3PL — Third-party logistics
Freight & procurement · Logistics term · Supply chain — An outside provider performing agreed logistics services for a business.
In practice: A 3PL stores inventory and ships web orders.
Searchable USA Warehouse & Logistics Acronym Database
TIMETREX REFERENCE LIBRARY · LOGISTICS
USA Warehouse & LogisticsAcronym Database
From receiving dock to final delivery.
Decode the language of warehouses, freight, inventory, and the people who keep goods moving.
300 meanings15 subjectsU.S. focused
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Full alphabetical reference · 300 meanings
4PL — Fourth-party logistics
Freight & procurement · Logistics term · Supply chain — A provider coordinating a wider logistics network and its service partners.
In practice: A 4PL manages multiple transport and warehouse providers.
5S — Sort, set in order, shine, standardize, sustain
Performance & quality · Quality method or term · Warehouse analytics — A workplace organization method built around five practices.
In practice: A packing station applies 5S to supplies and tools.
A method name, not a single acronym expansion.
ABC — ABC inventory analysis
Inventory & planning · Inventory term · Supply chain — A classification method grouping stock by relative business importance or value.
In practice: High annual consumption-value products are assigned class A.
A/B/C boundaries and criteria are chosen by the business; ABC is a category label.
ABI — Automated Broker Interface
U.S. customs & trade · Trade term · U.S. trade — An electronic interface through which trade participants transmit customs data.
In practice: A broker's software sends an ABI message.
ACE — Automated Commercial Environment
U.S. customs & trade · Trade term · U.S. trade — CBP's electronic platform for processing trade information.
In practice: A broker submits entry information through ACE.
AED — Automated external defibrillator
Safety & hazardous materials · Safety term · U.S. workplace safety — A device that analyzes heart rhythm and can deliver a shock when indicated.
In practice: The emergency plan identifies the AED location.
Follow emergency services instructions and device guidance.
AES — Automated Export System
U.S. customs & trade · Trade term · U.S. trade — The U.S. system used to collect electronic export information.
In practice: An authorized filer submits export data through AES.
AGC — Automated guided cart
Automation & equipment · Technology term · Warehouse floor — A guided mobile cart used to transport loads.
In practice: An AGC moves parts to a packing station.
AGV — Automated guided vehicle
Automation & equipment · Technology term · Warehouse floor — A driverless load carrier using a defined guidance approach.
In practice: An AGV transfers pallets between repeat pickup and drop-off points.
Navigation capabilities depend on the system; the label alone does not define them.
AI — Application identifier
Identification & traceability · Identifier or standard · Supply chain — A GS1 prefix specifying the meaning and format of the data that follows.
In practice: AI 01 identifies a GTIN data field.
Different from artificial intelligence in technology discussions.
AI — Artificial intelligence
Data & integrations · Technology term · Technology — Computational systems performing tasks associated with learning, inference, or other intelligent behavior.
In practice: A demand tool uses AI-generated forecasts for planner review.
AI also means application identifier in GS1 data.
AIDC — Automatic identification and data capture
Data & integrations · Technology term · Systems & data — Technologies that identify objects and capture data with limited manual entry.
In practice: Barcode scans and RFID reads support AIDC.
AMR — Autonomous mobile robot
Automation & equipment · Technology term · Warehouse floor — A mobile robot that navigates its operating environment to perform tasks.
In practice: An AMR transports totes between pick zones.
Safe deployment requires assessment of the actual application and environment.
API — Application programming interface
Data & integrations · Technology term · Technology — A defined way for software systems to exchange requests and information.
In practice: The ecommerce platform calls an API for inventory availability.
AQL — Acceptance quality limit
Performance & quality · Quality method or term · Warehouse analytics — A parameter used with an acceptance-sampling plan.
In practice: Quality selects an AQL and sampling plan for a defined inspection.
AQL is not a promise that every delivered lot has that defect rate.
AS/RS — Automated storage and retrieval system
Automation & equipment · Technology term · Warehouse floor — Equipment and controls that automatically place and retrieve loads from storage.
In practice: An AS/RS brings a tote from storage to a workstation.
ASN — Advance ship notice
Freight & procurement · Logistics term · Supply chain — Electronic or other advance information describing a shipment expected to arrive.
In practice: The warehouse prepares receiving using the ASN's carton information.
ATA — Actual time of arrival
Ocean, air & intermodal · Transport term · International transport — The recorded time a vehicle or shipment reaches a defined milestone.
In practice: The gate records ATA for a truck entering the facility.
ATD — Actual time of departure
Ocean, air & intermodal · Transport term · International transport — The recorded time a vehicle or shipment leaves a defined milestone.
In practice: The carrier records ATD when the vessel departs.
ATP — Available to promise
Inventory & planning · Inventory term · Supply chain — Inventory or supply that can be committed to an order for a stated date.
In practice: The OMS checks ATP before offering Friday delivery.
May include future receipts and existing commitments; not simply on-hand quantity.
ATS — Available to sell
Inventory & planning · Inventory term · Supply chain — Inventory the system currently permits customers to purchase.
In practice: Reserved and damaged units are excluded from ATS.
Allocation and buffer rules vary by business.
AWB — Air waybill
Ocean, air & intermodal · Transport term · International transport — A document accompanying an air shipment and recording its carriage details.
In practice: The forwarder supplies the AWB number for tracking.
B2B — Business to business
Warehouse operations · Operating term · Warehouse floor — Transactions or service arrangements between businesses.
In practice: The DC prepares pallet orders for B2B customers.
B2C — Business to consumer
Warehouse operations · Operating term · Warehouse floor — Transactions or service arrangements between a business and individual consumers.
In practice: The FC ships B2C parcels to homes.
BASIC — Behavior Analysis and Safety Improvement Category
Road freight & fleet · Transport term · U.S. road transport — A safety category used within FMCSA's measurement framework.
In practice: The carrier investigates a maintenance-related BASIC concern.
BI — Business intelligence
Data & integrations · Technology term · Systems & data — Tools and practices for turning operational data into reports and analysis.
In practice: BI combines order and shipment data in a service dashboard.
BIS — Bureau of Industry and Security
U.S. customs & trade · Trade term · U.S. trade — The U.S. Commerce Department bureau administering the EAR and related functions.
In practice: A compliance team consults BIS export resources.
BOL — Bill of lading
Freight & procurement · Logistics term · Supply chain — A transport document recording shipment details and relevant carriage terms.
In practice: The receiver compares delivered freight with the BOL.
BOM — Bill of materials
Warehouse operations · Operating term · Warehouse floor — A structured list of components required for a product or kit.
In practice: The kit BOM calls for two bottles and one insert.
CAPA — Corrective and preventive action
Performance & quality · Quality method or term · Warehouse analytics — A process addressing identified problems and preventing recurrence or occurrence.
In practice: A repeated packing error triggers CAPA.
CBP — U.S. Customs and Border Protection
U.S. customs & trade · Logistics term · Supply chain — The federal agency responsible for customs and border functions, including trade enforcement.
In practice: An importer follows CBP procedures for entry documentation.
CBV — Core Business Vocabulary
Identification & traceability · Identifier or standard · Supply chain — GS1 vocabulary defining shared business meanings for EPCIS event data.
In practice: A receiving event uses the CBV business-step vocabulary.
CCP — Critical control point
Cold chain & food · Food safety term · Food & temperature control — A step where control is essential to prevent, eliminate, or reduce a food-safety hazard to an acceptable level.
In practice: A validated food-safety plan identifies its CCPs.
CDL — Commercial driver's license
Road freight & fleet · Transport term · U.S. road transport — A state-issued license for operating qualifying commercial vehicles.
In practice: The carrier verifies the appropriate CDL class and endorsements.
CFR — Cost and Freight
Incoterms & shipping terms · Trade rule · Incoterms 2020 — Seller pays freight to the named destination port; risk transfers on board at the shipment port.
In practice: The buyer checks both ports in a CFR contract.
Sea or inland waterway only.
CFS — Container freight station
Ocean, air & intermodal · Transport term · International transport — A facility used to consolidate or deconsolidate containerized freight.
In practice: LCL cargo is consolidated at a CFS.
CIF — Cost, Insurance and Freight
Incoterms & shipping terms · Trade rule · Incoterms 2020 — Seller pays freight and specified insurance to destination; risk transfers on board at the shipment port.
In practice: The buyer reviews CIF insurance coverage.
Sea or inland waterway only. CIF and CIP insurance requirements differ.
CIP — Carriage and Insurance Paid To
Incoterms & shipping terms · Trade rule · Incoterms 2020 — Seller pays carriage and specified insurance to destination; risk transfers upon delivery to the carrier.
In practice: The buyer reviews the CIP insurance arrangements.
Any mode. Check the required insurance terms in the governing rule.
