Guidance on acceptable and unacceptable terms for the description of goods
| Unacceptable | Acceptable |
“Brand” or “Trade Mark” names by themselves, i.e., “Bubbles Brand” | “Bubbles Brand” Laundry Detergent |
| Laundry Detergent | |
Animals | Horse |
| Poultry | |
| Bovine | |
Apparel/Clothing/Garments | Shoes, Footwear |
| Wearing Apparel, Ladies’ Apparel, Men’s Apparel | Women’s Dresses |
| Men’s Shirts | |
| Boy’s Jackets | |
Appliances | Refrigerator |
| Stove | |
| Microwave Oven | |
| Coffee Machines | |
Accessories | Hair Elastics |
| Sunglasses | |
| Socks | |
Auto Parts | Air Filters |
| Automobile Brakes | |
| Automotive Windshield | |
| Automotive Wiper Blades | |
| Auto Accessories | Automotive Wiper Blades |
Bill of Lading, Sea Waybill, Air Manifest or a reference to another bill of lading number | A clear and concise description of the item is required – see other acceptable descriptions for examples |
| Blanket | 100% Polyester Blanket |
Caps | Baseball Caps |
| Blasting Caps | |
| Bottle Caps | |
| Hub Caps | |
| Chair | Leather Office Chair |
| Chemicals, hazardous | Actual Chemical Name (not brand name): |
| U.N. HAZMAT Code Identifier | |
Chemicals, non-hazardous | Aluminum Potassium Sulfate |
| Methyl Alcohol | |
| U.N. HAZMAT Code Identifier | |
Cleaning Products | Detergents |
| Mops | |
| Window Cleaner | |
| Clothes | 100% Wool Poncho |
Company Business | A clear and concise description of the item is required – see other acceptable descriptions for examples |
Consolidated (on house or simple bills) | Consolidated (only on master bills, where there will be several house bills of varying descriptions) |
| Consumer Goods | A clear and concise description of the item is required |
| Crafts/Craft Supplies | Pipe Cleaners |
Daily Necessities | A clear and concise description of the item is required (e.g. Plastic Comb, Cosmetic Mirror, Deodorant, Diapers) |
Necessities | A clear and concise description of the item is required (e.g. Shampoo, Hand Cream, Toilet Paper) |
| Handicrafts | Construction paper, cotton balls, pipe cleaners, pompoms, decorative objects made by hand |
Electronic Goods | Computers, Monitors, Televisions, Mobile Telephones, DVD players, Electronic Toys, Video Game Consoles, Electronic Dolls |
| Electronic Device | Kitchen Hand Mixer |
| Equipment | Oil Well Equipment, Hydro-Electric Turbine |
| Fitness Equipment | Stationary Exercise Bicycle |
| Industrial Equipment | Poultry Equipment, Compact Farm Tractor |
Film | Camera Film |
| Polyethylene Film | |
| Polyester Film | |
Flooring | Wood Flooring |
| Carpet | |
| Ceramic Tile | |
| Marble Flooring | |
| Foodstuffs | Packaged Rice, Bulk Rice, Mangos, Baking Flour |
| Food | Pasta, Canned Tuna, Corn Tortillas |
| Meat | Fresh Beef, Frozen Chicken |
| Fish | Live Trout, Frozen Salmon, Canned Tuna |
Produce/Assorted Produce/Mixed produce/Mix Veg | Fresh Oranges, Frozen Broccoli, Canned Peaches |
| Pet food | Canned Dog Food, Dry Cat Food |
| Cases of Food | Juice, Olive Oil |
| Snacks | Soda, Crackers, Potato Chips |
| Gifts | Dolls, Basketball, Toy Car |
| Novelty Items | Remote Control Cars, Toy Phone |
| Frames | Picture Frames |
Freight Prepaid | A clear and concise description of the item is required – see other acceptable descriptions for examples |
| Handle | Interior Brass Door Handle |
| Hose | Rubber Garden Hose |
Household Goods/Personal Effects | Acceptable only when goods are Personal / Used Household Effects transported by a commercial carrier (Goods accounted under a Personal Effects Accounting Document) |
| Household Items | See Household Goods |
Indecipherable descriptions ex. “RED SMOOTH MODULAR”, “CDRE”, “D6T PARTS”, “RIPE”, | A clear and concise description of the item is required – see other acceptable descriptions for examples |
| Iron | Iron Pipes |
| Iron Plates | |
| Kitchen Supplies | Stainless Steel Kitchen Knives |
Leather Articles | Saddles |
