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| FAA |
Categories:
- Term/Acronym
- Organization/Agency/Entity
- U.S. Export-Related
- Product-Specific
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is responsible for the safety of civil aviation. The Federal Aviation Act of 1958 created the agency under the name Federal Aviation Agency. We adopted our present name in 1967 when we became a part of the Department of Transportation. Our major roles include: Regulating civil aviation to promote safety; encouraging and developing civil aeronautics, including new aviation technology; Developing and operating a system of air traffic control and navigation for both civil and military aircraft
Researching and developing the National Airspace System and civil aeronautics; Developing and carrying out programs to control aircraft noise and other environmental effects of civil aviation; and Regulating U.S. commercial space transportation
Federal Aviation Administration
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| FACR (Foreign Assets Control Regulations) |
Categories:
- Term/Acronym
- Law/Act/Regulation
- U.S. Export-Related
- National Security
The Office of Foreign Assets Control ('OFAC') of the US Department of the Treasury administers and enforces economic and trade sanctions based on US foreign policy and national security goals against targeted foreign countries and regimes, terrorists, international narcotics traffickers, those engaged in activities related to the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and other threats to the national security, foreign policy or economy of the United States. OFAC acts under Presidential national emergency powers, as well as authority granted by specific legislation, to impose controls on transactions and freeze assets under US jurisdiction.
Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), US Department of the Treasury
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| FAF |
Categories:
- Term/Acronym
- U.S. Export-Related
FAF - Fuel Adjustment Factor: refers to floating part of sea freight charges which represents additions due to oil prices. FAF charges used to be determined by Carrier Conferences to be applicable for a certain period on a certain trade route.
FAF and BAF have the same meaning.
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| Fair Trade Laws |
Categories:
- Term/Acronym
- Law/Act/Regulation
- U.S. Export-Related
- Anti-Competitiveness Protection
A former group of laws (since abolished) that permitted manufacturers to specify the minimum retail price of a commodity. The laws were intended to protect independent retailers from the price-cutting competition of large chain stores. In 1975, federal legislation eliminated the remaining fair-trade laws.
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| FAK |
Categories:
- Term/Acronym
- U.S. Export-Related
- U.S. Import-Related
- Foreign Import-Related
FAK - Freight All Kind: Shipping industry term for a carrier's tariff classification for various kinds of goods that are pooled and shipped together at one freight rate. Consolidated shipments are generally classified as FAK.
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| FAS |
Categories:
- Term/Acronym
- U.S. Export-Related
An INCOTERM for FREE ALONGSIDE SHIP in which the seller fulfills its obligation to deliver when the goods have been placed alongside the vessel on the quay or in containers at the named port of shipment. The buyer has to bear all costs and risks of loss of or damage to the goods from that moment. The seller must clear the goods for export. Prior to 2000, it was the buyer's responsibility. FREE ALONGSIDE SHIP can only be used for sea or inland waterway transport.
International Chamber of Commerce (ICC)
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| FCA |
Categories:
- Term/Acronym
- U.S. Export-Related
An INCOTERM for Free Carrier, in which the seller fulfills its obligation to deliver when it has handed over the goods, cleared for export, into the charge of the carrier named by the buyer at the named place. If no precise point is indicated by the buyer, the seller may choose within the place or range stipulated where the carrier shall take the goods into its charge. When the seller's assistance is required in making the contract with the carrier (rail, air, etc.) the seller may act at the buyer's risk and expense. FREE CARRIER may be used for any mode of transport, including multimodal transport.
International Chamber of Commerce (ICC)
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| FCC |
Categories:
- Term/Acronym
- Organization/Agency/Entity
- U.S. Export-Related
Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is an independent United States government agency. The FCC was established by the Communications Act of 1934 and is charged with regulating interstate and international communications by radio, television, wire, satellite and cable. The FCC's jurisdiction covers the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. possessions.
Federal Communications Commission
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| FCL |
Categories:
- Term/Acronym
- U.S. Export-Related
- U.S. Import-Related
- Foreign Import-Related
- Standard (Technical/Health/Safety)
FCL - Full Container Load: Standard (twenty or forty-foot) container that is stuffed (loaded) and un-stuffed (stripped) under the risk and account of the shipper or consignee. In general, a FCL container attracts lower freight rates than an equivalent weight of loose (break bulk) cargo. Also called full trailer load (FTL).
