Glossary

Accessorial Services:
A term used to describe services not directly related to the transportation of household goods. Typical accessorial services are disassembly of unique furniture items, i.e., pool tables, swing sets, satellite dishes, washer servicing, shuttle service, or special crating.

Air Freight Containers:
Heavy-duty shipping containers that meet Air Transportation Association (ATA) specifications. These containers can handle extra heavy shipments and are a cost-effective alternative to expensive wooden crates. They are specifically made to handle heavier loads.

Bill of Lading:
A document issued by a transportation service provider when the shipper relinquishes the household goods. The terms and conditions of the move are detailed on the document, as well as essential information about the shipper, including the origin and destination addresses and the charges.

Cubic Feet:
The basic unit of measurement describing the overall size of a shipment; the cubic capacity of a crate, liftvan, container or air freight tri-wall container.

Customs Clearance:
Review of the documentation and physical inspection of the contents of the household goods shipment by a customs official.

International Relocation Coordinator:
The individual at National Van Lines, Inc., International Division who assists the shipper with all the details of their relocation. If you have any questions, comments or would like to inquire on your shipment status, please call 1-800-323-1963.

Density:
A mathematical ratio between size (volume) and weight of a shipment. The density of your shipment is the correlation between net weight and cubic feet. Density is established by how well your shipment was packed. Normal density, for household goods, should fall in the 5 to 7 pound per cubic foot range. The higher the number, the more dense, or heavier per cubic foot, the shipment is.

Door-To-Door Relocation:
The moving services from your origin home to your new home at your final destination.

Extra Pick-up / Extra Delivery:
Household goods that pick-up at more than one origin and or deliver to more than one delivery location.

F.M.C.:
Federal Maritime Commission. The U.S. Government Agency that regulates ocean steamship companies, port terminal companies and household goods freight forwarders.

Gross Weight:
The total weight of the ocean container, liftvan, or air freight container along with the packing materials and the household goods. The container is weighed at qualified scales. The gross weight minus the tare (empty container or liftvans) weight equals the net weight of the shipment.

Inventory:
A document that lists each item and its condition at loading and at delivery. The origin service agent will prepare your inventory.

Net Weight:
The difference between the gross weight and the tare (empty) weight of a container, liftvan or air freight container. This is the actual weight of a shipper’s household goods.

Sea Freight Container:
A steel container, in 20- and 40-foot lengths, that is configured to fit into cargo holds of sea vessels. The sea container is designed to handle various freight and is considered the least cost alternative to shipping by air freight. The container is air tight and completely water proof.

Tri-wall Containers:
Special cardboard boxes or cartons designed to be used for air freight shipments of household goods or personal effects.