Glossary of Terms for International Trade and Logistics
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Basic Shipping Terms
Japanese | English | Description |
貨物取り扱い | Cargo Handling | Operations such as loading, unloading, and storage of cargo |
貨物保険 | Cargo Insurance/Freight Insurance | Insurance against loss or damage during transport. |
貨物明細書 | Cargo Manifest | A document detailing the cargo loaded onto a ship |
キャリアー | Carrier | A logistics term referring to a transport company that handles international transport |
個口 | Package / Piece | One unit of packaging (e.g., one box = one package) |
小口貨物 | Small Shipment | Small quantities or small numbers of cargo (often used by DHL, etc.) |
コンソリデーション | Consolidation | Combining multiple shipments into a single shipment |
再輸入免税 | Duty-Free Reimportation | A system whereby customs duties are exempted upon re-importation |
集荷 | Pickup | Collecting cargo from the shipping origin |
出荷指示 | Shipping Instructions | Specific instructions regarding the shipment of cargo |
出荷ラベル | Shipping Label | A label printed with the delivery information for the cargo |
生鮮貨物 | Perishable Cargo | Cargo that requires temperature-controlled transportation, such as fresh vegetables |
デミニミス | De Minimis | A system where customs duties are exempted for amounts below a certain threshold |
ドア・ツー・ドア | Door to Door | End-to-end transportation from the shipper to the recipient |
到着費用 | Landed Cost | Total costs incurred until the goods arrive at their destination |
トラッキング番号 | Tracking Number | A number used to track shipments |
荷受人 | Consignee / Recipient | The person or company receiving the shipment |
荷送人 | Shipper / Sender | The person or company sending the shipment |
配達指示書 | Delivery Order | Documents outlining instructions for delivery |
配送証明 | Proof of Delivery (POD) | A record of delivery completion |
配達通知 | Delivery Notification | Notification that the package has been delivered |
発送通知 | Shipping Notification | Notification regarding the shipment of the package |
発送元 | Shipping Origin | The location from which the package is shipped |
輸送経路 | Transportation Route | The route from the shipping origin to the destination |
リードタイム | Lead Time | The time required from order to delivery |

International Trade and Regulations
Japanese | English | Description |
AEO | Authorized Economic Operator | Customs certification for reliable customs brokers |
IATA | International Air Transport Association | International Air Transport Association (freight rates and dangerous goods regulations) |
EXW | Ex Works | A condition whereby the seller simply delivers the goods at its own facility, and the buyer bears the subsequent transportation costs and risks |
ICAO | International Civil Aviation Organization | International Civil Aviation Organization (aviation safety standards) |
インコタームズ | Incoterms | International trade terms (sharing of costs and risks) |
インテグレーター | Integrator | A logistics company that handles customs clearance and transportation (e.g., DHL) |
FOB | Free On Board | A transaction condition whereby the seller bears the costs up to the point of loading the goods onto the ship, and the buyer bears the costs thereafter |
L/C | Letter of Credit | A document issued by the buyer's bank guaranteeing payment to the seller |
買取手形 | Bills Bought | A transaction form that corresponds to a collection bill |
為替手形 | Bill of Exchange | A commercial document guaranteeing payment |
関税協定 | Customs Agreement | An agreement on tariffs concluded between multiple countries or regions |
関税評価 | Customs Valuation | A method of evaluating imported goods for the purpose of calculating tariffs |
関税分類 | Tariff Classification | The category of tariffs applicable to goods |
検査 | Inspection | A process to confirm that goods or products meet specified standards or conditions |
国際貿易 | International Trade | The exchange of goods and services across national borders |
SAF | Sustainable Aviation Fuel | Sustainable aviation fuel that is environmentally friendly |
サプライチェーン | Supply Chain | The overall logistics structure from manufacturing to sales |
自由貿易協定 | Free Trade Agreement (FTA) | An international agreement to exempt tariffs |
3PL | Third-Party Logistics | A form of outsourcing logistics operations |
コスト、保険、運賃条件 | CIF (Cost, Insurance and Freight) | Transaction conditions in which the seller bears the freight and insurance costs |
TPP | Trans-Pacific Partnership | Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (a type of FTA) |
DAP ディーエイーピー | Delivered At Place | Delivery to the designated destination |
Declared Value | Declared Value | Declared price for transportation insurance purposes |
Demurrage | Demurrage | Additional charges for exceeding the storage period (at ports, etc.) |
DTP | Delivered at Terminal Paid | The seller pays freight charges to the designated terminal (port, airport, etc.) and delivers the goods |
