Knowledge Center
Trade glossary
The essential terms of importing, exporting, and shipping, explained in plain language in Arabic and English.
Shipping
- FCL (Full Container Load) الحاوية الكاملة (FCL)
- A shipment that uses an entire container booked by one shipper. Related guide
- LCL (Less than Container Load) الشحن الجزئي (LCL)
- A shipment that shares container space with other shipments, charged by volume or weight. Related guide
- CBM (Cubic Meter) المتر المكعب (CBM)
- The standard unit for cargo volume: length × width × height in meters. Related guide
- Consolidation تجميع الشحنات
- Combining several smaller shipments into one container.
- Freight forwarder وكيل الشحن
- A company that arranges the transport of goods on behalf of shippers.
- Transit time مدة الشحن
- The time goods spend moving between origin and destination.
- Volumetric weight الوزن الحجمي
- A weight calculated from volume, used when cargo is light but bulky.
- Demurrage and detention رسوم التأخير (الديمورج)
- Charges for keeping a container at the port, or outside it, beyond the free time allowed.
Trade terms (Incoterms)
- Incoterms شروط التسليم الدولية (Incoterms)
- International Chamber of Commerce rules defining the tasks, costs, and risks of seller and buyer. Related guide
- EXW (Ex Works) التسليم في مقر البائع (EXW)
- The seller makes the goods available at its premises; the buyer handles everything else. Related guide
- FOB (Free on Board) التسليم على ظهر السفينة (FOB)
- The seller delivers the goods on board the vessel at the port of shipment. Related guide
- CIF (Cost, Insurance and Freight) التكلفة والتأمين والشحن (CIF)
- The seller pays freight and minimum insurance to the destination port; risk passes at loading. Related guide
- DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) التسليم مع دفع الرسوم (DDP)
- The seller delivers to the named place, including import clearance, duties, and taxes. Related guide
Documents
- Proforma invoice الفاتورة المبدئية
- A preliminary invoice confirming the order terms before payment or shipment. Related guide
- Commercial invoice الفاتورة التجارية
- The supplier’s invoice stating the value of the goods, used for customs. Related guide
- Packing list قائمة التعبئة
- A document detailing the packages, contents, weights, and dimensions. Related guide
- Bill of lading (B/L) بوليصة الشحن (B/L)
- The carrier’s document confirming shipment by sea and representing title to the goods. Related guide
- Certificate of origin شهادة المنشأ
- A document confirming the country where the goods were made.
- ACID number رقم ACID
- The Advance Cargo Information Declaration number required for most shipments to Egypt, issued through the NAFEZA platform. Related guide
Customs & costs
- HS code رمز النظام المنسق (HS Code)
- The international product classification code used to determine duties and requirements.
- Customs clearance التخليص الجمركي
- Completing customs formalities so the goods can be released.
- Customs value القيمة الجمركية
- The value on which customs duty is calculated, usually based on CIF. Related guide
- Landed cost التكلفة الإجمالية حتى الوصول
- The total cost of a product delivered to your door, including shipping, duties, and fees. Related guide
Sourcing & quality
- MOQ (Minimum Order Quantity) الحد الأدنى للطلب (MOQ)
- The smallest quantity a supplier will accept for an order.
- Lead time مدة التوريد
- The time between placing an order and the goods being ready to ship.
- Pre-shipment inspection الفحص قبل الشحن
- A check of quantity, quality, and packing before the goods leave the factory. Related guide
- Factory audit مراجعة المصنع
- An on-site assessment of a supplier’s capacity, systems, and working conditions. Related guide
- Golden sample العينة المعتمدة
- The approved sample used as the reference for production and inspection. Related guide
Have a question about your own shipment?
Our team can review your situation and prepare a custom quotation before work begins.