CMMS — Computerized maintenance management system
Automation & equipment · Technology term · Warehouse floor — Software organizing maintenance assets, work orders, and service records.
In practice: The CMMS schedules a conveyor inspection.
CMV — Commercial motor vehicle
Road freight & fleet · Transport term · U.S. road transport — A vehicle meeting a legal definition for commercial-vehicle regulation.
In practice: The fleet determines which CMV rules apply to each operation.
Definitions vary by regulatory purpose; do not infer coverage from this abbreviation alone.
COFC — Container on flatcar
Ocean, air & intermodal · Transport term · International transport — Rail intermodal movement of containers on suitable railcars.
In practice: The route includes a COFC rail segment.
COGS — Cost of goods sold
Performance & quality · Financial term · Warehouse analytics — The inventory cost assigned to goods sold during the reporting period.
In practice: Finance uses COGS when calculating inventory turnover.
COO — Country of origin
U.S. customs & trade · Trade term · U.S. trade — The country assigned as a product's origin under the applicable rule.
In practice: An importer documents COO separately from the shipping country.
Origin is not necessarily the country of dispatch.
COO — Certificate of origin
U.S. customs & trade · Trade term · U.S. trade — A document certifying or declaring the origin of goods under the relevant arrangement.
In practice: The buyer requests a COO for customs documentation.
The required form and certification rules depend on the destination and program.
CPFR — Collaborative planning, forecasting and replenishment
Inventory & planning · Inventory term · Supply chain — A trading-partner process for aligning plans, demand forecasts, and replenishment.
In practice: A business shares promotion assumptions in a CPFR review.
CPH — Cases per hour
Performance & quality · Performance metric · Warehouse analytics — Handled cases divided by the measured labor hours.
In practice: Receiving processes 240 cases in 4 hours: 60 CPH.
State the task, case definition, and labor-hour basis.
CPO — Cost per order
Performance & quality · Performance metric · Warehouse analytics — Included fulfillment or other process cost divided by completed orders.
In practice: A $900 fulfillment cost for 300 orders gives a $3 CPO.
Specify which labor, storage, materials, freight, and overhead costs are included.
CPT — Carriage Paid To
Incoterms & shipping terms · Trade rule · Incoterms 2020 — Seller pays carriage to the named destination; risk transfers earlier upon delivery to the carrier.
In practice: The buyer distinguishes the CPT destination from the risk-transfer point.
Any mode. Payment of carriage does not mean destination risk transfer.
CPU — Cost per unit
Performance & quality · Performance metric · Warehouse analytics — Included process cost divided by completed units.
In practice: A $400 process cost for 200 units gives a $2 CPU.
In warehouse metrics, CPU is a cost measure; in IT it can mean central processing unit.
CRT — Controlled room temperature
Cold chain & food · Food safety term · Food & temperature control — A defined storage-temperature condition under the applicable product specification or standard.
In practice: The warehouse checks the label before assigning a CRT storage zone.
No universal temperature range should be inferred from this abbreviation alone.
CS — Case
Warehouse operations · Operating term · Warehouse floor — A quantity or packaging unit representing one case.
In practice: The order requests 4 CS with 24 EA in each case.
The number of eaches per case varies by item.
CSA — Compliance, Safety, Accountability
Road freight & fleet · Transport term · U.S. road transport — FMCSA's safety compliance and enforcement program.
In practice: A carrier reviews its performance within the CSA program.
CSV — Comma-separated values
Data & integrations · Technology term · Systems & data — A plain-text tabular file format commonly used for data exchange.
In practice: Export the filtered acronym list as CSV for a team reference.
A file format abbreviation; delimiter and encoding conventions can vary.
CTE — Critical tracking event
Cold chain & food · Food safety term · Food & temperature control — An event in a product's supply chain for which traceability information is recorded.
In practice: A traceability workflow records a receiving CTE.
Specific regulatory definitions may differ from general GS1 terminology.
CTPAT — Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism
U.S. customs & trade · Trade term · U.S. trade — A voluntary CBP supply-chain security partnership.
In practice: A logistics company evaluates CTPAT participation.
CY — Container yard
Ocean, air & intermodal · Transport term · International transport — A location where containers are stored and handled.
In practice: The terminal instructs the carrier to collect from the CY.
D2C — Direct to consumer
Warehouse operations · Operating term · Warehouse floor — A brand's sale directly to the consumer rather than through an independent reseller.
In practice: A brand uses a 3PL to fulfill D2C orders.
DAP — Delivered at Place
Incoterms & shipping terms · Trade rule · Incoterms 2020 — Seller delivers at the named destination with goods ready for unloading.
In practice: The receiver arranges unloading under DAP.
Any mode. Import clearance generally belongs to the buyer.
DC — Distribution center
Warehouse operations · Inventory term · Supply chain — A facility that receives, stores, allocates, and ships merchandise.
In practice: A regional DC supplies replenishment to nearby stores.
A distribution center often serves replenishment or wholesale flows; facility roles can overlap with fulfillment centers.
DDP — Delivered Duty Paid
Incoterms & shipping terms · Trade rule · Incoterms 2020 — Seller delivers at destination and handles import clearance and duties under the rule.
In practice: The seller checks its ability to perform DDP import obligations.
Any mode. Goods are generally ready for the buyer to unload.
DG — Dangerous goods
Safety & hazardous materials · Safety term · U.S. workplace safety — A transport term for goods meeting applicable hazardous classification criteria.
In practice: The air shipment receives a DG review before acceptance.
DGR — Dangerous Goods Regulations
Safety & hazardous materials · Safety term · U.S. workplace safety — The IATA publication used for air dangerous-goods preparation and handling requirements.
In practice: The shipper consults the applicable DGR edition and carrier variations.
DIO — Days inventory outstanding
Performance & quality · Performance metric · Warehouse analytics — An inventory holding-time measure commonly calculated from average inventory, COGS, and period length.
In practice: Finance compares DIO using the same inventory valuation basis.
DOS — Days of supply
Performance & quality · Performance metric · Warehouse analytics — Available inventory divided by a defined daily demand rate in a simple coverage model.
In practice: 300 available units at 20 units per day give 15 DOS.
Forecast-based methods may account for changing demand and receipts.
DOT — Department of Transportation
Road freight & fleet · Transport term · U.S. road transport — The U.S. federal department overseeing national transportation responsibilities.
In practice: A carrier record includes a USDOT identification number.
DPU — Delivered at Place Unloaded
Incoterms & shipping terms · Trade rule · Incoterms 2020 — Seller delivers after unloading goods at the named destination.
In practice: The quote names a DPU delivery point.
Any mode. The seller's unloading obligation distinguishes DPU from DAP.
DRP — Distribution requirements planning
Warehouse operations · Operating term · Warehouse floor — Time-phased planning of replenishment across distribution locations.
In practice: DRP suggests transfers to regional DCs ahead of demand.
DSD — Direct store delivery
Warehouse operations · Inventory term · Supply chain — A supplier distribution model delivering directly to stores rather than through a business's DC.
In practice: A beverage supplier uses DSD on a scheduled store route.
DTS — Dock to stock
Performance & quality · Performance metric · Warehouse analytics — Elapsed time from the defined receiving milestone to inventory being available in stock.
In practice: The team measures DTS from trailer check-in to completed putaway.
Define start, end, working-time treatment, and exclusions.
DVIR — Driver vehicle inspection report
Road freight & fleet · Transport term · U.S. road transport — A report of vehicle inspection findings under applicable requirements.
In practice: The driver records a discovered defect in a DVIR.
EA — Each
Warehouse operations · Operating term · Warehouse floor — A quantity unit representing one individual item.
In practice: Pick 6 EA from a case containing 12 units.
A unit abbreviation, not an acronym.
EAN — European Article Number
Identification & traceability · Name with historical initials · Supply chain — A historical expansion associated with the EAN retail barcode family.
In practice: An EAN-13 symbol carries a 13-digit GTIN.
The barcode is used internationally; the prefix does not prove country of manufacture.
EAP — Emergency action plan
Safety & hazardous materials · Safety term · U.S. workplace safety — A workplace plan addressing emergency reporting, evacuation, and related duties.
In practice: New employees review the EAP and their assembly location.
EAR — Export Administration Regulations
U.S. customs & trade · Trade term · U.S. trade — U.S. regulations administered by BIS for items and activities within their scope.
In practice: An export reviewer checks EAR applicability.
ECCN — Export Control Classification Number
U.S. customs & trade · Trade term · U.S. trade — An alphanumeric classification used on the Commerce Control List.
In practice: The exporter checks whether an item has an ECCN.
An ECCN is different from an HTS or Schedule B commodity code.
EDI — Electronic data interchange
EDI documents · Transaction code · Supply chain — Structured exchange of business documents between organizations' systems.
In practice: The business sends purchase orders through EDI.
