The government authority responsible for controlling the import and export of goods at ports, collecting duties and taxes, and enforcing trade regulations. All vessels arriving at a port must submit cargo manifests and crew lists to customs for clearance before cargo operations can begin.
Category: Cargo & Trade
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CIFCost, Insurance and Freight, an Incoterm under which the seller delivers the goods on board the vessel and pays the cost of freight and marine insurance to the named destination port.COAContract of Affreightment, a long-term agreement between a shipper and a shipowner to transport a specified quantity of cargo over a given period, with individual shipments made on vessels nominated by the owner.ContainerizationThe system of transporting goods in standardised intermodal containers that can be efficiently transferred between ships, trucks, and rail cars without handling the cargo itself.Dead FreightA charge payable by the charterer for the unused cargo space when the agreed quantity of cargo is not provided for loading.Deadweight TonnageThe total weight a vessel can carry, including cargo, fuel, fresh water, ballast water, provisions, passengers, and crew, measured in metric tonnes.DemurrageA charge payable by the charterer to the shipowner when a vessel is detained in port beyond the agreed laytime allowed for loading or discharging cargo.
Back to DictionaryEntry updated May 2026