DAMAGE CLAIM

Demand upon carrier for reimbursement due to physical injury to shipment or because shipment was not delivered within a reasonable time.

DANGEROUS GOODS

Articles or substances capable of posing significant risk to health, safety or property, and that ordinarily require special attention when transported.

DECLARATION

A formal representation by the importer or its agent to the Customs Service attesting to the correctness, description, valuation, classification, etc., of the imported merchandise.

DECLARED VALUE

Assumed value of shipment unless shipper declares higher value. 

DEAD WEIGHT TONNAGE

A common measure of ship capacity based on the number of tons of cargo a vessel can carry.

DEDUCTIVE VALUE

A valuation method to determine the cost of goods sold whereby a profit value (based on a profit margin), and other miscellaneous charges, are deducted from the price of the goods.

DEFENSE TECHNOLOGY SECURITY ADMINISTRATION

The branch of the Department of Defense that reviews applications for the export of items that are subject to dual-use license controls. (USA)

DEFERRED REBATE

A tying device usually in a loyalty contract under which the rebate is not paid unless the shipper has met its cargo commitment to the conference or carrier for the time agreed (usually six months or one year) and for an additional waiting period beyond that time.  

DEFICIT WEIGHT

The difference between the minimum weight and the actual weight of a shipment when actual is less than the minimum.

DELIVERING CARRIER

The carrier that delivers a shipment to the consignee.

DELIVERY DUTY PAID

The exporter is responsible for all shipping and clearance through U.S. Customs all the way from the factory to the importer’s premises.  Thus the seller incurs the risk of loss throughout the entire transaction. 

DEMAND EXPORT LICENSE

Will permit addition or deletion of individual foreign nationals under a single comprehensive license.

DEMURRAGE (IMPORT)

A surcharge assessed by steamship lines and railroads for storage at their port or facility longer than the allotted “free time” (usually 48 hours allowed for loading/unloading). 

DENIED PERSONS LIST

A list of specific persons or organizations that have been denied export privileges, in whole or in part. (USA)  

DENSITY OF COMMODITY

The weight of a commodity in pounds per cubic foot.

DESTINATION

The place to which a shipment is to be delivered.

DESTINATION CONTROL STATEMENT

Any of various statements that the U.S. Government requires to be displayed on export shipments that specifies the destination(s) for which export of the shipment has been authorized.

DETENTION

Charges for the utilization of containers that exceed the the specified time limit afforded to a carrier or shipper.

DIFFERENTIAL

Amount added to/deducted from a base rate to establish a rate to/from some given point via some different route route.

DISPATCHING

The control and scheduling of pick-up and delivery of freight.

DISPLACEMENT

The cubic volume of a container.

DIVERSION

A change made in the destination, consignee or shipment route of a shipment in transit.  

DOCK 

A location at a port where cargo can be loaded and unloaded and other shipping functions can be performed.

DOCK RECEIPT 

A receipt issued by an ocean carrier to acknowledge receipt of a shipment at the carrier’s dock or warehouse facilities.

DRAFT

A written order for the payment of money, "Drawn On" or addressed to a party holding money in trust.

DRAWBACK

A program that helps domestic manufacturers compete in foreign markets and that allows importers to get a refund of all or part of the duties they paid on imported merchandise.

DRAYAGE

Transporting freight by truck primarily in local cartage.
 

DUAL USE GOODS

Products or commodities that can be manipulated or re-engineered to serve a military or nation-threatening purpose.

DUMPING

The import and sale of merchandise by a foreign country or supplier at less than fair value.

DUNNAGE

Material used in stowing cargo within a container to prevent movement.

DUNNING

Customer contact for payment of freight charges.

DUTY

A tax on imported merchandise.