Glossary

Account type. A classification of a shipping account. SAPIENT allows for two account types—Sandbox and Production. When a Shipping Account is set as Sandbox, it can only be used to create test shipments or while testing your integrations with our API. The shipping account still needs to be linked to a shipping location and approved by the carrier before it can be used for shipments.
All tracking events. A setting that enables the monitoring and logging of every possible event related to a shipment throughout its lifecycle, for example, shipment announced, shipment departed depot, delivered to safe place, and others.
Associated shipping location. The destination point linked to a shipping account, where goods are sent or received in the logistics process. To be able to use a shipping account to create shipments from one of your shipping locations, the shipping account and shipping locations must be linked. Some carriers require specific details before they will validate the link. You can link multiple shipping locations to a single shipping account and one shipping location to multiple shipping accounts. For Royal Mail these are your RM OBA number—the posting location code that has been assigned by Royal Mail and an OBA access code given to you by Royal Mail or is generated automatically by the system. You cannot create shipments using your shipping account and shipping location unless the Royal Mail OBA team validates your details.

Bearer token. A type of access token that is used in the authentication and authorisation processes for APIs. It is a string that provides the user or system the identity to access to sensitive resources or actions on a server. Bearer tokens are commonly used in the token-based authentication systems, such as OAuth2.

Carrier. A company that provide transportation services for cargo either by land, sea, or air.
Commercial invoice. A document provided by the seller to the buyer that details the sale transaction, including item descriptions, quantities, and prices, used for customs declaration. The commercial invoice records accounts receivable for the seller (sender) and accounts payable for the buyer. The content of commercial invoice is almost the same as proforma invoice. However, the final sale price may vary with the proforma invoice, as proforma invoice is issued prior to actual sale taking place.
CN23. A customs declaration form used for international shipments to provide details on the contents, value, and purpose of the goods being sent. Under international postal agreements, the sender must complete the CN23 form which should be fixed to the package. The CN23 is used for postal shipments only. Royal Mail is part of UPU.
Consignment. Goods that are shipped from one location to another, typically under a shipping agreement or contract.
Consignment service. A carrier service that allows multiple packages to be sent as one shipment (consignment). Not all carriers have consignment services.
Consignment tracking number. A unique identifier assigned to a specific consignment that allows for tracking its movement and delivery status through the shipping process.
Container. A standardized, durable boxes used to transport goods by various modes of transport, including ships, trucks, and trains. They facilitate the efficient movement and handling of cargo, protecting items from damage and theft. Containers come in various sizes, with the most common being the 20-foot and 40-foot units.
Containerisation. A practice of using standardized containers for the transport and storage of goods, revolutionizing global shipping logistics. This method enhances efficiency by allowing for seamless transfer between different transport modes, reducing loading and unloading times. It has significantly lowered shipping costs and increased the speed of global trade.
Content type. A description on the nature of the items in your shipment. A shipment can only have one content type. Values accepted by API v4 are DOX (documents), NDX (non documents) and HV (high value).

Data stream. A continuous flow of data transmitted from one point to another, essential for tracking, monitoring, and managing shipping information. data stream is only available if it has been activated on your account. Label components are broken down into a data stream for you to draw your own label.
Default shipping location. A primary location from where the shipments are despatched. A customer can have one default shipping location at any given time. Any of your shipping locations can be set as the default shipping location.
Delivery At Place (DAP). A term used when the seller delivers the goods to a specified location, with the buyer responsible for import duties and any additional costs.
Delivered At Terminal (DAT). A trade term indicating that the seller delivers the goods at a designated terminal, where the buyer assumes responsibility for unloading and import processes.
Delivery Duty Unpaid (DDU). An incoterm term used when the seller is not responsible for paying any duties or taxes upon delivery; the buyer bears those costs.
Delivery Duty Paid (DDP). An incoterm used when the seller is responsible for all costs, including duties and taxes, until the goods are delivered to the buyer.
Denied parties. Individuals, companies, or organisations that are prohibited from receiving exports due to legal or regulatory restrictions. These restrictions can arise from various factors, including violations of export laws, national security concerns, or involvement in criminal activities.
Description of goods. A brief account of the products being shipped, including their nature, quantity, and specifications, necessary for customs and shipping documentation, for example, electrical goods, beauty items, women fashion, men shoes, and others.
Domestic shipment. A type of shipment where the goods or documents are shipped within a country's borders. When you ship domestically, you don’t usually need to include any documents beyond a shipping label.
Dots per inch (DPI). A a measure of spatial printing defined by the number of dots that can be printed in a line with the span of 1 inch. Higher DPI values result in better image resolution.
DOX. A term that refers only to documents. These documents do not have any commercial value.
Dutiable shipments. Shipments that are subject to import duties and taxes upon entering a foreign country.

