About PASS | News | For Faculty & Staff | For Vendors & Contractors | Forms | home

 


Shipping & Receiving Glossary

 

We use terms specific to the shipping and receving process. The most commonly used terms are explained below:

    1 UPS Pickup Attempt:

    Allows the original shipper to request one pick up attempt for the return of a UPS-compatible package. It is available through the UPS WorldShip service, or through a UPS OnLine Compatible shipping system.

    3 UPS Pickup Attempts:

    Allows the customer to request three pick up attempts for the return of a UPS-compatible package. It is available through UPS OnLine WorldShip or a UPS OnLine Compatible shipping system.

    Address Correction:

    If UPS is unable to deliver any package as addressed by the shipper, or if the package has an incorrect or incomplete address, UPS will determine and make reasonable efforts, to be determined in its sole discretion, to secure the correct or complete address. An address validated by UPS may be incorrect or incomplete for purposes of completing delivery and may be corrected by UPS. If the correct or complete address is secured, UPS, at its sole discretion, will attempt delivery, the shipper will be provided with the correct or complete address, and an additional charge will be assessed.

    Air Shipping Document:

    The Air Shipping Document (ASD) is a three-part form used to ship air packages. The ASD contains your address label, tracking label, and shipping record. It allows you to choose between several payment options, including a bank check, major credit card or a UPS-issued billing information number. A red ASD is used for UPS Next Day Air shipments and UPS Worldwide Express shipments. A blue ASD is used for UPS 2nd Day Air shipments.

    Air Waybill:

    A required shipping document that provides shipment details including destination, shipper, and type of delivery service and is part of the shipping contract.

    Bill of Lading or Ocean Bill of Lading:

    A document that establishes the terms of a contract between a shipper and a transportation company under which freight is to be moved between specified points for a specified charge. It serves as a document of title, contract of carriage, and a receipt for goods. It may also be used as an instrument of ownership and can be bought, sold, or traded while the goods are in transit. The Bill of Lading is similar to a Waybill.

    Calculate Time and Cost:

    A Web-based application that allows you to compare shipping charges and delivery times for domestic and international UPS services.

    Certificate of Origin (COO):

    A document containing an affidavit indicating that the shipped goods, or a major percentage of them, originated and were produced in the exporter's country. A COO is used for customs purposes, foreign exchange purposes, or both. COO's are commonly certified by an official organization in the country of origin, such as a consular office or a chamber of commerce.

    Commercial Invoice:

    A monetary assessment of fabricated goods used to determine duty on international shipments. This assessment takes into consideration factors including manufacturing costs, packaging, shipping, overhead, and profit margin.

    Commercial Value:

    A document supplied by the shipper that provides information about the shipment, including a description of the goods, the value of the goods, and the shipper information. A commericial invoice is a part of export and import documation and may be used by customs authorities to assess applicable taxes and duties.

    Consignee:

    See Also: Receiver

    Customs Value

    Refers to the value of imported goods for Customs and duty purposes. Customs value is assigned to merchandise at the time of entry and can be calculated in a number of ways, but the preferred customs valuation method (or appraisement) is transaction value.

    Declared Value:

    The amount in U.S. dollars for which a U.S.-origin domestic package or international shipment is protected against loss or damage. UPS automatically protects each domestic package and international shipment against loss or damage up to a value of US$100 (or the equivalent in local currency) without a declaration of value. Shippers may declare a value for amounts in excess of US$100 by showing a value in excess of $100 in the declared value field of the UPS source document, or the UPS shipping system used, and paying an additional charge. The applicability of this term, or the availability of the referenced service, may vary according to the country of origin and country of destination.

    Delivery Confirmation:

    A delivery confirmation service in which a tag attached to a shipment is signed by the recipient and returned to the shipper's. -origin shipment protection, please refer to the Terms and Conditions of the origin country.

    Documentation:

    Refers to the broad range of documents that are required in international trade and transportation.

