Glossary

API

Application Programming Interface

API is a software interface that allows different systems to interact with each other. It enables applications to exchange data and services in a standardized and efficient manner. In logistics, APIs are used to automate and streamline different aspects of the supply chain, including tracking, inventory management, order processing, and shipping.

ADD

Actual Delivery Date

The actual delivery date refers to the date when a shipment or product is physically delivered to its destination, which may vary from the estimated or planned delivery date.

B2B

Business to Business

B2B stands for business-to-business. It is a business model where businesses sell products or services to other businesses.

B2C

Business to Consumer

B2C stands for business-to-consumer. It is a business model where a company sells products or services directly to the end user.

BOL

Bill of Lading

Bill of Lading is a legal document that details the shipping of goods. It is a key document in shipping that acts as a receipt, contract of carriage, and proof of ownership.

Barcode

A barcode is a machine-readable pattern of parallel lines that represents data about a product or package. In logistics, barcodes are used to track shipments and manage inventory.

Consignee

The receiver of the goods, who sells them on behalf of the consignor.

Consignor

The sender of the goods, who retains ownership until the goods are sold.

Consignment

Consignment is a logistics arrangement where a consignor sends goods to a consignee for sale.

C2C

Customer-to-Customer / Consumer-to-Consumer

C2C stands for "customer-to-customer" or "consumer-to-consumer". It is a business model where consumers buy, sell, or trade products and services directly with each other. C2C transactions are often conducted online through third-party platforms like marketplaces, auction sites, and classified ads.

CIF

Cost, Insurance, and Freight

Cost, Insurance, and Freight, which is a shipping term used in international trade. It is an agreement between a seller and buyer that outlines the costs and responsibilities of each party.

C-Note

C-Note is a customer reference number or order number used in logistics tracking.

Cross Dock

It refers to a set of operations that take place in a warehouse. Cross-docking involves moving goods between different trucks without any intermediate.

COD

Cash on Delivery

COD is a method of collecting payment that requires customers to pay cash for goods at the time of delivery.

Docket

It is an official document that provides details about a delivery or shipment. It can also be a list of items to be delivered.

DRS

Delivery Run Sheet

Its actually a number which is updated after the parcel/courier has been successfully delivered. A DRS receipt is sent back to the courier company after delivery. We can call it as the delivery acceptance signed copy by the consignee who has received the parcel.

D2C

Distributor to Customer

D2C stands for direct-to-consumer, which, at the simplest level, means that a brand sells directly to its end customers rather than selling through retailers.

DEPS

Damage, Excess, Pilferage, and Shortage

It is related to the consignment that we move in our network from Booking Location to Delivery Destination is being monitored for any DEPS and must be captured in Systems in Real time process.

Dock

It is a loading bay or area where goods are loaded and unloaded from trucks or other vehicles. Docks are often found in warehouses and distribution centers.

Dimensional Weight

Dimensional weight is the weight of a parcel measured by taking into account the size of the parcel. In other words, it calculates the amount of space that a parcel will take when it is transported compared to the actual weight of the parcel. It is calculated by multiplying the parcel’s length, width and height and dividing by the divisor as determined by the shipping company.

Express Deilvery

Express delivery is the fastest form of shipping. The customer pays an extra shipping cost for this type of delivery, as the shipment will get transported to him anywhere between 24 to 72 hours. Delivery by express is the fastest delivery method.

EDD

Expected Delivery Date

EDD stands for Estimated Delivery Date, which is the anticipated date a shipment or package is expected to arrive at its destination.

First Mile Delivery

First mile delivery is the first leg of the supply chain where the products are moved from a manufacturing unit to a warehouse or a holding center. From this location, a carrier, shipping company, or logistics partners picks up the products and takes it to the next leg of the supply chain.

Freight Calculated

Freight calculated refers to the process of determining the cost of transporting goods from one location to another. This calculation is based on various factors such as:

• Distance
• Weight/Volume
• Type of Goods
• Mode of Transport
• Additional Services

FTL

Full Truck Load

A shipping mode where the entire truck transports goods from one point to another, typically by a single customer. It's ideal for large shipments or when a dedicated vehicle is needed.

GST

Goods and Services Tax

The Goods and Services Tax is an indirect tax levied in India for the supply of goods and services.

Grace Days

A "grace period" or "days of grace" refers to a period of time after a deadline, during which a payment or action can still be made without penalty, such as a late fee or policy cancellation.

GPS

Global Positioning System

It helps manage fleets, optimize routes, and ensure timely deliveries.

Hub

A logistics hub is a central location where goods are collected, sorted, and distributed for national and international transit. It is a key part of a company's supply chain management.

Import Duty

Import duty is a tax collected on imported goods and some exports by a country’s customs authorities. The value of the goods being imported usually affect the import duty. Import duty is also commonly known as customs duty, tariff, import tax or import tariff.

Invoice

An invoice is a document that records the sale of goods or services, and the amount due from the buyer. Invoices are used to: Track shipments, Ensure timely payment, Control inventory, Keep track of accounts payable, and Comply with tax requirements.

Inbound

It is the way materials and other goods are brought into a company. This process includes the steps to order, receive, store, transport and manage incoming supplies. Inbound logistics focuses on the supply part of the supply-demand equation.

Instant Delivery

Instant Delivery, also known as Quick Delivery, refers to a specialised eCommerce and logistics model that aims to deliver goods within minutes and, at times, within hours of the order being placed.