Economic Operators Registration and Identification (EORI) number. A European Union registration and identification number for businesses which undertake the import or export of goods into or out of the EU.

There are currently no abbreviations or terms available for this letter.

Goods and services tax (GST) number. A number assigned to businesses in countries like Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, New Zeeland, and a few others for tax collection on sales.

Home collection. A parcel service where the courier picks up your parcel directly from your doorstep and delivers it to your designated address.
HS Code. The Harmonized System (HS) Code used internationally to classify and describe traded products for customs purposes, aiding in tariff determination. The Harmonized System (HS) is an internationally standardised system of description and numbers and forms the first part of the 10-digit classification code when importing goods into the UK (8-digits when exporting from the UK).

For more information, refer to www.gov.uk/government/publications/rules-of-origin-for-goods-moving-between-the-uk-and-eu/annex-a-the-harmonized-system-and-how-to-classify-your-goods.

High value (HV). Refer to items that are assessed as having significant worth, often subject to different handling or insurance requirements during shipping.

ISO country code. A two or three-letter code assigned by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) to represent countries and some dependent territories. These codes saves time and avoids errors as instead of using a country’s name (which changes depending on the language being used). Additionally, these codes use a combination of letters and/or numbers that are understood all over the world. Postal organizations throughout the world exchange international mail in containers identified with the relevant country code.

For more information, refer to www.iso.org/iso-3166-country-codes.html.

Incoterms. A a set of 11 internationally recognized rules which define the responsibilities of sellers and buyers regarding the delivery of goods under sales contracts.. Incoterms specify who is responsible for paying and managing the shipment, insurance, documentation, customs clearance, and other logistical activities. The rules are revised periodically by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC). The last review has been made in 2020. Although the ICC recommends using Incoterms® 2020 from beginning January 1, 2020, parties to a sales contract can agree to use any version of Incoterms.

For more information, refer to www.incotermsexplained.com/the-incoterms-rules/incoterms-2010-rules/.

Import One-Stop Shop (IOSS). A European Union system that simplifies VAT collection for cross-border e-commerce, allowing sellers to pay VAT in one country for all sales. The Import One-Stop Shop is the electronic portal that businesses can use since 1 July 2021 to comply with their VAT e-commerce obligations on distance sales of imported goods. Allows suppliers and electronic interfaces selling imported goods to buyers in the EU to collect, declare and pay the VAT to the tax authorities, instead of making the buyer pay the VAT when the goods are imported into the EU
International shipments. Shipments that cross international borders, involving different customs regulations and procedures. To successfully import or export goods, businesses must know and follow specific policies of international shipping.
Item. A single, distinct object or product that is being shipped, defined by a specific description and value. In SAPIENT, an item is referred to as products and as items when they are passed in a shipment. A shipment can have one or more items, these items can be stored in SAPIENT.
Item description. A detailed account of the characteristics and features of an item within a shipment, necessary for accurate customs classification and shipping documentation. It is used together with the HS Code as part of the Harmonized System
Item value. The monetary worth of an item in a shipment, often used for customs declarations and insurance purposes during shipping.
Item weight. The total weight of an individual item, which is essential for calculating shipping costs and determining shipping methods.. When item information is provided, the sum of all item weights within the shipment cannot exceed the total shipment weight.

