US Based Air Courier Services Key Terms

Understand the terms you need for arranging deferred or direct air freight

US based air courier services are responsible for transporting freight by air all over the world. US based air courier services include everything from deferred services, for finding the most economical option for shipping, to hand carried courier service, for the most urgent shipping needs. US based air couriers also may offer a wide range of additional services, such as managing customs and direct delivery to international destinations, so knowing the terms for the services you need and the procedures to follow is important in getting your freight from here to there.

 

Direct air freight

Direct air freight is an air courier service that manages all international customs and border regulations, and delivers individual freight components directly to international destinations. Direct air freight services can deliver individual pieces of cargo to multiple destinations overseas, and will ensure that your cargo meets customs regulations before shipping.
Try: Read more about direct air freight services provided by UPS and other US based couriers.

Deferred services

Deferred services describe the type of air courier service used by companies that do not have urgent shipping deadlines and prefer to wait for the next available air shipment. Deferred services are the least expensive type of courier service based in the US, and typically take 3 to 5 business days to place a shipment on an aircraft.
Try: UniGroup Worldwide UTS provides a concise definition of deferred services in its air freight glossary.

Hand carrier

Hand carrier courier services are a premium type of air courier option that picks up your shipment from your home or office and proceeds with direct mailing. Hand carrier services are also a type of door-to-door freight service, meaning that neither the sender nor the recipient is required to visit the US based courier's office or hub.
Try: Crane Worldwide provides a short description of hand-carry air freight shipping in its description of services.

Tare weight

Tare weight is the weight of a cargo receptacle used by air couriers, and is calculated when empty so that the weight of the container can be taken again when full to measure the shipping weight charged to the customer.
Try: Wise Geek offers a definition of tare weight as used by air couriers and trucking companies in the United States.

Value for Customs Purposes Only

Value for Customs Purposes Only is a term used to describe the assessed value of a package or the contents of cargo being shipped by US based air couriers internationally. The value listed for the cargo is used only for customs regulations compliance, as customs typically stipulates additional rules for items over a certain monetary value. It does not reflect the manufacturer's or the customer's assessment of the value.
Try: Airfreight.com provides a concise definition of Value for Customs Purposes Only in its glossary of terms.

Air Waybill

The Air Waybill, or AWB, is a form describing the contents of a package and is used by US based air couriers for international transactions to document items being shipped. The Air Waybill is also used to track individual items in a freight shipment from sender to recipient.
Try: Read more about the Air Waybill and how it is used from TradeXpro.

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