From tractor to customs seal.

A slot with an assigned time for the truck to enter the terminal to pick up or deliver. At the Moín Container Terminal it is managed in TERMPoint, with appointment types for imports, exports and empties.

See also: Port of Moín and Limón

A tractor plus semitrailer combination. T3-S2: 3-axle tractor with a 2-axle semitrailer (5 axles); T3-S3: with a 3-axle semitrailer (6 axles). As a regional reference, the Central American Agreement (2014 version) sets 37 t and 41 t of total weight, including tare. Costa Rica does not apply that table but its own decree: see the table of weights by country.

See also: Weights and dimensions by country

Roads authorized by customs for moving goods under customs control. In international transit, each country establishes its legal routes, and the customs office of departure sets the route and the time allowed for the trip.

See also: Route planner · Central America border crossings

A company in the logistics chain that customs certifies as reliable and that therefore receives facilitation in clearance.

The ocean transport document: it contains the contract with the carrier, represents the goods and names the consignee.

See also: B/L in Documents

“Almacén fiscal” is the usual trade name for the warehouse that operates under the customs warehousing regime. The legal term is depositario aduanero: an authorized customs auxiliary that temporarily holds and safeguards the goods under customs supervision.

A reservation of space or of transport service with the shipping line or the carrier, under the agreed conditions; a trade term. Its number identifies the cargo to the terminal, for example when requesting an appointment.

The document the carrier presents to customs, before or at the time of arrival or departure, listing the cargo carried by the means of transport.

See also: Cargo manifest in Documents

In the commercial codes of Costa Rica and Guatemala, the party that undertakes to transport the cargo from one place to another for a price.

A skeleton-type semitrailer, on wheels, built for mounting and removing containers.

See also: Dry vans, flatbeds and chassis

The person the transport contract names as the receiver of the goods, or whoever acquires that right by endorsement or another form of transfer.

A shipment that does not fill the truck or the container on its own and travels together with other customers’ cargo.

Consolidating: grouping shipments from one or more consignees under a single “master” (madre) transport document. Deconsolidating: separating them, each with its “house” (hijo) document.

A strong, reusable, stackable box designed to move cargo between ship, truck and train without handling the goods along the way.

See also: Container types and dimensions

A shipping line charge for the use of the container outside the terminal beyond the free days. For imports it is counted from when it leaves the port full until it is returned empty.

See also: Detention and demurrage

The area of the terminal or of the depot where containers are received, stored and delivered in an orderly way.

Moving the cargo directly from the arriving vehicle to the departing one, with little or no storage time in between; a trade term.

A person authorized to act regularly on behalf of third parties in customs procedures; jointly and severally liable with the declarant for the duties and taxes.

Departure: authorizes the start of the international transit. En route (aduana de paso, formerly “paso de frontera”): the customs office the cargo in transit passes through, after customs control. Destination: where the transit ends.

See also: Central America border crossings · Service: Customs transit

A security device placed on the transport unit so that goods cannot be taken out or put in without leaving a trace. In international transit it is placed at the customs office of departure, its cost is covered by the interested party and the other countries accept it as their own for as long as the transit lasts.

See also: Customs seals in Documents · Cargo security

The regime that allows goods to be moved under customs control from one customs office to another with taxes suspended. International transit crosses one or more borders in a single operation. The cargo travels under the custody and responsibility of the carrier.

See also: Service: Customs transit

The regime that allows goods to be stored for a period, in an authorized place and under customs control, with taxes suspended. It can be public or private.

The deadline set by the shipping line or the terminal for delivering documents (including the VGM) or the container before the vessel sails. If it is missed, the shipment may be rescheduled and incur additional costs. A trade definition: the times are set by each shipping line or terminal.

A shipping line charge for the full container that stays inside the terminal beyond the free days. For imports it is counted from discharge from the vessel until the container leaves through the gate.

See also: Detention and demurrage

Trucking over short distances, typically between the port and a warehouse, yard or plant.

See also: Service: Dry containers

A closed general-purpose container, without temperature control. Main sizes: 20 and 40 feet.

See also: Container types and dimensions · Service: Dry containers

A closed box-type semitrailer for dry general cargo. The regional customs regulation mentions “furgones” among the transport units; the description comes from trade use.