There are currently no abbreviations or terms available for this letter.

Label. A sticker that displays important information about a package’s destination to a carrier during transportation. It includes details such as names, addresses, tracking codes, and a scannable barcode with a tracking number.
Label format. A specific design and layout of shipping labels, including dimensions, barcode placement, and information display. This is the label format for the shipment that is returned upon successful creation of the shipment. The labels are returned as a base64 string that needs to be converted by your integration in the format they have been generated.

Multi piece shipment. A shipment consisting of multiple individual items or packages that are grouped together (package) under a single consignment. All packages are classed as one shipment.
Manifest. A comprehensive document that lists all the cargo intended for transport on a specific vessel or vehicle and declares what shipments are ready for dispatch and will be handed over to the carrier. It includes details such as item descriptions, quantities, weights, and the origin and destination of the goods. Manifests are essential for customs clearance, inventory tracking, and ensuring compliance with shipping regulations.
Milestones. A sequence of stages within the shipment process that are essential for monitoring process, such as order created, label printed, out for delivery, and so on.

Non-dutiable shipments. Shipments that do not incur import duties or taxes upon entry into a foreign country, often due to specific exemptions or valuation thresholds. Applicable to DOX shipments to and from any destination, and domestic shipments of any type (DOX, NDX or HV) and EU to EU shipments of any type (DOX, NDX and HV).

One Stop Shop (OSS). An an online portal, developed from the existing Mini One Stop Shop, that allows online businesses to report certain B2C EU supplies in a single member state. As such, a single quarterly payment and VAT return is due for the supplies covered by OSS, rather than multiple local returns and endless payments.
Online Business Account (OBA). An online account service provided by Royal Mail for businesses to manage their mailing needs, including shipping and tracking parcels.

For more information, refer to www.royalmail.com/discounts-payment/credit-account/online-business-account.

Package type. A specific format or style in which goods are shipped. The choice of package can significantly effect shipping costs, handling, and overall logistics. Few example of the package types are boxes, bags, crates, drums, and so on. Some carriers have rules around max weight and max dimensions allowed for a service. A shipment can have between 1 and 99 packages. All packages in the shipments must be within the limits for the selected service.
Portable Document Format (PDF). A Base 64 encoded PDF text that must be converted using a base64 to PDF convertor to create a PDF label.
Pick-up and Drop-off (PUDO). A fulfillment and returns method whereby customers come to a designated site to collect items, or leave them as part of the returns process. Services are often provided by local stores, supermarkets, high street retailers, and smart lockers accessible by PIN codes.
Portable Network Graphics (PNG). A Base 64 encoded PNG text that must be converted using a base64 to PNG convertor to create a PNG label.
Pre-advice. A document that serves as a notification to port authorities or customs officials about an upcoming shipment. It includes detailed information regarding the shipment that is about to be sent, allowing relevant parties to prepare for its arrival.
Pre-allocated tracking number. A unique identifier assigned in advance to a shipment or order before it is physically despatched. This tracking number is generated automatically by the logistics system when an order is placed or processed, allowing for seamless tracking of the shipment throughout its journey.
Product. A tangible good offered for sale, which can include multiple items or variations under a single category. In SAPIENT, they are referred as products, and items when they are passed in a shipment. A shipment can have one or more items, these items can be stored in SAPIENT.
Proforma invoice. An estimated preliminary bill provided in advance of a shipment, outlining expected costs and terms, but not a formal request for payment. The invoice typically describes the purchased items and other important information such as the shipping weight and transport charges. Proforma invoices are normally sent to declare the value of goods for customs.

There are currently no abbreviations or terms available for this letter.

