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CASAS is pleased to provide helpful international trade resources, links to convenient form downloads, and a glossary to help enhance your international trade and compliance knowledge.

Glossary

This glossary is designed to demystify international trade terminology. From government agencies and customs brokerage to shipping and trade compliance, this user-friendly resource provides clear explanations, empowering you to navigate the intricacies of global trade with confidence.

ABI Automated Broker Interface

An integral part of ACS that permits qualified participants to file import data electronically with CBP. ABI is a voluntary program available to brokers, importers, carriers, port authorities, and independent service centers

ACE Automated Commercial Environment

System through which the trade community reports imports and exports and the government determines admissibility

AES Automated Export System

System U.S. exporters use to electronically declare their international exports, known as Electronic Export Information (EEI)

APHIS Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

Protects the health of U.S. agriculture and natural resources against invasive pests and diseases, regulates genetically engineered crops, administers the Animal Welfare Act, and helps people and wildlife coexist

AWB Airway Bill

document that accompanies goods shipped by an international courier to provide detailed information about the shipment, and allow it to be tracked

BOL Bill of Lading

document issued by a carrier to acknowledge receipt of cargo for shipment

BOM Bill of Materials

a list of the raw materials, sub-assemblies, intermediate assemblies, sub-components, parts, and the quantities of each needed to manufacture a product.

CBP Customs and Border Protection

the largest federal law enforcement agency of the United States Department of Homeland Security. It is charged with regulating and facilitating international trade, collecting import duties, and enforcing U.S. regulations, including trade, customs, and immigration

CES Centralized Examination Stations

are privately operated facilities at which merchandise is made available to Customs officers for physical examination

CFR Code of Federal Regulations

is the official legal print publication containing the codification of the general and permanent rules published in the Federal Register by the departments and agencies of the Federal Government

CFS Container Freight Station

A carrier facility where less-than-containerload shipments are consolidated for shipment or unloaded for final delivery.

CI Commercial Invoice

A document used as a customs declaration. Provided by the person or corporation that is exporting an item across international borders.

COC Certificate of Conformity

Mandatory document which is necessary for Customs clearance of exports to many countries around the globe. Approval or Certificate of Conformity is granted to a product that meets a minimum set of regulatory, technical and safety requirements.

DGN Dangerous Goods Note

Transport document that gives details about the contents of a consignment to carriers, receiving authorities and forwarders describing any goods that may be considered hazardous.

DIS Document Image System

This page provides the message formats and technical specifications necessary to electronically transmit data to CBP's automated systems.

DPS Denied Party Screening

Process of screening parties involved in an export transaction for complying with the safety standards of the U.S. Government. Effective trade screening not only includes denied parties but also controlled products and embargoed or sanctioned countries.

EAR Export Administration Regulations

Important United States export control law that affect the manufacturing, sales and distribution of technology. The legislation seeks to control access to specific types of technology and the associated data.

EAR99 Export Administration Regulations

An export classification for an item. It indicates that an item is subject to the Export Administration Regulations (EAR), but not specifically described by an Export Control Classification Number (ECCN) on the Commerce Control List (CCL). Items that fall under the jurisdiction of the EAR but are not found on the Commerce Control List (CCL).

ECCN Export Control Classification Number

alphanumeric designation (i.e., 1A984 or 4A001) used in the Commerce Control List to identify items for export control purposes. An ECCN categorizes items based on the nature of the product, i.e. type of commodity, technology or software and its respective technical parameters.

EEI Electronic Export Information

is filed electronically in the Automated Export System (AES) or the Automated Export System Direct. This data is the electronic equivalent of the export data formerly collected as Shipper's Export Declaration (SED).

EMCP Export Management and Compliance Program

is required by the U.S. Government to ensure that companies comply with export control policy for dual-use commodities, software, and technology.

ETA Estimated time of Arrival

is a term used widely in transportation predicting when a means of transport, or freight shipment, will arrive at its destination

ETD Estimated time of Departure

Is the time and date that an order or shipment is due to be delivered at its final destination

FAST Free and Secure Trade

Is a commercial clearance program for known low-risk shipments entering the U.S. from Canada and Mexico

FDA Food and Drug administration

determines whether products are admissible into U.S. commerce and may refuse entry to any that violate or appear to violate any provisions of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act

FTA Free Trade Agreement

is an agreement under which the countries that have signed it provide each other with exclusive trade benefits by abolishing tariffs and other barriers to trade in goods and services between the countries

FTZ Foreign Trade Zones

Secure areas under U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) supervision that are generally considered outside CBP territory upon activation. Located in or near CBP ports of entry, they are the United States' version of what are known internationally as free-trade zones.

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