Terms Beginning with P

P.A.: Particular average

PARTICULAR AVERAGE: Partial loss or damage to goods.

PERILS OF THE SEA: Those causes of loss of goods for which the carrier is not legally liable. The elemental risks of ocean transport.

PERISHABLES: Any cargo that loses considerable value if it is delayed in transportation (Usually refers to fresh fruit and vegetables).

PHYTOSANITARY INSPECTION CERTIFICATE: See “Documents” page in Resource Center

PLACE: A port, city, town, village or other community or area that is treated as a unit for the application of rates or as a place of delivery. (See “Point”)

POINT: A specific street address or other designation of a factory, store, warehouse, place of business, private residence, construction camp or the like, at a point.

PORT AUTHORITY: A government body (city, country or state) that in international shipping maintains various airports and/or ocean cargo pier facilities, transit sheds, loading equipment warehouses for air cargo, etc. Has the power to levy dockage and wharfage charges, landing fees, etc.

PORT OF DISCHARGE: Port where vessel is off loaded and cargo.

PORT OF ENTRY: A port at which foreign goods are admitted into the receiving country.

PORT OF LOADING: Port where cargo is loaded aboard the vessel.

POWER OF ATTORNEY: A document that authorizes a customs broker to sign all Customs documents on behalf of an importer.

PREPAID FREIGHT: Generally speaking, freight charges both in ocean and air transport may be either prepaid in the country of export or they may be billed collect for payment by the consignee. However, on shipments to some countries freight charges must be prepaid because of foreign exchange regulations of the country of import and/or rules of steamship companies or airlines.

PRE-SLUNG CARGO: Breakbulk cargo that is usually prepared and ready for loading at or on the pier awaiting arrival of a vessel. (i.e. coffee in bags, coconut shells, etc.).

PROFORMA: When used with the title of a document, the term refers to an informal document presented in advance of the arrival, or preparation of the required document, in order to satisfy a customer’s requirement.

PRO NUMBER: A number assigned by an inland carrier or courier to a single shipment.

PROOF OF DELIVERY (P.O.D.): A signed and dated receipt for goods received at the point of contracted delivery.

P.W.: Packed weight


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