Ocean Sea Freight Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield Ocean Sea Freight facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. What is an 'Original Bill of Lading' and why is it significant? → A negotiable title document required to take possession of cargo at destination
2. A route for transporting import and export commodities between ports and inland locations → Inland Carrier
3. What information is NOT typically found on a commercial invoice for an ocean freight shipment? → The vessel name and voyage number
4. What is a 'Certificate of Origin' used for in international shipping? → To certify the country where goods were manufactured or produced
5. What is a 'Manifest' in ocean freight? → A master document listing all cargo aboard a vessel, submitted to customs
6. Which form of charter gives complete command over the ship? → Bareboat
7. Which document details the contents, weight, and dimensions of each package in a shipment? → Packing List
8. What is a 'House Bill of Lading' (HBL)? → A B/L issued by a freight forwarder or NVOCC to the shipper
9. Which class of character gives the ship's captain complete control? → Demise
10. What is 'Free Time' in ocean freight port operations? → The number of days a container can remain at the terminal before demurrage charges begin
11. What does 'FAK' (Freight All Kinds) rate mean in ocean freight? → A single uniform freight rate applied regardless of the type of commodity being shipped
12. Which of the following is NOT typically covered under a standard marine cargo insurance policy? → Inherent vice — the natural tendency of cargo to deteriorate or damage itself
13. What does Institute Cargo Clauses (ICC) A (All Risk) primarily cover? → All physical loss or damage from any external cause except named exclusions
14. Which US government agency requires an ISF (Importer Security Filing) for ocean imports? → US Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
15. What is 'GRI' (General Rate Increase) in ocean freight? → A periodic, across-the-board increase in base freight rates announced by carriers
16. What is the maximum payload weight for a standard 20-foot dry container? → Approximately 28,000 kg (61,700 lbs)
17. What type of container is used for transporting temperature-sensitive cargo like pharmaceuticals or fresh produce? → Reefer (Refrigerated) Container
18. What is the 'Federal Maritime Commission' (FMC) and its role in US ocean freight? → The US government agency that regulates international ocean shipping to and from US ports
19. What is an 'Arrival Notice' in ocean freight? → A notification sent by the carrier to the consignee when cargo arrives at destination
20. What affects an organization's competitive strategy when defining its logistics strategy and planning → All of the above
21. What does 'Freight Prepaid' mean on a Bill of Lading? → The shipper has paid or agreed to pay the ocean freight charges
22. What is a 'Minimum Bill of Lading Fee' (Minimum B/L) in ocean freight? → The minimum freight charge applied regardless of actual cargo weight or volume
23. What is an 'Open Top' container primarily used for? → Cargo too tall to fit through standard container doors, loaded from above by crane
24. Under FOB (Free on Board) Incoterms, when does risk transfer from seller to buyer? → When cargo is loaded on board the vessel at the port of origin
25. What is 'Per Diem' in container tracking at US ports? → A daily rental charge for using the carrier's chassis beyond the included free days
26. What is the purpose of an AES (Automated Export System) filing in US ocean freight? → To report export shipment data to US Customs and Border Protection
27. What contributes to the rising importance of logistics planning? → All of the above
28. Per measurement ton freight rate tariff's character is → M
29. Which document serves as the primary contract of carriage between the shipper and ocean carrier? → Bill of Lading
30. The per ton size for cargo tariff to be weight basis, is → 40ft