| Leather Handbags | |
| Leather Jackets | |
| Shoes | |
| Machines | Sewing Machines |
| Printing Machines | |
Machine Parts | Oil Pumps |
| Silicone Seals | |
| Car Engines | |
| Medical Supplies | Medical Gloves, N95 Masks, Rolls of Gauze |
| Biologicals | Blood, plasma, tissue, semen |
| Medical Device | Dialysis Machine |
| Laboratory Goods | Syringes |
| Glass vials for laboratory use | |
| Medication/Pharmaceuticals | Insulin, Allergy Medication, with the common name or chemical name |
Metal | Ingots of metal (precious or otherwise) |
| Round bars of steel or other metal | |
| Deformed bars/rebars (of metal) | |
| Plates (of metal) | |
| Billets (of metal) | |
| Slabs (of metal) | |
| Pipes (of metal) | |
| Beams (of metal) | |
| Tubes/Tubing (of metal) | |
| Angles, shapes and sections (of metal) | |
| Sheets (of metal) | |
| Expanded metal | |
| Flat bars (of metal) | |
| Strand wire (of metal) | |
Oil | Mineral Oil |
| Motor Oil | |
| Olive Oil | |
| Online Retailer, Online Retailer Shipment | A clear and concise description of the item is required – see other acceptable descriptions for examples |
| Ore | Iron Ore |
| Copper Ore |
| Packaging | Corrugated Cardboard Boxes |
| Boxes | Mailing Envelopes |
| Cartons | Plastic Bubble Wrap |
Palletized Shipment | A clear and concise description of the item is required – see other acceptable descriptions for examples |
Paper | Paper Rolls |
| Wrapping Paper | |
| Paper Pulp | |
| Paper Towel | |
| Printing Paper | |
| Plastic Pipes | |
| Pipes | PVC Pipes |
| Steel Pipes | |
| Plants/Flowers | Tulips, Daisies, Roses |
| Cuttings | Cedar Saplings |
| Tomato Plants | |
| Plastic Goods | Plastic Kitchenware |
Industrial Plastics | Plastic Toys |
| Plastic Sheets | |
| Plastic Tubes | |
| Polyurethane | Polyurethane Threads |
| Polyurethane Medical Gloves | |
Powder | Flea Powder |
| Baby Powder | |
| Corn Starch | |
Promotional Items | A clear and concise description of the item is required – see other acceptable descriptions for examples |
| Oil Pump | |
| Pump | Water Pump |
| Bicycle Pump | |
Readymade Garments ~ HTS:610910 | Women’s 100% Cotton T-Shirt |
| Men’s 100% Rayon Shorts | |
Rubber Articles | Rubber Hoses |
| Automobile Passenger Tires | |
| Rubber Toys | |
| Rubber Conveyor Belts | |
Rods | Welding Rods |
| Rebar | |
| Aluminum Rods | |
| Reactor Rods | |
Sample | Shampoo Sample |
| Conditioner Sample | |
| Makeup Sample | |
| Plastic Scrap | |
| Scrap | Aluminum Scrap |
| Iron Scrap |
| Serial Number only (“SN HAFR997MJ02041010”) | A clear and concise description of the item is required – see other acceptable descriptions for examples |
| Asphalt Shingles | |
| Shingles | Steel Shingles |
| Wood Shingles | |
| Spare Parts | Cellphone Replacement Screen |
| New Automobile Breaks | |
Sporting Goods | Hockey Sticks |
| Soccer Balls | |
| Goal Nets | |
| Stone Products | Granite Stone Slabs |
STC (Said to Contain) | A clear and concise description of the item is required – see other acceptable descriptions for examples |
General Cargo | A clear and concise description of the item is required – see other acceptable descriptions for examples |
FAK (Freight of All Kinds) | A clear and concise description of the item is required – see other acceptable descriptions for examples |
“No Description” | A clear and concise description of the item is required – see other acceptable descriptions for examples |
‘Misc/Miscellaneous’ | A clear and concise description of the item is required – see other acceptable descriptions for examples |
Various | A clear and concise description of the item is required – see other acceptable descriptions for examples |
General | A clear and concise description of the item is required – see other acceptable descriptions for examples |
Unknown | A clear and concise description of the item is required – see other acceptable descriptions for examples |