EDI 204 — Motor carrier load tender
EDI documents · Transaction code · Systems & data — An X12 transaction used to offer a load to a motor carrier.
In practice: The shipper sends an EDI 204 with pickup instructions.
EDI 210 — Motor carrier freight details and invoice
EDI documents · Transaction code · Systems & data — An X12 transaction used for motor-carrier freight billing details.
In practice: The carrier sends an EDI 210 for invoice processing.
EDI 214 — Transportation carrier shipment status message
EDI documents · Transaction code · Systems & data — An X12 transaction used to report shipment status events.
In practice: The carrier sends an EDI 214 reporting arrival.
EDI 810 — Invoice
EDI documents · Transaction code · Systems & data — An X12 transaction used to transmit invoice information.
In practice: The supplier submits EDI 810 for payment processing.
EDI 846 — Inventory inquiry/advice
EDI documents · Transaction code · Systems & data — An X12 transaction exchanging inventory information.
In practice: A partner sends available stock through EDI 846.
EDI 850 — Purchase order
EDI documents · Transaction code · Systems & data — An X12 transaction used to transmit a purchase order.
In practice: The buyer sends an EDI 850 to the supplier.
EDI 855 — Purchase order acknowledgment
EDI documents · Transaction code · Systems & data — An X12 transaction reporting the business response to a purchase order.
In practice: The supplier confirms quantities through EDI 855.
EDI 856 — Ship notice/manifest
EDI documents · Transaction code · Systems & data — An X12 transaction commonly used for an advance ship notice.
In practice: The ASN arrives as an EDI 856.
EDI 940 — Warehouse shipping order
EDI documents · Transaction code · Systems & data — An X12 transaction directing warehouse shipment activity.
In practice: The brand instructs its 3PL to ship using EDI 940.
EDI 943 — Warehouse stock transfer shipment advice
EDI documents · Transaction code · Systems & data — An X12 transaction advising a warehouse of a transfer shipment.
In practice: The sender transmits EDI 943 for an inbound stock transfer.
EDI 944 — Warehouse stock transfer receipt advice
EDI documents · Transaction code · Systems & data — An X12 transaction reporting receipt of a stock transfer.
In practice: The receiving warehouse returns EDI 944.
EDI 945 — Warehouse shipping advice
EDI documents · Transaction code · Systems & data — An X12 transaction reporting warehouse shipping activity.
In practice: The 3PL confirms shipped quantities through EDI 945.
EDI 947 — Warehouse inventory adjustment advice
EDI documents · Transaction code · Systems & data — An X12 transaction reporting warehouse inventory adjustments.
In practice: The warehouse transmits EDI 947 after an approved adjustment.
EDI 990 — Response to a load tender
EDI documents · Transaction code · Systems & data — An X12 transaction responding to a motor-carrier load tender.
In practice: The carrier accepts a tender through EDI 990.
EDI 997 — Functional acknowledgment
EDI documents · Transaction code · Systems & data — An X12 transaction acknowledging receipt and syntax analysis of functional groups.
In practice: A partner sends EDI 997 after processing a transmission.
It does not establish acceptance of an order's business terms.
EDI 999 — Implementation acknowledgment
EDI documents · Transaction code · Systems & data — An X12 transaction reporting syntax and implementation-guide conformance.
In practice: The receiver returns EDI 999 with implementation errors.
Follow the trading-partner implementation guide.
EEI — Electronic Export Information
U.S. customs & trade · Trade term · U.S. trade — The export data filed through AES when required.
In practice: The exporter checks whether EEI is required for its shipment.
EHS — Environment, health and safety
Safety & hazardous materials · Safety term · U.S. workplace safety — The organizational function managing environmental and worker health and safety matters.
In practice: EHS reviews warehouse hazards before a process change.
ELD — Electronic logging device
Road freight & fleet · Transport term · U.S. road transport — A device that records covered drivers' driving time and supports duty-status records.
In practice: The driver reviews and certifies an ELD record.
EOQ — Economic order quantity
Inventory & planning · Inventory term · Supply chain — A model's order quantity balancing ordering and holding costs under specified assumptions.
In practice: A planner uses EOQ as an input for a stable-demand item.
Basic EOQ assumes steady demand and costs; practical constraints still apply.
EPC — Electronic Product Code
Identification & traceability · Identifier or standard · Supply chain — An identification scheme used to identify physical objects, including serialized items, in GS1 systems.
In practice: An EPC encoded on a tag identifies a particular garment.
EPCIS — Electronic Product Code Information Services
Identification & traceability · Identifier or standard · Supply chain — A GS1 standard for sharing event data about products and other assets.
In practice: Partners exchange receiving events through EPCIS.
The standard supports event visibility across organizations; it is not itself a barcode.
ePOD — Electronic proof of delivery
Warehouse operations · Operating term · Warehouse floor — Digital evidence of delivery, such as a timestamp, signature, photograph, or recorded event.
In practice: The carrier sends an ePOD record to the customer portal.
Available evidence and its legal effect depend on the service and agreement.
ERG — Emergency Response Guidebook
Safety & hazardous materials · Safety term · U.S. workplace safety — A guide supporting initial response to hazardous-materials transportation incidents.
In practice: Responders use the ERG to identify initial protective actions.
Not a substitute for specialist response or a shipping classification reference.
ERP — Enterprise resource planning
Data & integrations · Technology term · Technology — Software connecting core business processes and records across functions.
In practice: ERP links purchasing, inventory accounting, and finance.
ETA — Estimated time of arrival
Freight & procurement · Logistics term · Supply chain — A forecast of when a shipment or vehicle will arrive.
In practice: The carrier updates the ETA after a weather delay.
ETD — Estimated time of departure
Freight & procurement · Logistics term · Supply chain — A forecast of when a shipment or vehicle will leave.
In practice: Receiving uses ETD with transit time to estimate arrival.
Some organizations use ETD for estimated time of delivery; confirm the milestone.
ETD — Estimated time of delivery
Ocean, air & intermodal · Transport term · International transport — An estimated time when goods will reach the delivery recipient.
In practice: A parcel report uses ETD for expected delivery to the customer.
ETD also means estimated time of departure; confirm the milestone.
EXW — Ex Works
Incoterms & shipping terms · Trade rule · Incoterms 2020 — Seller makes goods available at the named place, generally without loading the collecting vehicle.
In practice: A quote states EXW with a specific collection address.
Any mode. Confirm export-clearance feasibility and the exact delivery point.
FAS — Free Alongside Ship
Incoterms & shipping terms · Trade rule · Incoterms 2020 — Seller delivers goods alongside the vessel at the named shipment port.
In practice: The contract specifies FAS at a named port.
Sea or inland waterway only.
FBA — Fulfillment by Amazon
Warehouse operations · Operating term · Warehouse floor — Amazon's service for storing and fulfilling eligible seller inventory.
In practice: A seller prepares an inbound shipment for FBA.
Program requirements and fees can change; consult current Amazon instructions.
FBM — Fulfilled by Merchant
Warehouse operations · Operating term · Warehouse floor — Amazon terminology for orders fulfilled by the seller or its fulfillment provider.
In practice: The seller uses a 3PL for its FBM orders.
Seller Fulfilled is also used; marketplace requirements still apply.
FC — Fulfillment center
Warehouse operations · Inventory term · Supply chain — A facility that picks, packs, and ships individual customer orders.
In practice: The FC prepares orders for home delivery.
FCA — Free Carrier
Incoterms & shipping terms · Trade rule · Incoterms 2020 — Seller delivers to the buyer's nominated carrier at the named point under the rule.
In practice: The contract names an FCA terminal.
Any mode. Loading obligations depend on the delivery location.
FCL — Full container load
Ocean, air & intermodal · Transport term · International transport — A container shipping arrangement using a container for one shipper's cargo.
In practice: The exporter books FCL even though some container space remains unused.
FCL does not require the container to be physically full.
FDA — Food and Drug Administration
Cold chain & food · Food safety term · Food & temperature control — The U.S. agency overseeing regulated food, drugs, devices, and other products within its authority.
In practice: The facility consults FDA food transport guidance.
FEFO — First expired, first out
Inventory & planning · Inventory term · Supply chain — Stock rotation that prioritizes the earliest expiration date.
In practice: A chilled-goods team picks the earliest-expiring eligible cartons first.
Actual expiry dates take priority over receipt order.
FEU — Forty-foot equivalent unit
Ocean, air & intermodal · Transport term · International transport — A container-capacity unit based on a nominal 40-foot container.
In practice: A report records one FEU for a 40-foot container.
FIFO — First in, first out
Inventory & planning · Inventory term · Supply chain — A stock rotation or costing approach that uses the earliest received goods or costs first.
In practice: Staff place new stock behind older stock under FIFO rotation.
Physical rotation and accounting cost-flow assumptions are distinct decisions.
