Careers

Services

FCL Shipping

Full load sea freight solution for businesses with regular, bulk shipments.

LCL Shipping

Consolidate multiple less-than container load shipments to create a full load.

Air Freight

Robust air transportation option for a transparent and a reliable service.

Ground Transport

Road freight with daily collections and departures for all types of product.

Solutions

pathway core

Freight management

Shipment Visibility

Real-time visibility over your consignments making tracking seamless.

Analytics & Reporting

Track and report on cost, logistics and duty with the Analytics dashboard.

Freight Management

The intuitive management platform to stay on top of all your freight movements.

pathway enterprise

Supply Chain Optimisation

PO Management

Vertically integrate shipping and buying with one platform.

Supply Chain Visibility

Visibility from management of production through to the fulfilment stage.

Network Collaboration

Bringing stakeholders together simply under one platform.

API & Integration

Out of the box integrations with industry leading systems.

EU Customs Clearance

Customs Compliance

Customs Clearance

Simplify your customs declarations, entries and processes with hands on support.

Import goods from EU-UK

Explore our comprehensive import solutions.

Export Goods from UK-EU

Explore our comprehensive export solutions.

Resources

Knowledge Hub

Find webinars, white pages and e-books designed to help your business thrive.

Sustainability

Our clean cargo initiative will help drive you towards a greener supply chain.

Glossary

Definitions and terms explained.

Covid-19

Adapt your strategy and keep your supply chain resilient post Covid-19.

Freight Pricing

Get a quick quote using our online calculator tool.

News & Articles

Contact

Looking to get started with Unsworth or enquire about anything else? Get in touch.

we're hiring

Pathway Core

Manage your freight movements easily with and efficiently with shipment tracking.

Pathway Enterprise

Gain control and visibility across your whole supply chain from start to end.

Cargocost.com

Gain a quick quote for your cargo and enquire with a

Glossary

Terminology Glossary

Questions On Customs Clearance

Zone Rate

A zone rate is a type of freight rate used to determine cost by moving through geographic areas.

‍

Yard Storage

Yard storage is charged by the trucker if a container is stored at the trucker's yard, instead of a terminal.

‍

X-Ray Exam

A Customs X-ray exam is the least intensive Customs exams.

What is Fiscal Representation?

A foreign entity can appoint a tax representative in the import country to represent their business with the Tax and Customs Administrations.

Our trusted and recommended partners are RM Boulanger.

Wharfage

Wharfage is the fee charged for use of the wharf to unload a vessel.

‍

Valuation Challenge

This is a type of customs inspection conducted by customs authorities when they have grounds to be suspicious about the customs value.

‍

VAT (Value Added Tax) Number

A VAT number is required to import into the EU.

‍

ULD (Unit Load Device)

ULDs contain airfreight cargo.

‍

Trade Remedy

Trade remedies are tactics such as imposing additional duties, quotas, prohibitions on imports or other methods that government organizations use to counteract unfair trade practices.

‍

Tariff Engineering

Tariff engineering is the modification a new or existing product so as to pay the lowest possible duty rate on the product.

‍

TEU (Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit)

A TEU is a measurement of shipment volume.

‍

TARIC | The Integrated Tariff of the European Union

A TARIC code is a minimum of 10 digits of which the first 6 are based on the international Harmonised System.

‍

Storage Charges

Storage charges may apply to your shipment even if you don't plan on putting your shipment into storage.

Stop Off Fee

A stop off fee may be charged if your shipment is split between two delivery locations.

Split Shipment

When your air shipment is split, your cargo does not arrive on a single flight, but is instead distributed among two or more flights. This is more likely to happen with a large shipment.

Special Delivery Fee

A special delivery fee is charged by a trucker for a delivery outside of their normal service parameters, such as an after-hours delivery or delivery to a destination they don't typically service.

Shipping Order (SO)

A Shipping Order is the document that confirms space for a shipment has been booked on a vessel.

Rules of Origin

Rules of origin are legal standards that determine how to treat goods from a tariff standpoint based on their country of origin.