UNK | A clear and concise description of the item is required – see other acceptable descriptions for examples |
XX | A clear and concise description of the item is required – see other acceptable descriptions for examples |
NOI (Not Otherwise Indicated) | A clear and concise description of the item is required – see other acceptable descriptions for examples |
NES (Note Elsewhere Specified) | A clear and concise description of the item is required – see other acceptable descriptions for examples |
| Scooter | Adult Electric Scooter with Battery |
| Shelf | Metal Shelving Units |
| Steel | Steel Plates |
| Steel Coils | |
| Supplements | Vitamins |
| Protein Powder | |
Supplies | A clear and concise description of the item is required – see other acceptable descriptions for examples |
Stuff | A clear and concise description of the item is required – see other acceptable descriptions for examples |
| T-Shirt | Men’s 100% Cotton T-Shirt |
| Taxable Groceries | Ice Cream |
| Potato Chips | |
Textiles | Carpets/Rugs |
| Silk | |
| Finished Fabric Rolls | |
Thing | A clear and concise description of the item is required – see other acceptable descriptions for examples |
| Tiles | Marble Tiles |
| Tires, New Tires, Tyre | Automobile Passenger Tires, Bicycle Tire |
| Towels | |
| Toiletries/Bathroom Products | Toothbrushes |
| Shampoo | |
Tools | Screwdrivers, Wrenches, Hammers |
Cordless Drills, Circular Saws, Wired Impact Drivers, Pneumatic Ratchets | |
| Industrial Lathe, Band Saw, Reciprocating Saw | |
| Tool Carts | Plastic Hand Tool Storage Cart |
Toys/Games | Wooden Children’s Toys |
| Plastic Children’s Toys | |
| Board Games | |
| Console Games | |
Vehicles | Cars, Trucks, Buses, Recreational Vehicle |
| Tractors, Combines | |
| Bicycles | |
| Boats | |
Wires | Steel Wire |
| Copper Wire | |
| Auto Harness | |
| Coiled Wire (Industrial) | |
Wood | Hemlock logs with bark |
| Empty Wood Pallets | |
| Cut Lumber |
Unacceptable | Acceptable |
Accessories | Bathroom fittings, Lighting and electrical accessories, |
Adapter | (See other specific examples in the table) |
Agricultural products | Oranges, Fish, Rice, Bread |
Aid consignment | Blankets, Medications |
Alcohol | Denatured industrial ethyl alcohol, undenatured industrial ethyl alcohol of an alcoholic strength by volume of 80 % vol., Whiskey, Rum |
All kind of Cargo | (See other specific examples in the table) |
All kind of Goods | (See other specific examples in the table) |
Animals | Horse, Poultry, Bovine |
Apparel | Men’s Shirts, Lingerie, Girls’ Vests, Boys’ Jackets |
Appliances | Refrigerator, Stove, Microwave Oven, Coffee Machines |
Arms | Daggers, Machine guns |
Articles | (See other specific examples in the table) |
Artwork | (Specify which type of Artwork: Bust, picture, bronze sculpture) |
As ordered […] | (See other specific examples in the table) |
As per attached [invoice] | (See other specific examples in the table) |
Attached [manifest] | (See other specific examples in the table) |
Auto | Ford Fiesta, VW Polo |
Auto Parts | Automobile Brakes, Windshield Glass for Automobiles |
Automobiles | Ford Fiesta, VW Polo |
AWB/ HAWB | (See other specific examples in the table) |
Baggage | (See other specific examples in the table) |
Bags (or other types of | (See other specific examples in the table) |
Unacceptable | Acceptable |
packaging) | |
Battery | Lithium batteries |
Bazaar goods | (See other specific examples in the table) |
Biological Substances | (See chemicals or other specific examples in the table) |
Birthday gifts | (See other specific examples in the table) |
Bits | (See other specific examples in the table) |
Boards | (See other specific examples in the table) |
Box | (See other specific examples in the table) |
Cables | (See other specific examples in the table) |
Cars | Ford Fiesta, VW Polo |
Case | (See other specific examples in the table) |
Caps | Plastic Caps |
