MANIFEST

A listing of all the shipments on a vessel.  It is primarily used by customs to regulate and control inbound cargo.

MANUFACTURING RESOURCE PLANNING

A manufacturing planning system that affects materials management, inventory control, and production management.

MAQUILADORA

A program designed and promoted by the Mexican government that allows foreign manufacturers to ship components into Mexico duty-free for assembly and subsequent reexport.

MARINE INSURANCE

1) Insurance that compensates the owner of goods transported overseas in the event of loss that cannot be legally recovered from the carrier.  2)Insurance against damage or loss of vessel.

MARKING (country of origin)

The physical stamp, wording, or marking on an article or merchandise that shows in what country the article or merchandise was produced.

MATERIAL RELEASE ORDER

An order that authorizes the release of materials.

MAXIMUM PAYLOAD

The amount of weight of cargo which a container is designed to carry.

MAXIMUM RATE

The highest rate that may be charged.

METRIC TON

2,204.6 pounds.

MEXICAN CERTIFICATE OF ORIGIN

A document that certifies that goods originated from a specific country.

MEXICAN COMMERCIAL INVOICE

An invoice readily accepted by the Mexican Customs authorities that provides shipment details of quantities, weights, values, etc.

MICROBRIDGE

Provides for intermodal transport of freight from inland city to seaport with through movement transfer of container freight onto overseas ship.

MINI-BRIDGE

Overland movement of containers with a preceding or subsequent movement by ship.

MINIMUM CHARGE

The lowest charge for which a shipment will be handled.

MINIMUM RATE

The lowest rate that may be charged.

MISSILE ANNEX REVIEW COMMITTEE

An interagency group that develops U.S. proposals and reviews foreign proposals to change the Missile Technology Control Regime Annex.

MISSILE TECHNOLOGY

Technology applicable to the research, design or production of missiles.

MISSILE TECHNOLOGY ADVISORY GROUP

An advisory group that collects and disseminates information on missile technology. 

MISSILE TECHNOLOGY CONTROL REGIME

A group of nations  that have agreed to certain guidelines for restricting the export and re-export of dual use items that may contribute to the development of missiles.

MISSILE TECHNOLOGY EXPORT CONTROL GROUP

An interagency group chaired by the Department of State that primarily reviews applications involving controlled items that have missile technology applications.

MOST FAVORED NATION

A trade policy status that affords all members within the World Trade Organization, under the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, equal treatment as other member countries.

MOTOR CARRIER ACT OF 1935

Act of Congress bringing motor common carriers and contract carriers under Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) jurisdiction. (USA)

MOTOR CARRIER ACT OF 1980

Act of Congress that deregulated for-hire trucking industry. (USA)

MULTILATERAL AGREEMENT

An international pact or agreement involving three or more parties.

MULTIMODAL

Using more than one transportation mode to move load of goods.