Industry Terms

Air & Expedited Motor Carriers Association - The AEMCA provides the framework for member networking, education, and inter-association relations; to assist the shipping public and regulatory agencies in understanding the many advantages of using flexible, client-oriented carriers offering a variety of expedited trucking services. Learn more.

Air Cargo Working Group

(previous to XLA) Air Courier Conference of America

Air Transport Association of America - see A4A

Airforwarders Association - The AfA is a global alliance of indirect air carriers, cargo airlines and affiliated businesses. The association represents member companies, ranging from small businesses to those with over 1,000 people, dedicated to moving cargo throughout the supply chain. Learn more.

Airlines for America - Formerly known as the Air Transport Association of America (ATA), A4A advocates on behalf of its members to shape crucial policies and measures that promote safety, security and a healthy U.S. airline industry. They work collaboratively with airlines, labor, Congress, the Administration and other groups to improve aviation for the traveling and shipping public. Annually, commercial aviation helps drive nearly $1.7 trillion in U.S. economic activity and more than 10 million U.S. jobs. A4A vigorously advocates on behalf of the American airline industry as a model of safety, customer service and environmental responsibility and as the indispensable network that drives our nation’s economy and global competitiveness. Learn more.

Airport Design Working Group

Animal Plant Health Inspection Service/Quality Inspection

Animal Plant Health Inspection Service/Plant Protection & Quarantine

automated commercial environment

Automated Export System

Aviation Security Advisory Committee - Established in 1989 after a terrorist attack on Pan Am flight 103, the Aviation Security Advisory Committee provides advice to the TSA administrator on aviation security matters, including the development, refinement, and implementation of policies, programs, rulemaking, and security directives pertaining to aviation security. The committee is composed of individual members representing private sector organizations affected by aviation security requirements. The Aviation Security Stakeholder Participation Act of 2014, enacted on December 18, 2014, makes the committee permanent. The committee typically meets four times a year and holds a meeting open to the public once a year. Learn more.

Cargo Airlines Association - The CAA is responsible for representing the industry before federal and state regulatory bodies, the United States Congress and, when necessary, in the federal and state courts. Learn more.

Certified Cargo Screening Program

Coalition Against Counterfeiting and Piracy -

Commercial Customs Operations Advisory Committee - The COAC advises the United States Secretaries of the Department of the Treasury (Treasury) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on the commercial operations of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and related Treasury and DHS functions. Learn more.

Consultative Committee -

Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals - The CSCMP provides networking, career development and educational opportunities to the logistics and supply chain management community. Learn more.

critical incident site management system

critical infrastructure/key resource

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U. S. Customs & Border Protection - CBP is one of the world's largest law enforcement organizations and is charged with keeping terrorists and their weapons out of the U.S. while facilitating lawful international travel and trade. As the United States’ first unified border entity, CBP takes a comprehensive approach to border management and control, combining customs, immigration, border security, and agricultural protection into one coordinated and supportive activity. Learn more.

Customs Electronic Systems Advisory Committee

Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism - CTPAT is but one layer in U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) multi-layered cargo enforcement strategy. Through this program, CBP works with the trade community to strengthen international supply chains and improve United States border security. CTPAT is a voluntary public-private sector partnership program which recognizes that CBP can provide the highest level of cargo security only through close cooperation with the principle stakeholders of the international supply chain such as importers, carriers, consolidators, licensed customs brokers, and manufacturers.

U.S. Department of Commerce - The DOC promotes job creation and economic growth by ensuring fair trade, providing the data necessary to support commerce and constitutional democracy, and fostering innovation by setting standards and conducting foundational research and development. Learn more.

U.S. Department of Homeland Security - DHS secures the nation from the many threats Americans face. This requires the dedication of more than 240,000 employees in jobs that range from aviation and border security to emergency response, from cybersecurity analyst to chemical facility inspector. Learn more.

Express consignment operator - ECO (previously Ex-CON )

Express Delivery & Logistics Association - The XLA,  a trade group that represented air cargo and package delivery firms, merged with CLDA in 2019.

U.S. Food & Drug Administration - The FDA is responsible for protecting the public health by ensuring the safety, efficacy and security of human and veterinary drugs, biological products and medical devices; and by ensuring the safety of our nation's food supply, cosmetics and products that emit radiation. Learn more.

Fourth-party logistics - A 4PL differs from third-party logistics in the following ways: (1) 4PL organization is often a separate entity established as a joint venture or long-term contract between a primary client and one or more partners; (2) 4PL organization acts as a single interface between the client and multiple logistics service providers; (3) All aspects (ideally) of the client’s supply chain are managed by the 4PL organization; (4) It is possible for a major third party logistics provider to form a 4PL organization within its existing structure (Strategic Supply Chain Alignment; John Gattorna).

Free trade agreement

Freight forwarder - A freight forwarder is an organization which provides logistics services as an intermediary between the shipper and the carrier, typically on international shipments. Freight forwarders provide the ability to respond quickly and efficiently to changing customer and consumer demands and international shipping (import/export) requirements.

General Agreement on Trade Service

Global Express Association - The GEA is the global trade association of the express delivery industry. It promotes the interests of its members and their customers in international regulatory and public affairs arenas, in close cooperation with national and regional express delivery associations. Learn more.

Global Services Coalition

U.S. Homeland Security Presidential Directives - Learn more.