Last Mile Delivery

It refers to the delivery of goods from the transportation hub to the customer’s doorstep. Last-Mile Delivery refers to the movement of goods from the logistics hub to the customer’s doorstep. It is the final stage of the order fulfillment process.

LTL

Less than Truck Load

LTL stands for "less-than-truckload," referring to a shipping method where multiple smaller shipments from different customers are combined into a single truckload, sharing space and costs.

Logistics

Organized Transportation of eCommerce Goods Logistics refers to the flow of goods from one place to another using different means of transportation.

Mid Mile Delivery

Also known as Second Mile Delivery is the delivery of goods from a warehouse or distribution center to fulfillment facilities from where consumers purchase their products.

Misroute Shipment

A misrouted shipment in logistics is a package that is sent to the wrong destination or using the wrong route.

Manifest

It is a legal document that lists the items in a shipment. It is used to track the movement of goods, ensure compliance with regulations, and facilitate the transportation process.

NDR

Non-delivery Report

It is a status update given by the carrier partner to the eCommerce business to inform them that the specified delivery failed and specifying the reason for said failed delivery. Following this, multiple delivery attempts are made by the carrier partner to ensure a successful delivery.

OMS

Order Management System

An Order Management System helps automate and organize the fulfillment process for businesses. Once a customer places an order and selects a specific deliver method, an automated fulfillment process is triggered using OMS.

ODA

Out of Delivery Area

It refers to remote areas that are difficult to reach and where most courier partners do not deliver orders.

OFD

Out for Delivery

It is a delivery status that means a package is on its way to the recipient and is in the final stage of the delivery process.

Outbound

Outbound logistics focuses on the demand side of the supply-demand equation. The process involves storing and moving goods to the customer or end user. The steps include order fulfillment, packing, shipping, delivery and customer service related to delivery.

3PL

Third-party Logistics

It is a service that helps businesses streamline their supply chain by outsourcing logistics functions.

POD

Proof Of Delivery

It is a document that confirms that a shipment has been delivered to the intended recipient. It is a key document in the logistics industry, and is used for billing, record-keeping, and resolving disputes.

Pilferage

Pilferage is the theft of small quantities of goods from a shipment, warehouse, or retail store. It is a common issue in logistics and supply chain management.

PRS

Pickup Run Sheet

It is a document that lists all the locations and details of items or people a driver needs to pick up on a specific route, essentially acting as a detailed schedule for a pickup operation, including addresses, times, and any specific instructions for each stop.

PTL

Partial Truck Load

A shipping option for smaller freight that doesn’t require the entire truck. Multiple shipments from different customers are combined to share truck space and costs.

Pallet

A pallet is a flat, portable platform used in logistics to store, transport, and assemble goods. Pallets are a key part of the supply chain and warehousing process.

RTO

Return To Origin

Return to Origin is the process that takes place if the product never reaches the customer or if the delivery attempt fails. It can happen for multiple reasons such as incorrect customer address, unavailability of customers to receive the product, etc. In RTO, the product gets shipped back to the seller.

Reverse Logistics

The process of moving products or goods from their final destination back to the point of origin or to the supplier is known as reverse logistics. It usually occurs when the product delivered is defective, excess, or is simply returned by the customer.

SKU

Stock Keeping Unit

It is a unique alphanumeric identifier used in logistics to identify and differentiate products in a warehouse or distribution center. This code is used to keep precise control of products, know where they are located in the warehouse, how many are in stock and what their status is.

Shipping Label

The shipping label is the same as the label and refers to a document that mentions the address of the origin and destination along with the contents of the package. Shipping label refers to a piece of paper that is attached on a parcel to be shipped. Shipping label contains some information that guides the courier company about where the parcel is headed to.

Spoke

The shipping label is the same as the label and refers to a document that mentions the address of the origin and destination along with the contents of the package. Shipping label refers to a piece of paper that is attached on a parcel to be shipped. Shipping label contains some information that guides the courier company about where the parcel is headed to.

Short Shipment

It refers to a situation where a shipment arrives at its destination with fewer items than what was listed on the shipping documents, meaning some of the cargo is missing, essentially an incomplete delivery.

TBB

To be Billed

TBB stands for "To Be Billed", meaning the freight charges are not paid upfront and will be billed to the customer later, typically based on pre-agreed terms and conditions.

TAT

Turnaround Time

TAT stands for Turnaround Time, which is the time it takes to complete a process or fulfill a request. In logistics, TAT is the time it takes for a vehicle to load and unload goods at a factory.

Transhipment

Transhipment is a process in which a cargo or container is moved from one mode of transport to another while in transit to its final destination.

Transit inventory or In-transit

The inventory that has been shipped by the seller but has not yet reached the buyer's destination. Since the inventory is in-transit it is also called pipeline inventory and believe it or not it is a crucial part of inventory management.

Volumetric Weight

Volumetric weight determines the size of a package. It is also known as dimensional weight. Volumetric weight is calculated with a formula using the volume weight of a package based on the actual dimensions of the box. It refers to the product of the package’s length, breadth, and height divided by a courier-specific constant.

By calculating volumetric weight, companies can determine the amount of space a load will occupy on a transport vehicle. This allows for more efficient planning, avoiding waste of valuable space and optimizing the carrying capacity of each trip.

Warehouse

A warehouse is a dedicated facility used to store goods and materials temporarily.

Weight Discrepancy

Weight discrepancy refers to an issue arising between a seller and the courier company for the attributed weight of the package.

Zone

Zone is a geographical location that comprises of several other detailed localities. It is used in logistics to assign packages to a courier company for delivery.