused loading by the carrier, which can delay the shipment.

Comment

Risks confusion with GVM (Gross Vehicle Mass) since VGM sometimes is also called GVM (Gross Verified Mass). Therefore, always use VGM for the verified mass!