UTS moving tips
Moving lexicon
Unfamiliar technical terms can be found from time to time in connection with (international) removals. In order to get to know and understand these terms, we have prepared a moving lexicon for you.
A
Access
In order to be able to plan a move optimally, the accessibility (access) to the house or flat (new as well as old place of residence) must be determined. Is there a narrow staircase? Is parking possible directly in front of the door? By what means can the removal goods be transported out of the house? Is an outside lift necessary?
Accident
Accident or damage to the ship or cargo. This can be caused by technical faults or storms, for example. The term is often used in the context of removal goods insurance.
Additional load
If the transport of another customer's removal goods has already been booked, it is possible (provided there is still enough space in the lorry) to also take your removal goods as an additional load within this transport.
Airvan
This is a solid cardboard box of a standardised size used for freight transport by air.
AOE
The abbreviation stands for Airport of Entry and refers to the airport of entry for the removal goods
AWB
= Airway Bill
Contractual document between the consignor and the responsible airline transporting the cargo. Among other things, it serves as an invoice for the cargo, a certificate of insurance and a confirmation of acceptance and delivery.
B
Bingo list
Particularly in the case of international removals, the individual items of the removal goods are given numbers and noted on an inventory list. When the removal goods are handed over, the bingo list is used. This is used to check that the removal goods are complete and to cross off the individual numbers.
B/L
= Bill of lading
This is the bill of lading for overseas transports. It serves, for example, as a document of evidence and as a document accompanying the transport. In addition, it certifies the contract within the scope of sea freight.
C
Cargo
The term stands for the goods or cargo to be transported.
CBM
= Cubic metre
Chargeable weight
= Volume weight
Freight costs for airfreight shipments can be calculated using this figure. Among other things, these are also related to the weight of the freight.
Consignee
Person who receives the consignment. This is indicated in both sea and air waybills.
Consignment note
The consignment note is an important document that accompanies goods during transport. Among other things, it provides information on the names and addresses of the consignor, carrier and consignee, the number of individual packages and customs information.
Waybill for overseas transport: Bill of Lading
Bill of lading for air freight transport: Airway Bill
Container
There are various containers in which the removal goods can be transported overseas. These are distinguished by their sizes, which are usually given in ft = feet. The most common container sizes are 20ft (capacity approx. 30 cubic metres) and 40ft (capacity approx. 66 cubic metres).
Internal dimensions 20ft container: Length: 5.90m, Width: 2.35m, Height: 2.40m
Internal dimensions 40ft container: Length: 12m, Width: 2,35m, Height: 2,40m
Crate
A custom-made wooden crate for the transport of sensitive removal goods (e.g. works of art or pieces of furniture made of glass).
CSC/THC
= Container Services Charges (or THC = Terminal Handling Charges)
Costs incurred when the container is moved (e.g. loading it onto the ship and transporting it back down again). The shipping company is responsible for invoicing.
Customs clearance
If removals to other countries outside the EU take place, the removal goods must be cleared through customs. Otherwise, no delivery can take place. While the removal goods themselves are duty-free, there are additional costs for customs clearance.
Customs inspection
If the customs authorities want to inspect the removal goods, a so-called customs inspection is carried out. It is carried out at random or if something is unclear. As the container has to be opened during a customs inspection, additional costs are incurred.
D
Demurrage
If a container remains in the port/terminal for a longer period of time and is not collected, a fee (=demurrage) must be paid. Depending on the country, the deadlines for collection vary. On average this is approx. 3-5 days.
Destination Service
The destination service includes all services that are carried out at the new place of residence/home. This includes, for example, the transport as well as the unloading and unpacking of the removal goods at the destination.
Detention
If the shipping company does not receive the container back at an agreed time, a fee (=detention) is charged.
DOT
= Department of transportation
The Department of Transportation is a department of the US government responsible for overseeing the nation's transportation programmes (water, road & air). It regulates, among other things, the regulations for importing vehicles into the USA.
E
ETA
= Estimated time of arrival
Indicates the approximate time of arrival of the ship at the port of destination. It is difficult to give an exact figure, as various factors can influence the time of transport by sea. These include, for example, changes in weather conditions.
ETS
= Estimated time of Sailing
Indicates the time at which the ship is scheduled to depart.
F
FCL
= Full Container Load
This means that an entire container is loaded by a customer. This means that no other removal goods or similar are loaded by other persons. This term is used for transport by truck as well as by ship.
G
Groupage
A container holds removal goods from different customers. This procedure is quite inexpensive, as the charge is shared among all the shippers.
H
HHG and PE
= Household goods and personal effects
In the USA, customs regulations for the import of removal goods distinguish between household goods (e.g. furniture, crockery) and personal effects (e.g. clothing or jewellery).
HVZ
= No-parking zone
A no-parking zone is divided up with the help of no-parking signs in front of the flat or house. This allows the transport vehicle to park directly in front of the entrance door and the removal goods can be loaded directly. A no-parking zone is particularly necessary and useful if the parking area is public.
I
Inventory list
In the inventory list, all removal goods to be transported are noted and numbered. This is particularly important for customs in the USA. In addition, the list should be drawn up in English.
L
Liftvan
A wooden crate (for 4.5-5 cubic metres of removal goods) in standardised sizes for transport by sea. Your removal goods are first packed into the Liftvan and then loaded into an overseas container.
M
Move Manager
You can turn to your Move Manager for all the organisational matters relating to your move. These will be taken care of by him.
N
New value
When we talk about replacement value, we are always referring to the cost of an item or piece of furniture if it were bought new. The word is often used in the context of removal insurance.
O
Origin Service
Origin Service includes those services that are carried out at the loading site. These include, for example, the packing and loading of the removal goods or the preparation of a packing list.
Overseas carton
This type of cardboard is specially manufactured for transport by sea and is characterised by various properties. These include, for example, the lack of grip holes. In addition, these boxes are available in different sizes, which means that a wide variety of removal goods can be transported in them.
Overseas packing
As transport by sea can often be more turbulent, the removal goods are packed with overseas packaging. This protects the cargo from damage.
P
PBO
= Packed by owner
The removal goods are packed by the owner. This is noted in the inventory list with the abbreviation "PBO". Note: For removals to the USA, this type of packing should be avoided.
POD
= Proof of delivery
This is an important document that is required for freight. It is prepared by the responsible forwarding company and signed by the consignee upon arrival.
POE
= Port of Entry
The port where customs clearance takes place (customs port).
Port agency
The port agency is used for overseas removals. It books the container and its place, takes care of the transport of the container to the place of loading as well as to the port. It is also responsible for customs clearance.
S
Seal
A seal has the function of sealing the container. Each seal has its own number, which is also noted on the consignment note. The special feature: The seal cannot be opened easily. A special tool is needed for this. Once opened, the seal cannot be used again to seal containers.
Shuttle Service
Large trucks cannot always reach the destinations for loading and unloading the removal goods easily. This can be due to unfavourable road conditions, for example. This can be remedied by smaller removal vans that drive to the destination several times and transport the removal goods to the lorry.
SOLAS
= International Convention für the Safety of Life at Sea
Is a UN convention for ship safety.
T
Transport insurance
If, for example, something is destroyed during the transport of your removal goods, the transport insurance covers the resulting costs. For overseas transports, additional costs are incurred, for example, for salvage.
Taking out transport insurance is not compulsory, but it is highly recommended.
V
VIN
= Vehicle Identification Number
This is a 17-digit serial number that the vehicle receives from the manufacturer. This allows each individual vehicle to be clearly identified.