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| FCPA |
Categories:
- Term/Acronym
- Law/Act/Regulation
- U.S. Export-Related
- Anti-Competitiveness Protection
The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) prohibits corrupt payments (bribes) to foreign officials for the purpose of obtaining or keeping business. The FCPA does not apply to “grease” payments to facilitate routine export processes.
U.S. Department of Justice, Criminal Division, Fraud Section
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202-514-7023
FCPA.Fraud@usdoj.gov
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| FCR |
Categories:
- Term/Acronym
- Document
- U.S. Export-Related
- U.S. Import-Related
- Standard (Technical/Health/Safety)
FCR - Forwarder's Cargo Receipt: A non-negotiable document issued by a forwarder which will satisfy the legal requirements of a letter of credit. Since a forwarder is not an NVOCC it cannot issue actual bills of lading. The FCR is legally binding upon the forwarder and is an industry standard.
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| FDA |
Categories:
- Term/Acronym
- Organization/Agency/Entity
- U.S. Export-Related
- U.S. Import-Related
- Product-Specific
- Standard (Technical/Health/Safety)
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is an agency within the Department of Health and Human Services. The FDA is responsible for protecting the public health by assuring the safety, efficacy, and security of human and veterinary drugs, biological products, medical devices, our nation’s food supply, cosmetics, and products that emit radiation. The FDA is also responsible for advancing the public health by helping to speed innovations that make medicines and foods more effective, safer, and more affordable; and helping the public get the accurate, science-based information they need to use medicines and foods to improve their health.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
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| FEU |
Categories:
- Term/Acronym
- Standard (Technical/Health/Safety)
FEU - Forty feet Equivalent Unit: a unit of cargo capacity, especially for container ships. These ships carry cargo in standard metal boxes, called containers that can be transferred easily to trains or trucks. FEU is an abbreviation for "forty-foot equivalent unit." One FEU represents the cargo capacity of a standard container 40 feet long, 8 feet wide, and (usually) a little over 8 feet high. One FEU equals roughly 25 register tons or 72 cubic meters.
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| FIATA |
Categories:
- Term/Acronym
- Organization/Agency/Entity
- Multilateral/International
International Federation of Freight Forwarders Association (FIATA) was founded in Vienna/Austria on May 31, 1926. FIATA, a non-governmental organisation, represents today an industry covering approximately 40,000 forwarding and logistics firms, employing around 8-10 million people in 150 countries. FIATA has consultative status with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United Nations (inter alia ECE, ESCAP, ESCWA), the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), and the UN Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL). It is recognised as representing the freight forwarding industry by many other governmental organisations, governmental authorities, private international organisations in the field of transport such as the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the International Union of Railways (UIC), the International Road Transport Union (IRU), the World Customs Organization (WCO), the World Trade Organization (WTO), etc.
International Federation of Freight Forwarders Association
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| Filer or Filer Code |
Categories:
- Term/Acronym
- U.S. Import-Related
- National Security
- Compliance System/Process
A unique 3-position alphanumeric identifier assigned by Headquarters to ABI participants who file their own entries.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
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| FIRMS Code |
Categories:
- Term/Acronym
- U.S. Import-Related
- National Security
- Compliance System/Process
A US Customs FIRMS code is a four digit alpha-numeric identifier for a container freight station, warehouse deconsolidator, or other US Customs Service bonded facility. Facilities with the ability to transmit AMS (Automated Manifest System) information directly to US Customs must have a Customs assigned FIRMS code.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
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| FMC |
Categories:
- Term/Acronym
- Organization/Agency/Entity
- U.S. Export-Related
- U.S. Import-Related
The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) is an independent regulatory agency responsible for the regulation of oceanborne transportation in the foreign commerce of the U.S.