    Drop Ship:

    A shipment pursuant to a written agreement between UPS and a specific shipper that permits the shipper to tender quantities of individual packages directly to UPS at a pre-approved designated location. A unique Drop Shipper account number will be assigned, which the shipper uses solely for the origin and destination locations specified in the Drop Ship Letter of Understanding.

    Duty:

    A tax imposed on imports (and exports, although rare) by the Customs authority of a country. Generally, duties are based on the value of the goods ("Ad Valorem duties").

    Electronic Return Label:

    A printable return label that can be generated and e-mailed to your customers using UPS OnLine WorldShip. UPS OnLine Worldship is a Web-based shipping and tracking application that allows you to manage all of your shipping activities right from your desktop computer.

    Exception:

    An exception occurs when a package or shipment encounters an unforeseen event, which could result in a change to the expected delivery day.

    Export Documents:

    All documentation that must be completed for an international shipment, including the invoice, the Shipper's Export Declaration, export license, etc., as required by customs in the importing and exporting countries.

    Insurance Charge

    Charges related to the insurance of a shipment.

    Hundredweight Shipping Document:

    The Hundredweight Shipping Document (HSD) is required paperwork for shipping multiple package shipments totaling 200 pounds or more going to a single recipient when not using a shipping system like WorldShip or CampusShip.

    Origin Country:

    The country from which your shipment is sent.

    Print and Mail Return Label:

    Offers an easy way for your customers to return a UPS-compatible shipment. At your request, UPS will send this label electronically to the customer to print and affix to the package being returned.

    Print Return Label:

    Offers a convenient way for you to distribute return labels to your customers. Simply print out the label and include it in the outbound shipment or distribute it to your customers separately for easy returns.

    Proof of Delivery:

    Upon request, UPS will provide Proof of Delivery (P.O.D.) via fax or mail. P.O.D. is an optional service, and an additional charge will be assessed to the shipper.

    Receiver:

    Individual or company to whom a seller or shipper sends merchandise and who, upon presentation of necessary documents, is recognized as the merchandise owner for the purpose of declaring and paying customs duties. Also known as the consignee.

    Request Intercept:

    For shipments within the U.S. and Puerto Rico, you can request an intercept by selecting View History or Void Shipment to access your shipping history. UPS will perform one of the following intercept actions: return to sender, deliver to another address, reschedule delivery, or will call. The intercept request type you choose will be applied to all selected packages, and you will only be charged if your intercept request is completed.

    RMA

    Short for returned materials (or merchandise) authorization, an alphanumeric identifier used by hardware manufacturers that indicates a user has been authorized by a company representative to return a product to the manufacturer for repair or refund. An RMA is similar to a tracking number in that it identifies a transaction, and both parties can get information on the progress of the transaction by using the RMA. It is not uncommon for a company to refuse a returned item if it is not accompanied by an RMA identifier.

    Saturday Delivery:

    Saturday delivery service is available for UPS Next Day Air and 2 Day Air shipment to most major metropolitan areas and from Canada to the United States. Also offered for UPS Worldwide Express Plus and UPS Worldwide Express for shipments to Canada, Germany, and the United Kingdom in major metropolitan areas.

    Shipment:

    Generally, packages or articles shipped. All packages shipped internationally covered under a single UPS Waybill shall be considered a single shipment. UPS Hundredweight shipments shall be considered a single shipment. Except for such international shipments and UPS Hundredweight shipments, each package or article shall be considered a separate and distinct shipment.

    Shipment Reference:

    Allows you to track any UPS shipment by reference, rather than by tracking number. When preparing a shipment, you can assign a reference that will make it easier to coordinate with your (or your customer's) billing or filing system.

    Ship Notification:

    On request, UPS will provide notification of a shipment requested by the shipper using Quantum View Notify. This notification e-mail will include the tracking number(s). Fax notification is subject to an additional charge; e-mail notification is provided at no additional charge. The applicability of this term, or the availability of the referenced service, may vary according to the country of origin and country of destination.

