AFS Client Services Glossary & Acronyms
This article serves as a centralized glossary of AFS terminology, acronyms, and transportation-related definitions used across Client Services, Operations, and Finance teams. It is intended to support onboarding, training, and day-to-day reference.
🔠 General Business & AFS Acronyms
|
Acronym |
Definition |
|
3PL |
Third Party Logistics – broker between customers and carriers |
|
ACH |
Automated Clearing House |
|
AD |
Additional Due |
|
AM |
Account Manager |
|
AP |
Accounts Payable |
|
API |
Application Programming Interface |
|
AR |
Accounts Receivable |
|
BD |
Balance Due or Business Developer |
|
BI |
Business Intelligence |
|
BOL |
Bill of Lading |
|
CAR |
Client Activity Log |
|
CM |
Cost Management |
|
COB |
Close of Business |
|
CPM |
Cost per Mile |
|
CSR |
Customer Service Representative |
|
DBA |
Doing Business As (a trade name different from the legal business name) |
|
DR |
Delivery Receipt |
|
EOM |
End of Month |
|
ERP |
Enterprise Resource Planning |
|
FAK |
Freight All Kinds |
|
FSC |
Fuel Surcharge |
|
FTE |
Full-Time Employee |
|
GRI |
General Rate Increase |
|
IB |
Inbound Shipment |
|
OB |
Outbound Shipment |
|
KPI |
Key Performance Indicator |
|
LTL |
Less Than Truckload |
|
TL |
Truckload |
|
TMS |
Transportation Management System |
|
ROI |
Return on Investment |
|
SOP |
Standard Operating Procedure |
|
SOW |
Statement of Work |
|
YOY |
Year Over Year |
🧾 AFS-Specific Terms
|
Term |
Definition |
|
Auditor |
Individual responsible for auditing an account |
|
Audit Stack |
Categorization of audit outcomes (1–4 levels based on variance vs. OLA) |
|
Class |
Freight classification based on density, handling, stowability, and liability |
|
Cutback Code |
Reason code for short-paying a carrier |
|
Eventual Pay |
Freight bill requiring additional review |
|
Never Pay |
Freight bill rejected and not paid |
|
Online Audit (OLA) |
System where client pricing is stored and applied |
|
Pricing Agreement |
Contract outlining carrier rates |
|
Routing |
Instructions for carrier selection |
|
Servicing Sales |
RSD responsible for account and commissions |
|
Third Party (Drop Ship) |
Shipment from vendor directly to customer, billed to client |
|
Wire |
Payment method processed within one day |
🚚 Transportation & Logistics Terms
Core Concepts
|
Term |
Definition |
|
Accessorial Charge |
Fee for additional services (e.g., detention, liftgate) |
|
Bill of Lading (BOL) |
Legal document detailing shipment |
|
Carrier |
Company that transports goods |
|
Consignee |
Recipient of shipment |
|
Shipper |
Sender of shipment |
|
Freight Class |
Classification determining shipping cost |
|
Line Haul |
Base freight rate per mile |
|
Fuel Surcharge (FSC) |
Variable fuel cost adjustment |
Shipment Types & Methods
|
Term |
Definition |
|
LTL |
Less-than-truckload shipment |
|
TL |
Full truckload shipment |
|
Intermodal |
Multiple transport modes (rail + truck, etc.) |
|
Expedited |
Faster-than-standard shipping |
|
Reefer |
Refrigerated trailer |
|
Flatbed |
Open trailer for large cargo |
|
Hot Shot |
Small trailer pulled by a pickup truck |
Delivery & Handling
|
Term |
Definition |
|
Proof of Delivery (POD) |
Signed confirmation of delivery |
|
Detention |
Charge for delays in loading/unloading |
|
Layover |
Driver delay requiring overnight stay |
|
Drop Trailer |
Trailer left for later pickup |
|
Re-consignment |
Changing delivery destination |
|
Rescue Shipment |
Transfer to another carrier to complete delivery |
Billing, Claims & Fees
|
Term |
Definition |
|
Overcharge (OC) |
Excess amount billed above agreed rate |
|
Loss & Damage (LD) |
Freight damaged or missing |
|
Declared Value |
Stated shipment value for liability purposes |
|
Salvage Allowance |
Credit for recoverable freight |
|
Dispute |
Challenge to carrier charges or claim outcome |
✅ Best Practices
- Always verify acronyms and terminology when onboarding new clients
- Confirm DBA vs. legal entity names when reviewing contracts and invoice ownership
- Use this glossary as a reference during training and day-to-day operations