Cartons, CTN | New packaging made of carton, Cartons to be recycled, A4 print paper packaged in cartons |
Charity | (See other specific examples in the table) |
Chemicals | The name mentioned in the ECICS database or the actual Chemicals name (not brand name) |
Chemicals, flammable | The name mentioned in the ECICS database or the actual Chemicals name (not brand name) |
Chemicals, hazardous | The name mentioned in the ECICS database or the actual Chemicals name (not brand name) |
Chemicals, non- Hazardous | The name mentioned in the ECICS database or the actual Chemicals name (not brand name) |
Cleaning products | Detergents |
Clothes | Men’s Shirts, Lingerie, Girls’ Vests, Boys’,Jackets |
Clothing | Men’s Shirts, Lingerie, Girls’ Vests, Boys’,Jackets |
Collected items | (See other specific examples in the table) |
Commodity | (See other specific examples in the table) |
Company names | (See other specific examples in the table) |
Component | (See other specific examples in the table) |
Unacceptable | Acceptable |
Consol, CON, CNSL | (See other specific examples in the table) |
Consolidated cargo | (See other specific examples in the table) |
Consolidated goods | (See other specific examples in the table) |
Consolidated | (See other specific examples in the table) |
Consolidation | (See other specific examples in the table) |
Consumer | (See other specific examples in the table) |
Courier | (See other specific examples in the table) |
Courier bags | (See other specific examples in the table) |
Courier goods | (See other specific examples in the table) |
Courier material | (See other specific examples in the table) |
Dangerous goods | (See other specific examples in the table) |
Decorative crafts | (See other specific examples in the table) |
Decorative items | (See other specific examples in the table) |
Decorations | (See other specific examples in the table) |
Didactic articles | Pencils, Smartboards, Books |
Documents, Documentations, Docs, Dox | Passports (or any other kind of documents) |
Drugs | Cough syrup, insulin doses, seasonal flu vaccine (preferably INN name for a pure substance) |
Drums2 | Empty plastic barrels for packaging, Liquid hand soap transported in drums |
e-Commerce | (See other specific examples in the table) |
Electronic equipment | (See other specific examples in the table) |
Electronic goods | Computers, Televisions, CD Players, Walkmans, Tape Record, Mobile Phones, Monitors, Printers |
Electronic items | Computers, Televisions, CD Players, Walkmans, Tape Record, Mobile Phones, Monitors, Printers |
Electronics | Computers, Televisions, CD Players, Walkmans, Tape Record, Mobile Phones, Monitors, Printers |
2 ”Drums” is acceptable where it refers to musical instruments
Unacceptable | Acceptable |
Equipment, EQP | Oil Well Equipment, Poultry equipment |
Exhibition goods | (See other specific examples in the table) |
Express | (See other specific examples in the table) |
Firearm | Machine guns, Guns, Pistols |
Fish | European Hake, Swordfish, Lobsters, Tuna |
Food | Prepared cakes, Rice, Tomatoes sauce, Powdered eggs |
Foodstuff | Beverages (See other examples for “Agricultural products”) |
Footwear | (See other specific examples in the table) |
Freight All Kinds | (See other specific examples in the table) |
Fresh Fruit | Apples, Apricots, Bananas, Pineapples |
Fresh Herbs | Basil, Thyme, Parsley |
Fresh Plants | Lavandula angustifolia, Rosmarinus officinalis, Prunus avium |
Fresh Vegetable | Broccoli, Tomatoes, Onions, Eggplants |
From UPU Postal | (See other specific examples in the table) |
Fruit | Oranges, Pears, Bananas, Apples, Strawberries |
Fruit products | Apricot pulp, Apple pulp, Mixed fruits pulp |
Fruit Pulp | Apricot pulp, Apple pulp, Mixed fruits pulp |
Fuel | Diesel fuel, Petrol, Gasoline |
Garments | Cotton T-shirts, Silk headscarves |
General cargo | (See other specific examples in the table) |
General goods | (See other specific examples in the table) |