Related Parties

Related parties are relationships that may affect the declared import value to U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

‍

Quality Control (QC)

Quality control will help ensure that your products are meeting your anticipated standards.

Preferential Duties

A Preferential Duty Rate is lower than the normal duty rate applied to the imports from third countries.

Port filings

A port filing is a notification to the port that a certain container will be on board of a certain vessel going to a certain location with corresponding export declaration documents. It is a step after export clearance.

Pallet Exchange Fee

A pallet exchange fee is charged if the trucker does not bring pallets to exchange when they pick up the cargo.

Pallet

Cartons are stacked on pallets to make cargo more secure and to make unloading easier.

Packing List (PL)

A Packing List is a document used for Customs declaration. Accurate documentation may help avoid a Customs exam.

PSS (Peak Season Surcharge)

PSS is a fluctuating surcharge that carriers may apply during times of high demand.

‍

Original Bill of Lading (OBL)

An original bill of lading is a shipping document that serves as the title of the cargo and a shipment receipt.

‍

Origin Charge

Origin charges will apply for every shipment, but who pays for them depends on the incoterm.

Non-Vessel Operating Common Carrier (NVOCC)

A Non-Vessel Operating Common Carrier (NVOCC) is an ocean carrier that transports goods under its own House Bill of Lading, or equivalent documentation, without operating ocean transportation vessels.

Negotiated Rate Arrangement (NRA)

A Negotiated Rate Arrangement (NRA) is a document regulated by the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC). It ensures that all ocean freight rates are documented and accepted before the cargo is loaded onto the vessel.

‍

NES | The National Export System

The National Export System (NES) is a computer-based system which enables export declarations to be submitted electronically

‍

Merchandise Processing Fee (MPF)

The Merchandise Processing Fee (MPF) is a U.S. Customs charge assessed for most imports into the United States.

‍

MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet)

An MSDS will be required for all dangerous, or even just potentially dangerous, shipments. The supplier is responsible for providing all hazmat documentation.

‍

Liftgate Fee

A liftgate is used for delivery destinations that do not have a loading dock. Truckers typically charge a fee for this service.

‍

Letter of Indemnity (LOI)

A Letter of Indemnity (LOI) is a document provided by the shipper stating that the shipper will take responsibility for any harm or loss caused by a breach of contract.

‍

Last Free Day

The last free day is the last day of free storage time. See below for general guidance on the average amount of free storage time per transportation mode.

‍

LTL (Less than Truckload)

LTL is used for smaller shipments that don't fill up a truck on their own.

‍

LCL (Less than Container Load)

LCL is a mode of shipping via ocean, and is recommended if your shipment isn't large enough to fill a container.

‍

Known Shipper

Known shipper is a preferred status for companies shipping via air, and a necessary status to ship via passenger planes taking off from the US.

Jones Act

The Jones Act prohibits any non-US ship from participating in US trade lanes (including Puerto Rico).

International Roadcheck

International Roadcheck is the world's largest targeted enforcement program for commercial motor vehicles. See below for more details and how the program may affect your shipments.

‍

Inside Delivery Fee

The trucker may charge this fee if the shipment's delivery requires some form of installation, or if the trucker is required to go inside the delivery location.

Incoterms®

A HC container is taller than a standard container, and can fit more cargo.

Importer of Record

The importer of record is responsible for Customs documentation and payment.

HS / HTS Codes

HS and HTS codes are for Customs product classification.

Golden Week

Golden Week is a Chinese holiday that takes place in October.

‍

General Order

General Order is a status given to cargo that is being held up at Customs due to improper documentation or other issues with clearing.

General Average

General Average is declared in the aftermath of a maritime catastrophe and is very costly for shippers without cargo insurance.

‍

Gating In

Gating in for containers means checking in at the port of origin.

‍

GRI (General Rate Increase)

A GRI is a general rate increase that carriers can apply to their ocean freight rates.

‍

Fuel Surcharge (FSC)

Trucking companies charge a fuel surcharge fee in order to protect themselves from the volatility of fuel prices.

‍

FTL (Full Truckload)

An FTL is a type of trucking used for shipments that can fill an entire truck.

