Intramar Australia

Shipping Term

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W XYZ

C - Consulate
C&F - Cost and Freight
C&F Named Port - Cost and freight. All costs of goods and transportation to the named port are included in the price quoted. Buyer pays insurance while aboard ship up to overseas inland destination.
C. - Collected, Currency, Coupon, Coast
C. & D. - Collected and delivered
c. & f. - Cost and freight
c. & i. - Cost and insurance
C. &/or J. - China and/or Japan
C.A.C.T.L.V.O. - Compromised &/or arranged &/or constructive total loss of vessel only
C.A.D. - Cash against documents
C.B. & H. - Continent between Bordeaux and Hamburg
C.B.I. - Confederation of British Industry
C.C. - Current cost, Civil commotions, Cancellation clause, Continuation clause
C.C.I.S.G. - Convention Contracts of International Sale of Goods
C.C.S.A. - Collective company signing agreement
C.D. - Country damage
C.D.V. - Current domestic value
c.f. - Cubic feet. Carried forward
c.f.i. - Cost, freight and insurance
C.f.o. - Channel for orders. Coast for orders. Calling for orders
C.F.R. - Code of Federal Regulations (USA)
C.G.A. - Cargo's proportion of general average
C.G.S.A. - Carriage of Goods by Sea Act
C.H. & H. - Continent between Havre and Hamburg
C.I. - Consular Invoice
C.I.E. - Captain's imperfect entry (Customs).
c.i.f. - Cost, insurance and freight
c.i.f. & e. - Cost, insurance, freight and exchange
c.i.f.c.i. - Cost, insurance, freight, commission and interest
c.i.f.L.t. - Cost, insurance, and freight London terms
C.I.I. - Chartered Insurance Institute
C.K.D. - Completely knocked down
C.O.B. - Cargo on board
C.O.D. - Cash on delivery
C.P.A. - Claims payable abroad
c.p.d. - Charterers' pay dues
C.P.P. - Controllable Pitch Propellers
C.R. - Current rate, Company's risk, Carrier's risk
C.R.O. - Cancelling returns only
C.S.D. - Closed shelter deck
C.S.T. - Central standard time
c.t.l. - Constructive total loss
c.t.l.o. - Constructive total loss only
c.v. - Chief value
C.W. - Commercial weight
C/- - Case
C/D - Commercial dock. Consular declaration
c/i - Certificate of insurance
C/L - Craft loss
C/N - Consignment note. Cover note. Credit note
C/O - Certificate of origin. Cash order. Case oil
C/P - Charter Party, Custom of Port (grain trade)
c/s - Cases
CABEE - Consortia of American Businesses in Eastern Europe
CABEI - Central American Bank for Economic Integration
Cable Address - A code word of less than 10 letters, registered annually with the Central Bureau of Registered Addresses, used in lieu of the entire name and address of a firm receiving or sending cablegrams in order to reduce the number of words required in a cablegram.
CABNIS - Consortia of American Businesses in the Newly Independent, States
Cabotage - A law which requires coastal and intercoastal traffic to be carried by vessels belonging to the country owning the coast.
CAC - Codex Alimentarius Commission
CACM - Central American Common Market
CAD - Cash Against Documents
CAD/CAM - Computer Aided Design/Computer Aided Manufacturing
CAEU - Council of Economic Arab Unity
CAF - Corporacion Andina de Fomento
Cairns Group - The Cairns Group, established in August 1986 in Cairns, Australia, is an informal association of agricultural exporting countries. Members include: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Fiji, Hungary, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Thailand, and Uruguay. The Group seeks to reduce export subsidies and internal support measures and to bring about other reforms to international agricultural trade. The Cairns Group countries account for one third of world farm exports.
Caisse Centrale de Cooperation Economique - The CCCE, a specialized financial institution, is the lead agency in the French Ministry of Cooperation and Development in providing funds for aid and cooperation. The Caisse provides support for development and technical assistance in developing countries, particularly in supporting economic and social development in Africa and in various countries on the Indian Ocean, the Caribbean and the South Pacific, and in overseas French departments and territories where it supports productive private and public investment. The Caisse was created in December 1941; headquarters are in Paris, France.
call sign - Sequence of letters and numbers, unique to each ship, that identify the ship.
Calvo Doctrine - The Calvo Doctrine (or principle) holds that jurisdiction in international investment disputes lies with the country in which the investment is located; thus, the investor has no recourse but to use the local courts. The principle, named after an Argentinean jurist, has been applied throughout Latin America and other areas of the world.
Canadian Commercial Corporation - By serving as the prime contractor in government-to-government sales transactions, the CCC facilitates exports of a wide range of goods and services from Canadian sources. In response to requests from foreign governments and international agencies for individual products or services, CCC identifies Canadian firms capable of meeting the customer's requirements, executes prime as well as back-to-back contracts, and follows through with contract management, inspection, acceptance, and payment.
Canadian International Development Agency - CIDA (French: Agence Canadienne de Developpement International) is Canada's official agency which has the task of supporting sustainable development in developing countries. The Agency was established in 1968; headquarters are in Hull, Quebec.
Canc. - Cancelled
cancl. - Cancelling
cap - Capacity
CAP - Common Agricultural Policy, Country Action Plan
Capital Account - See: Balance of Payments.
Capital Development Initiative - The CDI, administered by the U.S. Agency for International Development, encourages infrastructure investment in countries in central and Eastern Europe. The CDI provides financial and technical services and assists U.S. businesses by providing up to 50 percent of estimated development work and feasibility study costs for proposed projects in energy, telecommunications, and the environment.
CAR - Commercial Activity Report
cargo - Goods carried in or on a ship
Cargo Selectivity System - The Cargo Selectivity System, a part of Customs' Automated Commercial System, specifies the type of examination (intensive or general) to be conducted for imported merchandise. The type of examination is based on database selectivity criteria such as assessments of risk by filer, consignee, tariff number, country of origin, and manufacturer/shipper. A first time consignee is always selected for an intensive examination. An alert is also generated in cargo selectivity the first time a consignee files an entry in a port with a particular tariff number, country of origin, or manufacturer/shipper.
Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act - The CBERA affords nonreciprocal tariff preferences to developing countries in the Caribbean Basin area to aid their economic development and to diversity and expand their production and exports. The CBERA applies to merchandise entered, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, on or after January 1, 1984. This tariff preference program has no expiration date.
Caribbean Basin Initiative - The CBI is an inter-American program to increase economic aid and trade preferences for 28 states of the Caribbean region. The Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act of 1983 provided for 12 years of duty-free treatment of most goods produced in the Caribbean region. The Initiative was extended permanently (CBI II), by the Customs and Trade Act of August 1990. The 23 countries which are currently eligible for CBI beneifts include Antigua and Barbuda, the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, the British Virgin Islands, Costa Rica, Dominica, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Jamaica, Montserrat, the Netherlands Antilles, Nicaragua, Panama, St. Christopher-Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago. The following countries may be eligible for CBI benefits but have not formally requested designation: Anguilla, Cayman Islands, Suriname, and the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Caribbean Common Market - CARICOM includes 13 English-speaking Caribbean nations: Antigua and Barbuda, the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Montserrat, St. Kitts-Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent/Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago). CARICOM was established in 1973; headquarters are in Georgetown, Guyana.
Caribbean Development Bank - The CDB promotes economic development and cooperation by providing long-term financing for productive projects in CARICOM member countries and U.K.-dependent territories in the Caribbean. Members include: Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Cayman Islands, Dominica, France, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Mexico, Montserrat, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands, the United Kingdom, and Venezuela. The Bank was established in 1969; headquarters are in St. Michael, Barbados, West Indies. Beginning in 1977, the Inter-American Development Bank (IADB) may make loans through the CDB to all CDB members, regardless of whether those countries are members of the IADB. See: Inter-American Development Bank.