FLSA — Fair Labor Standards Act
People & labor · Workforce term · People & payroll — The federal law establishing wage, overtime, child labor, and recordkeeping standards for covered employment.
In practice: A business checks FLSA requirements for covered staff.
Coverage and exemptions require their own analysis; state or local protections can also apply.
FMC — Federal Maritime Commission
Ocean, air & intermodal · Transport term · International transport — The U.S. agency overseeing competition and practices in the international ocean transportation system within its jurisdiction.
In practice: A shipper consults FMC information about ocean intermediaries.
FMCSA — Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
Road freight & fleet · Transport term · U.S. road transport — The U.S. agency regulating safety of commercial motor vehicle operations within its authority.
In practice: The fleet checks FMCSA guidance for applicable requirements.
FMLA — Family and Medical Leave Act
People & labor · Workforce term · People & payroll — A federal law providing qualifying leave and related protections for eligible employees of covered employers.
In practice: HR checks eligibility before designating qualifying FMLA leave.
FOB — Free On Board
Incoterms & shipping terms · Trade rule · Incoterms 2020 — Seller delivers goods on board the vessel at the named shipment port.
In practice: The contract expressly incorporates Incoterms 2020 FOB.
Sea or inland waterway only. U.S. domestic FOB usage can differ.
FPPI — Foreign principal party in interest
U.S. customs & trade · Trade term · U.S. trade — The foreign party purchasing goods for export or receiving the final delivery under the applicable export definition.
In practice: A routed export transaction identifies the FPPI.
FSC — Fuel surcharge
Road freight & fleet · Transport term · U.S. road transport — An additional transport charge tied to a carrier's fuel-pricing method.
In practice: The quote lists linehaul and FSC separately.
The carrier tariff or contract controls the calculation.
FSMA — Food Safety Modernization Act
Cold chain & food · Food safety term · Food & temperature control — The federal law establishing preventive and other food-safety authorities implemented through specific rules.
In practice: A supply-chain team checks applicable FSMA obligations.
Coverage, exemptions, and dates must be checked against the applicable current rule.
FSVP — Foreign Supplier Verification Programs
Cold chain & food · Food safety term · Food & temperature control — FDA requirements for covered importers to verify foreign suppliers' food safety controls.
In practice: A food importer determines its FSVP responsibilities.
FTE — Full-time equivalent
People & labor · Workforce term · People & payroll — A standardized measure of workload expressed relative to a defined full-time basis.
In practice: 80 weekly hours equal 2 FTE under a 40-hour planning basis.
The full-time basis varies by purpose and applicable rule; FTE is not headcount.
FTL — Full truckload
Road freight & fleet · Logistics term · Supply chain — Freight service using a truckload arrangement for a shipment.
In practice: A business books FTL for a large replenishment load.
FTZ — Foreign-trade zone
U.S. customs & trade · Trade term · U.S. trade — A designated U.S. location with special customs treatment for authorized activity.
In practice: An operator stores eligible goods in an activated FTZ area.
Zone status does not remove applicable legal obligations.
GCWR — Gross combination weight rating
Road freight & fleet · Transport term · U.S. road transport — The specified loaded weight rating for a vehicle combination under the applicable definition.
In practice: Dispatch checks GCWR when matching a tractor and trailer.
GDP — Good distribution practice
Cold chain & food · Food safety term · Food & temperature control — Practices for preserving product quality and traceability during distribution.
In practice: A pharmaceutical distributor uses GDP procedures for storage and transport.
Specific obligations depend on the product, market, and governing standard.
GDSN — Global Data Synchronisation Network
Identification & traceability · Identifier or standard · Supply chain — A GS1 network for sharing standardized product master data between trading partners.
In practice: A supplier synchronizes product dimensions through a GDSN data pool.
GHS — Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals
Safety & hazardous materials · Safety term · U.S. workplace safety — An international framework for chemical hazard classification and communication.
In practice: A safety reviewer identifies GHS pictograms on a label.
U.S. legal requirements follow the applicable OSHA standard.
GIAI — Global Individual Asset Identifier
Identification & traceability · Identifier or standard · Systems & data — A GS1 key identifying an individual asset.
In practice: An organization assigns a GIAI to a specific piece of equipment.
GINC — Global Identification Number for Consignment
Identification & traceability · Identifier or standard · Systems & data — A GS1 key identifying a consignment for transport.
In practice: The forwarder groups transport units under a GINC.
GLN — Global Location Number
Identification & traceability · Identifier or standard · Supply chain — A GS1 identifier for parties and locations.
In practice: Trading partners use a GLN to identify a distribution facility.
GMP — Good manufacturing practice
Cold chain & food · Food safety term · Food & temperature control — Practices and requirements for consistent controlled manufacturing.
In practice: A warehouse follows relevant GMP procedures for stored ingredients.
GPC — Global Product Classification
Identification & traceability · Identifier or standard · Supply chain — A GS1 classification system grouping products by shared characteristics.
In practice: A supplier assigns the appropriate GPC brick to an item.
GPS — Global Positioning System
Data & integrations · Technology term · Systems & data — A satellite-based positioning, navigation, and timing system.
In practice: A carrier uses GPS positions to update a truck's ETA.
GRAI — Global Returnable Asset Identifier
Identification & traceability · Identifier or standard · Systems & data — A GS1 key identifying returnable assets by type and, when serialized, individually.
In practice: A reusable crate carries a GRAI for tracking.
GRN — Goods received note
Warehouse operations · Operating term · Warehouse floor — A receiving record documenting the goods accepted into a facility.
In practice: Receiving creates a GRN after checking cartons against the PO.
GS1-128 — GS1-128 barcode
Identification & traceability · Form or standard code · Supply chain — A GS1 use of Code 128 symbology carrying application-identifier-based data.
In practice: A logistics label encodes an SSCC in GS1-128.
A symbology name, not a separately expanded acronym.
GSIN — Global Shipment Identification Number
Identification & traceability · Identifier or standard · Systems & data — A GS1 key identifying a grouping of logistics units in a shipment.
In practice: The shipper groups several SSCC-labeled pallets under a GSIN.
GTIN — Global Trade Item Number
Identification & traceability · Identifier or standard · Supply chain — A GS1 identifier for a trade item that may be priced, ordered, or invoiced.
In practice: A brand assigns a GTIN to a saleable product variant.
GTIN formats include 8, 12, 13, and 14 digits; assignment rules determine when a new number is needed.
GTP — Goods to person
Automation & equipment · Technology term · Warehouse floor — A workflow that brings items to a worker at a station.
In practice: A shuttle delivers totes to a GTP picking station.
GVW — Gross vehicle weight
Road freight & fleet · Transport term · U.S. road transport — The actual total weight of a vehicle and its load at a particular time.
In practice: The scale records GVW before the truck leaves.
Actual weight and rated capacity are different quantities.
GVWR — Gross vehicle weight rating
Road freight & fleet · Transport term · U.S. road transport — The manufacturer's specified maximum loaded weight rating for a single vehicle.
In practice: The fleet checks GVWR on the certification label.
HACCP — Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point
Cold chain & food · Food safety term · Food & temperature control — A systematic approach identifying food-safety hazards and controls at critical steps.
In practice: A food operation monitors controls specified by its HACCP plan.
HAWB — House air waybill
Ocean, air & intermodal · Transport term · International transport — An air waybill issued by a forwarder for an individual shipment within its arrangement.
In practice: The customer receives a HAWB for its consignment.
HAZCOM — Hazard communication
Safety & hazardous materials · Safety term · U.S. workplace safety — Communicating chemical hazards through the applicable program, labels, training, and safety data sheets.
In practice: The warehouse updates its HAZCOM training for a new chemical.
HAZMAT — Hazardous materials
Safety & hazardous materials · Safety term · U.S. workplace safety — Materials regulated or treated as hazardous in the relevant transport or workplace context.
In practice: Shipping asks a qualified specialist to classify potential HAZMAT.
Transport and workplace hazard classifications are not interchangeable.
HBL — House bill of lading
Ocean, air & intermodal · Transport term · International transport — A bill of lading issued by an intermediary for its customer's shipment.
In practice: The NVOCC issues the HBL to the shipper.
Document rights and obligations depend on the actual bill and governing law.
HCM — Human capital management
People & labor · Workforce term · People & payroll — A broad approach and software category for managing the employee lifecycle.
In practice: HCM connects hiring, employee records, and workforce processes.
HMI — Human-machine interface
Automation & equipment · Technology term · Warehouse floor — An interface through which people monitor or control a machine or process.
In practice: An operator reviews a fault message on the HMI.
HMR — Hazardous Materials Regulations
Safety & hazardous materials · Safety term · U.S. workplace safety — U.S. hazardous-materials transportation regulations in the relevant parts of Title 49.
In practice: The shipping specialist checks the applicable HMR provisions.
HOS — Hours of service
Road freight & fleet · Transport term · U.S. road transport — Rules governing duty and driving time for covered commercial drivers.