Federal Maritime Commission (FMC)
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| FOB |
Categories:
- Term/Acronym
- U.S. Export-Related
An INCOTERM for FREE ON BOARD, in which the seller fulfills its obligation to deliver when the goods have passed over the ship's rail at the named port of shipment. The buyer has to bear all costs and risks of loss of or damage to the goods from that point. FREE ON BOARD requires the seller to clear the goods for export. FREE ON BOARD can only be used for sea or inland waterway transport. In the case of roll-on/roll-off or container traffic, the ship's rail serves no practical purpose. Use the FCA - FREE CARRIER term as it is more appropriate.
International Chamber of Commerce (ICC)
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| Force Majeure |
Categories:
A condition of superior or irresistible force such as Acts of God, including earthquakes and floods, which cannot be avoided by the exercise of due care and is included in contracts to excuse parties from performance when such events occur.
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| Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) |
Categories:
- Term/Acronym
- Law/Act/Regulation
- U.S. Export-Related
- Anti-Competitiveness Protection
The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) prohibits corrupt payments (bribes) to foreign officials for the purpose of obtaining or keeping business. The FCPA does not apply to “grease” payments to facilitate routine export processes.
U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ)
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FCPA Coordinator
mailto:fcpa.fraud@usdoj.gov
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| Foul Bill of Lading |
Categories:
- Term/Acronym
- U.S. Export-Related
A Foul Bill of Lading is a Bill of Lading (B/L) with adverse remarks or notations (called 'clauses') by the carrier that the goods received for shipping (or their packaging) look wet, damaged, or otherwise in doubtful condition, or not of correct quantity. Importers and their banks normally do not accept foul B/L for payment under a letter of credit. Also called claused bill of lading, dirty bill of lading, or unclean bill of lading.
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| FP7 |
Categories:
- Term/Acronym
- Law/Act/Regulation
- Foreign Import-Related
FP7 is the abbreviation for the ‘7th Framework Programme of the European Communities for research, technological development and demonstration activities’. This is the EU’s main instrument for research funding and it will run from 2007 to 2013.
European Commission
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| FPA |
Categories:
- Term/Acronym
- U.S. Export-Related
- U.S. Import-Related
- Standard (Technical/Health/Safety)
FPA - Free of Particular Avergage: insurance provision which limits the liability of an insurance company to only those losses that exceed a specified percentage of the value of the goods. It is similar to the deductible clause included in other types of insurance, but is not applicable where a cover for total loss is in force. FPA conditions are applied where the goods are extremely susceptible to damage, or are rendered almost worthless from exposure to water or heat. However, its usage differs in the UK (where it applies to partial loss caused directly or indirectly by mishaps such as burning, collision, sinking, or stranding of the ship) from its usage in the US (where it applies only to loss caused directly by such mishaps). FPA conditions have now largely been replaced by the world-wide standard 'Institute Cargo Clause C.'
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| FR |
Categories:
- Term/Acronym
- U.S. Export-Related
- U.S. Import-Related
- Standard (Technical/Health/Safety)
FR- Flat Rack: Portable, open-topped, open-sided units that fit into existing below-deck container cell guides and provide a capability for container ships to carry oversized cargo and wheeled and tracked vehicles.
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| Free on Board |
Categories:
- Term/Acronym
- U.S. Export-Related
An INCOTERM (FOB), in which the seller fulfills its obligation to deliver when the goods have passed over the ship's rail at the named port of shipment. The buyer has to bear all costs and risks of loss of or damage to the goods from that point. FREE ON BOARD requires the seller to clear the goods for export. FREE ON BOARD can only be used for sea or inland waterway transport. In the case of roll-on/roll-off or container traffic, the ship's rail serves no practical purpose. Use the FCA - FREE CARRIER term as it is more appropriate.
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| Freight Forwarder |
Categories:
- Term/Acronym
- Organization/Agency/Entity
- U.S. Export-Related
A freight forwarder is a firm that specializes in arranging storage and shipping of merchandise on behalf of its shippers. It usually provides a full range of services including: tracking inland transportation, preparation of shipping and export documents, warehousing, booking cargo space, negotiating freight charges, freight consolidation, cargo insurance, and filing of insurance claims. Freight forwarders usually ship under their own bills of lading or air waybills (called house bill of lading or house air waybill) and their agents or associates at the destination (overseas freight forwarders) provide document delivery, deconsolidation, and freight collection services. Also called forwarder.
