A.T.A.: 
Actual time of arrival

A.T.D.:
Actual time of departure

ABC analysis:
Classification of items in an inventory according to importance defined in terms of criteria such as sales volume and purchase volume.

ABI:
See Automated Broker Interface

accessibility:
A carrier's ability to provide service between an origin and a destination.

accessorial charges:
A carrier's charge for accessorial services such as loading, unloading, pickup, and delivery.

action message:
An alert that an MRP or DRP system generates to inform the controller of a situation requiring his or her attention.

active stock:
Goods in active pick locations and ready for order filling.

Activity-Based Costing:
A method of cost management that identifies business activities performed, accumulates costs associated with these activities, and uses various cost drivers to trace costs of activities to the products.

Ad Valorem Duty:
See Duty

advanced shipment notice (ASN):
A list transmitted to a customer or consignor designating items shipped. May also include expected time of arrival.

agency tariff:
A rate bureau publication that contains rates for many carriers.

Agent:
An enterprise authorized to transact business for, or in the name of, another enterprise.

agglomeration:
A net advantage a company gains by sharing a common location with other companies.

aggregate tender rate:
A reduced rate offered to a shipper who tenders two or more class-related shipments at one time and one place.

air cargo:
Freight that is moved by air transportation.

Air Carrier:
An enterprise that offers transportation service via air.

air taxi:
An exempt for-hire air carrier that will fly anywhere on demand; air taxis are restricted to a maximum payload and passenger capacity per plane.

Air Transport Association of America:
A U.S. airline industry association.

Air Waybill (AWB):
A bill of lading for air transport that serves as a receipt for the shipper, indicates that the carrier has accepted the goods listed, obligates the carrier to carry the consignment to the airport of destination according to specified conditions.

Aircargo Agent:
An agent appointed by an airline to solicit and process international airfreight shipments.

Aircargo Containers:
Containers designed to conform to the inside of an aircraft. There are many shapes and sizes of containers. Aircargo containers fall into three categories: 1) aircargo pallets 2) lower deck containers 3) box type containers.

Airport and Airway Trust Fund:
A federal fund that collects passenger ticket taxes and disburses those funds for airport facilities.

All Water:
Term used when the transportation is completely by water.

all-cargo carrier:
An air carrier that transports cargo only.

American National Standards Institute (ANSI):
ANSI was founded in 1918 to coordinate national standards in the U.S. ANSI is the central body responsible for the identification of a single consistent set of voluntary standards called American National Standards. ANSI provides an open forum for the identification of standards requirements, development of plans to meet those requirements, and agreement on standards. ANSI itself does not develop standards. In 1979 ANSI chartered a new committee, which in now known as Accredited Standards Committee (ASC) X12 Electronic Data Interchange, to develop uniform standards
for electronic interchange of business transactions.

American Society of Transportation & Logistics:
A professional organization in the field of logistics.

American Trucking Association, Inc.:
A motor carrier industry association composed of sub-conferences representing various motor carrier industry sectors.

American Waterway Operators:
A domestic water carrier industry association representing barge operators on inland waterways.

Amtrak:
The National Railroad Passenger Corporation, a federally created corporation that operates most of the United States' intercity passenger rail service.

ANSI:
See American National Standards Institute

any-quantity (AQ) rate:
A rate that applies to any size shipment tendered to a carrier; no discount rate is available for large shipments.

API:
Application Programming Interface

Arrival Notice:
A notice from the delivering carrier to the Notify Party indicating the shipment's arrival date at a specific location (normally the destination).

artificial intelligence:
A field of research seeking to understand and computerize the human thought process.

ASN:
Advance Shipment Notice

Assignment:
The transfer of rights, duties, responsibilities, and benefits of an agreement, contract, or financial instrument to a third party.

Association of American Railroads:
A railroad industry association that represents the larger U.S. railroads.

ATFI:
Automated Tariff Filing Information System

Audit:
In reference to freight bills, the term audit is used to determine the accuracy of freight bills.

auditing:
Determining the correct transportation charges due the carrier; auditing involves checking the freight bill for errors, correct rate, and weight.

Automated Broker Interface (ABI):
The U.S. Customs program to automate the flow of customs-related information among customs brokers, importers, and carriers.

automated guided vehicle system (AGVS):
A computer-controlled materials handling system consisting of small vehicles (carts) that move along a guideway.

automated storage and retrieval system (ASRS):
An automated, mechanized system for moving merchandise into storage locations and retrieving it when needed.

Average:
See Marine Cargo Insurance

average cost:
Total cost, fixed plus variable, divided by total output.

AWB:
See Air Waybill