This glossary offers a concise overview of essential freight and transportation terms in Canada, providing a foundation for understanding the industry’s complexities. Please note that this glossary is not exhaustive and is intended as a starting point for exploring the subject further.

Bill of Lading (BOL) : Also known as a waybill, it is a legal document issued by a carrier to a shipper detailing the nature, quantity and destination of the goods being transported.

Brokerage : A third-party entity that connects shippers and carriers to facilitate the transportation of goods, often negotiating rates and ensuring transactions run smoothly.

Carrier : A company responsible for transporting goods, accountable for moving and delivering them from one point to another.

Consignor : The party responsible for sending the goods, also referred to as the shipper.

Consignee : The person or entity that receives the goods. 

Customs Broker : An expert in customs regulations who assists with clearing goods, ensuring compliance with import and export requirements.

Drayage : The transportation of goods over short distances, typically between a port and a nearby facility, often carried out by truck or smaller vehicles.

ETA (Estimated Time of Arrival) : The expected time at which a shipment will reach its destination. 

Freight : Goods or cargo transported by a carrier from one place to another.

FTL (Full Truckload) : A shipping mode in which a truck’s entire capacity is used for a single shipment, generally preferred for large loads.

Freight Forwarder:  A company specializing in arranging the transportation and logistics of shipments on behalf of shippers, often offering services such as documentation, customs clearance and cargo insurance.

Fuel Surcharge : An additional fee applied to freight shipments to account for fluctuations in fuel prices, offsetting carriers’ increased operating costs.

Intermodal Transport : The use of multiple modes of transportation, such as trucks, trains and ships, to move goods from origin to destination, improving efficiency and reducing costs.

 Logistics : The management of the flow of goods, information and resources within a transportation network to ensure efficient movement and on-time deliveries.

LTL (Less Than Truckload) : A shipping method used to transport smaller quantities of freight that do not fill an entire truck. Several LTL shipments are combined to optimize truck space.

POD (Proof of Delivery) : A document confirming delivery of the goods to the consignee, often including their signature as proof of receipt.

Port Authority : The body responsible for operating and managing a port, facilitating the transit of goods between different modes of transportation.          
  
Tariff : A published schedule of rates, charges and conditions applicable to the transportation of goods, specifying the costs associated with specific services.