See also: Spec sheet: 53’ dry van · Service: Regional dry van

The name used in Costa Rica for the goods declaration. SIECA refers to it as “Declaración de Mercancías, también conocida como DUA o DM” (goods declaration, also known as DUA or DM).

See also: DUA in Documents

Declaración Única Centroamericana, the Central American single declaration: a document that combines the three main customs declarations of the region. In force since May 7, 2019 in Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama.

See also: Documents: DUCA-T, waybill

The form of the DUCA for importing from or exporting to third countries, outside the region (equivalent to the goods declaration). It is generated by exporters and importers.

See also: DUCA-D in Documents

The form of the DUCA for trade in goods originating in Central America (it replaced the FAUCA). It is generated by exporters and importers.

See also: DUCA-F in Documents

The form of the DUCA for international land transit (it replaced the DUT). It is generated by an authorized land carrier, registered and approved by the customs authority of its country.

See also: DUCA-T in Documents · Service: Customs transit

A seal with an electronic device that lets customs monitor the unit. The CAUCA authorizes its harmonized use; in Costa Rica the law requires it for transits and transfers as the Directorate General of Customs (DGA) provides by resolution.

See also: Customs seals in Documents

Return of the empty container to the port or depot the shipping line indicates. Until then the container detention period keeps running. In Moín there is a specific appointment for “entrega de vacío” (empty delivery).

See also: Detention and demurrage · Service: Dry containers

ETA: the time the transport is expected to arrive at destination. ETD: the time it is expected to leave origin. Abbreviations from trade use.

See also: Transit times · Track a shipment

A payment owed when transport was booked and not used. The dictionary of the Real Academia Española (RAE) defines it for vessels; in land transport it is used when the truck arrives and the cargo is not handed over. “Flete muerto” is a trade alias.

Forms and system that predate the DUCA: FAUCA (intraregional trade in originating goods), DUT (land transit) and the TIM system. They still appear in contracts and in everyday speech.

A semitrailer without walls or roof for machinery or bulky cargo.

See also: Dry vans, flatbeds and chassis · Service: Dry vans and flatbeds

A period at no cost that the shipping line gives the customer before it starts charging demurrage or detention. It varies by shipping line and by port.

See also: Detention and demurrage

The regime that allows goods to enter a delimited area where, for import tax purposes, they are treated as if they were not in the customs territory. It can be commercial, industrial or mixed.

A company that coordinates transport and documentation on the customer’s behalf. The NVOCC buys space from the shipping line, consolidates cargo from several customers and issues its own bill of lading.

See also: For forwarders and shipping lines

A shipment from a single customer that takes up the whole truck or container, or that pays the full-unit rate.

A diesel generator that powers the refrigerated (reefer) container while it travels by road or rail. There are two mountings: clip-on, attached to the front of the container, and undermount, installed under the chassis.

See also: Service: Reefer containers

The act by which the interested party tells customs which regime the goods are placed under and accepts the obligations that implies.

The weight of the vehicle plus the payload it can carry according to the manufacturer’s specifications. It is not the actual weight of the loaded truck, which Costa Rica’s regulation calls “peso en carga (total)”.

See also: Weights and dimensions by country

A container one foot taller than the standard: 9 feet 6 inches (2,896 mm) of external height, compared with 8 feet 6 inches (2,591 mm) for the standard.

See also: Dimensions: 40’ HC

A customs auxiliary (auxiliar de la función pública aduanera) that presents the means of transport and the cargo to customs for entry, transit or exit; it answers directly to customs for the movement. To start an international transit it must be registered with the customs authority of its country, which includes it in the regional carrier database.

See also: Service: Customs transit

A flatbed with a very low deck for heavy machinery or oversize cargo; a trade term. The Central American Agreement requires tracked, agricultural and industrial machinery to travel on a “plataforma especializada” (specialized flatbed).

See also: Spec sheet: Lowboy · Service: Dry vans and flatbeds

The greatest weight at which the authority allows a vehicle to travel: per axle, per axle group and in total.

See also: Weights and dimensions by country

The cargo that can be loaded without exceeding the maximum authorized weight (PMA) per axle, per axle group or in total. In practice: total PMA minus the tare of the equipment, while also respecting the limit of each axle.