Caribbean/Central America Business Advisory Service - The BAS helps entrepreneurs in the Caribbean and in Central America to develop project ideas into investment proposals and to obtain long-term finance for them. The Service does not lend or invest, but does provide advice and assistance in project structuring, identification of technical and marketing partners, project appraisal, and identification of financing resources. BAS operates under the auspices of the United Nations Development Program and is managed by the World Bank's International Finance Corporation. BAS was established in 1981 as the Caribbean Business Advisory Service (CBAS). The BAS 1989 expansion to Central America extended its operations to all CBI beneficiary countries. see: Caribbean Basin Initiative.
CARICCM - Caribbean Common Market
CARICOM - Caribbean Community
Carnets - Customs documents permitting the holder to carry or send sample merchandise temporarily into certain foreign countries without paying duties or posting bonds. Foreign customs regulations vary widely; in some countries, duties and extensive customs procedures on sample products may be avoided by obtaining an ATA Carnet. The ATA Carnet is a standardized international customs document used to obtain duty-free temporary admission of certain goods into the countries that are signatories to the ATA Convention. Under the ATA Convention, commercial and professional travelers may take commercial samples; tools of the trade; advertising material; and cinematographic, audiovisual, medical, scientific, or other professional equipment into member countries temporarily without paying customs duties and taxes or posting a bodn at the border of each country visited. The carnets are generally valid for 12 months.
Carriage Paid To - Carriage paid to (CPT) and carriage and insurance paid to (CIP) a named place of destination. Used in place of CFR and CIF, respectively for shipment by modes other than water.
Cartagena Agreement - See: Andean Pact.
Cartagena Group - See: Group of Eleven.
Cartel - An organization of independent producers formed to regulate the production, pricing, or marketing practices of its members in order to limit competition and maximize their market power.
CASE - Council of American States in Europe
Cash Against Documents - A term denoting that payment is made when the bill of lading is presented.
Cash Against Documents (C.A.D.) - A method of payment for goods in which documents transferring title are given to the buyer upon payment of cash to an intermediary acting for the seller, usually a commission house.
Cash In Advance (C.I.A.) - A method of payment for goods in which the buyer pays the seller in advance of the shipment of the goods. Usually employed when the goods are built to order, such as specialized machinery.
Cash With Order - CWO is a means of payment in which the buyer pays cash when ordering; the order is binding on both seller and buyer.
Cash With Order (C.W.O.) - A method of payment for goods in which cash is paid at the time of order and the transaction becomes binding on both buyer and seller.
Catalog Exhibitions - These promotions are low-cost exhibits of U.S. firms' catalogs and videos which offer small, less-experienced companies an opportunity to test overseas markets for their products without travel. The International Trade Administration promotes exhibitions, provides staff fluent in the local language to answer questions, and forwards all trade leads to participating firms.
Category Groups - Groupings of controlled products.See: Export Control Classification Number.
CBD - Commerce Business Daily
CBERA - Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act
CBI - Caribbean Basin Initiative
CBM - Conventional buoy mooring
CBW - Chemical and Biological Weapons
CCA - Chambre de Cooperation de l'Afrique de l'Ouest
CCC - Canadian Commercial Corporation, Commodity Credit Corporation, Customs Cooperation Council
CCC - Customs Co-operation Council
CCCE - Caisse Centrale de Cooperation Economique
CCCN - Customs Co-operation Council Nomenclature
CCD - Conseil de Cooperation Douaniere
CCF - CoCom Cooperation Forum
CCFF - Compensatory and Contingency Financing Facility
CCIR - Comite Consultatif International des Radiocommunications
CCITT - Consultative Committee for International Telephone and, Telegraphy
CCL - Commerce Control List;, formerly:- Commodity Control List
CCNAA - Coordination Council for North American Affairs
ccy - Convertible currency
CD-ROM - Compact Disc-Read Only Memory
CDB - Caribbean Development Bank
CDC - Commonwealth Development Corporation
CDI - Capital Development Initiative
CDT - Center for Defense Trade
CE - Committee of Experts, Communautes Europeenes, Conformite Europeene, Council of Europe
CEA - Chinese Economic Area, Council of Economic Advisors
CEA - Communaute Economique de l'Afrique de l'Ouest
CEE - Commission Economique pour l'Europe
CEEAC - Communaute Economique des Etats de l'Afrique Centrale
CEEB - Customs Electronic Bulletin Board
CEFTA - Central Europe Free Trade Association
CEN - European Committee for Standardization
CENELEC - European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization
Census Interface System - The Census Interface System, a part of Customs' Automated Commercial System, includes edits and validations provided by the Bureau of the Census to allow for the accurate and timely collection and submission of entry summary data. Census Interface is accomplished through Automated Broker Interface entry summary transmissions.
Center for Defense Trade - In 1990, the Center for Defense Trade, CDT, was created within the Bureau of Politico-Military Affairs (PM) at the Department of State. CDT was established with the purpose of improving the Department of State's export licensing services. CDT also has responsibility for clarifying all defense trade policy guidelines. The Center includes two offices: - The Office of Defense Trade Controls (DTC) which administers controls on permanent exports and temporary imports of defense articles and technology covered by the U.S. Munitions List (USML) and performs USML export license review and compliance functions. - The Office of Defense Trade Policy (DTP) which seeks to support the efforts of the U.S. defense industry to sell products overseas. DTP provides policy guidance to licensing officers, in support of their efforts to implement the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and provides advice on technology transfer and strategic trade issues.
Center for International Research - CIR analyzes and forecasts world demographic trends and economic developments in selected countries, based on current statistics obtained through international agreements. The center, which is a component of the Commerce Department's Bureau of the Census, conducts research with funds from government and private business sponsors. See: International Data Base.
Center for Trade and Investment Services - CTIS, established in September 1992, promotes increased participation of U.S. businesses in generating economic development in lesser developed countries which receive assistance from the Agency for International Development. Telephone: 1-800-USAID-4-U.
Central African Customs and Economic Union - The Central African Customs and Economic Union (French: Union Douaniere et Economique de l'Afrique Centrale, UDEAC) created in 1966 (revised 1974) to promote establishment of a Central African Common Market with a common external tariff. Members include: the Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, and Gabon. The Union's headquarters are in Bangui, Central African Republic.
Central African States Development Bank - The Central Africa States Development Bank (French: Banque de Developpement des Etats de l'Afrique Centrale, BDEAC) was created in December 1975 (began operations in January 1977) to provide loans for economic development and to support integration projects. Members include: the Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, and Gabon. Bank headquarters are in Brazzaville, Congo.
Central American Bank for Economic Integration - CABEI (Spanish: Banco Centroamericano de Integracion Economico, BCIE) was established in 1960 (began operations in September 1961) to promote economic integration and development. The Bank is an institution of the Central American Common Market. Bank members include: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. CABEI is associated with the Central American Common Market; bank headquarters are in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. See: Central American Common Market.
Central American Common Market - A first effort to establish a Central American Common Market, CACM (Spanish: Mercado Com�n Centroamericano, MCCA) was attempted in 1960 under the auspeices of the Organiztion of Central American States (OCAS). A restructuring was started in 1973. Members include Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua and Costa Rica. The common market will cover all products traded within the region by the end of 1992. A second step toward regional integration will be the establishment of a common external tariff. CACM is associated with the Central American Bank for Economic Integration; headquarters are in Guatemala City, Guatemala. See: Central American Bank for Economic Integration.
Central Europe Free Trade Association - CEFTA is a trade agreement among the "Visegrad" countries -- Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary -- that is somewhat parallel to the European Free Trade Association.
Centre Europeen de Recherche Nucleaire - CERN (English: European Center for Nuclear Reseach) is a huge lab used by international collaborators to do frontier work in nuclear and particle physics. The Center, created after World War II and open to physicists from all countries, is funded by countries according to their abilities. The Center is located outside Genvea, partly in Switzerland and partly in France.
Centre Francais du Commerce Exterieur - See: Direction des Relations Economiques Exterieures.
Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical - See: Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research.
CEPAL - Comision Economica para America Latina y el Caribe
CEPGL - Communaute Economique des Pays des Grands Lacs
CEPT - Conference Europeenne des Administrations des Postes et, des Telecommunications
CERN - Centre Europeen de Recherche Nucleaire
Certificate of Delivery - See: Delivery Verification Certificate.
Certificate of Inspection - A document certifying that merchandise (such as perishable goods) was in good condition immediately prior to shipment. Pre-shipment inspection is a requirement for importation of goods into many developing countries.
Certificate of Manufacture - A document (often notarized) in which a producer of goods certifies that the manufacturing has been completed and the goods are now at the disposal of the buyer.
Certificate Of Origin - A certified document as to the origin of goods, used in foreign commerce. Certain nations require a signed statement as to the origin of the export item. Such certificates are usually obtained through a semiofficial organization such as a local chamber of commerce. A certificate may be required even though the commercial invoice contains the information.
Certified Trade Fair Program - The Department of Commerce Certified Trade Fair Program is designed to encourage private organizations to recruit new-to-market and new-to-export U.S. firms to exhibit in trade fairs overseas. To receive certification, the organization must demonstrate: (1) the fair is a leading international trade event for an industry and (2) the fair organizer is capable of recruiting U.S. exhibitors and assisting them with freight forwarding, customs clearance, exhibit design and setup, public relations, and overall show promotion. The show organizer must agree to assist new-to-export exhibitors as well as small businesses interested in exporting. In addition to the services the organizer provides, the Department of Commerce will: - assign a Washington coordinator; - operate a business information office, which provides meeting space, translators, hospitality, and assistance from U.S. exhibitors and foreign customers; - help contact buyers, agents, distributors, and other business leads and provide marketing assistance; - provide a press release on certification.
Certified Trade Missions - Certified trade missions (formerly State/Industry Organized, Government Approved trade missions) are planned and organized by state development agencies, trade associations, chambers of commerce, and other export-oriented groups. To qualify for U.S. government sponsorship, organizers of this type of trade mission must agree to follow International Trade Administration criteria in planning and recruiting the mission. ITA offers guidance and assistance from planning through completion of the mission and coordinates the support of all relevant offices and the assistance of overseas commercial officers in each foreign city on the itinerary. The missions are normally led by a representative of the sponsoring organization. Organizers of certified trade missions recruit for the event and cover the expenses of the event incurred by ITA's overseas post. Certified trade missions may use the seminar format, the exhibit format, the traditional trade mission format, or a combination, such as a seminar/mission or exhibit/mission.
CET - Common External Tariff
CFA - Communaute Financiere Africaine (in West Africa), Cooperation Financiere en Afrique Centrale (in Central Africa)
CFCE - Centre Francais du Commerce Exterieur
CFIUS - Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S.
CFR - Code of Federal Regulations, Cost and Freight
CFS - Container freight station
CFTA - Canadian Free Trade Agreement
CG - Consul General, Consulate General
CGIAR - Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research
Chaebol - Chaebol are Korean conglomerates which are characterized by strong family control, authoritarian management, and centralized decision making. Chaebol dominate the Korean economy, growing out of the takeover of the Japanese monopoly of the Korean economy following World War II. Korean government tax breaks and financial incentives emphasizing industrial reconstruction and exports provided continuing support to the growth of Chaebols during the 1970s and 1980s. In 1988, the output of the 30 largest chaebol represented almost 95% of Korea's gross national product.
Chambre de Cooperation de l'Afrique de l'Ouest - See: West African Clearing House.
Charge d'affaires - See: Title and Rank.
Charter Party - Renting of an entire vessel or part of its freight space for a particular trip or stipulated period of time.
CHB - Customhouse Broker
Chemical Weapons Convention - The CWC prohibits the development, production, stockpiling, and use of chemical weapons. The Convention permits monitoring, collection and review of data and on-site inspections that involve questions of protection of proprietary rights and confidentiality. The Convention has been signed by over 160 nations; entry into force is expected in January 1995.
Chemical/Biological Weapons - The Department of Commerce maintains foreign policy export controls on certain chemical precursors and equipment and biological agents and equipment useful in chemical warfare. Through the Australia Group, AG, the United States cooperates with other nations in controlling chemical and biological weapons proliferation. The AG developed a list of 54 precursors useful for chemical weapons development, along with control on certain biological organisms and on equipment useful in producing CBW agents. The AG also provides the forum in which the member countries share information concerning the activities of non-member countries where the proliferation of these weapons is of concern, including entities that are seeking chemical precursors and related items.
CHG - Charge d'Affaires
Chinese Economic Area - The CEA is an informal reference to the economic integration of Southern China with Hong Kong and Taiwan which has proceded without any "arrangement."
chq. - Cheque
CIAT - Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical
CICA - Confederation Internationale du Credit Agricole
CIDA - Canadian International Development Agency
CIF - Cost, Insurance and Freight
CILSS - Comite Permanent Interetats de Lutte contre la Secheresse, dans le Sahel
CIMS - Commercial Information Management System
CIPs - Commodity Import Programs
CIR - Center for International Research
CIS - Commonwealth of Independent States
CISG - Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of, Goods
CIT - Court of International Trade
CITA - Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements
CITES - Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species in, Wild Fauna and Flora
CIV - Customs Import Value
CJ - Commodity Jurisdiction
Ck. - Cask
cld. - Cleared
CLDP - Commercial Law Development Program
Clean Bill of Lading - A receipt for goods issued by a carrier with an indication that the goods were received in "apparent good order and condition," without damages or other irregularities.
Clean Draft - A draft to which no documents have been attached.
Clean Float - Clean float refers to a system in which exchange rates are determined by market forces rather than government intervention or restrictions. See: Dirty Float.
Club du Sahel - The Club du Sahel is an informal coalition which seeks to reverse the effects of drought and the desertification in the eight Sahelian zone countries: Burkina Faso, Chad, Gambia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal, and the Cape Verde Islands. The Club coordinates plans and financing of aid and sustained economic development in the region. The Club (sometimes called "Club des Amis du Sahel"), formed in December 1975, comprises both donor countries (Austria, Belgium, Canada, France, the Netherlands, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States) and Sahelian zone countries. Headquarters are in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
CMA - Common Monetary Agreement
CMEA - Council for Mutual Economic Assistance
CMP - Country Marketing Plan
Cmpl. - Completed
CNUSA - Commercial News USA
COAP - Cottonseed Oil Assistance Program
COCOM - Coordinating Committee for Multilateral Export Control
CoCom Cooperation Forum - The CCF provides a venue for emerging democracies in Central and Eastern Europe and the of the former Soviet Union to discuss international export controls and to help coordinate technical assistance efforts. The Forum, established in June 1992, held its first meeting in November 1992. At the close of 1992, 42 nations were CCF participants, including most states of the former Soviet Union (except Georgia, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan) and all of the former Soviet satellites of Eastern and Central Europe (except the former Yugoslav republics).
CODEX - Codex Alimentarius Commission
Codex Alimentarius Commission - As a subsidiary body of the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization and the World Health Organization, CAC (or CODEX) develops food standards and Recommended International Codes of Hygienic and/or Technological Practices. Commission standards are voluntary, becoming enforceable only if accepted as national standards. The Commission also works in cooperation with Regional Coordinating Committees (Africa, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean) in promoting regional standards activities. The Commission was established in 1962; headquarters are in Rome, Italy.
COE - Council of Europe
COFACE - Compagnie Francaise d'Assurance pour le Commerce Exterieur
Collection Papers - All documents (invoices, bills of lading, etc.) submitted to a buyer for the purpose of receiving payment for a shipment.
Collections System - The Collections System, a part of US Customs' Automated Commercial System, controls and accounts for the billions of dollars in payments collected by Customs each year and the millions in refunds processed each year. Daily statements are prepared for the automated brokers who select this service. The Collections System permits electronic payments of the related duties and taxes through the Automated Clearinghouse capability. Automated collections also meet the needs of the importing community through acceptance of electronic funds transfers for deferred tax bills and receipt of electronic payments from lockbox operations for Customs bills and fees.