In practice: Dispatch checks a driver's remaining HOS before assigning a trip.
Applicability, exceptions, and state rules must be checked separately.
HRIS — Human resources information system
People & labor · Workforce term · People & payroll — A system maintaining employee records and supporting HR processes.
In practice: A new employee's details are entered into HRIS.
HS — Harmonized System
U.S. customs & trade · Logistics term · Supply chain — The international system of headings and subheadings used to classify traded products.
In practice: A product's HS category helps locate the relevant U.S. tariff entry.
National tariff schedules add detail beyond the internationally harmonized levels.
HTS — Harmonized Tariff Schedule
U.S. customs & trade · Logistics term · Supply chain — The U.S. schedule used to classify imported goods and identify applicable tariff provisions.
In practice: An importer checks the current HTS classification for a product.
This database does not assign tariff codes or determine duty rates.
HU — Handling unit
Warehouse operations · Operating term · Warehouse floor — A packaged unit treated as one object for storage or movement.
In practice: A wrapped pallet is moved as one HU.
IATA — International Air Transport Association
Ocean, air & intermodal · Transport term · International transport — An airline trade association that publishes standards and guidance used in air transport.
In practice: The shipper consults IATA dangerous goods resources.
IBP — Integrated business planning
Inventory & planning · Inventory term · Supply chain — Planning that connects commercial, operational, and financial decisions.
In practice: IBP links the sales forecast to cash and inventory constraints.
IFR — Item fill rate
Performance & quality · Performance metric · Warehouse analytics — The share of demanded units filled on the defined basis.
In practice: Shipping 980 of 1,000 requested units gives a 98% unit-based IFR.
Some organizations use line-level measures; verify the denominator.
IMDG — International Maritime Dangerous Goods
Ocean, air & intermodal · Transport term · International transport — The name used for the code governing dangerous goods carried by sea.
In practice: A specialist checks the IMDG Code for a regulated shipment.
IMO — International Maritime Organization
Ocean, air & intermodal · Transport term · International transport — The United Nations specialized agency for international shipping standards.
In practice: The dangerous goods team uses IMO resources.
IOR — Importer of record
U.S. customs & trade · Trade term · U.S. trade — The party responsible for the entry and related importer obligations under applicable law.
In practice: The contract identifies the intended IOR before shipment.
IoT — Internet of Things
Data & integrations · Technology term · Systems & data — Connected physical devices that collect or exchange data.
In practice: An IoT temperature logger sends a cold-chain alert.
IRA — Inventory record accuracy
Performance & quality · Performance metric · Warehouse analytics — Agreement between inventory records and physical counts under a defined tolerance.
In practice: A location-based audit finds 98 of 100 records accurate.
Item-, unit-, value-, and location-based measures can differ.
ISF — Importer Security Filing
U.S. customs & trade · Trade term · U.S. trade — Advance cargo information submitted for applicable ocean imports into the United States.
In practice: The importer coordinates ISF data with its filing agent.
This entry does not specify filing deadlines or determine exemptions.
ITN — Internal transaction number
U.S. customs & trade · Trade term · U.S. trade — The AES-generated reference for an accepted export filing.
In practice: The filer provides the ITN for the shipping record.
Acceptance of a filing is not an export license.
ITR — Inventory turnover ratio
Performance & quality · Performance metric · Warehouse analytics — Cost of goods sold divided by average inventory valued at cost for the same period.
In practice: Annual COGS of $600,000 and average stock cost of $100,000 give 6 turns.
The calculator does not annualize partial periods automatically.
JHA — Job hazard analysis
Safety & hazardous materials · Safety term · U.S. workplace safety — A method examining job steps, hazards, and controls.
In practice: The team prepares a JHA for a new unloading process.
JIT — Just in time
Inventory & planning · Inventory term · Supply chain — An approach that schedules supply close to when it is needed.
In practice: A business coordinates frequent small deliveries for limited backroom space.
Lower buffers can increase exposure to disruption.
JSA — Job safety analysis
Safety & hazardous materials · Safety term · U.S. workplace safety — A structured review of job tasks and associated safety controls.
In practice: The supervisor reviews a JSA before unfamiliar work.
Often used similarly to JHA; follow the organization's method.
JSON — JavaScript Object Notation
Data & integrations · Technology term · Systems & data — A text format for representing structured data.
In practice: A carrier API returns shipment status in JSON.
KDE — Key data element
Cold chain & food · Food safety term · Food & temperature control — A data field describing an event or lot in a traceability framework.
In practice: A receiving record includes the applicable KDEs.
Required fields depend on the applicable standard, event, and regulation.
KPI — Key performance indicator
Performance & quality · Performance metric · Warehouse analytics — A selected measure used to track progress toward a business objective.
In practice: A warehouse manager tracks order accuracy, OTIF, and cost per order.
LCL — Less than container load
Ocean, air & intermodal · Transport term · International transport — A service combining smaller shipments in shared container space.
In practice: Three pallets move as LCL with other consignments.
LIFO — Last in, first out
Inventory & planning · Inventory term · Supply chain — A costing assumption assigning the latest inventory costs to sales first.
In practice: The finance team applies its permitted LIFO accounting method.
Not a recommendation for physical rotation of perishable products.
LMS — Labor management system
Automation & equipment · Technology term · Warehouse floor — Software supporting labor standards, work measurement, and staffing analysis.
In practice: The warehouse LMS compares planned work with available labor.
In training discussions, LMS usually means learning management system.
LMS — Learning management system
Automation & equipment · Technology term · Warehouse floor — Software administering training content, assignments, and completion records.
In practice: The safety team assigns induction training through its LMS.
Course completion alone does not establish qualification to operate equipment.
LOTO — Lockout/tagout
Safety & hazardous materials · Safety term · U.S. workplace safety — Procedures controlling hazardous energy during covered servicing and maintenance.
In practice: An authorized worker follows the machine's LOTO procedure.
This definition is not an operating or isolation procedure.
LPH — Lines per hour
Performance & quality · Performance metric · Warehouse analytics — Completed order lines divided by the labor hours included in the measure.
In practice: Picking 300 lines in 6 labor hours gives 50 LPH.
A line can contain multiple units; LPH and UPH are different.
LPN — License plate number
Warehouse operations · Operating term · Warehouse floor — A system identifier for a container or handling unit and its recorded contents.
In practice: Scan the pallet LPN to move its inventory between locations.
An internal LPN is not automatically a GS1 SSCC.
LQ — Limited quantity
Safety & hazardous materials · Safety term · U.S. workplace safety — A regulatory provision for certain small quantities of dangerous goods meeting specified conditions.
In practice: A trained shipper checks LQ eligibility for the exact material and mode.
LQ is not a blanket exemption from all shipping requirements.
LT — Lead time
Inventory & planning · Inventory term · Supply chain — Elapsed time between defined process events, often ordering and receiving usable stock.
In practice: A vendor quotes 14 days LT from accepted order to receipt.
State start and end events; transit time alone may exclude production and handling.
LTL — Less than truckload
Road freight & fleet · Logistics term · Supply chain — Freight service for shipments sharing a truck's capacity with other shippers.
In practice: A small pallet shipment moves through an LTL carrier.
MAWB — Master air waybill
Ocean, air & intermodal · Transport term · International transport — An air waybill issued at the airline level for an air cargo movement.
In practice: Several house shipments are associated with one MAWB.
MBL — Master bill of lading
Ocean, air & intermodal · Transport term · International transport — A bill of lading issued by the vessel-operating carrier for a shipment or consolidation.
In practice: The forwarder checks the MBL against its house shipment records.
MDM — Master data management
Data & integrations · Technology term · Systems & data — Managing consistent core business records across systems.
In practice: MDM reconciles duplicate product and supplier records.
MDM also commonly means mobile device management in IT.
MFA — Multi-factor authentication
Data & integrations · Technology term · Technology — Authentication using at least two different factor types.
In practice: An administrator signs in using a password and a security key.
Two passwords alone do not create two different factor types.
MHE — Material handling equipment
Automation & equipment · Technology term · Warehouse floor — Equipment used to move, store, protect, or control materials.
In practice: Conveyors and lift trucks are examples of MHE.
ML — Machine learning
Data & integrations · Technology term · Systems & data — Methods that learn patterns from data to support predictions or decisions.
In practice: An ML model estimates demand for planner review.
MOQ — Minimum order quantity
Warehouse operations · Operating term · Warehouse floor — The smallest quantity a supplier will accept under an order arrangement.
In practice: A replenishment quantity must satisfy the supplier's MOQ.
MRO — Maintenance, repair and operations
Warehouse operations · Operating term · Warehouse floor — Supplies and activities used to keep facilities and equipment operating.
In practice: Maintenance orders spare conveyor belts as MRO inventory.