FTA (Free Trade Agreement)

An FTA (Free Trade Agreement) is an agreement between two or more countries that reduces barriers to imports and exports among them.

FOB (Free on Board)

FOB is an incoterm, is only suitable for ocean shipments that will be delivered straight to the vessel.

FEU (Forty-foot Equivalent Unit)

An FEU is a unit of shipment volume.

FDA (Food and Drug Administration)

The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is a federal agency of the Department of Health and Human Services that is responsible for protecting public health by regulating various product types.

FCL (Full Container Load)

A FCL container is one person's shipment that takes up a full container. Read more on FCL here.

FCA (Free Carrier)

FCA is an incoterm suitable for containerized ocean shipments.

FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon)

FBA is an Amazon service that will store and ship your products for you.

EXW (Ex Works)

EXW is an incoterm that assigns the least amount of responsibility to the supplier.

External Transit (T1)

The external transit procedure allows by default for non-Union goods to be moved from one point to another point within the customs territory of the Union so that customs duties and other charges are suspended. The T1 usually refers to the actual document that facilitates this movement.

EORI (Economic Operator Registration and Identification)

An EORI number is required to ship to the EU.

‍

EIN (Employer Identification Number)

An EIN is used by the U.S. federal government to identify business entities located in the US.

EBS (Emergency Bunker Surcharge)

Carriers implement an EBS once fuel costs have risen so high that they cut into carriers' profits.

Duty

A duty is an indirect tax on the value of an imported or exported product.

Drop Fee

A drop fee is charged by the trucker to drop off an FCL container at the warehouse and pick it up after it has been unloaded. This is also called a bobtail fee.

Devanning

Devanning is a logistics term that means "unloading cargo from a container."

Detention

Detention, also known as per diem, is a fee charged for the extra days a container is away from port.

Delivery Order

A delivery order is how Flexport communicates pickup and shipment details to the trucker.

Delivery Labor Fee

A trucker may charge a delivery labor fee if they have to help unload cargo at the warehouse (or other destination).

Deferment or Postponed VAT Accounting

A foreign entity can appoint a tax representative in the import country to represent their business with the Tax and Customs Administrations.

Deferment Fee

This is the cost for having your freight forwarder/customs broker pay the Duty and VAT to the customs authorities on your behalf, before billing it to you directly.

Deconsolidation

Deconsolidation is the act of separating LCL shipments.

Declared Value Coverage

Declared value coverage is not insurance, it raises the carrier's financial liability. See below for more details, and for the advantages of cargo insurance vs. declared value coverage.

Customs Entry

Customs entry is a declaration of the kind, amount, and value of goods being taken in or out of a country, for purposes of customs clearance.

Customs Clearance

Customs clearance is the governmental authorization necessary for a good to enter or exit the borders of a specific country. Find out how we can help you with Customs Clearance.

Customs Broker

A customs broker is an agent who assists importers and exporters in preparing documents for clearing goods through customs. Find out more about our Customs Brokerage Services here.

Customs Bond

A customs bond, or import bond, is a legal document verifying all required importing fees, duties, and taxes have been paid.

Countervailing Duties

Countervailing duties are applied to foreign goods in the U.S. that are manufactured with foreign subsidies.

Contract of Carriage

A contract of carriage is a negotiated contract between the carrier and shipper for the transportation of cargo.

Continuous Customs Bond

A customs bond is required to import goods into the United States, as a form of insurance to protect the U.S. Treasury. A continuous customs bond will cover all of your import shipments for one year.

Container Yard (CY)

A container yard (CY) is where ocean containers are stored before and after a sailing, and where carriers store empty containers.

Consolidation

Consolidation is the act of combining LCL shipments into a truck or container.

Consignee

The consignee will be named on the bill of lading, and is the party to whom ownership of the goods will transfer at the cargo's destination.

Compliance Assessment

A compliance assessment is an analysis or audit of a company’s customs transactions.

Common Carrier

A common carrier is a company that offers service to the general public.