National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of America (NCBFAA)
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| FRT PPD |
Categories:
- Term/Acronym
- U.S. Export-Related
- U.S. Import-Related
FRT PPD - Freight Prepaid: Freight paid by the shipper to the carrier when merchandise is tendered for shipment. Not refundable if the merchandise does not arrive at the intended destination.
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| FTA |
Categories:
- Term/Acronym
- Treaty/Convention/Agreement
- U.S. Export-Related
- U.S. Import-Related
- Multilateral/International
Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) are treaties (such as FTAA or NAFTA) between two or more countries to establish a free trade area where commerce in goods and services can be conducted across their common borders, without tariffs or hindrances, but (in contrast to a common market) capital or labor may not move freely. Member countries usually impose a uniform tariff (called common external tariff) on trade with non-member countries. Free trade agreements (FTAs) have proved to be one of the best ways to open up foreign markets to U.S. exporters. Today, the United States has FTAs with 14 countries. In 2006, six new FTAs were implemented: with Bahrain, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Morocco, and Nicaragua. Last year, trade with countries that the United States has FTAs was significantly greater than their relative share of the global economy. Although comprising 7.5 percent of global GDP (not including the United States), those FTA countries accounted for over 42 percent of U.S. exports.
U.S. Trade Representative (USTR)
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| FTR |
Categories:
- Term/Acronym
- Law/Act/Regulation
- Document
- U.S. Export-Related
- U.S. Import-Related
- National Security
- Compliance System/Process
- Standard (Technical/Health/Safety)
- Labeling/Marking/Packaging
Foreign Trade Regulations (FTR) are the U.S. rules that govern filing of mandatory export documents. As of October 1, 2008, the Census Bureau requires mandatory filing of export information through the Automated Export System (AES) or through the AESDirect for all shipments where a paper Shipper’s Export Declaration was required. Penalties may be imposed per violation of the FTR from $1,100 to $10,000—both civil and criminal—for the delayed filing, failure to file, false filing of export information, and/or using the AES to further any illegal activity. Also, all AES filers will face new filing deadlines by mode of transportation for reporting export information.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
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| FTZ |
Categories:
- Term/Acronym
- U.S. Import-Related
- Foreign Import-Related
A Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) is a restricted-access site, authorized by the FTZ Board and supervised by CBP (19 CFR 146) where companies can use special Customs procedures prior to entry for consumption. Zones are located in or adjacent to a CBP port of entry and operated pursuant to public utility principles under the sponsorship of a corporation granted authority by the Board pursuant to the Foreign-Trade Zones Act (19 USC 81a-81u) and regulations (15 CFR Part 400). Duty-free treatment is accorded items that are processed in FTZs and then reexported, and duty payment is deferred on items until they are brought out of the FTZ for sale in the U.S. market. FTZs are considered to be outside of U.S. Customs Territory for the purpose of customs duty payment. Therefore, goods entering FTZs are not subject to customs tariffs until the goods leave the zone and are formally entered into U.S. Customs Territory. Merchandise that is shipped to foreign countries from FTZs is exempt from duty payments. There is no time limit on goods stored inside a FTZ and certain foreign and domestic merchandise held in FTZs may be exempted from state and local inventory taxes. In addition, quota restrictions are in some cases waived for items entering an FTZ; however, the restrictions would apply if the items were to enter the U.S. market. A variety of activities can be conducted in a zone, including assembling, packaging, destroying, storing, cleaning, exhibiting, re-packing, distributing, sorting, grading, testing, labeling, repairing, combining with foreign or domestic content, or processing. Manufacturing and processing require specific FTZ Board approval, however.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
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| FTZB |
Categories:
- Term/Acronym
- Organization/Agency/Entity
- U.S. Export-Related
- U.S. Import-Related
The U.S. Foreign- Trade Zones Board (FTZB) consists of the Secretary of Commerce (chairman) and the Secretary of Treasury, or their designated alternates. The FTZB has its operational staff in the International Trade Administration's Import Administration.
International Trade Administration/Import Administration
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