General merchandise | (See other specific examples in the table) |
Gift box | (See other specific examples in the table) |
Gifts | Dolls, Remote Control cars (describe type of gifts) |
Gizmos | (See other specific examples in the table) |
Glass | Glass panel for windows, Glass blocks |
Goods, GDS | (See other specific examples in the table) |
Granulate | (See other specific examples in the table) |
Unacceptable | Acceptable |
Handcraft | (Describe which type of Handicrafts -Vases, dishes, Necklaces, chairs-) |
Handicraft | (Describe which type of Handicrafts -Vases, dishes, Necklaces, chairs-) |
Handling codes | (See other specific examples in the table) |
Hardware for gift | (See other specific examples in the table) |
Herbs | Basil, Thyme, Parsley |
Home goods | Plates, Dishes, Tableware, ( See also examples for “Appliances”) |
Household goods | Plates, Dishes, Tableware, ( See also examples for “Appliances”) |
Invoice | (See other specific examples in the table) |
I.T. goods | (See examples for “Electronics”) |
Industrial products | (See examples for “Electronics”) |
Instruments | (See other specific examples in the table) |
Iron, Steel | Iron Pipes, Steel Pipes, Iron Building Material, Steel Building Material |
Iso Tanks | (See other specific examples in the table) |
Jewellery, Jewelry | (See other specific examples in the table) |
Jewels | (See other specific examples in the table) |
Joint shipping | (See other specific examples in the table) |
Label | Paper printed A4 labels, Plastic labels |
Leather Articles | Saddles, Leather Handbags, Leather Jackets |
Line | (See other specific examples in the table) |
Likewise | (See other specific examples in the table) |
Liquids, Fluids | (See other specific examples in the table) |
Live Animals | Dogs (Labrador retriever), Cows (Aberdeen angus) |
Live plants | Lavandula angustifolia, Rosmarinus officinalis, Prunus avium |
Machine parts | Pump, Seals, Engines |
Machinery | Metal Working Machinery, Cigarette Making Machinery, Sewing Machines, Printing Machines |
Machines | ( See Examples for “Machinery”) |
Unacceptable | Acceptable |
(See other specific examples in the table) | |
Materials | (See other specific examples in the table) |
MDF | MDF boards, wooden chipboard for MDF |
Meat | Poultry meat, Beef meat, Pork meat, Lamb meat |
Medical equipment | Band aids, Medical ventilator, blood sampling syringes |
Medicines | Antiviral sprays, Viagra pills, Painkillers, Anti-inflammatories, Mucolytic (preferably INN name for a pure substance) |
Merchandise, Merc. | (See other specific examples in the table) |
Metal | Iron scrap, Steel tubes, Aluminium wire |
Miscellaneous products, Misc, Mixed, Mix | (See other specific examples in the table) |
Model | (See other specific examples in the table) |
None | (Describe type of goods) |
Non-Woven | (See other specific examples in the table) |
Odd parts | (See other specific examples in the table) |
Oil | Mineral oil, lubricating oil, vegetable oil, palm oil |
Ore | Iron Ore, Copper Ore |
Others | (See other specific examples in the table) |
Pad | (See other specific examples in the table) |
Package numbers | (See other specific examples in the table) |
Pallets, PLT | Empty wooden pallets, Empty steel pallets for airfreight |
Parcel | (See other specific examples in the table) |
Party accessories | (See other specific examples in the table) |
Parts | (See Examples for “Machine parts”) |
Perishables | Broccoli, Tomatoes, Chicken breasts |
Personal address | (See other specific examples in the table) |
Personal effects | (See Examples in the Table) |
Pharmaceutical | Cough syrup, insulin doses, seasonal flu vaccine (preferably INN name for a pure substance) |
Unacceptable | Acceptable |
Pieces, pces | (See other specific examples in the table) |
Pipes | Plastic Pipes, Steel Pipes, Copper Pipes |
Plants | Cut Christmas trees, Tulips bulbs, fresh Lavandula angustifolia in pots, cuttings of rosemary in pots |
