Glossary
Our glossary will clarify any moving terms
that you may need to know more about . We also have compiled a list
of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs),
to help you with any general questions you may have.
A
Addendum - Authorized supplement or addition to a shipping or
other transportation document that identifies additional services,
changes in services and accompanying charges.
Advanced Charges - Amount of freight or other charge on a
shipment prepaid by the shipper.
Appliance Servicing - Preparation of major household appliances
for shipment.
B
Bill of Lading - Contract or shipping document that is signed by
both the shipper and carrier at the time goods are loaded and
delivered to complete the transaction. Serves as the shipper's
receipt.
Binding Estimate - Contractual fixed price quotation to transport
a specified amount of goods.
Blanket Wrap - Wrapping and padding of uncrated goods.
Booking - Act of recording arrangements made for the movement of
goods.
Booking Agent - Agent who accepts an order for a shipment's
transportation from the shipper and registers it with the carrier.
Bubble Pack - Plastic material with small, air-filled chambers
used in packing.
Bulky Article - Items such as cars, boats, snowmobiles, golf
carts and campers normally incur a bulky article charge to
compensate the hauler for difficulty in loading and unloading such
items due to their unusual bulk or low weight density. In some
cases, a "weight additive" is applicable.
C
Carrier (Transportation) - Entity that is a motor carrier, water
carrier or freight forwarder engaged in the business of transporting
goods or people, including a long-distance or interstate van line or
moving company registered with the DOT to move household goods from
one state to another. Might have one or more agents representing it
in other cities.
Certified Mover/Packer - Mover or packer who has completed
classroom training and monitored supervision in the field.
Certified Scale - Any public or private platform or warehouse
scale that is checked and approved (certified) by a public
subdivision or state, either of which might grant such
certification. Transportation charges for moving household goods are
derived from the weight measured on "certified scales."
Collect on Delivery (COD) - Shipment where the customer pays
charges at the time of delivery. Payment must be in the form of
cash, traveler's checks, a bank cashier's check or a credit card.
Commodity - (1) Any article of commerce; (2) Goods shipped.
Concealed Damage - Damage to contents of a package that is in
good condition externally.
Concealed Loss - Loss from a package bearing no indication of
having been opened.
Consign - To give, transfer or deliver a shipment into the hands
of another.
Consignee - Person noted on the bill of lading to receive a
shipment at destination.
Consignor - Person normally shown on shipping documents as
authorized at origin to release goods to a transportation company.
Consolidation - To combine individual shipments into one
consignment, thus qualifying for lower rates.
Constructive Weight - (1) Weight based on a shipment's cubic
feet; (2) Method for establishing the weight of a shipment in order
to arrive at the proper charges when a weight was not obtained on
the vehicle transporting the shipment because no scale was available
or for another legitimate reason.
Containerization - Shipping system using large cargo-carrying
containers that can be interchanged easily between trucks, trains
and ships without rehandling contents.
Cube - Cubic content (volume) of cartons, other containers or
items.
Cube Sheet - Part of the estimate listing items to be shipped and
their respective volumes. Same as "table of measurements."
Cubic Foot - Length, multiplied by width, multiplied by height
(all in inches) and divided by 1728.
Cubic Footage - Space inside a van.
Customs - The U.S. government's collection of duties imposed by
law on imported or, less commonly, exported goods.
D
Declared Valuation - Shipper's declaration of the dollar value of
possessions being shipped. This establishes the van line's maximum
liability.
Declared Value - Tariff provisions providing for the assumed
value of a shipment (unless the shipper declares a higher value).
When a higher value is declared, a fee per $100 of declared excess
value is charged.
Delivery Date Spread - Range of agreed-upon delivery dates.
Shipment can arrive on any of these dates and meet the contractual
agreement between a shipper and carrier.
Destination Agent - Agent in the delivery city or locale that
provides destination services.
Destination Service - Unpacking and other services performed upon
the arrival of a shipment at destination.
Dish Pack - Large container or carton (normally with a capacity
of at least 6 cubic feet) used primarily to contain, protect and
ship dishes and/or other fragile items.
Dispatcher - Person who communicates assignments to van
operators.
Door-to-Door - Shipment placed in a container at origin residence
and delivered in the same container to destination residence.
F
Fixed Price Bid - Type of household goods estimate whereby
charges for portions of a shipment can be bound. Shipper is given a
"not-to-exceed" price.
Flat Charge (FC) - Specified charge that takes the place of a
rate per 100 pounds.
Free Waiting Period - If a shipper is not prepared to accept an
interstate shipment that has been hauled less than 200 miles, the
shipper is entitled to one hour of free waiting time at destination.
If the distance of the move exceeds 200 miles, the shipper is
entitled to two hours of free waiting time.
Full Value Coverage - Customer-requested valuation coverage
provided at extra charge and offering full value or replacement
coverage for a shipment up to a stated limit.
G
General Services Administration (GSA) - Main traffic procurement
body for all non-military agencies of the federal government.
