Particular Average
Partial loss or damage to goods.
Perils of the Sea
Most losses covered by a marine insurance policy come within the comprehensive expression "perils of the sea," which refers to damage caused by heavy weather, strandings, strikings on rocks or on bottom, collision with other vessels, contacts with floating objects, etc.
Perishables
Any cargo that loses considerable value if it is delayed in transportation (Usually refers to fresh fruit and vegetables).
Phytosanitary Inspection Certificate
A certificate issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture indicating that a shipment has been inspected and is free of harmful pests and plant diseases.
Pilferage
As used in marine insurance policies, the term denotes petty thievery, the taking of small parts of a shipment, as opposed to the theft of a whole shipment or large unit. Many ordinary marine insurance policies do not cover against pilferage, and when this coverage is desired, it must be added to the policy.
Pivot Weight
That weight of a ULD above which a higher tariff applies; in effect, an incentive to maximize cargo density.
Place
A particular street address or other designation of a factory, store, warehouse, place of business, private residence, construction camp or the like, at a point.
Place of Rest
The term "Place of Rest" as used in the Containerized Cargo Rules means that location on the floor, dock, platform or doorway at the CFS to which cargo is first delivered by shipper or agent thereof.
Point
A particular city, town, village or other community or area which is treated as a unit for the application of rates.
Port Authority
A government body (city, county or state) which in international shipping maintains various airports and/or ocean cargo pier facilities, transit sheds, loading equipment warehouses for air cargo, etc. Has the power to levy dockage and wharfage charges, landing fees, etc.
Port Marks
An identifying set of letters numbers and/or geometric symbols followed by the name of the port of destination, which are placed on export shipments. Foreign government requirements may be exceedingly strict in the matter of port marks.
Port of Discharge
Port where vessel is off loaded and cargo discharges.
Port of Entry
A port at which foreign goods are re-admitted into the receiving country.
Port of Loading
Port where cargo is loaded aboard the vessel lashed and stowed.
Power of Attorney
A document that authorizes a customs broker to sign all customs documents on behalf of an importer.
Pre-Advice
Preliminary advice that a letter of credit has been established in the form of a brief authenticated wire message. It is not an operative instrument and is usually followed by the actual letter of credit.
Prepaid Freight
Generally speaking, freight charges both in ocean and air transport may be either prepaid in the currency of the country of export or they may be billed collect for payment by the consignee in his local currency. However, on shipments to some countries freight charges must be prepaid because of foreign exchange regulations of the country of import and/or rules of steamship companies or airlines.
Price Quotation/ Proforma Invoice
An invoice prepared by the seller in advance of shipment that documents the cost of goods sold, freight, insurance, and other related charges. It is often used by the buyer to secure a letter of credit, an import license or a foreign currency allocation.
Prima Facie
Latin, "on first appearance." A term frequently encountered in foreign trade. When a steamship company issues a clean bill of lading, it acknowledges that the goods were received "in apparent good order and condition" and this is said by the courts to constitute prima facie evidence of the conditions of the containers; that is, if nothing to the contrary appears, it must be inferred that the cargo was in good condition when received by the carrier.
Pro Number
A number assigned by the carrier to a single shipment, used in all cases where the shipment must be referred to. Usually assigned at once.
Proforma
When used with the title of a document, the term refers to an informal document presented in advance of the arrival, or preparation of the required document, in order to satisfy a customs requirement.
Proof of Delivery
Add-on service in express market, delivered either by phone or courier. Often offered free.
Protest
Customs form 19 allows for a refund of an overpayment of duty if filed within 90 days of liquidation.