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Reference · Glossary
Shipping & customs glossary.
Plain-English definitions of the freight-forwarding and Pakistan-customs terms you'll meet when you ship — from EFS and WeBOC to FCL, demurrage and Incoterms.
EFS (Export Facilitation Scheme)
Pakistan's export-incentive scheme under SRO 957(I)/2021 letting approved exporters import inputs and machinery duty- and tax-free for export production, run on WeBOC/PSW with post-clearance reconciliation.
WeBOC
Web-Based One Customs — Pakistan Customs' online clearance system for filing Goods Declarations (GDs) and processing import/export cargo.
PSW (Pakistan Single Window)
The national digital trade platform integrating customs and other regulators, through which trade declarations and permits are increasingly processed.
GD (Goods Declaration)
The formal customs declaration for an import or export shipment, filed on WeBOC/PSW, stating the goods, value, HS code and other details.
HS Code
Harmonized System code — the international classification number for a commodity that determines duties, taxes and regulatory requirements.
IOCO
Input Output Coefficient Organization — the body that analyses input-output ratios used to set duty-free input entitlements under schemes like EFS.
FCL (Full Container Load)
A shipment that fills an entire container (typically 20' or 40'), booked exclusively for one consignor.
LCL (Less than Container Load)
A smaller shipment consolidated with other cargo to share a container, billed by volume/weight.
Bill of Lading (B/L)
The carrier's document acknowledging receipt of cargo for shipment; it serves as a receipt, contract of carriage and document of title.
Air Waybill (AWB)
The equivalent transport document for air freight, issued by or on behalf of the airline.
Demurrage
Charges levied by the terminal/carrier when a container stays at the port beyond the allowed free time.
Detention
Charges for keeping a carrier's container outside the port (e.g. at your factory) beyond the allowed free days.
Container Haulage
Road transport of containers between port terminals and factories/warehouses — Fjord's Bay operates its own haulage fleet.
Nomination Shipment
A shipment where the overseas buyer or forwarder nominates the agent to handle the origin/destination leg — see our Pakistan agent service.
KPT
Karachi Port Trust / Karachi Port — Pakistan's oldest and busiest port, with terminals including KICT and SAPT.
Port Qasim
Pakistan's second major port, east of Karachi, with container terminals QICT and PICT.
PIFFA
Pakistan International Freight Forwarders Association — the industry body; Fjord's Bay is a certified member.
Incoterms
Standard international trade terms (e.g. FOB, CFR, CIF) defining who is responsible for cost, risk and formalities at each stage of a shipment.
Need one of these handled for real? See our EFS & export clearance, customs clearance and sea freight services.
Question not covered here?
Ask our team — we answer plainly, no jargon.