Negotiable Bill of Lading   That can be negotiated, that can be transferred or assigned from one person to another in return for equivalent value by being delivered either with endorsement (as of an instrument to order) or without endorsement (as of an instrument to bearer) so that the title passes to the transferee who is not prejudiced in his rights by any defect or flaw in the title of prior parties nor by personal defenses available to prior parties among themselves provided in both cases that the transferee is a bona fide holder without notice e.g. bills of lading, bills of exchange, promissory notes, and checks that are payable to bearer or order are negotiable instruments, as are also, in some jurisdictions, some other instruments (as bonds, some forms of stock) i.e. negotiable paper/negotiable securities “Negotiable” used analogously for “transferable” – see also negotiability/transferability.
Negotiating Bank  Bank where shipper negotiates documents or where documents are first presented, usually at country of origin. (Also often referred to as advising bank)
Nested  (1) Three or more different sizes of the same article or commodity must be enclosed, each smaller piece within the next larger pieces, or three or more of the articles must be placed one within the other so that each upper article will not project above the lower article more than 1/3 of its height.
(2) Nested Solid: Three or more of the articles must be placed on or within the other so that the outer side surfaces of the one above will be in contact with the inner side surfaces of the one below, and each upper article will not project above the next lower article more than 1/2 inch.
Neutral Body   Investigating body designated by conference carriers to insure that all the regulations and rules are adhered to.
NOE   Not Otherwise Enumerated
Non-Asset-Based Third Party Providers   Third party providers who generally do not own assets, such as transportation and/or warehouse equipment.
Non-Negotiable Bill of Lading  A document not made our “to order” being a receipt and evidence of the contract of carriage, but which is not a document of title, e.g. a waybill and some jurisdictions (like USA) a (straight) consigned bill of lading.
NOS  Not Otherwise Stated.
Notify Party   Company/Person who appears on the Bill of Lading or Waybill to be notified when the cargo arrives at destination. Could be different from the consignee, but is often the actual receiver of the goods. A notify party has no particular rights (beyond the notification) under the Bill of Lading or Waybill.
NVOCC   Non-Vessel Operating Common Carrier. Carrier offering an international cargo transport service through the use of underlying carriers and under their own rate structure in accordance with tariffs filed with the Federal Maritime Commission in Washington D.C.