Colombo Plan - The Colombo Plan was established in 1951 to promote economic and social development among members in Asia and the Pacific. Members include: Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Burma, Cambodia, Canada, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, South Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Nepal, New Zealand, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The Plan's formal name is the Colombo Plan for Cooperative Economic Development in South and South-East Asia; headquarters are in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Column 1 Rates - The U.S. import tariff rates which have been established through negotiation, are congressionally approved and usually bound. These are ''most favored nation'' (MFN) rates, meaning that they must apply equally to all countries receiving MFN tariff treatment from the United States, unless superseded by certain preferential tariff arrangements for developing countries.
Column 2 Rates - Column 2 rates are statutory established tariff rates dating back to the 1930s Smoot-Hawley period and are substantially higher than column I rates. They are currently assessed only on imports from countries not receiving most favored nation treatment from the U.S. (e.g., certain communist countries).
COM - Chief of Mission, Cost of Manufacture
Com. - Commission
COMECON - Council for Mutual Economic Assistance
Comision Economica para America Latina y el Caribe - See: United Nations Regional Commissions.
Comision Panamericana de Normas Tecnicas - COPANT (English: Pan American Standards Commission) coordinates the activities of all institutes of standardization in the Latin American countries. The Commission develops all types of product standards, stnadardized test methods, terminology, and related matters. COPANT headquarters are in Buenos Aires, Argentina. U.S. contact with COPANT is maintained through the American National Standards Institute.
Comite Consultatif International des Radiocommunications - See: International Radio Consultative Committee.
Comite Consultatif International Telegraphique et Telephonique - See: International Telegraphic and Telephone Consultative Committee.
Comite Permanent Consultatif du Maghreb - The CPCM (English: Maghreb Permanent Consultative Committee) seeks to improve economic coordination among Maghreb countries, with eventual expectation of establishing a Maghreb economic community. Originally established in October 1964, the committee began operations in February 1966; its headquarters are in Tunis, Tunisia. See: Maghreb States.
Comite Permanent Interetats de Lutte contre la Secheresse dan le Sahel - See: Permanent Interstate Committee for Drought Control in the Sahel.
Commerce Control List - The CCL includes all items -- commodities, software, and technical data -- subject to BXA export controls and incorporates not only the national security controlled items agreed to by CoCom (the "core" list), but also items controlled for foreign policy (i.e., biological warfare, nuclear proliferation, missile technology, regional stability, and crime control) and short supply. The list is divided into 10 general categories: (1) materials, (2) materials processing, (3) electronics, (4) computers, (5) telecommunications and cryptography, (6) sensors, (7) avionics and navigation, (8) marine technology, (9) propulsion systems and transportation equipment, and (10) miscellaneous.
Commercial Activity Report - The Commercial Activity Report, CAR, is prepared annually by the economic and commercial sections of the U.S. Embassies covering over 100 countries where the Department of Commerce is not represented. The CAR assesses the country's political, economic, and business activities, and market potential and strategies for increasing U.S. sales.
Commercial Code - A published code designed to reduce the total number of words required in a cablegram.
Commercial Counterfeiting - This practice involves the manufacture or sale of goods which defraud the purchaser by falsely implying that the products are produced by a reputable manufacturer.
Commercial Information Management System - CIMS is a PC-based system used by International Trade Administration staff in export counseling. CIMS is a trade-related application using National Trade Data Bank CD-ROMs to disseminate market research and international economics data to US&FCS domestic offices and overseas posts. The system includes data on foreign traders and supports local collection and update of information on business contacts.
Commercial Invoice - The commercial invoice is a bill for the goods from the seller to the buyer. These invoices are often used by governments to determine the true value of goods for the assessment of customs duties and are also used to prepare consular documentation. Governments using the commercial invoice to control imports often specify its form, content, number of copies, language to be used, and other characteristics.
Commercial Law Development Program - The CLDP helps Central and Eastern Europe and the Baltic States develop a commercial infrastructure consistent with free market principles. The program, operated through the Commerce Department's International Trade Administration, is part of the U.S. Government's efforts to assist the region. CLPD is also compiling a Language Resources List of U.S. commercial law experts with strong language capabilities.
Commercial Officers - Commercial officers are embassy officials who assist U.S. business through arranging appointments with local business and government officials, providing counsel on local trade regulations, laws, and customs; identifying importers, buyers, agents, distributors, and joint venture partners for U.S. firms; and other business assistance. At larger posts, International Trade Administration staff perform these functions. At smaller posts, commercial interests are represented by State's economic officers. See: Economic Officers Foreign Service.
Commercial Risks - With respect to Eximbank guarantees, commercial risks cover nonpayment for reasons other than specified political risks. Examples are insolvency or protracted default. See: Political Risks.
Commercial Treaty - An agreement between two or more countries setting forth the conditions under which business between the countries may be transacted. May outline tariff privileges, terms on which property may be owned, the manner in which claims may be settled, etc.
Commission Economique pour l'Europe - See: United Nations Regional Commissions -- Economic Commission for Europe.
Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements - CITA is an interagency committee chaired by the Department of Commerce which exercises the rights of the United States under the Multi-Fiber Arrangement. CITA initiates "calls" for consultation when imports of a particular textile product from a particular country disrupt the U.S. domestic market for that product. Other member agencies include the Departments of Labor, State, and Treasury and the United States Trade Representative. See: Multi-Fiber Arrangement.
Committee of Experts - The CE is an autonomous body of 20 independent legal experts appointed by the International Labor Organization (ILO) Governing Body. The CE meets annually prior to the June conference to examine reports of governments on ILO conventions, and information provided by governments on what they have done with newly adopted conventions. The CE submits its report and findings to the International Labor Conference Committee on the Application of Conventions and Recommendations.
Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States - The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, CFIUS, was created in 1975 to provide guidance on arrangements with foreign governments for advance consultations on prospective major foreign governmental investments in the United States, and to consider proposals for new legislation or regulation relating to foreign investment. The authority was amended by Section 5021 (the Exon-Florio provision) of the Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act of 1988 (Section 721 of the Defense Production Act), which gives the President authority to review mergers, acquisitions, and takeovers of U.S. companies by foreign interests and to prohibit, suspend, or seek divestiture in the courts of investments that may lead to actions that threaten to impair the national security. By Executive Order in December 1988, Treasury has authority to implement the Exon-Florio provision. CFIUS has 11 members: the Secretaries of the Treasury (the chair), State, Defense, and Commerce, the chairman of the Council of Economic Advisors, the U.S. Trade Representative, the Attorney General, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy, the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs, and the Assistant to the President for Economic Policy. The Assistant Secretary for Trade Development serves as Commerce's representative to CFIUS. The Commerce working group is chaired by the International Trade Administration and includes the Bureau of Export Administration, the Economics and Statistics Administration, the Technology Administration, and the Office of the General Counsel. See: Exon-Florio Foreign Direct Investment in the United States.
Committee on Renewable Energy, Commerce, and Trade - CORECT facilitates the cost-effective use of U.S. renewable energy products and services around the world. The Committee is comprised of 14 federal agencies: the Departments of Commerce, Defense, Energy, Interior, State, and Treasury, the Agency for International Development, Environmental Protection Agency, Export-Import Bank, Overseas Private Investment Corporation, Small Business Administration, Trade and Development Agency, United States Information Agency, and U.S. Trade Representative. The Committee, chaired by Energy, was established by legislation in 1984.
Committee on Trade and Development - The CTD was established in 1965 to consider how the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) can aid the economic development of Less Developed Country (LDC) contracting parties (that is, LDC members).
Commodity Control List - See: Commerce Control List.