MRP — Material requirements planning
Warehouse operations · Operating term · Warehouse floor — Calculating component requirements from demand, inventory, and product structures.
In practice: MRP flags a component shortage for next week's kits.
MSD — Musculoskeletal disorder
Safety & hazardous materials · Safety term · U.S. workplace safety — An injury or disorder affecting muscles, nerves, tendons, joints, or related structures.
In practice: The ergonomics review evaluates MSD risk factors.
MTBF — Mean time between failures
Performance & quality · Performance metric · Warehouse analytics — Operating time divided by counted failures for a repairable asset on a defined basis.
In practice: 200 operating hours and 4 failures give 50 hours MTBF.
MTO — Make to order
Warehouse operations · Operating term · Warehouse floor — Beginning production in response to a customer order.
In practice: A custom pack uses MTO rather than finished-goods stock.
MTS — Make to stock
Warehouse operations · Operating term · Warehouse floor — Producing goods ahead of specific customer orders using a forecast.
In practice: Standard replacement parts use MTS replenishment.
MTTR — Mean time to repair
Performance & quality · Performance metric · Warehouse analytics — Average time spent repairing the counted failures on a defined basis.
In practice: 12 repair hours for 4 repairs give a 3-hour MTTR.
MTTR is also expanded as restore or recover; specify the exact start and end events.
NIOSH — National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
Safety & hazardous materials · Safety term · U.S. workplace safety — The U.S. institute conducting research and recommendations on worker health and safety.
In practice: EHS consults NIOSH material-handling research.
NMFC — National Motor Freight Classification
Road freight & fleet · Transport term · U.S. road transport — A classification system used in participating carriers' freight rating and related rules.
In practice: The shipper checks the NMFC item applicable to its commodity.
This database does not determine a shipment's freight class.
NVOCC — Non-vessel-operating common carrier
Ocean, air & intermodal · Transport term · International transport — An ocean transportation intermediary that offers common-carrier service without operating the carrying vessels.
In practice: A shipper contracts with an NVOCC for an ocean move.
OCR — Optical character recognition
Data & integrations · Technology term · Systems & data — Software conversion of images of text into machine-readable characters.
In practice: OCR captures printed references from a scanned document.
Check recognition accuracy before relying on extracted shipment data.
OEE — Overall equipment effectiveness
Performance & quality · Performance metric · Warehouse analytics — A measure combining availability, performance, and quality on defined bases.
In practice: The maintenance team tracks OEE for an automated packing line.
OEE = availability × performance × quality, with consistent decimal factors.
OFR — Order fill rate
Performance & quality · Performance metric · Warehouse analytics — The share of orders filled completely on the stated first-fill basis.
In practice: Filling 96 of 100 orders completely gives a 96% OFR.
State the order population and treatment of backorders; formulas vary.
OH — On hand
Inventory & planning · Inventory term · Supply chain — Stock physically or systemically recorded at a location at a given time.
In practice: A count finds 18 units OH in the stockroom.
Recorded stock may include reserved, damaged, or unavailable units.
OMS — Order management system
Data & integrations · Technology term · Systems & data — Software coordinating order capture, allocation, status, and fulfillment workflows.
In practice: The OMS chooses which location can fulfill an order.
OO — On order
Inventory & planning · Inventory term · Supply chain — Inventory ordered from suppliers but not yet received under the system's rules.
In practice: A buyer checks 200 units OO before placing a repeat order.
OOS — Out of stock
Inventory & planning · Inventory term · Supply chain — An item is unavailable in the location or channel being measured.
In practice: The shelf is OOS even though another store has inventory.
OOS — Out of service
Road freight & fleet · Transport term · U.S. road transport — A status restricting a driver or vehicle from operating under applicable safety criteria.
In practice: An inspection places a vehicle OOS until the defect is addressed.
Different from out of stock in inventory reporting.
OS&D — Over, short and damaged
Road freight & fleet · Transport term · U.S. road transport — Exceptions where freight quantities or condition differ from the shipment record.
In practice: Receiving documents OS&D before signing the delivery receipt.
OSHA — Occupational Safety and Health Administration
Safety & hazardous materials · Operating term · Warehouse floor — The federal agency responsible for occupational safety and health standards and enforcement.
In practice: A safety lead checks OSHA resources for workplace hazards.
OT — Overtime
People & labor · Workforce term · People & payroll — Work or pay treated as overtime under applicable wage rules or employment arrangements.
In practice: The payroll reviewer checks OT hours and the applicable regular rate.
Daily, weekly, exemption, and premium rules depend on jurisdiction and circumstances.
OTD — On-time delivery
Performance & quality · Performance metric · Supply chain — Delivery performance against an agreed date, window, and measurement method.
In practice: The transport team tracks OTD to store receiving appointments.
OTI — Ocean transportation intermediary
Ocean, air & intermodal · Transport term · International transport — A U.S. regulatory category encompassing ocean freight forwarders and NVOCCs.
In practice: The importer checks an OTI's applicable FMC credentials.
OTIF — On time, in full
Performance & quality · Performance metric · Supply chain — A delivery performance measure requiring both timeliness and quantity criteria to be met.
In practice: A shipment meets OTIF only if it satisfies the customer's stated rules.
Appointment windows, order/line basis, tolerances, and exclusions vary.
PDCA — Plan, do, check, act
Performance & quality · Quality method or term · Warehouse analytics — A cycle for testing and improving processes.
In practice: The team uses PDCA to evaluate a new slotting layout.
PdM — Predictive maintenance
Automation & equipment · Technology term · Warehouse floor — Maintenance informed by condition data and analysis of likely deterioration.
In practice: Vibration trends trigger a PdM review of a motor.
PG — Packing group
Safety & hazardous materials · Safety term · U.S. workplace safety — A grouping indicating a degree of danger for certain hazardous materials.
In practice: The specialist checks whether the material has an assigned PG.
Not all hazardous materials are assigned a packing group.
PHMSA — Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
Safety & hazardous materials · Safety term · U.S. workplace safety — The U.S. DOT agency administering hazardous-materials transport safety responsibilities within its authority.
In practice: The shipper consults PHMSA resources for transport requirements.
PIM — Product information management
Data & integrations · Technology term · Systems & data — Managing product descriptions, attributes, and other information used across channels.
In practice: PIM supplies size and material details to product pages.
PIT — Powered industrial truck
Safety & hazardous materials · Safety term · U.S. workplace safety — A class of industrial trucks that includes many forklifts and powered pallet trucks.
In practice: A supervisor confirms operator authorization for a specific PIT.
Equipment-specific and workplace-specific training requirements still apply.
PLC — Programmable logic controller
Automation & equipment · Technology term · Warehouse floor — An industrial controller running logic for equipment operations.
In practice: A PLC responds to sensors along a conveyor.
PLT — Pallet
Warehouse operations · Operating term · Warehouse floor — Common operational shorthand for a pallet or pallet unit.
In practice: The appointment lists 18 PLT for unloading.
Local abbreviation; pallet dimensions and contents must be specified separately.
PM — Preventive maintenance
Automation & equipment · Technology term · Warehouse floor — Planned maintenance intended to reduce equipment failures.
In practice: A PM task replaces a wear component at the scheduled interval.
PO — Purchase order
Freight & procurement · Logistics term · Supply chain — A buyer's formal order specifying goods, quantities, prices, and applicable terms.
In practice: Receiving checks quantities against the PO.
POD — Proof of delivery
Freight & procurement · Logistics term · Supply chain — Evidence that a shipment was delivered, often including time and recipient details.
In practice: A claims team requests the carrier's POD.
POD — Port of discharge
Ocean, air & intermodal · Transport term · International transport — The port where cargo is unloaded from the carrying vessel.
In practice: The ocean booking lists Los Angeles as the POD.
Different from proof of delivery in domestic transport records.
POL — Port of loading
Ocean, air & intermodal · Transport term · International transport — The port where cargo is loaded onto the carrying vessel.
In practice: The booking confirms the POL before sailing.
PPE — Personal protective equipment
Safety & hazardous materials · Operating term · Warehouse floor — Equipment worn to reduce exposure to identified workplace hazards.
In practice: Receiving staff use the PPE specified for the task.
PRO — Progressive number
Road freight & fleet · Transport term · U.S. road transport — A carrier tracking reference commonly used for LTL freight.
In practice: Use the PRO number when requesting the delivery status.
Carrier terminology and numbering formats vary.
PSN — Proper shipping name
Safety & hazardous materials · Safety term · U.S. workplace safety — The prescribed transport name used for a hazardous-material shipping description.
In practice: The trained shipper checks the PSN in the applicable table.
PTG — Person to goods
Automation & equipment · Technology term · Warehouse floor — A picking workflow in which the worker travels to storage locations.
In practice: A cart-based picking route uses PTG.