    Shipper:

    The person whose name appears on the Waybill as the party contracting with the carrier of the goods; formerly known as the consignor.

    Shipper Release:

    Selecting Shipper Release authorizes UPS to release the package or letter on the first delivery attempt without receiving a signature. When Shipper Release is selected, the shipper accepts liability for the loss of the package after delivery has been made as provided for in the UPS Tariff, and Terms and Conditions of Service in effect at the time of the shipment. Note: Shipper Release is available from US50 and Puerto Rico origins to US50 and Puerto Rico destinations.

    Time-in-Transit:

    The number of days, excluding weekends and holidays, that a package is in transit from pickup to delivery.

    Tracking Number:

    UPS's Tracking numbers provide the capability to identify and trace a shipment as it moves through the UPS system to its destination. UPS automatically assigns a tracking number to your shipment. UPS will also track other types of tracking numbers, using unique numeric formats that contain from four to 20 characters. These types include UPS InfoNotice numbers, UPS Service Notice numbers, PRO numbers, House Air Waybill numbers, and House Bill of Lading numbers.

    Transit Time:

    Determines delivery dates and times for all UPS services for more than 200 countries and territories. International delivery dates and times are for door-to-door service, including customs clearance.

    Transportation Charges:

    These represent the base shipping costs for a package. Transportation Charges do not include declared value fees, adjustments or refunds.

    U.S. Shipper's Export Declaration:

    A U.S. Shipper's Export Declaration (SED) is a standard United States government form required for all U.S. exports with commodities valued at US$2,500 or higher. It is also mandatory for shipments which require a U.S. Department of Commerce validated export license or a U.S. Department of State license, regardless of the value of the goods.

    UPS Address Validation:

    A UPS OnLine Tool that allows you to confirm addresses down to the street-level in the United States.

    UPS CampusShip:

    A Web-based, UPS-hosted shipping system designed specifically for enterprise use.

    UPS Consignee Billing:

    An alternative billing option, also called Collect Billing, in which UPS bills shipping charges to the recipient. UPS accepts shipments for Consignee billing as long as the recipient has a valid UPS account number and has agreed to accept the charges. The shipper is responsible for all charges in the event of non-payment by the recipient. The applicability of this term, or the availability of the referenced service, may vary according to the country of origin and country of destination.

    UPS Drop Box:

    Also known as Letter Centers, these convenient drop-off receptacles accept Air Express Envelopes and Paks only, and offer the latest possible pickup times in each area.

    UPS Import Freight Collect:

    Allows import shipments from your international vendors and suppliers to be billed to your UPS account. Provides you with multiple shipment options, all using import rates fixed in U.S. dollars.

    UPS Internet Shipping:

    Allows you to conveniently prepare domestic and international shipments online. UPS's Web-based shipping service does not require any additional software, and shipments can be paid for by credit card or UPS Account Number. It includes the ability to:
      • Create professional labels
      • Store up to 300 addresses in your address book
      • Access your previous shipments
      • Track a shipment
      • View proof of delivery

    UPS Time in Transit:

    A UPS OnLine Tool that displays all UPS shipping services and their availability worldwide. UPS Time in Transit determines the scheduled delivery date and time, as well as the number of days the package will be in transit.

    UPS Tracking:

    An online system that allows you and your intended recipients to track the delivery status of a shipment. You can access tracking information with a tracking number, an import tracking number, a reference, or an e-mail address.

    Will-Call:

    An item or merchandise that is held for a customer, to be picked up by a carrier or an individual.

 

 

Salvador Campos, Manager
Shipping & Receiving

San José State University
One Washington Square
San José, CA 95192-0048
408.924.1592 | contact us

Located in CY 117
Hours: 7:30AM to 12:00PM
1:00PM to 4:00PM
campus map