Gross Weight - Weight of a shipment together with the weight of a
tractor, trailer and any other shipments on board.
H
Hauling Agent - Agent who provides hauling services for the van
line.
High Value Inventory Form - Form given to a customer by a
salesperson to be completed on every move. Customers list all items
with a value greater than $100 per pound. If they have no high-value
items, customers list "none" on the form.
Household Goods Carrier - Carrier handling household goods,
personal effects and property used or to be used in a dwelling, when
part of the equipment or supply of such dwelling, and similar
property if the transportation of such effects or property is: (a)
arranged and paid for by the householder, including transportation
of property from a factory or store when the property is purchased
with the intent to use in a new dwelling, or (b) arranged and paid
for by another party.
I
Independent Contractor - One who agrees to perform services
according to a contract and who is not an employee (e.g., an
owner-operator).
Insurance - Transfer of risk (chance of loss) from one party to
another (insured to insurer). A premium is paid by the insured to
the insurer as protection from possible loss.
Intermodal - Alternative means of transporting freight involving
more than one kind of carrier.
Interstate Shipment - Shipment moving between a point in one
state and a point in another.
In Transit - In the transportation industry, a shipment that is
en route; on the way.
Intrastate Shipment - Shipment having its points of origin and
destination within the boundaries of one state.
Inventory - Form used by a pickup van operator and/or origin
agent to record a description and number of items to be shipped. A
number is assigned to each item, and all numbers are
cross-referenced on the form. The inventory also contains a
description of each item's condition at the time of pickup and
allows the shipper to annotate the description of items upon their
delivery or receipt at destination. Also called "packing list."
L
Less than Truckload - Quantity of freight less than that required
for application of a truckload rate.
Liability - Maximum amount for which a carrier is normally
responsible in connection with loss or damage of cargo while in
transit or storage.
Lift-Gate - Power lift on the rear of a trailer or straight van
used to move heavy objects to or from a trailer's floor level.
Lift-Van - Plywood or wooden container used mainly on overseas
removals, but also used for domestic shipments.
Linehaul - Basic transportation charges for moving freight.
Excludes "accessorial," pickup and delivery charges.
Load Date Spread - Agreed-upon time period within which pickup of
a shipment is to take place.
Long Carry - Long-carry charge is applicable when the distance
from a trailer's rear to the shipper's residence exceeds 75 feet.
M
Max Pack - Maximum packing charge applicable to government
shipments stated in terms of a rate per cwt (100 pounds).
Mileage Guide - Publication of the Household Goods Carriers'
Bureau Committee containing maps and key point mileages used for
routing and determining distances in computing charges to be billed
to customers.
Minimum Weight - Specified minimum-weight basis on which shipment
charges will be assessed (1,000 lbs.). If a shipment weighs less, it
still will be charged at a 1,000-lb. Rate.
Mini-Warehouse - Facility with individual lockers leased, rented
or owned exclusively by the shipper or consignee.
N
National Account - Company responsible for freight charges for
the relocation of employees or its own goods.
Net Weight - Actual weight of a shipment. Gross weight minus tare
weight equals net weight.
Non-Binding Estimate - Estimate of charges given by an agent to a
customer to which the agent is not bound. Customer is charged for
actual services rendered, not the estimated charge.
O
OCE-100 - DOT-required document titled "Your Rights and
Responsibilities When You Move," which must be given to a shipper
when an order for service is signed.
Off-Weigh - Weighing of a shipment at destination. Also referred
to as "back weigh."
Order for Service - Document signed by a customer requesting
moving services and by a carrier before any loading is performed.
Specifies services requested that the carrier agrees to perform.
Order Number - Number used to identify a shipment. Composed of
the booking agent's number, a sequence number and a two-digit year
date.
Origin Agent - Agent who provides origin services, such as
packing and crating.
Origin Service - Services such as packing and crating that are
required to prepare goods for shipment.
Outside Car Carrier - Independent third party engaged by United
to provide transportation of automobiles.
Overage - Excess of items shipped or received (more than the
quantity shown on a shipping document).
Overflow - Items to be shipped, but left behind due to
insufficient space on a van.
Overtime Loading/Unloading - Charges that apply for services
rendered weekdays between 5 p.m. and 8 a.m., and anytime on weekends
and holidays, unless performed at the carrier's convenience.
Owner-Operator - Independent contractor who meets legal
requirements as owner of a tractor and operationally leases his
equipment and services to the Van Line or an agent in accordance with
DOT regulations.
P
Packing - Protecting individual items either by placing them in
cardboard boxes or by securing them in bundles or packages with
wrapping material.
Pad - Heavy, quilted protective covering for furniture.
Pallet - Portable platform, usually wooden, for storing or moving
cargo or freight.
Peak Season - Summer busy season for movers (usually May 15
through September 1).