PTL — Pick to light
Automation & equipment · Technology term · Warehouse floor — A picking method using lights or displays to indicate locations and quantities.
In practice: PTL guides a worker to pick three units from a bin.
PTL can also mean put to light or partial truckload.
PTL — Put to light
Automation & equipment · Technology term · Warehouse floor — A sorting method using lights to indicate destination bins for items.
In practice: PTL directs picked items into customer-order compartments.
Check whether the process removes items from stock or sorts them into orders.
PTL — Partial truckload
Road freight & fleet · Transport term · U.S. road transport — A freight arrangement between smaller LTL moves and a dedicated truckload.
In practice: A shipper asks whether a multi-pallet load qualifies for PTL service.
Carrier definitions and operating models vary.
PTO — Paid time off
People & labor · Workforce term · People & payroll — An employer's paid leave benefit or bank, subject to its policy and applicable law.
In practice: An employee requests PTO through the scheduling system.
QA — Quality assurance
Performance & quality · Quality method or term · Warehouse analytics — Planned processes intended to provide confidence that requirements will be met.
In practice: QA defines the receiving inspection process.
QC — Quality control
Performance & quality · Quality method or term · Warehouse analytics — Checks and actions used to assess conformance to requirements.
In practice: QC samples incoming cartons for defects.
QR — Quick response
Identification & traceability · Identifier or standard · Supply chain — A two-dimensional barcode family that can encode text or a web address.
In practice: A QR code on packaging opens product information.
Not every QR code is a GS1 Digital Link or is ready for retail checkout.
RA — Return authorization
Warehouse operations · Inventory term · Supply chain — Permission or an identifier issued for an approved return.
In practice: A warehouse checks the RA before processing a supplier return.
RCA — Root cause analysis
Performance & quality · Quality method or term · Warehouse analytics — A structured investigation into underlying reasons for a problem.
In practice: RCA examines why cartons repeatedly reach the wrong lane.
RF — Radio frequency
Data & integrations · Technology term · Systems & data — Electromagnetic frequencies used for wireless communication.
In practice: An RF handheld sends pick confirmations over a wireless network.
An RF scanner is not necessarily an RFID reader.
RFID — Radio frequency identification
Identification & traceability · Identifier or standard · Supply chain — Technology that identifies tagged objects using radio communication.
In practice: A warehouse counts tagged garments with a handheld RFID reader.
RFP — Request for proposal
Freight & procurement · Logistics term · Supply chain — A request inviting suppliers to propose a solution to a defined business need.
In practice: A business issues an RFP for a new order management system.
RFQ — Request for quotation
Freight & procurement · Logistics term · Supply chain — A request asking suppliers for prices and terms against specified requirements.
In practice: A buyer sends an RFQ for a defined packaging specification.
RMA — Return merchandise authorization
Warehouse operations · Inventory term · Supply chain — An approval or tracking identifier for a merchandise return.
In practice: A customer includes the RMA number with the parcel.
Some organizations expand RMA as return material authorization.
RODS — Record of duty status
Road freight & fleet · Transport term · U.S. road transport — A driver's record of time in the applicable duty-status categories.
In practice: A safety reviewer checks RODS for missing entries.
ROP — Reorder point
Inventory & planning · Inventory term · Supply chain — The inventory level or position that triggers replenishment under a defined policy.
In practice: A SKU reaches its ROP and generates a replenishment suggestion.
A simple model uses demand during lead time plus safety stock.
ROQ — Reorder quantity
Warehouse operations · Operating term · Warehouse floor — The quantity ordered when a replenishment trigger is reached.
In practice: The system proposes an ROQ of 200 units at the reorder point.
Different from the reorder point, which is the trigger.
RTLS — Real-time locating system
Data & integrations · Technology term · Systems & data — A system estimating the location of tagged objects or people over time.
In practice: RTLS shows the last measured position of a returnable asset.
Update rate and accuracy vary by technology and installation.
RTS — Return to sender
Warehouse operations · Operating term · Warehouse floor — Routing a shipment back to the original sender.
In practice: An undeliverable parcel is marked RTS by the carrier.
Carrier rules determine when a return is initiated.
RTV — Return to vendor
Warehouse operations · Inventory term · Supply chain — A process for sending merchandise back to its supplier.
In practice: Damaged goods are held for an authorized RTV shipment.
S&OP — Sales and operations planning
Inventory & planning · Inventory term · Supply chain — A recurring process aligning demand, supply, and business plans.
In practice: The S&OP review reconciles holiday demand with supplier capacity.
SaaS — Software as a service
Data & integrations · Technology term · Technology — Software delivered as a hosted service accessed under a service arrangement.
In practice: A business subscribes to a SaaS scheduling application.
SaaS describes delivery, not a guarantee of specific security or ownership terms.
SCAC — Standard Carrier Alpha Code
Road freight & fleet · Transport term · U.S. road transport — An NMFTA-assigned code identifying a transportation company.
In practice: A shipment record identifies its carrier by SCAC.
SCADA — Supervisory control and data acquisition
Automation & equipment · Technology term · Warehouse floor — Technology for supervisory monitoring and control of distributed equipment.
In practice: Facilities staff monitor utility equipment through SCADA.
SCM — Supply chain management
Warehouse operations · Operating term · Warehouse floor — Coordinating the sourcing, movement, transformation, and delivery of goods across a network.
In practice: The SCM team aligns supplier capacity with distribution plans.
SDS — Safety data sheet
Safety & hazardous materials · Operating term · Warehouse floor — A standardized document describing a chemical's hazards and safety information.
In practice: A team consults the SDS for a cleaning product.
SFTP — SSH File Transfer Protocol
Data & integrations · Technology term · Systems & data — A file-transfer protocol operating over an encrypted SSH connection.
In practice: Trading partners exchange a scheduled inventory file using SFTP.
SFTP and FTPS are different protocols.
SGTIN — Serialized Global Trade Item Number
Identification & traceability · Identifier or standard · Supply chain — An EPC identification scheme combining trade-item identity with an item serial number.
In practice: Two units share a GTIN but have distinct SGTIN serial identities.
SKU — Stock keeping unit
Identification & traceability · Identifier or standard · Supply chain — An organization's internal identifier for a specific stock item or variant.
In practice: A blue shirt in medium has a different SKU from the large version.
SKUs are organization-specific and are not automatically global identifiers.
SLA — Service-level agreement
Freight & procurement · Logistics term · Supply chain — An agreement defining service expectations, measurement, and related responsibilities.
In practice: A fulfillment SLA specifies dispatch cutoffs and reporting.
SMS — Safety Measurement System
Road freight & fleet · Transport term · U.S. road transport — FMCSA's system for assessing safety data to prioritize carriers for intervention.
In practice: The safety team reviews data shown in SMS.
SMS information is not itself a federal safety rating.
SO — Sales order
Warehouse operations · Operating term · Warehouse floor — A record of a customer's order and the items to fulfill.
In practice: The SO releases to picking after stock is allocated.
SOLAS — Safety of Life at Sea
Ocean, air & intermodal · Transport term · International transport — The international convention addressing safety of merchant ships.
In practice: The exporter checks container mass obligations under SOLAS.
SOP — Standard operating procedure
Warehouse operations · Operating term · Warehouse floor — A documented method for completing a recurring task consistently.
In practice: The returns SOP specifies who can approve exceptions.
SS — Safety stock
Inventory & planning · Inventory term · Supply chain — Additional stock held to buffer uncertainty in demand or supply.
In practice: A warehouse adds SS for a variable delivery lead time.
The right buffer depends on service targets and variability.
SSCC — Serial Shipping Container Code
Identification & traceability · Identifier or standard · Supply chain — A GS1 identifier for a logistics unit such as a pallet or parcel.
In practice: Receiving scans an SSCC to connect a pallet with its ASN.
SSO — Single sign-on
Data & integrations · Technology term · Technology — An arrangement allowing access to multiple applications through a shared sign-in process.
In practice: Staff access approved business apps through SSO.
T&A — Time and attendance
People & labor · Workforce term · People & payroll — Recording employee work time, attendance, and related exceptions.
In practice: A supervisor reviews T&A records before payroll processing.
TEU — Twenty-foot equivalent unit
Ocean, air & intermodal · Transport term · International transport — A standard unit of container capacity based on a nominal 20-foot container.
In practice: A nominal 40-foot container generally represents 2 TEU.
TLC — Traceability lot code
Cold chain & food · Food safety term · Food & temperature control — An identifier for a lot under the applicable FDA food traceability framework.
In practice: Receiving records a TLC with required event data.
Applicability and implementation dates must be checked in current FDA guidance.
TMS — Transportation management system
Data & integrations · Technology term · Systems & data — Software supporting transport planning, execution, and related visibility.
In practice: TMS consolidates deliveries onto appropriate carriers.
TO — Transfer order
Warehouse operations · Workforce term · People & payroll — An order directing inventory movement between locations or facilities.
