BAF represents the floating price level of fuel in ocean freight shipping and is typically updated on a quarterly basis. Low sulphur surcharges originate from an International Maritime Organization (IMO) initiative to reduce the amount of sulfuric fuel emissions burned by ocean vessels. The BAF is charged by ocean carriers per container to protect them against fuel price fluctuation, and varies among trade lanes.

A bill of lading (BOL or B/L) is issued to a shipper detailing the method and path of a shipment. It is a contract for the movement of the goods, and serves as a receipt for the cargo and can act as proof of ownership of the goods being transported. Ocean shipments use original or express bills of lading. Air shipments use air waybills.

BOI is an EU wide system. This system allows you to obtain a decision from an individual EU Member State on the origin of your goods. These decisions are legally binding throughout the EU. It is not mandatory for you to obtain a BOI. However, if you wish to have the origin of your goods clarified you can use the BOI system.

A blank sailing (a void sailing) is a sailing that has been canceled by the carrier. A blank sailing could mean a vessel is skipping one port, or that the entire string is canceled. A string is a set of ports served weekly by a carrier. For example, one string might be: Shanghai > Ningbo > Los Angeles > Oakland > Shanghai. The string moves in a circular direction but always along the same schedule of ports with a fixed departure day of the week set for each port.

A blind shipment is when the consignee involved in a shipment is unaware of who the shipper is. This type of shipment is requested by distributors who want their goods shipped directly to the retailer to avoid going through additional distribution channels. This helps conceal if a product was shipped from a third-party vendor. The third party vendor’s information is removed from the shipping label and replaced with the seller’s information. Therefore, the customer is “blind” to who fulfilled the order.

A bobtail fee is charged by the trucker to drop off an FCL container at the warehouse and pick it up after it has been unloaded, as opposed to a live unload. A bobtail fee is also called a drop fee. A bobtail is a truck (tractor) that’s traveling without a trailer.

Goods where the customs duty has not yet been paid. These goods are required to be stored in bonded warehouses—that is, warehouses under the supervision of customs authorities, until the customs duty has been paid on them.

A warehouse, building, or otherwise secured warehouse that is customs-controlled where goods for which the duty has not been paid can be stored. Products stored in bonded warehouses are referred to as bonded goods.

Break bulk is a shipping term for cargo that does not fit in a standard shipping container or cargo bin. Break bulk cargo is instead transported individually in bags, boxes, crates, drums, or barrels. Shipping break bulk takes more time than shipping in standardized containers because each item must be loaded and unloaded individually using special equipment. Break bulk is different from bulk cargo, which is free flowing, liquid, or dry items shipped loosely and unpackaged. Examples of breakbulk cargo include the following: -Construction equipment -Manufacturing materials -Oversized vehicles -Boats -Ship propellers -Generators -Large engines

A Binding Tariff Information (BTI) decision is a written tariff classification of your goods issued by the Taxation and Customs Union of the EU. A BTI is generally valid for 3 years and is legally binding on all EU Customs administrations but only to the legal entity for which it was issued. A BTI can provide assurance that your goods have the correct commodity code or Harmonized tariff code. This is important, as different classifications have different tariffs and you want to make sure you apply the correct tariff. BTIs can also provide guidance on the classification of similar items.

Bulk cargo is a shipping term for items that are shipped loosely and unpackaged as opposed to being shipped in packages or containers. An item may be classified as bulk cargo if it is not containerized and easily secured on a vessel. Items such as oil, grain, or coal are all examples of bulk cargo. Bulk cargo is classified as either free flowing, a liquid, or a dry item. This type of cargo is typically dropped or poured as a liquid or solid into a merchant ship, railway car, or tanker truck. Items may also be referred to as break bulk cargo, which is cargo that is packaged but non-containerized. Some examples of break bulk include drummed fuel, bagged cement, vehicles, and large parts to build an airplane. Items described as break bulk cargo can be transported in bags, barrels, and pallets.