U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement - With a workforce numbering approximately 20,000 including deportation officers, special agents, analysts, and professional staff, ICE stands at the forefront of America's efforts to strengthen border security and prevent the illegal movement of people, goods, and funds into, within, and out of the United States. The agency's broad investigative authorities are directly related to our country's ongoing efforts to combat terrorism at home and abroad. Learn more.

Independent contractor

indirect air carrier

indirect air carrier management system

Intellectual property

Intellectual property rights

Interagency Mail Policy Council or International Mail Processing Centre

International Bureau of the UPU - Fulfilling a secretariat function, the IB provides logistical and technical support to the UPU's bodies. It serves as an office of liaison, information and consultation, and promotes technical cooperation among Union members. In recent years, the International Bureau has taken on a stronger leadership role in certain activities. These include the application of postal technology through its Postal Technology Centre, the development of postal markets through potential growth areas such as direct mail and EMS, and the monitoring of quality of service on a global scale. Learn more.

international trade & arms regulations

International Trade Advisory Center - ITAC is a unique public-private  partnership jointly managed by the U.S. Department of Commerce and the Office of United States Trade Representative (USTR) that engages business leaders in  formulating U.S. trade policy. Learn more.

international trade data system (customs)

known shipper management system

National Air Carriers Association - NACA is comprised of air carriers certificated under Title 14, Part 121 of the Code of Federal Regulations. Their members are a diverse group of air carriers, providing passenger and cargo, scheduled and charter services. NACA carriers fill a unique niche in the air carrier industry, offering services in response to ever-changing demands from the U.S. military, the traveling public and businesses. Learn more.

National Customs Automation Program

National Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association of the Americas - NCBFAA represents more than 1,000 member companies with 110,000 employees in international trade - the nation's leading freight forwarders, customs brokers, ocean transportation intermediaries (OTIs), NVOCCs and air cargo agents, serving more than 250,000 importers and exporters. Learn more.

National Incident Management System

National Infrastructure Protection Plan

National Plant Inspection Station

National Trade Strategy Implementation Plan

North American Free Trade Agreement - NAFTA established a free-trade zone in North America; it was signed in 1992 by Canada, Mexico, and the United States and took effect on Jan. 1, 1994. NAFTA immediately lifted tariffs on the majority of goods produced by the signatory nations. It also calls for the gradual elimination, over a period of 15 years, of most remaining barriers to cross-border investment and to the movement of goods and services among the three countries. Learn more.

Notice of Proposed Rulemaking

Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act

Postal Regulatory Commission - The PRC is an independent agency that has exercised regulatory oversight over the Postal Service since its creation by the Postal Reorganization Act of 1970, with expanded responsibilities under the Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act of 2006. The Commission is composed of five Commissioners, each of whom is appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, for a term of six years. Learn more.

Protective Security Advisors

Radio Frequency I.D.

Security & Prosperity Partnership

security threat assessment

sensitive security information

standard security program

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Third-party logistics - A 3PL provider offers outsourced logistics services, which encompass anything that involves management of one or more facets of procurement and fulfillment activities. In business, 3PL has a broad meaning that applies to any service contract that involves storing or shipping items.

trade facilitation

Trade Policy Staff Committee

Trade Promotion Authority - TPA is a legislative procedure, written by Congress, through which Congress defines U.S. negotiating objectives and spells out a detailed oversight and consultation process for during trade negotiations.  Under TPA, Congress retains the authority to review and decide whether any proposed U.S. trade agreement will be implemented. Learn more.

Trade Support Network - The TSN provides a forum for the trade community to provide recommendations and input on customs automation and modernization. There are approximately 450 members of the TSN that represent the entire breadth of the trade community. The TSN is led by the Trade Leadership Council (TLC) Executive Committee (EC). The TSN includes over 65 software developers that comprise the TSN Technical Advisory Group (TAG). Their responsibilities include technical and operational input on the design and development of the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE). TSN members support the trade community in adapting new CBP processes and system updates, participating in testing of new functionality in the CERT and assisting CBP in disseminating information about program changes, system enhancements, and technical updates to the trade community. Learn more.

Transportation Safety Administration - The U.S. TSA protects America's transportation systems to ensure freedom of movement for people and commerce. Learn more.

Transportation Worker Identification Credential

U.S. & Foreign Commercial Services

U.S. Department of Agriculture - The USDA strives to provide economic opportunity through innovation, helping rural America to thrive; to promote agriculture production that better nourishes Americans while also helping feed others throughout the world; and to preserve the Nation's natural resources through conservation, restored forests, improved watersheds, and healthy private working lands. Learn more.

U.S. Government

U.S. International Trade Commission - The USITC is an independent, nonpartisan, quasi-judicial federal agency that fulfills a range of trade-related mandates. It provides high-quality, leading-edge analysis of international trade issues to the President and the Congress. The Commission is a highly regarded forum for the adjudication of intellectual property and trade disputes. Learn more.

U.S. Trade Representative - The Office of the USTR is responsible for developing and coordinating U.S. international trade, commodity, and direct investment policy, and overseeing negotiations with other countries. The head of USTR is the U.S. Trade Representative, a Cabinet member who serves as the president’s principal trade advisor, negotiator, and spokesperson on trade issues. Learn more.

Universal Postal Union - The UPU is a United Nations specialized agency and the postal sector's primary forum for international cooperation. Learn more.

Working Group on Customs & International Trade

World Trade Organization - The WTO is the only global international organization dealing with the rules of trade between nations. At its heart are the WTO agreements, negotiated and signed by the bulk of the world’s trading nations and ratified in their parliaments. The goal is to ensure that trade flows as smoothly, predictably and freely as possible. Learn more.