Commodity Credit Corporation - The CCC finances a variety of federal domestic and international farm programs, including Title I, Title II, and Title III of Public Law 480 (Food for Peace). The CCC is a government-owned and operated corporation within the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and is managed by a board of directors headed by the Secretrary of Agriculture. All members of the board and the corporation's officers and staff are officals of USDA. The CCC provides financing and stability to the marketing and exporting of agricultural commodities.
Commodity Import Programs - CIPs finance the export of U.S. goods to U.S.-aid recipient countries. Under CIPs, the Agency for International Development (AID) makes dollars available to the assisted country on a loan or grant basis to pay for essential commodity imports. In nearly all cases, these imports come from the United States. CIPs are used to provide relatively fast disbursing balance of payments support or to generate local currency for budget support for project goals, particularly in efforts designed to encourage private sector development. CIP agreements usually provide for AID's financing of a wide variety of basic items including agricultural goods, construction and transportation equipment, fertilizer, chemicals, raw materials, semi-finished products, and foodstuffs. CIPs do not finance military or police equipment, luxury items, or items of questionable safety or efficacy. In some cases, the range of allowable commodities is narrowed in order to tailor them to development needs of particular sectors in the assisted country or to accomplish other, specific development goals.
Commodity Jurisdiction - Export jurisdiction of products is administered by the State Department's Office of Defense Trade Controls (DTC) if the commodities are defense articles, technical data, and services or by the Commerce Department's Bureau of Export Administration if the commodities are dual-use items. An exporter may request DTC to conduct a commodity jurisdiction (CJ) review if the exporter is uncertain as to whether an item is covered by the United States Munitions List (USML) or believes it has been inappropriately placed on the list. CJ procedures include deadlines for making a determination and the use of criteria assessing: (a) performance, (b) significant military or intelligence applicability, and (c) significant civilian applicability.
Common Agricultural Policy - The CAP is a set of regulations by which members states of the European Community (EC) seek to merge their individual agricultural programs into a unified effort to promote regional agricultural development, fair and rising standards of living for the farm population, stable agricultural markets, increased agricultural productivity, and methods of dealing with food supply security. Two of the principal elements of the CAP are the variable levy (an import duty amounting to the difference between EC target farm prices and the lowest available market prices of imported agricultural commodities) and export restitutions, or subsidies, to promote exports of farm goods that cannot be sold within the EC at the target prices.
Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) - A comprehensive system of production targets and marketing mechanisms designed to manage agricultural trade within the European Community and with the rest of the world.
Common External Tariff - A uniform tariff adopted by a customs union to be assessed on imports entering the union territory from countries outside the union; abbreviated: CET or CXT.
Common External Tariff (CET) - A uniform tariff adopted by a customs union (e.g.. European Community) to be assessed on imports entering a region from countries outside the union.
Common Market - A common market (as opposed to a free trade area) has a common external tariff and may allow for labor mobility and common economic policies among the participating nations. The European Community is the most notable example of a common market.
Common Monetary Agreement - South Africa, Lesotho, and Swaziland are members of the CMA under which they apply uniform exchange control regulations to ensure monetary order in the region. Funds are freely transferable among the three countries, and Lesotho and Swaziland have free access to South African capital markets. Lesotho also uses the South African currency, the rand. The CMA was formed in 1986 as a result of the renegotiation of the Rand Monetary Agreement (RMA) which was originally formed in 1974 by the same member countries.
Common Standard Level of Effective Protection - The common standard level of effective protection, CSP, refers to the minimum shared standards between the U.S. and CoCom members for implementing an effective export control system, including licensing and enforcement elements.
Commonwealth - A commonwealth is a free association of sovereign independent states that has no charter, treaty, or constitution. The association promotes cooperation, consultation, and mutual assistance among members. The British Commonwealth (with headquarters in London, England) is the most notable example; it included 50 states at the beginning of 1991.
Commonwealth Development Corporation - The CDC is a British public corporation which provides medium- and long-term loans and equity financing for development-related private and public sector projects in selected countries. CDC financing is available for projects in the folowing sectors: agriculture (livestock, horticulture, and acquaculture), forestry, fishing, mineral extraction, industry, public utilties, transport, telecommunications, low-cost housing, hotels, construction and civil engineering, financial management and consultancy services, and leasing of assests. The Corporation does not invest in schools, colleges, hospitals, public service works or broadcasting. Since 1969, CDC has been able to invest in non-Commonwealth countries with ministerial agreement. The CDC was established in 1948; headquarters are in London, England.
Commonwealth of Independent States - The CIS was established in December 1991 as an association of 11 republics of the former Soviet Union. The members include: Russia, Ukraine, Belarus (formerly Byelorussia), Moldova (formerly Moldavia), Armenia, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, and Kirgizstan (formerly Kirghiziya). The Baltic states did not join. Georgia maintained observer status, before joining the CIS in November 1993. Until that time, the NIS (Newly Independent States) differed from the CIS in that the NIS is a collective reference to 12 Soviet republics, including Georgia.
Communaute Economique de l'Afrique de l'Ouest - See: West African Economic Community.
Communaute Economique des Etats de l'Afrique Centrale - See: Economic Community of Central African States.
Communaute Economique des Pays des Grands Lacs - See: Economic Community of the Great Lakes Countries.
Communautes Europeenes - The CE mark is applied to products, their packaging or paperwork as a declaration of conformity, third party testing and/or certification, quality assurance audit and/or full type approval by a body authorized by a European Economic Community member state and recognized by the European Commission. Effective January 1, 1993, the CE mark on a product attests that it complies with all in-force Directives pertinent to it. The CE mark preempts all other European Community national safety marks. If it is discovered that the CE mark has been improperly affixed, the product in question will be prohibited and no longer marketed. Legal penalties are at the discretion of each member state.
Communications Satellite Corporation - COMSAT was established in 1963 under provision of the Communications Satellite Act of 1962. The legislation directed that COMSAT establish the world's first commercial international satellite communications system. The Act also stipulated that the company operate as a shareholder-owned "for-profit" corporation. COMSAT represents the U.S. in the International Telecommunications Satellite Organization.
Comp. T.L. - Compromised total loss
Compagnie Francaise d'Assurance pour le Commerce Exterieur - COFACE is a French company acting as a commercial export finance agency by insuring short-term political and commercial risk and by facilitating the financing for export credit. Any French exporter (manufacturers, intermediaries, confirmers, and merchants) of French goods and services can be insured for sales abroad. In conjunction with the Banque Francaise du Commerce Exterieur and other banks and institutions, COFACE provides services similar to the Export-Import Bank. COFACE was established in 1946; headquarters are in Paris, France. See: Banque Francaise du Commerce Exterieur.
Compensation - A GATT principle which holds that if any member country raises a tariff above its bound rate, withdraws a binding or otherwise violates a trade concession with GATT justification, the party must lower other tariffs or make other concessions to offset the disadvantage suffered by trading partners or face offsetting actions (retaliation) by affected parties.
Compensatory and Contingency Financing Facility - The CCFF is an International Monetary Fund (IMF) facility which provides resources to an IMF member for a shortfall in export earnings or an excess in cereal import costs that is due to factors largely beyond the member's control and which is temporary. Compensatory financing, introduced in 1963 and broadened several times, provides aid to members experiencing balance of payments problems as a result of fluctuations in commodity prices and shortfalls of receipts in tourism, "workers' remittances" and most services. Contingency financing helps members with IMF-supported adjustment programs to maintain the momentum of adjustment efforts in the face of a broad range of unanticipated, adverse external shocks -- for example, changes in international interest rates or prices or primary imports or exports.
Composite Currency Peg - See: Exchange Rate Classifications.
Composite Theoretical Performance - Computer hardware export license requirements are evaluated according to Composite Theoretical Performance (CTP), which replaced the former Processing Data Rate (PDR) parameter. CTP is measured in Million Theoretical Operations Per Second (MTOPS). CTP was developed by the U.S. as a new parameter, and was adopted by CoCom during the Core List negotiations, because PDR was not applicable to certain modern computer architectures such as vector processors, massively parallel processors, and array processors. CTP is designed to measure all of these architectures, as well as signal processing equipment.
