IA   Independent Action. A carrier can take an independent action in a conference resulting in a unique rate for that carrier within a conference; ability to file a rate independently of other carriers' actions.
IMCO Classification   International Maritime Control Organization classification for hazardous cargo.
IMCO   International Maritime Control Organisation. See IMO.
IMO  International Maritime Organization. Formally IMCO.
Imports   Goods and services one country's residents purchase and transport from another country into their own country.
Inbound  Import Shipment.
INCO Terms  Incoterms 2000, is the latest version of ICC's standard trade definitions, commonly known as the INCO terms. The terms consist of 13 rules which are fundamental to international trade, defining the most important responsibilities of buyers and sellers in international sales contracts. Incoterms are a basic reference for sales contacts, recognised as the international standard by customs authorities and courts everywhere. Since they were first published in 1936, Incoterms - a trademarked ICC product - have been updated six times.
Independent Action  A separate action taken by an individual member of a conference agreement to change rates or terms of carriage as laid out in the conference agreements.
Independent Carrier   Carrier that is not a member of a shipping conference.
Inland Carrier   Transportation company which hauls imports or exports between ports and inland points.
Insurance Certificate   (1) Document which assures the consignee that insurance is provided to cover loss or damage to the cargo while in transit.
(2) A certificate issued by insurer to a shipper (or other party) as evidence that a shipment of merchandise is covered under a marine policy.
Integrated Carriers   Carriers that have both air and ground fleets; or other combinations, such as sea, rail, and truck. Usually handle thousands of small parcels an hour.
Intermodal marketing company (IMC)   Consolidates container loads or piggyback trailers from several shippers and contracts with railroads for volume space.
Intermodal  Coordinated transport of freight, especially in connection with relatively long-haul movements, using any combination of freight forwarders, piggy-back, containerization, air-freight, assemblers, rail and road.
International Freight Forwarders   Freight Forwarders that handle booking, paperwork, and consolidation of exports.
Inventory Carrying Costs   Generally carrying costs or holding costs are financial measurements that calculate all the costs associated with holding goods in storage. It includes inventory-in-storage, warehousing, obsolescence, deterioration, spoilage, and labor costs, as well as insurance and taxes.
Inventory turnover   The cost of goods sold divided by the average level of inventory on hand. The ratio measures how many times a company's inventory has been sold during the year.
Inventory Velocity  The speed with which products move from receiving dock to shipping dock
IPI  Inland Point Intermodal. Cargo moving via land from/to an inland point. (See also Micro Bridge)
ISA  Information System Agreement. Leading organization of ocean carriers that develops, promotes and implements electronic commerce solutions for the maritime industry.