Plastic Goods | Plastic Kitchenware, Plastic House Ware |
Plates | Vehicle registration plates, Iron plates |
Polyurethane | Polyurethane Threads, Polyurethane Medical Gloves |
Powder | Wheat flour type 00, Industrial icing sugar, Iron powder |
Pre-addressed parcel | (See other specific examples in the table) |
Printed material | Paper labels with logo, Printed plastic fabric in rolls |
Private things | (See other specific examples in the table) |
Produce | (See other specific examples in the table) |
Products | (See other specific examples in the table) |
Propellant | (See Examples for Chemicals) |
PVC items | (See other specific examples in the table) |
Quilts | Cotton quilts (beddings) |
Raw material | (See other specific examples in the table) |
Returned goods | (See other specific examples in the table) |
Rod | Welding Rod, Fuel Rod, Copper Rod |
Rubber Articles | Rubber Hisses, Rubber Conveyor Belts |
Said to Contain | (See other specific examples in the table) |
Sample | (See other specific examples in the table) |
Samples for analysis | Blood sample for analysis, Salt (sodium chloride) for analysis |
Sanitary goods | Towels, Buckets, Detergents, Tooth brushes |
Scrap | Plastic Scrap, Foam Scrap, Iron Scrap |
See [invoice] | (See other specific examples in the table) |
See attached invoice | (See other specific examples in the table) |
Several | (See other specific examples in the table) |
Several goods | (See other specific examples in the table) |
Unacceptable | Acceptable |
Shoes | Men leather shoes, Women plastic sandals, Kids fabric shoes |
Snickers | (See other specific examples in the table) |
Souvenirs | (See other specific examples in the table) |
Spare | (See Examples for “Machine parts”) |
Spare parts, SPPT | (See Examples for “Machine parts”) |
Sporting Goods | Football shoes, boxing gloves, surf board |
Stuff | (See other specific examples in the table) |
Substance | (See other specific examples in the table) |
Tablet accessories | Plastic cases for tablets, Chargers for tablets |
Tablets | iPad, Tablets Samsung |
Technology | (See other specific examples in the table) |
Test | COVID-19 Quick tests, Leather shoes (sample), Recycled toilet paper (test shipment) |
Textile goods | Cotton fabric in rolls, Polyester curtains, Cotton sheets |
Textiles | Linen Fabric, T-shirts (See Examples for “Apparel) |
Things | (See other specific examples in the table) |
Tires | New car tires |
Tools | Hand Tools, Electric Tools |
Toys | (See Examples for “Gifts”) |
Tubing | Copper tubes, Iron tubes |
Uniform | Men’s Shirts, Lingerie, Girls’ Vests, Boys’ Jackets |
Vaccine | (See other specific examples in the table) |
Various | (See other specific examples in the table) |
Various goods | (See other specific examples in the table) |
Various products | (See other specific examples in the Table) |
Vegetables | Broccoli, Tomatoes, Onions, Eggplants |
Vehicles | (See other specific examples in the table) |
Waste | (See other specific examples in the table) |
Weapons | Daggers, Machine guns |
Unacceptable | Acceptable |
Wearing apparel | Men’s Shirts, Lingerie, Girls’ Vests, Boys’ Jackets |
White goods | (See other specific examples in the table) |
Wires | Iron and Steel Wire, Copper Wire |
Wooden articles | Wooden furniture, Wooden kitchen utensils |
List of examples of unacceptable characters in descriptions of goods
1004, 1005, etc. (numbers) | Not accepted to be only numbers |
WPX, .wpx (file extension) | File extensions not accepted |
XXX, … (three or more equal symbols or letters) | Not accepted to be only 3 or more equal symbols or letters |
“.”, “-“, “ ” (empty characters) | Not accepted to be only empty characters |
$%^&< > : ” / \ | ? * (special characters) | Not accepted to be only special characters |
!£12 (special characters and numbers) | Not accepted to be only special characters and numbers |