COMPRO - COMPRO is an on-line trade data retrieval system maintained by the International Trade Administration within the U.S. Department of Commerce. The system is exclusively for use within the federal government trade community (ITA, USTR, ITC, and other executive branch agencies. It is also the oldest and best known component of the Trade Policy Information System (TPIS). COMPRO is slated to be replaced in the FY 1995-96 TPIS modernization, but its functions will remain available in an expanded and generalized form. See: Trade Policy Information System.
COMSAT - Communications Satellite Corporation
Concession - A tariff reduction, tariff binding, or other agreement to reduce import restrictions; usually accorded pursuant to negotiation in return for concessions by other parties.
Conditional Most-Favored-Nation Treatment - The according of Most Favored Nation (MFN) treatment subject to compliance with specific terms or conditions. All members of GATT, including the United States, accord unconditional MFN treatment to most other GATT members. The United States, however, accords annually renewable MFN treatment to a limited number of countries conditional on their compliance with the terms of Title IV of the Trade Act of 1974.
Conds. - Conditions
Confederation Internationale du Credit Agricole - COCA (English: International Confederation of Agricultural Credit, ICAC) coordinates documentation and information improvements pertaining to agricultural credit. Confederation members are agricultural credit banks and other institutions which provide or study agricultural credits. ICAC was established in 1932; headquarters are in Zurich, Switzerland.
Conference Europeenne des Administrations des Postes et des Telecommunications - CEPT (English: European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administration) harmonizes, simplifies, and improves postal and telecommunciations services. Many CEPT standards creating activities have been assumed by the European Telecommunications Standards Institute. CEPT maintains offices in Paris, France and Bern, Switzerland. See: European Telecommunications Standards Institute.
Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe - CSCE was established in 1991 as a successor to the Eastern bloc's Council for Mutual Economic Assistance (CMEA or COMECON). CSCE administers residual tariffs and quotas and relations with other organizations.
Confirmed Letter of Credit - A letter of credit, issued by a foreign bank, whose validity has been confirmed by an American bank. An exporter whose payment terms are a confirmed letter of credit is assured of payment even if the foreign buyer or the foreign bank defaults.
Confirming - Confirming is a financial service in which an independent company confirms an export order in the seller's country and makes payment for the goods in the currency of that country. Among the items eligible for confirmation are the goods; inland, air, and ocean transportation costs; forwarding fees; custom brokerage fees; and duties. Confirming permits the entire export transaction from plant to end user to be fully coordinated and paid for over time. It is mainly a European practice.
Conformite Europeene - The CE mark signifies that a product meets specific EC-wide conformity assessment requirements. The mark does not endorse the quality or durability of a product, but only that it satisfies mandatory technical requirements. The designation is needed for sale of products which become subject ot Community-wide "new-approach" directives. See: European Norm.
conlinebill - Liner bill of lading published by the Baltic and International Maritime Conference (B.I.M.C.O.).
Conseil de Cooperation Douaniere - See: Customs Cooperation Council.
Conseil de l'Entente - The Conseil de l'Entente (Entente Council) is an alliance of Benin, Burkina Faso, C�te d'Ivoire, Niger (all formerly part of French West Africa), and Togo (which joined in 1966). The Council was established in 1959; headquarters are in Abidjan, C�te d'Ivoire.
Consgt. - Consignment
consignee - Person to whom goods are to be delivered at a particular destination by a carrier.
Consignee - The person or firm named in a freight contract to whom goods have been consigned or turned over. For export control purposes, the documentation differentiates between an "intermediate" consignee and an "ultimate" consignee.
Consignee Marks - A symbol placed on packages for export for identification purposes; generally consisting of a triangle, square, circle, diamond, cross, with letters and/or numbers as well as port of discharge.
Consignment - Delivery of merchandise from an exporter (the consignor) to an agent (the consignee) under agreement that the agent sell the merchandise for the account of the exporter. The consignor retains title to the goods until sold. The consignee sells the goods for commission and remits the net proceeds to the consignor.
consignor - Person who gives goods to a carrier for delivery to a consignee.
Consortia of American Businesses in Eastern Europe - The CABEE program, administered by the U.S. Department of Commerce, provides grants of up to $500,000 to each of five non-profit consortia of for-profit companies to cover up to one-half of costs of starting-up commercial operations in Eastern Europe. Launched under the American Business and Private-Sector Development Initiative for Eastern Europe, CABEE is intended to help overcome difficulties faced by small and medium-sized firms in entering Eastern Europe markets. CABEE was established in June 1991.
Consortia of American Businesses in the Newly Independent States - CABNIS is a cooperative, cost-sharing program of government and the private sector that helps non-profit business consortia establish a commercial presence and pursue business in the Newly Indpendent States on behalf of profit-making U.S. corporations and associations. The program provides matching government grants of up to $500,000 to each consortia. CABNIS, established in July 1992, is administered by the Commerce Department's International Trade Administration. CABNIS was established in July 1992.
Constructed Value - A means of determining fair or foreign market value when sales of such or similar merchandise do not exist or, for various reasons, cannot be used for comparison purposes. The "constructed value" consists of the cost of materials and fabrication or other processing employed in producing the merchandise, general expenses of not less than 10 percent of material and fabrication costs, and profit of not less than 8 percent of the sum of the production costs and general expenses. To this amount is added the cost of packing for exportation to the United States. See: Tariff Act of 1930.
Consul - A government official residing in a foreign country who is charged with the representation of the interests of his country and its nationals.
Consular Declaration - A formal statement describing goods to be shipped, made to the consul of the country of destination. Approval must be obtained prior to shipment.
Consular Declaration - A formal statement, made to the consul of a foreign country, describing goods to be shipped.
Consular Information Sheet - See: Travel Advisory Program.
Consular Invoice - A document required by some foreign countries showing exact information as to consignor, consignee, value and description of shipment.
Consular Invoice - A document, required by some foreign countries, describing a shipment of goods and showing information such as the consignor, consignee, and value of the shipment. Certified by a consular official of the foreign country, it is used by the country's customs officials to verify the value, quantity, and nature of the shipment.
Consulate - See: Title and Rank.
Consulate - The jurisdiction, terms of office, or official premises of a consul.
Consultative Committee for International Telephone and Telegraphy - CCITT facilitates U.S. coordination of communications standards issues. CCITT is a part of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), which is an international treaty organization. The State Department is responsible for coordinating and presenting U.S. positions to the ITU. See: International Telecommunications Union.
Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research - CGIAR, an informal association of public and private sector donors, supports international agricultural research centers (IARCs) around the world. The centers develop new ways to increase sustainable food production and improve the nutritional and economic well-being of low-income people. CGIAR, sponsored by the World Bank and other international organizations, was established in 1971; its Secretariat is in Washington, D.C. The research centers include: - Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT), Colombia - Centro Internacional de Mejoramiento de Maiz y Trigo (CIMMYT), Mexico - International Board for Plant Genetic Resources (IBPGR), Italy - International Center for Agricultural Research in Dry Areas (ICARDA), Syria - International Centre for Research in Forestry (ICRAF), Kenya - International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), India - International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), United States - International Irrigation Management Institute (IIMI), Sri Lanka - International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Nigeria - International Livestock Center for Africa (ILCA), Ethiopia - International Laboratory for Research on Animal Diseases (ILRAD), Kenya - International Network for the Improvement of Banana and Plantain (INIBAP), France - International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), Philippines - International Service for National Agricultural Research (ISNAR), Netherlands and - West Africa Rice Development Association (WARDA), C�te d'Ivoire.
Consumption Entry - An official form used for declaration of value, description and the total duty due on such transaction.
