Shipping Glossory (D)

Common Shipping Terms

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Damaged Cargo Report

Written statement concerning established damages to cargo and/or equipment.

Dangerous Goods

Goods are to be considered dangerous if the transport of such goods might cause harm, risk, peril, or other evil to people, environment, equipment or any property whatsoever.

Dangerous Goods Declaration

Document issued by a consignor in accordance with applicable conventions or regulations, describing hazardous goods or materials for transport purposes, and stating that the latter have been packed and labelled in accordance with the provisions of the relevant conventions or regulations.

Dangerous Goods Packing Certificate

A document as part of the dangerous goods declaration in which the responsible party declares that the cargo has been stowed in accordance with the rules in a clean container in compliance with the IMDG regulations and properly secured.

Deadfreight

Slots paid for but not used.

Deadweight

Abbreviation: DWT
The total weight of cargo, cargo equipment, bunkers, provisions, water, stores and spare parts which a vessel can lift when loaded to her maximum draught as applicable under the circumstances. The dead-weight is expressed in tons.

Degroupage

The ability, in a given time, of a resource measured in quality and quantity

The quantity of goods which can be stored in or loaded into a warehouse, store and/or loaded into a means of transport at a particular time

Delivered Duty Paid (...named place of destination)

Abbreviation: DDP

Delivered Duty Unpaid (...named place of destination)

Abbreviation: DDU

Delivered Ex Quay (...named port of destination)

Abbreviation: DEQ

Delivered Ex Ship(...named port of destination)

Abbreviation: DES

Delivery Instruction

Document issued by a buyer giving instructions regarding the details of the delivery of goods ordered.

Delivery Note

A document recording the delivery of products to a consignee (customer).

Delivery Order

A carrier's delivery order (negotiable document) is used for splitting a B/L (after surrender) in different parcels and have the same function as a B/L.

The authorisation of the entitled party for the shipment to a party other than the consignee showed on the Air Waybill (air cargo)

Demurrage

A variable fee charged to carriers and/or customers for the use of Unit Load Devices (ULD's) owned by a carrier beyond the free time of shipment.

Additional charge imposed for exceeding the free time, which is included in the rate and allowed for the use of certain equipment at the terminal.

Despatch Advice

Information send by shippers to the recipient of goods informing that specified goods are sent or ready to be sent advising the detailed contents of the consignment.

Destination

• Place for which goods or a vehicle is bound.
• The ultimate stopping place according to the contract of carriage (air cargo).

Carriers Lien

When the shipper ships goods 'collect', the carrier has a possessory claim on these goods, which means that the carrier can retain possession of the goods as security for the charges due

Detention

Keeping equipment beyond the time allowed.

Detention Charge

Charges levied on usage of equipment exceeding free time period as stipulated in the pertinent inland rules and conditions.

Devanning

See Stripping, UnpackingDeviation from a Route.

A divergence from the agreed or customary route.

Dimensions

Measurements in length, width and height, regarding cargo.

Direct Delivery

The conveyance of goods directly from the vendor to the buyer. Frequently used if a third party acts as intermediary agent between vendor and buyer.

Direct discharge from vessel onto railroad car, road vehicle or barge with the purpose of immediate transport from the port area (usually occurs when ports lack adequate storage space or when ports are not equipped to handle a specific cargo).

Direct Interchange

Transfer of leased equipment from one lessee to another (container).

Direct Route

The shortest operated route between two points.

Discharge

The unloading of a vehicle, a vessel or an aircraft. The landing of cargo.

Discrepancy

Difference between the particulars given and the particulars found.

Distribution Centre

A warehouse for the receipt, the storage and the dispersal of goods among customers.

Distribution Channel

The route by which a company distributes goods.

Door to Door Transport

The transport of cargo from the premises of the consignor to the premises of the consignee.

Note: In the United States the term 'Point to Point Transport' is used instead of the term 'Door to Door Transport', because the term 'house' may mean 'customs house' or 'brokers house', which are usually located in the port.

Classification

Arrangement according to a systematic division of a number of objects into groups, based on some likeness or some common traits.

Double Stack Train

A number of railway wagons, usually a block train, on which containers can be stacked two- high.

Draft

The draft of a vessel is the vertical distance between the waterline and the underside of the keel of the vessel. During the construction of a vessel the marks showing the draft are welded on each side of the vessel near the stem, the stern and amidships.

Drawback

Repayment of any part of customs or excise duties previously collected on imported goods, when those goods are exported again.

Drayage

The hauling of a load by a cart with detachable sides (dray).

Road transportation between the nearest railway terminal and the stuffing place.

Drop off Charge

Charge made by container owner and/or terminal operators for delivery of a leased, or pool container into depot stock. The drop-off charge may be a combination of actual handling and storage charges with surcharges.

Dunnage

Stowage material, mainly timber or board, used to prevent damage to cargo during carriage.

Duty Free Zone

An area where goods or cargo can be stored without paying import customs duties awaiting further transport or manufacturing.