In practice: The planner creates a TO from the reserve DC to the fulfillment site.
An inventory term included for cross-team handoffs.
TOFC — Trailer on flatcar
Ocean, air & intermodal · Transport term · International transport — Rail intermodal movement of highway trailers on suitable railcars.
In practice: An intermodal operator offers TOFC service.
TONU — Truck ordered not used
Road freight & fleet · Transport term · U.S. road transport — A charge or event for a booked truck that is not used under the agreed conditions.
In practice: A canceled pickup may trigger TONU under the rate agreement.
Eligibility and amount depend on the contract.
ULD — Unit load device
Ocean, air & intermodal · Transport term · International transport — An aircraft container or pallet-and-net assembly used to group air cargo.
In practice: The ground handler builds freight into an approved ULD.
UN — United Nations number
Safety & hazardous materials · Safety term · U.S. workplace safety — A four-digit identification number assigned to specified dangerous goods or groups.
In practice: A specialist confirms the correct UN number for a shipping description.
Some U.S. identification numbers use NA instead of UN.
UOM — Unit of measure
Warehouse operations · Operating term · Warehouse floor — The unit in which an item quantity is recorded or transacted.
In practice: Receiving converts 10 cases into 120 eaches using the approved UOM conversion.
Confirm item-specific conversions before comparing quantities.
UPC — Universal Product Code
Identification & traceability · Identifier or standard · Supply chain — A term commonly used for retail product coding and the UPC barcode family.
In practice: A cashier scans a UPC-A barcode at checkout.
A UPC-A barcode carries a GTIN-12. The identifier and its barcode symbol are different concepts.
UPH — Units per hour
Performance & quality · Performance metric · Warehouse analytics — Completed units divided by the labor hours included in the measure.
In practice: A team completes 480 units in 8 measured labor hours: 60 UPH.
Define direct or paid labor hours and include quality checks.
USMCA — United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement
U.S. customs & trade · Trade term · U.S. trade — The trade agreement among the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
In practice: An importer evaluates whether goods meet USMCA rules of origin.
Preferential treatment depends on applicable requirements, not shipment origin alone.
USPPI — United States principal party in interest
U.S. customs & trade · Trade term · U.S. trade — The U.S. party receiving the primary benefit from an export transaction under the Foreign Trade Regulations.
In practice: The filer identifies the USPPI in an export record.
VAS — Value-added services
Warehouse operations · Operating term · Warehouse floor — Extra warehouse services beyond basic storage and movement.
In practice: A 3PL provides labeling, kitting, and gift wrapping as VAS.
VET — Voluntary extra time
People & labor · Workforce term · People & payroll — Employer-specific shorthand for optional additional work shifts or hours.
In practice: Employees may request a VET shift during a busy week.
Not a statutory pay category; overtime rules still depend on applicable law.
VGM — Verified gross mass
Ocean, air & intermodal · Transport term · International transport — The verified total mass of a packed container under applicable SOLAS requirements.
In practice: The shipper provides VGM before the carrier's cutoff.
VLM — Vertical lift module
Automation & equipment · Technology term · Warehouse floor — An automated storage device that retrieves trays vertically to an access opening.
In practice: A VLM brings a tray of small parts to an operator.
VMI — Vendor-managed inventory
Inventory & planning · Inventory term · Supply chain — An arrangement in which the supplier manages agreed replenishment decisions using shared information.
In practice: A supplier replenishes selected items under a VMI agreement.
VNA — Very narrow aisle
Automation & equipment · Technology term · Warehouse floor — A storage layout and equipment approach using narrow operating aisles.
In practice: A design team evaluates VNA rack access and truck requirements.
Required clearances depend on the equipment and design.
VTO — Voluntary time off
People & labor · Workforce term · People & payroll — Time off offered or requested on a voluntary basis under an employer's policy.
In practice: A supervisor offers VTO when workload falls.
Paid status and eligibility depend on policy and applicable law; VTO can also mean volunteer time off.
WCS — Warehouse control system
Automation & equipment · Technology term · Warehouse floor — Software coordinating automated material-handling equipment and its movements.
In practice: The WCS directs a carton through the correct sorter lane.
System boundaries vary by supplier.
WES — Warehouse execution system
Automation & equipment · Technology term · Warehouse floor — Software coordinating the release and execution of warehouse work across resources.
In practice: The WES balances picking tasks with downstream packing capacity.
A WES may overlap with WMS or WCS functions.
WFM — Workforce management
People & labor · Workforce term · People & payroll — Coordinating staffing, schedules, time, attendance, and related workforce processes.
In practice: A warehouse aligns staffing schedules with expected receiving and picking workload.
WIP — Work in process
Warehouse operations · Operating term · Warehouse floor — Goods that have started production or processing but are not yet complete.
In practice: Partly assembled kits remain WIP at the end of a shift.
WMS — Warehouse management system
Data & integrations · Technology term · Systems & data — Software directing and recording warehouse inventory and fulfillment activity.
In practice: WMS assigns picking work for ecommerce orders.
WO — Work order
Warehouse operations · Operating term · Warehouse floor — An instruction or record authorizing a defined job.
In practice: A WO directs a team to assemble a promotional kit.
May refer to maintenance work or production work depending on the system.
XML — Extensible Markup Language
Data & integrations · Technology term · Systems & data — A markup language used to represent structured information.
In practice: A shipping integration sends labeled data fields in XML.
YMS — Yard management system
Automation & equipment · Technology term · Warehouse floor — Software tracking trailers, yard locations, and related movements or appointments.
In practice: The YMS directs a yard move from parking to door 12.
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Completed units ÷ included labor hours
Use consistent task boundaries and the same labor-hour basis.
THE CONNECTIONS MATTER
Similar letters. Different jobs.
Make sense of handoffs between teams. These practical comparisons explain where similar terms do different jobs.
WMS vs. WES vs. WCS
WMS manages inventory and warehouse transactions. WES coordinates work execution. WCS directs automated equipment. Capabilities overlap; compare actual system responsibilities.
SKU vs. GTIN vs. SSCC vs. LPN
SKU identifies an internal stock item; GTIN identifies a trade item; SSCC identifies a logistics unit. LPN is a system handling-unit identifier and is not automatically an SSCC.
ASN vs. BOL vs. POD
ASN describes what is expected to arrive. BOL records transport details and carriage terms. Proof of delivery records delivery evidence. An ASN does not prove receipt.
ETA vs. ETD vs. ATA vs. ATD
ETA and ETD usually forecast arrival and departure; ATA and ATD record actual events. Some reports use ETD for estimated delivery. Confirm the milestone and time zone.
FIFO vs. FEFO vs. LIFO
FIFO prioritizes earlier receipts in a physical rotation process. FEFO prioritizes the earliest expiration. Accounting cost-flow methods are separate from physical picking; LIFO here describes a costing method.
OTD vs. OTIF vs. fill rate
OTD tests timeliness. OTIF requires both time and completeness on the same defined population. Fill rates measure supply fulfillment on an order, line, or unit basis. Do not multiply OTD by fill rate to invent an OTIF result.
LTL vs. FTL vs. FCL vs. LCL
LTL and FTL describe truckload service arrangements. FCL and LCL describe container-service arrangements. A full-load booking does not necessarily mean every cubic foot is occupied.
POD: delivery proof or a port?
A domestic delivery record often uses POD for proof of delivery. An ocean booking may use POD for port of discharge. Read the document heading and the neighboring fields.
DAP vs. DPU vs. DDP
Under Incoterms 2020, DAP arrives ready for unloading, DPU includes seller unloading, and DDP adds seller import-clearance obligations. Use a named place and confirm the governing rule.
AGV vs. AMR
Both move loads without an onboard driver. Guidance and navigation approaches vary; AMR usually emphasizes autonomous navigation. Check the actual system, operating limits, and safety design.
EDI 940 vs. 945 vs. 997
940 tells a warehouse what to ship. 945 reports warehouse shipping activity. 997 acknowledges functional receipt and syntax processing, not that the goods were shipped.
LMS vs. WFM
Warehouse LMS often means labor management system, focused on work measurement and labor analysis. WFM covers staffing, schedules, and time records. Training teams also use LMS for learning management system.
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Disclaimer: The TimeTrex USA Warehouse & Logistics Acronym Database is provided for general information and educational use only and does not constitute legal, customs, transportation, engineering, or safety advice. Acronyms, performance metrics, and search or decoding results may vary by carrier, contract, facility, system, and jurisdiction. TimeTrex does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or currency of the information. Definitions, examples, and illustrative calculations do not establish shipping obligations, customs classifications, equipment limits, or safe handling procedures. Verify terminology, units, and calculation assumptions against current contracts, carrier rules, official requirements, and approved operating procedures, and consult qualified personnel before acting. References and external links do not imply endorsement.
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