Trucking Glossary

An individual or business that actually transports freight. Registration and authority requirements depend on the vehicle, cargo, and operation; not every carrier needs the same operating authority.

Also: 车队 · 运输公司 · trucking company

The person or company designated to receive the goods, often shown as Consignee or Ship To. For a store delivery, the store may be the consignee while an authorized worker signs for receipt.

Also: 收货方

A person coordinating drivers’ work: communicating pickup and delivery details, tracking progress, and handling changes. Some also find loads and negotiate rates. Dispatchers may work inside a carrier or provide an outside service.

For an outside service, agree on fees and authority to sign rate confirmations. Whether broker authority is needed depends on the actual activities, not the “dispatcher” label.

Also: 派车员

An employee works in an employment relationship; an independent contractor provides services as an independent business. Classification affects withholding, insurance, and labor rights, but a W-2, a 1099, or a contract label does not by itself determine status.

In California, the applicable ABC test or other legal standard examines the actual working relationship. Owning a truck alone does not establish independent-contractor status.

Also: W-2 · 1099 · IC · W2 · 1099 driver

A person or company paid to arrange transportation between a shipper and carrier. In its broker role, it arranges the shipment; the carrier transports it. Covered federal brokerage operations require registration and $75,000 in financial security through a BMC-84 surety bond or BMC-85 trust.

Check current FMCSA authority and financial-security information before accepting a load. Registration does not guarantee payment, and a Quick-Pay offer does not replace those checks.

Also: 中介 · 经纪 · broker

A business organizing freight transportation. Everyday use may refer to international forwarding. In FMCSA’s motor-freight classification, a freight forwarder consolidates and distributes shipments and assumes transportation responsibility, rather than only arranging a carrier as a broker does. It need not own trucks.

Also: 国际货代

A person running a trucking business who usually also drives. They may operate under their own authority or lease equipment to an authorized carrier. A USDOT number identifies the operation; it is not the same as MC operating authority.

Check the operating or lease agreement for who pays fuel, repairs, insurance, and other expenses. Some bills continue even while the truck is parked.

Also: 个体车主 · 自营司机 · independent trucker

The party sending goods through a carrier. It may be a manufacturer, seller, or warehouse shipping on another party’s behalf, and need not own the goods. On a bill of lading, distinguish the sending party from the receiving party.

Also: 发货人 · 厂家 · 货主

A warehouse worker handling shipping or receiving records, paperwork, and quantity checks. Drivers often contact this person about the job and dock assignment. A site contact is not necessarily the cargo owner, broker, or someone authorized to change the rate.

The shipping office handles outgoing freight; the receiving office handles incoming freight. Say whether you are collecting or delivering.

Also: 仓库文员 · 收货文员 · 发货文员 · shipping clerk · receiving clerk · shipping office · receiving office

An outsourced logistics provider that handles part or all of a shipper's supply chain — usually broader than a broker, often including warehousing and distribution.