Logistics terms I
IALA
This abbreviation stands for International Organisation of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities. The IALA is an international organisation concerned with the worldwide harmonisation of maritime navigation aids, such as buoyage via the IALA Maritime Buoyage System. The IALA was founded in 1957. The headquarters is located in Saint-Germain-en-Laye in France.
IATA
This abbreviation stands for International Air Transport Association. IATA, based in Geneva, was founded in 1945 as a trade organisation with the aim of functioning as a body of cooperation between all affiliated airlines. The cooperation ensures safe, reliable aviation services and economic benefits.
IBC
IBC is the abbreviation of Intermediate Bulk Container. These are packagings used as an intermediate form between drums and bulk transport (truck transport, sea container or boat transport). The IBCs are still manoeuvrable with forklift trucks or pallet trucks but no longer handleable by hand like drums. The IBCs consist of 3 parts: an HDPE inner bladder with a lid at the top and an outlet tap at the bottom, surrounded by a metal grid frame. All of this is mounted on a wooden, plastic or metal pallet.
ICS2
Import Control System 2 (ICS2) is the name for the automated process of bringing in goods that has applied to the entire EU since 3 June 2023. The system safeguards the security of the EU external border.
Prior to the loading of the cargo, the data of the freight goods must be declared by the supplier of the goods (Filing). The data must be submitted via the Entry Summary Declaration (ENS) of the country of origin into the Central European system.
These ICS2 filing costs are in fact costs in the country where loading takes place. If the European buyer (Consignee) buys the goods under incoterm FOB (Free on Board), then the ICS2 filing costs fall to the supplier (Shipper). If the European buyer does this on the basis of EXW (Ex Works) or FCA (Free Carrier), then these costs fall to the buyer.
ICW
Intracoastal Waterways (ICW) are bays, rivers and canals along the coast that are connected in such a way that the coasters do not have to sail across the open sea.
IEC
This abbreviation stands for International Electrotechnical Commission. The International Electrotechnical Commission, IEC for short, based in Geneva, Switzerland, develops general international standards for the safety of electrical components and equipment. The IEC proposes and develops, but is not responsible for supervising compliance with these standards. This usually takes place by an independent testing laboratory.
IMDG
The IMDG code (International Maritime Dangerous Goods code) describes the specific regulations for the transport by sea of UN-classified dangerous substances. The publication contains rules on packaging, mixed loading, possible exemptions, and so on. Because such goods require extra care, it is necessary on booking to hand over the exact data to the shipping line in the form of a DGD. On the basis of such a declaration, the shipping line determines whether the goods can be accepted for transport and how the goods must be handled.
IMO surcharge
For the transport by sea of UN-classified dangerous substances (in accordance with the IMDG code), an IMO surcharge is charged by the shipping line on the sea freight. This has to do with the additional operations needed for scheduling the goods at the terminal and on board the ship.
Import duties
Import duties are taxes with which countries try to protect their own market against foreign products. They are erected as a trade barrier to give domestic products an advantage.
Import licence
Document required and issued by some national governments on the import of goods into the individual countries.
Importer Security Filing (ISF)
ISF (Importer Security Filing) is a regulation that obliges importing parties in the United States to declare general specifications (description of goods) of the goods to be imported to US customs. Customs must have received the notification 24 hours before loading of the goods into the means of transport to be used (for example a container). The complete ISF must be submitted to US customs no later than 48 hours before the ship departs from the loading port. Download the ISF form.
In transit
Status of the goods between the clearing customs of export and the clearing customs of import.
Incoterms
International agreements on the international transport of goods. The contract sets out standard agreements that divide the costs and risks between seller and buyer. The first Incoterms agreements date back as far as 1932. The Incoterms are drawn up and published by the International Chamber of Commerce. In 1990 the incoterms were amended. The reason for this was the increasing use of electronic data traffic. The English text is the original and official version of the Incoterms 2000, which were approved by the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL). Authorised translations in 31 languages are available from national Chambers of Commerce. In 2011 the Incoterms 2010 were registered.
Interchange report
A container interchange report is a document that provides a detailed description of the external condition of a container at the moment the container passes from one responsible holder to another. By drawing up a container interchange report at each transfer, it can be established where the damage to the container arose and the person who had the container under his supervision at that moment can be held responsible.
Intermediate Bulk Container
IBC is the abbreviation of Intermediate Bulk Container. These are packagings used as an intermediate form between drums and bulk transport (truck transport, sea container or boat transport). The IBCs are still manoeuvrable with forklift trucks or pallet trucks, but no longer handleable by hand, like drums. The IBCs consist of 3 parts: an HDPE inner bladder with a lid at the top and an outlet tap at the bottom, surrounded by a metal grid frame. All of this is mounted on a wooden, plastic or metal pallet.
Intermodal
Intermodal is the transport of goods that takes place via various means (truck, boat, train) within a single transport.
ISF Bond Fee
On export to the USA, an ISF Bond Fee must be paid. This contributes to insurance for the US government in case the exporter does not pay the import levies and taxes. This Bond Fee can be paid for a single shipment. For multiple shipments to the USA per year, a continuous bond, insurance for the period of one year, can also be taken out. The amount of the Fee is determined on the basis of the value of the goods.
ISPM 15
The abbreviation ISPM 15 stands for International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures. This new world standard for Phytosanitary Measures for Wood Packaging was introduced in March 2002 to put an end to the worldwide trade barriers resulting from the tangle of import restrictions for wood packaging. In ISPM no. 15 it is described, among other things, that wood packaging must have been treated to prevent the spread of pests (such as, for example, the pinewood nematode and the sirex wasp).