Cont. - Continent of Europe
Cont.(A.H.) - Continent, Antwerp-Hamburg range
Cont.(B.H.) - Continent, Bordeaux-Hamburg range
Cont.(H.H.) - Continent, Havre-Hamburg range
Contadora Group - The Contadora Group, which first met on the Panamanian island of Contadora in January 1983, seeks solutions to conflict in Central America. Members include the foreign ministers of Colombia, Mexico, Panama, and Venezuela. Group headquarters are in Mexico City, Mexico.
Container - A uniform, sealed, reusable metal "box" in which merchandise is shipped by vessel, truck, or rail. Standard lengths include 10, 20, 30, and 40 feet (40 foot lengths are generally able to hold about 40,000 pounds). Containers of 45 and 48 feet are also used, as well as containers for shipment by air.
container - Box, in several standard sizes, designed to enable goods to be sent several places without the contents being touched.
Contracting Parties - Contracting parties are the signatory countries to the GATT. These countries have accepted the specified obligations and privileges of the GATT agreement.
Conv. - Conveyance
Convention - See: International Agreements.
Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods - The UN Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods, CISG, became the law of the United States in January 1988. CISG establishes uniform legal rules governing formation of international sales contracts and the rights and obligations of the buyer and seller. The CISG applies automatically to all contracts for the sale of goods between traders from two different countries that have both ratified the CISG, unless the parties to the contract expressly exclude all or part of the CISG or expressly stipulate a law other than the CISG.
Conventional Arms Transfer - The transfer of non-nuclear weapons, aircraft, equipment, and military services from supplier states to recipient states. U.S. arms are transferred by grants as in the Military Assistance Program (MAP); by private commercial sales; and by government-to-government sales under Foreign Military Sales (FMS). MAP provides defense articles and defense services to eligible foreign governments on a grant basis. FMS provides credits and loan repayment guarantees to enable eligible foreign governments to purchase defense articles and defense services.
Cooperator Program - See: Foreign Market Development Program.
Coordinating Committee on Multilateral Export Controls - CoCom is an informal organization that cooperatively restricts strategic exports to controlled countries. CoCom controls three lists: (a) the international industrial list (synonymous with the "dual-use" or "core" list), (b) the international munitions list, and (c) the atomic energy list. The 17 CoCom members are: Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, the Federal Republic of Germany, Greece, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Other countries, including: Austria, Finland, Hong Kong, Ireland, New Zealand, Sweden, and Switzerland have been designated as "cooperating countries." These countries receive many of the benefits ascribed to CoCom member countries. CoCom controls exports at three levels, depending on the item and the proposed destination. At the highest or "general exception" level, unanimous approval by CoCom members is necessary. At the next level, "favorable consideration," there is a presumption of approval; the export may be made if no CoCom members objects within 30 days of submission to CoCom. At the lowest level, "national discretion" (also called "administrative exception"), a member nation may approve the export on its own, but CoCom must be notified after the fact. CoCom is scheduled to terminate on March 31, 1994.
Coordination Council for North American Affairs - The CCNAA, the counterpart to the American Institute in Taiwan, unofficially represents Taiwan's interests in the United States. The Council provides information on trade, business, and investment opportunities to the American business community. Council headquarters are in Washington, D.C. See: American Institute in Taiwan.
COP - Cost of Production
COPANT - Comision Panamericana de Normas Tecnicas
Coproduction - Coproduction is a U.S. government program implemented either by a government-to-government arrangement or through specific licensing arrangements by designated commercial firms. These programs enable foreign entities to acquire the know-how to manufacture or assemble, repair, maintain, and operate all or part of a specific defense item or weapon, communication, or support system.
Core List - National security controls are based largely on CoCom's international industrial list (known generally as the "core list"), which replaced the old industrial list effective September 1991. The core list includes items in ten categories: (1) materials, (2) materials processing, (3) electronics, (4) computers, (5) telecommunications and cryptography, (6) sensors, (7) avionics and navigation, (8) marine technology, (9) propulsion systems and transportation equipment, and (10) miscellaneous.
CORECT - Committee on Renewable Energy, Commerce, and Trade
Corporacion Andina de Fomento - See: Andean Group.
Cost and Freight - Cost and Freight (CFR) to a named overseas port of import. Under this term, the seller quotes a price for the goods that includes the cost of transportation to the named point of debarkation. The cost of insurance is left to the buyer's account. (Typically used for ocean shipments only. CPT, or carriage paid to, is a term used for shipment by modes other than water.) Also, a method of import valuation that includes insurance and freight charges with the merchandise values.
Cost of Production - A term used to refer to the sum of the cost of materials, fabrication and/or other processing employed in producing the merchandise sold in a home market or to a third country together with appropriate allocations of general administrative and selling expenses. COP is based on the producer's actual experience and does not include any mandatory minimum general expense or profit as in "constructed value." See: Tariff Act of 1930.
Cost, Insurance and Freight - Cost, insurance, and freight (CIF) to a named overseas port of import. Under this term, the seller quotes a price for the goods (including insurance), all transportation, and miscellaneous charges to the point of debarkation for the vessel. (Typically used for ocean shipments only. CIP, or carriage and insurance paid to, is a term used for shipment by modes other than water.)
Costs of Manufacture - In the context of dumping investigations, the costs of manufacture, COM, is equal to the sum of the materials, labor and both direct and indirect factory overhead expenses required to produce the merchandise under investigation.
Cottonseed Oil Assistance Program - COAP, one of four export subsidy programs operated by the Department of Agriculture, helps U.S. exporters meet prevailing world prices for cottonseed oil in targeted markets. USDA pays cash to U.S. exporters as bonuses, making up the difference between the higher U.S. cost of acquiring cottonwseed oil and the lower world price at which it is sold.
Council for Mutual Economic Assistance - The Council for Mutual Economic Assistance, CMEA or COMECON, was established in 1949 ostensibly to create a common market. CMEA was a Soviet initiative with Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Poland, and Romania as founder members. The Council was later joined by the German Democratic Republic, Mongolia, Cuba, and Vietnam; Yugoslavia held associate status. Members normally received some products, particularly oil and gas, from the former Soviet Union at below-market prices. CMEA was succeeded in 1991 by the Organization for Economic Cooperation (OIEC).
Council of American States in Europe - This Council is composed of state representatives resident in Europe supportive of official U.S. promotions.
Council of Economic Arab Unity - CEAU fosters economic integration among Arab nations. The Council's activities compiling statistics, conducting research, and promoting a customs union. The Council was established in 1964; headquarters are in Amman, Jordan. The Council oversees the Arab Common Market, which comprises Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Libya, Mauritania, Syria, and Yemen.
Council of Europe - The COE (also: CE; French: Conseil de l'Europe)) was established in May 1949 to encourage unity and social and economic growth among members, which currently include: Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, and the United Kingdom. COE headquarters are in Strasbourg, France.
Council on Security and Cooperation in Europe - Members include: Albania, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Bulgaria, Byelarus, Canada, Cyprus, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, the Holy See, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Moldova, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, San Marino, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, the United States, Uzbekistan, and Yugoslavia.
Counter Trade - A general trade term whereby a seller is required to accept goods or services from the buyer as either full or partial payment. This is a well known phenomenon in East-West trade, but is increasingly being practiced worldwide.
Counterfeit Code - A draft agreement addressing commercial counterfeit (e.g. trademarks) problems in international trade. Initiated during the Tokyo Round, this code was never concluded. The issue of counterfeiting, as well as other intellectual property issues, is now under discussion in the Uruguay Round negotiating group on Intellectual Property Rights.
Counterpurchase - See: Countertrade.