Commercial Invoice

A Commercial Invoice is a document used for Customs declaration, along with the Packing List

Commerce Control List (CCL)

The Commerce Control List (CCL) is a list of categories and product groups used to help determine if an export license is needed for U.S. exports.

Co-Loader

A co-loader consolidates LCL shipments.

Chassis

A chassis is a piece of trucking equipment used for trucking FCL shipments

Also see:

Chassis Fee
A chassis is attached to a truck, and used to transport a container.
Chassis Pool
Chassis are stored at chassis pools at ocean ports, rail ports, and other locations.

Chassis Split
A chassis split fee is charged if the trucker has to make an additional trip to pick up a chassis, from a separate location.

‍

Cartage

Cartage is a type of trucking, usually for LCL shipments.

Carrier

The carrier is the party who transports the cargo.

Cargo Ready Date (CRD)

The cargo ready date is the day the cargo is expected to be available. Input the cargo ready date when you request a quote from Flexport.

Cargo Insurance

Cargo insurance is highly recommended, because any number of pitfalls might befall your shipment on its journey.

CITES | Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora

CITES is an international agreement between governments. Its aim is to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten the survival of the species.

CHIEF

The UK Customs Handling of Import and Export Freight (CHIEF) system records the movement of goods by land, air and sea.

CHED | Common Health Entry Document

CHED - Common Health Entry Document - CHED’s are the common health entry documents for consignments of plants, plant products, foods and animal products.

CFS (Container Freight Station)

A container freight station is a warehouse that specializes in the consolidation and deconsolidation of cargo. A CFS will charge a fee.

Also see:

CFS (Container Freight Station) Cut-off
A CFS cut-off is the date that an LCL shipment needs to be checked in the CFS for the shipment to make its sailing.
CFS (Container Freight Station) Fee
A container freight station (CFS) is where LCL cargo is taken for consolidation (at origin) and deconsolidation (at destination). The CFS charges a fee for this service, based on the volume of the cargo.

‍

CES (Centralized Examination Station)

A CES is where a shipment will be trucked if CBP has pulled it for inspection.

CDS | Customs Declaration Service

CDS - Customs Declaration Service (CDS) is the UK government’s new electronic system for handling customs declaration processes.

What is the difference between Regime 400 and 4200?

When is it cheaper to go groupage rather than dedicated trucks?

Can I use multiple ports without having VAT numbers in all of those countries?

What is T1? Is it even a good idea to use it?

What is a smart border and how does it work?

What is the pool of talent like in the Hauts-de-France region?

How does the operating cost of the business in Hauts-de-France compare?

How nice is the Hauts-de-France to live in?

Why is it so important to have an importer for the record?

Why is the Hauts-de-France the ideal gateway for UK companies?

How international in Hauts-de-France?

What financial incentives are available for British companies looking to invest in the Hauts-de-France region?

What kind of assistance from local partners is available for British companies looking to invest in the Hats-de-France?

What factors should investors bear in mind when assessing potential destinations?

What kind of assistance from local partners is available for British companies looking to invest in Hauts-de-France?

Why are courier deliveries so complicated?

What factors should investors bear in mind when assessing potential destinations?

What’s the difference between DDP and DAP?

What is Regime 42?

Can I buy within the EU, while being a non-EU company?

Why having a warehouse in France is a good idea?

Alcoholic products: how is it different in terms of Import, VAT, and excise duties?

What is an EORI number and why is it needed?

Why can’t I export from the UK?

What is a triangular operation?

Having a VAT number: does that involve risk and obligations?

London Head Office
3 Lemna Road
London
E11 1JL

Dublin Office
Unit 2, Portlaoise Plaza J17
Togher, Portlaoise
Co Laois, Ireland
R32 V97T

Services

Sea Freight LCL Sea Freight FCL Air Freight

Solutions

Shipment Visibility API & Integration PO Management

Customs Brokerage Analytics & Reporting Network Collaboration

Company

Our Mission Join Our Team Contact Us







BIFA Trading Conditions UKWA Trading Conditions IIFA Trading Conditions Data protection policy Cookies policy Copyright policy Privacy policy Site map

website by