GlossaryEN1 min readUpdated: Jun 18, 2026
Pieces
Accurately capturing a shipment requires more than weight alone – the piece count (abbreviated PCS) states how many individual, countable units of an item are being transported.
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Source: https://www.freightos.com/glossary/pieces-pcs/
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Passar Hub: Everything on the new Swiss customs system
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Definition & Explanation
Accurately capturing a shipment requires more than weight alone – the piece count (abbreviated PCS) states how many individual, countable units of an item are being transported. In freight forwarding and customs practice, it appears on bills of lading, packing lists, and customs declarations as a standalone quantity measure that complements, but does not replace, weight and volume. For consolidated shipments containing multiple product types, a correct piece count is critical for inventory control, billing, and customs verification. Not to be confused with the number of packages (collies): a single carton may, for example, contain 24 pieces of one article.
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Passar Hub: Everything on the new Swiss customs system
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