Countertrade - Countertrade is an umbrella term for several sorts of trade in which the seller is required to accept goods, serivces, or other instruments or trade, in partial or whole payment for its products. Forms include barter, buy-back or compensation, offset requirements, swap, switch, or triangular trade, evidence or bilateral clearing accounts. Some include offsets as a form of countertrade; others make a distinction based on the view that countertrade is a reciprocal exchange of goods and services used to alleviate foreign exchange shortages of importers and that offsets are used as a means for advancing industrial development objectives and may include equity investments. In counterpurchase (one of the most common forms of countertrade), exporters agree to purchase a quantity of goods from a country in exchange for that country's purchase of the exporter's product. The goods being sold by each party are typically unrelated but may be equivalent in value. In a compensation or buy-back deal, exporters of heavy equipment, technology, or even entire facilities agree to purchase a certain percentage of the output of the facility. Barter is a simple swap of one good for another. Switch trading is a complicated form of barter, involving a chain of buyers and sellers in different markets. See: Offsets.
Countervailing Duties (CVD) - These are duties levied on an imported good to offset subsidies to producers or exporters of that good in the exporting country. GATT Article VI permits the use of such duties if material injury to the importing country's producers occurs.
Countervailing Duty - An extra charge that a country places on imported goods to counter the subsidies or bounties granted to the exporters of the goods by their home governments. The duty is allowed by the Code on Subsidies and Countervailing Duties negotiated at the Tokyo Round, if the importing country can prove that the subsidy would cause injury to domestic industry. U.S. countervailing duties can only be imposed after the International Trade Commission has determined that the imports are causing or threatening to cause material injury to a U.S. industry.
Country Groups - For export control purposes, the Bureau of Export Administration of the U.S. Commerce Department separates countries into seven country groups designated by the symbols: Q, S, T, V, W, Y, Z. Canada and Antartica are not included in any country group. Canada is referred to by name throughout the Export Administration Regulations. Antartica is controlled according to the country that occupies the area in Antartica where the items proposed for export or reexport will be used. See: Export Control Classification Number.
Country of Export Destination - Country of destination for exports is the country where the goods are to be consumed, further processed, or manufactured, as known to the shipper at the time of exportation. If the shipper does not know the country of ultimate destination, the shipment is credited to the last country to which the shipper knows that the merchandise will be shipped in the same form as when exported.
Country of Origin - The Australian Customs Service defines country of origin as the country where an article was wholly grown, manufactured or produced, or, if not wholly grown, cultivated or produced in one country, the last country in which the article underwent a substantial transformation. Duty rates vary according to the country of origin.
Court of International Trade - The CIT has jurisdiction over any civil action against the United States arising from Federal laws governing import transactions. The court hears antidumping, product classification, and countervailing duty matters as well as appeals of unfair trade practice cases from the International Trade Commission. The court was originally established in 1890; principal offices are located in New York City, but the court is empowered to hear and determine cases arising at any port or place within the jurisdiction of the United States. The judges are appointed for life by the President, subject to Senate confirmation.
Cpa. - Closest point of approach
CPCM - Comite Permanent Consultatif du Maghreb
CPT - Carriage Paid To
Cr. - Credit, Creditor
Crawling Peg System - The crawling peg is a procedure in which a currency exchange rate is altered frequently (multiple times a year), generally to adjust for rapid inflation. Between changes, the exchange rate for the currency remains fixed. See: Exchange Rate Classifications.
Credit Risk Insurance - A form of insurance which protects the seller against loss due to default on the part of the buyer. Insurance designed to cover risks of nonpayment for delivered goods.
Credit Tranches - The credit tranche policy is the International Monetary Fund's (IMF) basic policy on the use of its general resources. Credit is made available in four tranches, each equivalent to 25 percent of a member's quota. A first credit tranche purchase raises the IMF's holdings of the purchasing member's currency to no more than 25 percent of quota. Generally, a member may reuest use of the IMF's resources in the first credit tranche if it demonstrates that it is making reasonable efforts to overcome its balance of payments difficulties. Also, a member may request use of the first credit tranche as part of a stand-by arrangement. Subsequent purchases are made in the upper credit tranches. These resources are made available if a member adopts policies that provide appropriate grounds for expecting that the member's balance of payments difficulties will be resolved within a reasonable period. Use of these resources is almost always made under a stand-by or an extended arrangement. See: International Monetary Fund.
Critical Circumstances - A determination made by the Assistant Secretary for Import Administration (of the Commerce Department's International Trade Administration) as to whether there is a reasonable basis to believe or suspect that there is a history of dumping in the United States or elsewhere of the merchandise under consideration, or that the importer knew or should have known that the exporter was selling this merchandise at less than fair value, and there have been massive imports of this merchandise over a relatively short period. This determination is made if an allegation of critical circumstances is received from the petitioner. See: Tariff Act of 1930.
CSCE - Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe
CSIS - Center for Strategic and International Studies
CSP - Common Standard Level of Effective Protection
CSS - Customized Sales Survey
CT - Countertrade
CTD - Committee on Trade and Development
CTF - Certified Trade Fair .. Certified Event
CTIS - Center for Trade and Investment Services
CTP - Composite Theoretical Performance
Cts. - Crates
cum. - With, Cumulative
Currency Swaps - See: Swaps.
Current Account - See: Balance of Payments.
Custom House - The government office where duties and/or tolls are placed on imports or exports and are paid on vehicles or vessels entered or cleared.
custom of the port - Established practice at a port which becomes part of a contract of carriage unless otherwise identified in the contract.
Customs Brokers - A person licensed by the Australian Customs Services, engaged in entering and clearing goods through customs. The duties of a broker include preparing the entry blank and filing it; advising the importer on duties to be paid; advancing duties and other costs; and, arranging for delivery to his client, his trucking firm, or other carrier.
Customized Sales Survey - The CSS is a fee-based International Trade Administration service that provides firms with key marketing, pricing, and foreign representation information about their specific products. Overseas staff conduct on-site interviews to provide data in nine marketing areas about the product, such as sales potential in the market, comparable products, distribution channels, going price, competitive factors, and qualified purchasers. Additional information may be provided to clients at additional charge. This product was formerly known as the Comparison Shopping Service.
Customs Cooperation Council The CCC - (French: Conseil de Cooperation Dounaiere, CCD) is an international organization consisting of representatives of about 150 countries. The Council serve as a technical body which studies and seeks to resolve the various countries' customs problems in an attempt to harmonize customs operations and promote trade. The Council was established in 1950; headquarters are in Brussels, Belgium.
Customs Cooperation Council Nomenclature - A customs tariff nomenclature formerly used by many countries, including most European nations but not the United States. It has been superseded by the Harmonized System Nomenclature to which most major trading nations, including the U.S., adhere.
Customs Free Zone - See: Free Trade Zone.
Customs Harmonization - This is an international effort to increase the uniformity of customs practices such as evaluation, nomenclature and enforcement among countries. The Customs Cooperation Council has been working on an internationally accepted harmonized commodity system since 1970.
Customs Union - An agreement between two or more countries to remove trade barriers with each other and to establish common tariff and nontariff policies with respect to imports from countries outside of the agreement. The European Community is the most well-known example. The two primary trade effects of a customs union are: (a) trade creation -- the shift from consumption of domestic production toward consumption of member imports and (b) trade diversion -- the shift from trade with non-member countries in favor of trade with member countries.
Customs Valuation Code - Formally known as the Agreement on Implementation of Article VII of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade,'' this MTN agreement provides detailed rules for the determination of value for customs purposes. These rules are designed to provide a fair, uniform and neutral system of valuation based on transaction value and preclude the use of arbitrary or fictitious values.
Customshouse Broker - The U.S. Customs Service defines a CHB, or Customs Broker, as any person who is licensed in accordance with Part III of Title 19 of the Code of Federal Regulations (Customs regulations) to transact Customs business on behalf of others. Customs business is limited to those activities involving transactions with Customs concerning the entry and admissibility of merchandise; its classification and valuation; the payment of duties, taxes, or other charges assessed or collected by Customs upon merchandise by reason of its importation, or the refund, rebate, or drawback thereof. (See 19 CFR 111.1(b) and (c).)
CV - Constructed Value
CVD - Countervailing Duty
CW - Cash With Order
CWC - Chemical Weapons Convention
CXT - Common External Tariff

Shipping Terms - C