Courier Services - Buyers Guide

Courier Services Terminology

Courier services terminology is just as specific to its industry as the lingo used by any sector. However, courier services do have many terms in common with most delivery services as the job they do is essentially the same whether they are simply delivering packages locally or shipping them over the oceans. We have put together a guide of the most common terms used in the courier service to help you understand what people are saying.

Agent manifest: The document filled in to report any shipments handed off to an agent who will take longer than 24 hours to return with the delivery.

Authorization: The permission needed to ship dangerous items or packages – this generally only comes into play when shipping parcels overseas and something needs to be cleared through customs. Usually authorization for such shipments can only be given by a high-ranking official within the delivery company.

Brokerage fee: The cost that is charged by a customs broker for having used their service to clear goods or packages through customs.

Bulk shipment: Normally refers to a shipment that is over a certain weight. For most courier services, anything over 75 pounds falls into the bulk category.

Call centre dispatch: The central telephone service that takes all courier pick-up and delivery orders.

CIF: Short for: Cost, insurance and freight.

C.O.D.: Cash on delivery. When someone ships a package or document at the expense of the recipient. Usually the recipient must pay for the delivery before is will be released by the driver.

Commercial invoice: The documents that must be filled out when shipping goods on which duties can be levied. The forms describe everything in the shipment in detail.

Confirmation number: The number given to a customer as prove that their order for either pick-up or delivery has been processed correctly.

CSR: Customer service representative.

DG: Dangerous goods.

DK: Door knocker – the tag left for a customer informing them of an attempt to deliver a package to them.

DV: Declared value.

Depot: The large warehouse or base where a courier service’s deliveries are processed.

Drop box: A place where customers can drop off their deliveries instead of having them picked-up at their homes or offices. Sometimes the drop box can be at the courier’s satellite location.

EMS: Express mail service.

HDV: High declared value.

Hold for pickup: The delivery is held by the courier service until it is picked up at their office by the intended recipient.

Limitation of Liability: The legal extent to which a courier service is responsible for any damages incurred while delivering your package or documents.

Manifest: A bill of lading that lists several shipments.

N/C: No charge.

NDV: No declared value.

O/O: Owner operator.

P/U: Pick-up.

POD: Proof of delivery.

SNR: Signature not required.

Tariff: A list of prices charged by governments on certain types of shipments.

Universal Postal Union: A worldwide organization of post offices responsible for processing express mail deliveries.

The above list is a partial collection of the most commonly used terms in courier services. So, if you do not understand a something you were told and cannot find it on the list, do not feel shy to ask for clarification from your courier service.

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