Permanent Storage - After a shipment has been in storage a
specified number of days (usually 180), the carrier's bill of lading
ceases, and the warehouse must write a new contract and assume
responsibility for the shipment, which then is termed in "permanent
storage" or "non-temp storage." Prior to that time, the shipment is
in "temporary storage" or is in "storage in transit" (SIT).
Pick-and-Drop - Operation that normally consists of one
over-the-road van operator alternating between two trailers. He
transports and delivers one trailer while another is being loaded.
Pre-Paid - Term referring to the fact transportation charges have
been or are to be paid before a shipment departs from its origin.
Prohibited Articles - Items the carrier will not handle, such as
explosives, flammables and other hazardous materials.
R
Rate Schedule - Describes a carrier's pricing and other terms.
Replaces tariffs where tariffs no longer are required.
Released Liability - Liability limited. Carrier is released from
responsibility above a certain amount specified in a contract.
Required Delivery Date - Designated date by which a carrier must
deliver a military shipment.
Re-Weigh - Second weighing of a shipment performed at destination
at the shipper's or Headquarters' request.
S
Safety Performance Rating - Evaluation formula used in
determining an agency's safety performance. Each type of safety
infraction warrants a certain number of points, the total of which
is divided into mileage over the last 12-month period for a rating.
Scale - Device used to weigh shipments in determining shipping
charges.
Self-Haul - Shipment an agent books and then requests to handle
using his own equipment.
Shipment - (1) Movement of a shipper's goods from one place to
another; (2) Collective term for a group of items to be transported.
Shipper - Party whose goods are being transported and/or the
party paying for the transportation services; customer.
Short Haul - Short-mileage shipment or load.
Shuttle Service - If the assigned over-the-road van is unable to
make a normal pickup or delivery because of physical constraints
(e.g., road too narrow or bridge unable to support a truck's weight)
and a second, smaller vehicle is needed, this is considered "shuttle
service." Charges for the second vehicle are based on hours, in
addition to charges for the extra labor involved. Same as "auxiliary
service/charges."
Special Commodities - Term for non-household goods items such as
office furniture and fixtures.
Stair Carry - Accessorial or additional charge applied when a
shipment must be carried up or down more than a specified number of
stairs. Different criteria (numbers of steps) apply for indoor and
outdoor carries. Indoors, stair carry generally is not applicable in
single-family residences but often is applied in multifamily
dwellings.
Storage in Transit (SIT) - Holding a shipment in a carrier's
warehouse, pending further transportation. May be in SIT for a
specified number of days before storage becomes "permanent."
Straight Truck - Power unit and cargo box permanently attached as
a single, non-articulated unit. Also called "straight job."
Survey - Booking or origin agent examines (surveys) a shipper's
goods to develop an estimate of charges.
T
Tare Weight - Weight of a truck and standard equipment prior to
loading a shipment.
Tariff - List of rules, regulations, available services and
resulting charges for handling specified types of shipments by a
carrier.
Tender of Service - U.S. government-prescribed document signed by
carriers that offer to provide specified services to the government
and that agree to conform to rules and requirements contained in the
document.
Third-Party Carriers - Carrier (other than United or Mayflower)
hired to provide services for a UVL or MTI shipment (e.g., outside
car carriers).
Temporary Storage - Storage up to a specified number of days.
Tractor - Motor truck for towing a trailer.
U
UniGroup, Inc. - Parent company of United Van Lines, LLC;
Mayflower Transit, LLC; Total Transportation Services, Inc.; Vanliner Group, Inc.; UniGroup Worldwide, Inc.; and United Capital
Services, Inc.
UniGroup Worldwide, Inc. - UniGroup's international subsidiary.
Includes United International and Mayflower International.
V
Valuation - Amount of a carrier's liability expressed by a dollar
value placed on a shipment by the shipper that specifies the
carrier's maximum liability in the event of a covered claim for
losses or damages. If no value is placed on the shipment, the
liability then is controlled by the tariff rate schedule or contract
under which the shipment was handled.
Van - Specialized trailer constructed to haul household goods and
other cargo.
Van Operator - Person responsible for the operation of a tractor
and for the loading, transportation and unloading of shipments;
driver.
VanStarSM - United's satellite-based system that
allows the automatic recording of a van's location anywhere in the
country and the transmission of messages between a van operator and
UVL World Headquarters. Allows van operators to update information
in the VCOM (Van Communication) computer system regarding shipments.
Also referred to as "Vehicle Location and Communication System."
VCOM - Central computer system used to update vans' location and
the status of shipments through final delivery. Van operators use
VanStarSM to update information in VCOM, which stands for Van
Communication.
W
Waiting Time - Charge for demurrage.
Walkboard - Walkway used as a bridge from the ground to a
trailer's floor for loading or unloading.
Warehouse - Building authorized for storage of household or other
goods.
Warehouse Container - Wooden box used for storing furniture at a
warehouse. Also known as "storage vault."
Weight Additive - Tariff item allowing charges for boats and
trailers in addition to actual weight charges for those items.
