Glossary of Terms - D
Dangerous Goods
Goods are to be considered dangerous if the transport of such goods might cause harm, risk, peril, or other evil to people, environment, equipment or any property whatsoever.Dangerous Goods Declaration
Document issued by a consignor in accordance with applicable conventions or regulations, describing hazardous goods or materials for transport purposes, and stating that the latter have been packed and labelled in accordance with the provisions of the relevant conventions or regulations.Dangerous Goods Packing Certificate
A document as part of the dangerous goods declaration in which the responsible party declares that the cargo has been stowed in accordance with the rules in a clean container in compliance with the IMDG regulations and properly secured.Deadfreight
Freight paid for but not used.Deadweight (DWT)
The total weight of cargo, cargo equipment, bunkers, provisions, water, stores and spare parts which a vessel can lift when loaded to her maximum draught as applicable under the circumstances. The deadweight is expressed in tonnes.Declared Value for Carriage
The value of the goods declared to the carrier by the shipper for the purpose of determining charges or of establishing the limit of the carrier's liability for loss, damage or delay. It is also the basis for possible applicable valuation charges (air cargo).Delivery Instruction
Document issued by a buyer giving instructions regarding the details of the delivery of goods ordered.Delivery Note
A document recording the delivery of products to a consignee (customer).Demise Charter
A contract whereby the shipowner leases his vessel to a charterer for a period of time during which the whole use and management of the vessel passes to the charterer, which requires that the charterer to pay all expenses for the operation and maintenance of the vessel. Officers and crew will become servants of the charterer. Also known as a 'bareboat charter'.Demurrage
Provision for agreed damages for the detention of a vessel beyond agreed loading time (lay-day) commonly used to describe charges for delay e.g. exceeding the agreed length of time available to load or unload a unit load device.Detention
Keeping equipment beyond the time allowed.See Demurrage
Detention Charge
Charges levied on usage of equipment exceeding free time period as stipulated in the pertinent inland rules and conditions.Devanning
See Stripping, UnpackingDeviation from a Route
A divergence from the agreed or customary route.Direct Delivery
The conveyance of goods directly from the vendor to the buyer. Frequently used if a third party acts as intermediary agent between vendor and buyer.Direct discharge from vessel onto railroad car, road vehicle or barge with the purpose of immediate transport from the port area (usually occurs when ports lack adequate storage space or when ports are not equipped to handle a specific cargo).
Disbursement
Sums paid out by a ship's agent at a port and recovered from the carrier, or freight or charges collected by a carrier on behalf of a forwarder.Discharge
The unloading of a vehicle, a vessel or an aircraft.The landing of cargo.
Dock Receipt
Document issued acknowledging that goods are received for shipment at a port.Domestic Carriage
Carriage whereby the place of departure and the place of destination are situated within the same country.Door to Door Transport
See House to House TransportDrawback
Repayment of any part of customs or excise duties previously collected on imported goods, when those goods are exported again.Drayage
The hauling of a load by a cart with detachable sides (dray).Road transportation between the nearest railway terminal and the stuffing place.
Drop off Charge
Charge made by container owner and/or terminal operators for delivery of a leased, or pool container into depot stock. The drop-off charge may be a combination of actual handling and storage charges with surcharges.Dry Bulk Container
Container consisting of a cargo-carrying structure, firmly secured within a framework, for the carriage of dry solids in bulk without packaging.Containers of this type have type codes 80 and 81.