Logistics Glossary
The most important terms around transport, shipping, and logistics – clearly explained with a practical focus.
- CMR Consignment Note
The CMR consignment note is the standard document for cross-border road transport in Europe. When it applies, which copies exist, and how CMR liability works.
- Consignment Note (Frachtbrief)
The consignment note (Frachtbrief) documents the transport contract between sender, carrier, and recipient. Required details, CMR, and eCMR at a glance.
- Consolidated Shipping (Beiladung)
Beiladung means your shipment rides along on an already planned tour – cheaper, but slower. When it pays off and when a direct drive is better.
- Customs Declaration CN22 / CN23
CN22 and CN23 are the customs declarations for postal shipments to non-EU countries. Which form applies when and how to fill it in correctly.
- Delivery Note (Lieferschein)
What a delivery note (Lieferschein) is, which details it contains, whether it is mandatory in Germany, and how digital delivery notes replace paper.
- Dispatching (Disposition)
What dispatching (German: Disposition) means in transport and logistics, what a dispatcher does, and how modern dispatch software assigns orders, drivers, and vehicles.
- Driver's Logbook (Fahrtenbuch)
The Fahrtenbuch documents every trip with date, route, purpose, and odometer readings. When it pays off for tax purposes and what the tax office requires.
- Driving Licence Number
The driving licence number is in field 5 of the EU card licence. What fields 4a, 4b and 4c mean, how the UK licence number is structured, and who checks it.
- Fleet Management
What fleet management covers, which tasks a fleet manager owns, and how software brings vehicles, drivers, and deadlines together – explained compactly.
- German Truck Toll (LKW-Maut)
How the German HGV toll works: which vehicles are liable, current rates per weight and CO₂ class, exemptions – with a free calculator.
- Kerb Weight in the Registration Document
Where kerb weight appears in the German registration document (field G), what it includes, and how to calculate your van's permitted payload.
- Load Securing (Ladungssicherung)
Load securing under § 22 StVO: methods, equipment, responsibilities, and fines – plus practical rules for securing cargo in cars and vans.
- Load Securing in a Car
Which options exist for securing cargo in a car? The answer to the German driving-theory question – and practical rules for boot, back seat, and roof.
- Load Securing on Trucks
Load securing on trucks and vans: the 80/50/50 rule, VDI 2700, tie-down vs. direct lashing, responsibilities, and fines – compact and practical.
- Loading Metre (Lademeter)
What a loading metre is, how to calculate ldm ((length × width) ÷ 2.4), and how many loading metres Euro pallets, industrial pallets, and mesh boxes occupy.
- Order Number (Auftragsnummer)
What an order number is, where to find it, and how it differs from reference and tracking numbers – with examples from purchasing and transport.
- Pallet Exchange Note (Palettenschein)
The Palettenschein documents the exchange of load carriers such as Euro pallets and mesh boxes. How pallet exchange and pallet accounts work.
- Reference Number (Referenznummer)
What a reference number is, where to find it on confirmations, delivery notes, tracking and invoices, and how it differs from order and tracking numbers.
- TMS (Transport Management System)
What a TMS (transport management system) is, which functions it covers, what it costs, and who needs one – explained compactly with examples.
- Tour Planning (Tourenplanung)
What tour planning is, how manual and automatic tour planning differ, and when software pays off – explained compactly with examples.
- Unloading Point (Entladestelle)
The unloading point is where a shipment is unloaded and handed over. What matters when specifying it and how it differs from the loading point.
- Vehicle Fleet Administration (Fuhrparkmanagement)
What Fuhrparkmanagement (vehicle fleet administration) means in Germany, which duties fleet owners carry, and when software pays off.