DDP | Delivered Duty Paid | The seller bears all costs (including customs duties and taxes) to the destination and delivers the goods to the buyer |
DDU / DAP | Delivered Duty Unpaid / At Place | Conditions under which the consignee bears customs duties and taxes |
Duty Paid / Unpaid | Duty Paid / Unpaid | Abbreviations indicating responsibility for customs clearance costs (DDP/DDU) |
4PL | Fourth-Party Logistics | A logistics provider that oversees and manages multiple 3PLs |
貿易遵守 | Trade Compliance | Compliance with trade-related laws and regulations |
貿易制限 | Trade Restrictions | Restrictions on the import and export of specific goods |
輸出管理規制 | Export Control Regulations | Laws that restrict the export of specific goods and technologies |
輸出申告 | Export Declaration | Documents used to declare the details of exported goods to customs |
リスク管理 | Risk Management | The process of assessing risks during transportation and implementing measures to mitigate them |

Customs Clearance and Documents
Japanese | English | Description |
IOSS番号 | IOSS Number | Number used for simplified VAT reporting for EU-bound EC |
EORI番号 | EORI Number | Business registration number required for customs clearance in Europe |
イーティーエーETA | Estimated Time of Arrival | Trade English used to confirm the departure and arrival times of cargo |
HSコード | HS Code | International code for classifying goods (used for customs clearance) |
FTA | Free Trade Agreement | Free Trade Agreement (with tariff preferences) |
FDA登録 | FDA Registration | Registration with the US Food and Drug Administration (for pharmaceuticals, food, etc.) |
関税 | Customs Duties | Tax imposed on imports |
関税 | Tariff | Tax imposed on imported goods |
関税手数料 | Customs Fees | Fee for customs clearance procedures. Handling fee collected by customs |
禁制品目 | Prohibited Items | Items prohibited from import or export by law |
検疫 | Quarantine | Quarantine at the time of import or export customs clearance |
健康証明書 | Health Certificate | Health certificate for food, animal products, etc. |
原産地証明書 | Certificate of Origin | Document certifying the country of origin of a product |
再輸入申告 | Reimport Declaration | Declaration of information related to re-imports to customs |
通関 | Customs Clearance | Procedures performed by customs at the time of import/export |
通関業者 | Customs Broker | A company that handles import/export customs clearance procedures |
通関申告 | Customs Declaration | Declaration of information related to import/export to customs |
特例通関 | Special Customs Clearance | Procedures for rapid customs clearance under specific conditions |
VAT | Value Added Tax | Value-added tax in Europe, etc |
B/L | Bill of Lading | A document issued by a transport company to acknowledge receipt of goods, which is an important document indicating ownership of the goods |
プロフォーマインボイス | Proforma Invoice | A provisional invoice for quotation purposes (non-commercial) |
輸出許可証 | Export License | A license required to export specific goods |
輸入関税 | Import Duty | Taxes levied on imported goods |
輸入許可証 | Import License | A license required to import regulated goods |
輸入申告 | Import Declaration | The procedure of declaring the contents of imports to customs |
輸入割当 | Import Quota | Quantity restrictions on imported goods |

Transportation and Logistics
Japanese | English | Description |
---|---|---|
一貫輸送 | Intermodal Transportation | Transportation performed by the same carrier using two or more different modes of transportation, from the receipt to the delivery of goods |
運送契約 | Freight Contract | A contract regarding transportation services |
運賃 | Freight Charges | Costs associated with transportation |
運賃条件 | Freight Terms | Contract terms regarding the transportation of goods |
運賃精算 | Freight Settlement | Procedures for settling transportation costs |
運賃率 | Freight Rate | The standard rate for transportation costs |
LCL | Less than Container Load | Less than container load (mixed cargo) |
海上輸送 | Ocean Freight | A method of transporting large quantities of cargo by ship |
貨物代理店運送状 | House Air Waybill | An air waybill issued by a freigh forwarder |
危険物 | Dangerous Goods | Hazardous materials that require special handling |
クーリエ | Courier | Small parcel express delivery services such as DHL |
航空貨物 | Air Cargo | Cargo transported by air |
航空貨物運送状 | Air Waybill (AWB) | Contract document for air cargo transportation |
航空輸送 | Air Freight | Transportation method using air freight |
Surcharge | Surcharge | All fees added to the basic rate |
サーチャージ | Surcharge | Additional fees added to the basic rate |
三国間輸送 | Triangular Transport | Transactions involving the transportation of goods between three countries |
実重量 | Actual Weight | The actual weight of the cargo |
チャーター便 | Charters Flight | An aircraft chartered for a specific purpose |
デバンニング | Devanning | The process of removing cargo from a container |