Rest of the world (ROW). Refers to UK transports to and from countries that are not EU member states. Since 1st January 2021, UK is included in ROW.
Reason for export. A justification or explanation for the export of goods, often required for customs documentation to ensure compliance with regulations. This can be carrier specific and determines the tax if any applied by customs to the shipment. Royal Mail accepts the following reasons for exports. Gift, Commercial Sample, Documents, Sale of Goods, Return of Goods, Mixed Content, and others.

Service enhancements. Additional features or services offered by the carriers to improve the shipping experience, such as tracking upgrades, SMS notifications, email notification, signature on receipt, and so on. You must specify what enhancements you want to add to your shipments. The enhancement must be available for the carrier and service used to create the shipment.
Shipment. The act of transporting goods from one location to another, usually packaged and sent via a courier or freight service.
Shipment information. A general information about the shipment, including units of measurement and currency code. Not all shipment information elements are mandatory. It typically depends on destination, carrier, content type, reason for export.
Shipping account. The account you hold directly with a carrier and want to use for creating shipments. In SAPIENT, the shipping accounts must be registered to execute your shipments. Each shipping account gets an alias assigned by you and a global unique identifier assigned by the system. Both values can be used to identify the shipping account where the ShippingAccountId is required. If you have multiple shipping accounts with one carrier and you want to use them in SAPIENT, you must add them to SAPIENT.
Shipping location. A physical location from where the shipments are despatched. The shipping location must have a name/alias and an address. In SAPIENT, every shipping location has a global unique identifier. You can either use the shipping location alias or the global identifier in your API calls where you need to send the ShippingLocationId.
Shipment. The act of transporting goods from one location to another, usually packaged and sent via a courier or freight service.
Single piece shipment. A shipment that consists of one individual item or package, regardless of its size or weight. This type of shipment is typically straightforward, involving simple handling and tracking processes. Single piece shipments are commonly used for small to medium-sized goods, making them easy to manage within logistics and transportation systems.
Stock keeping unit (SKU). An alphanumeric code that identifies a product and helps you track inventory for your retail business. You can create SKU numbers manually or use inventory management or point-of-sale (POS) software. SKU is different for each retailer and can vary in length.

Tracking account. A dedicated account that helps users, businesses, or customers to monitor and manage the status of shipments in real-time. This account provides access to tracking information for parcels and freight moving through logistics network or with specific carriers.
Tracking webhook. A valuable tool for receiving real-time updates and data from various services and applications. It allows you to automate workflows, integrate systems, and stay up to date on important events.
TSN Tracked Returns 24. A shipping service that allows customers to return items with a guaranteed tracking option, ensuring that the package is traceable throughout its journey. It promises delivery of the returned item within 24 hours after dispatch. This service provides a convenient and reliable way for customers to send back purchases.
TSS Tracked Returns 48. A shipping service that offers customers a tracked return option with a delivery timeframe of 48 hours. This service ensures that returned items can be monitored during transit, providing reassurance and visibility to customers.

Universal Postal Union (UPU). A primary forum for cooperation between postal sector players. It helps to ensure a truly universal network of up-to-date products and services.

For more information, refer to www.upu.int/en/home.

Value Added Tax (VAT) number. A unique identifier assigned to a business or individual registered for Value Added Tax, necessary for conducting tax-exempt or taxable transactions.

What3words. A three-word proprietary geocode system designed to identify any location on the surface of Earth with a resolution of about 3 metres. For example, 10 Downing Street is slurs.this.shark and Wembley Stadium is villa.first.mount.

There are currently no abbreviations or terms available for this letter.

ZPL300DPI. A Base 64 encoded text for Zebra printer at 300 DPI – ZPL (Zebra Programming Language) the printing control language used by Zebra printers.
ZPL203DPI. A Base 64 encoded text for Zebra printer at 203 DPI – ZPL (Zebra Programming Language) the printing control language used by Zebra printers.