See also: Weights and dimensions by country · Load calculator

Evidence that the consignee received the cargo. In Costa Rica the law provides for the return of the canceled “guía” or, if it cannot be returned, a receipt from the consignee.

A refrigerated semitrailer, commonly used for perishables; it carries its own refrigeration unit.

See also: Spec sheet: 53’ reefer trailer

An insulated container with mechanical refrigeration equipment for frozen or chilled cargo.

See also: Dimensions: 40’ HC reefer · Service: Reefer containers

The act by which customs allows the declarant to dispose of goods that have already been cleared.

A security escort (vehicle or personnel) that accompanies the cargo en route, hired as an additional service; a trade term. It is not the legal “custodia”: in customs transit the goods are under the custody and responsibility of the carrier.

A unit without an engine or front axle that rests part of its weight on the tractor. It is the “carreta” that carries the cargo.

See also: Dry vans, flatbeds and chassis

The party that, on its own account or for someone else, engages the carrier to move the goods.

A company that operates vessels on regular routes; it provides the container, issues the bill of lading and sets the free days, demurrage and detention.

See also: For forwarders and shipping lines

Documents that accompany the declaration. For the DUCA-T: invoices, waybill (carta de porte) and manifests; where applicable, bill of lading (overseas cargo) and sanitary certificates. They are attached as PDF, with a maximum of 1 MB per file and up to 300 files per DUCA.

See also: Documents: DUCA-T, waybill

The weight of the empty equipment: of the vehicle ready to run, or of the container without cargo. It is added to the weight of the goods to get the gross weight. As an indicative statistical average, a 20’ container is around 2.3 t and a 40’ one, 3.7 t; the actual tare is the one marked on the door of each container.

See also: Weights and dimensions by country · Container types and dimensions

A terminal charge for occupying space in the port. Depending on the shipping line, it may be included in its demurrage tariff or billed separately. General concept: the conditions at each port are confirmed with the terminal.

Unit of measure: a 20-foot container equals 1 TEU; a 40-foot one, 2 TEU (1 FEU).

See also: Container types and dimensions

TICA (Tecnología de Información para el Control Aduanero) is Costa Rica’s customs IT system, in use since 2005. According to press reports, the Ministry of Finance announced its gradual replacement by ATENA, starting with exports at the Caldera customs office in October 2025. The current status of the migration must be confirmed with the Ministry of Finance or with the customs broker.

A motor vehicle built to pull a semitrailer or trailer; it does not carry cargo itself.

See also: Dry vans, flatbeds and chassis

Moving the cargo from one vehicle or container to another. The FHWA glossary defines it as a transfer between modes of transport at an interchange terminal; on the road it is also used when the cargo has to be split across more vehicles because of overweight.

Transfer of the goods from one transport unit to another under customs control, upon prior request and authorization. If only the tractor is changed, it does not count as transshipment: the carrier justifies the change at the next customs office on the route, which records it.

A land carrier’s charge when the truck, the chassis or the driver is held beyond the time agreed for loading or unloading. The free time and the conditions are agreed in each quote. In ocean trade, “estadía” and “sobrestadía” refer to the days the vessel waits; here the word is used in its road transport sense.

See also: Detention and demurrage

The verified total weight of the packed container (cargo, packaging and container tare) that the shipper must declare before ocean loading. Mandatory under the SOLAS convention since July 1, 2016; without a VGM the container is not loaded on the vessel.

See also: Frequently asked questions about weights and equipment

The document of the road transport contract: it describes the goods, the conditions of carriage and who receives them. In Costa Rica’s Commercial Code it is called a “guía”.

See also: Waybill (carta de porte) in Documents

A roadside checkpoint where the authority weighs and measures trucks to verify the permitted limits. It can be a fixed station or a mobile check.

See also: Weights and dimensions by country

A fenced lot belonging to the carrier or the operator where tractors, chassis and containers (full or empty) are kept outside the port; a trade term. In Costa Rica, the legal term for a place that keeps loaded units under customs control is “estacionamiento transitorio”, authorized by the Directorate General of Customs (DGA).

See also: Service: Dry containers