デマレージ | Demurrage | Additional fees charged when storage exceeds the specified period |
繁忙期追加料金 | Demand Surcharge | Fees imposed during peak seasons or periods of increased demand |
トランジット | Transit | The intermediate stages through which cargo passes before reaching its destination |
ブレイクバルク | Break Bulk | Non-containerized cargo loaded in individual packaging units |
フォーワーダー | Freight Forwarder | A logistics company that arranges transportation, customs clearance, and other logistics services |
物流提供者 | Logistics Provider | A company that provides logistics services |
Fuel Surcharge | Fuel Surcharge | Additional charges linked to fuel prices |
保税倉庫 | Bonded Warehouse | A warehouse where imported goods can be stored without paying customs duties |
保税蔵置場 | Bonded Warehouse | A warehouse where goods can be stored even before customs duties are paid |
MAWB | Master Air Waybill | Air waybill issued by an airline |
マルチモーダル輸送 | Multimodal Transport | Transporting goods or people to their destination using a combination of different modes of transport (e.g., trucks, ships, aircraft, etc.) |
メトリックトン | Metric Ton | A unit of weight measurement, equivalent to one ton in the metric system (1,000 kilograms) |
ULD | Unit Load Device | Container or pallet used for aircraft cargo |
容積重量 | Volumetric Weight | Weight calculated based on size (for billing purposes) |
DHL Service Glossary
Japanese | English | Description |
---|---|---|
DHLアカウント番号 | DHL account number / account number | A customer-specific number that allows you to receive discounts, manage invoices, use online tools, and access dedicated support |
マイグローバルトレードサービス (MyGTS) | My Global Trade Services | A free online support portal that allows you to search for statistical item numbers (HS codes), estimate total shipping costs, and check the documents required for customs clearance |
ADC | Advance Duty Collection | Allows the recipient of the shipment to pre-pay import duties and consumption taxes using a credit card |
MyBill | MyBill | A billing management tool that allows you to view invoices, make payments, and download reports |
DHL Express Commerce (DEC) | DHL Express Commerce | A shipping document creation tool for cross-border e-commerce businesses |
eリターン | eReturn | A solution that allows you to return purchased items |
DHLニュートラルデリバリー | DHL Neutral Delivery | A service that delivers directly to overseas users and retailers without going through a local agent |
DHL Express 10:30 | DHL Express 10:30 | A service that guarantees the delivery of documents and non-documents by 10:30 a.m. using a dedicated operational system |
DHL Express 12:00 | DHL Express 12:00 | A service that guarantees the delivery of documents and non-documents by noon |
DHL Express 12:00 Import | DHL Express 12:00 IMPORT | A service that guarantees the delivery of imported documents and non-documents by noon |
DHL Express 9:00 | DHL Express 9:00 | A service that guarantees delivery of documents and non-documents by 9:00 AM |
DHLエクスプレスブレークバルク | DHL Express Breakbulk | A service that consolidates shipments to multiple destinations for customs clearance and delivers them individually |
DHL Express Envelope | DHL Express Envelope | A service that delivers business documents weighing up to 300g in a dedicated envelope |
DHL Express配達時間保証サービス | DHL Express Time Definite International | A service that delivers documents and non-documents using a dedicated operational system. If delivery exceeds the guaranteed time, a refund system applies under certain conditions |
DHL Express Worldwide | DHL Express Worldwide | A service that delivers documents and non-documents to over 220 countries and regions |
DHLメディカルエクスプレス | DHL Medical Express | A service that delivers temperature-sensitive clinical trial drugs and vaccines on time |
エクスプレスイージー | Express Easy | A service that allows you to drop off your shipment at a DHL service point and ship it overseas at a simple rate |
GoGreen Plus | GoGreen Plus | A service that reduces CO2 emissions from air transport by 30% (offsets) through the use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) |
Same Day Jetline | Same Day Jetline | An emergency transport service that loads your shipment onto a flight immediately and delivers it right away |
デジタルアシスタント | Digital Assistant | A service that allows you to ask questions via chat from your smartphone or computer and get immediate solutions |
eセキュア | eSecure | A security feature that prevents unauthorized use of import account numbers |
MyDHL+ | MyDHL+ | A DHL shipping tool that allows you to manage all aspects of import/export operations, including creating shipping labels and shipping documents, obtaining quotes, requesting pickups, and checking shipping status |
オンデマンドデリバリーサービス | On Demand Delivery | A service that provides advance delivery notifications and allows you to specify delivery methods |