GlossaryEN1 min readUpdated: Jun 22, 2026
Shipment
A shipment is the operative unit of freight transport: goods moved from one consignor to one consignee under a single transport contract and covered by a single transport document—whether that means one carton or a full truckload.
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Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shipment
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Definition & Explanation
A shipment is the operative unit of freight transport: goods moved from one consignor to one consignee under a single transport contract and covered by a single transport document—whether that means one carton or a full truckload. In forwarding practice, a unique reference such as an Air Waybill (AWB) or bill of lading identifies the entire shipment; all accompanying paperwork, customs entries, and freight invoices refer to this same entity. Customs authorities assess duties, declared value, and origin at shipment level. A shipment differs from an order, which may be fulfilled across multiple shipments, and from a consignment—a term used interchangeably in many markets but carrying subtly different legal weight in certain jurisdictions.
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