P.A.: Particular average.
PACKAGING SYSTEM: Designed to provide protection, containment, information, and utility for the goods.
PACKING: The cost of all containers, coverings of whatever nature, and packing, whether for labor or materials, used in placing merchandise in condition, packed ready for shipment to the U.S.
PACKING LIST: Usually issued in conjunction with a supplier's invoice detailing the types of merchandise, size and quantity per shipping unit.
PALLET: A device used for moving and storing freight. It is used as a base for assembling, storing, stacking, handling, and transporting foods as a unit load.
PALLET JACK: A walk behind fork lift that raises pallet loads 4-6 inches above the floor for movement within a warehouse.
PAR VALUE: The official fixed exchange rate between two currencies.
PARCEL INVENTORY: A count performed on a specific number of items in stock at regular intervals.
PARCEL RECEIPT: Receipt given by a steamship company for a parcel shipment.
PARTICULAR AVERAGE: Partial loss or damage to goods.
PATENT: A government grant of certain rights given to an inventor for a limited time. The most important of these rights is the one under which the patented invention can be made, used or sold only with the authorization of the patent owner.
P.D.: Per diem.
PENALTY (notice of): A Notice of Penalty on Customs Form CF5955 is a formal notice that an act or omission has occurred
that is in violation of a law or regulation administered by Customs, and that retribution has been demanded therefore, in the form of a fine or forfeiture.
PERILS OF THE SEA: Those causes of loss of goods for which the carrier is not legally liable. The elemental risk of ocean transport.
PERISHABLE: Merchandise which spoils or decays rapidly and usually requires specialized containers or temperature control.
PERMIT FILE FOLDER: The up-to-date record of all goods held in a bonded warehouse by entry. (19CFR19.12)
PERMIT TO PROCEED: A CF 1301, permit to travel between domestic ports with cargo or passengers on board. (19CFR4.85)
PERMITTED MERCHANDISE: Merchandise is permitted when Customs authorizes the carrier brining the shipment to the port to make delivery to the consignee or the next carrier. (19CFR158.1)
PETITION: A formal, written supplication addressed to the Commissioner of Customs, seeking mitigation or discharge of a fine, penalty, or forfeiture incurred under any law administered by Customs (19CFR171). Also, a request for the district director to correct a clerical error, mistake of fact, or inadvertence in an entry within the legal time frames (19CFR173.4)
PHYTOSANITARY INSPECTION CERTIFICATE: A certificate issued by the US Department of Agriculture to satisfy import regulations of foreign countries indicating that a US shipment has been inspected and is free from harmful pests and plant diseases.
PICKUP ORDER: The cargo control form specially demanded by the district director and accompanying a release by U.S. Customs of imported cargo due to the volume of cargo handled at a particular port; the incidence of theft or pilferage, or any other factor related to the protection of merchandise in Customs custody. (19CFR4.38)
PIGGY BACK (PIG): To transport trailers via railway flat cars.
PIN LOCK: Locking device that prevents the attaching of a tractor to a trailer
P.O.A.: Power of attorney.
P.O.D.: Proof of delivery.
P.O.E.: Point of embarkation.
PORT OF ENTRY: A port at which foreign goods are admitted into the receiving country.
PORT MARKS: An identifying set of letters, number and/or geometric symbols followed by the name of the port of destination which are placed on export shipments. Foreign government requirements may be exceedingly strict in the manner of port marks.
POWER OF ATTORNEY: A Customs Form (CF5291) document which empowers one individual or entity to act on behalf of the issuer or principal, without limited such actions to
specifically designated Customs business, as opposed to a limited power of attorney granting restricted authority. (19CFR, Sec. 141.31-46).
P.P.: Purchased price.
PPD: Prepaid
PREPAID FREIGHT: Freight paid by the shipper to the carrier when merchandise is tendered for shipment.
PRICE PAID OR PAYABLE: Most common method of appraisement of imported merchandise in the currency of the purchase. The actual price paid, or agreed to be paid, for the goods.
PRIVATE CARRIER: A company that provides its own transportation, either through leased or owned equipment.
PRINCIPAL: An obligatory, generally the importer of record. The person(s) or entity accepting primary responsibility for all government debts secured by a bond as evidenced by the principal's name and authorized signature on a bond. (19CFR113)
PRO FORMAL INVOICE: An invoice provided by a supplier prior to the shipment of merchandise, informing the buyer of the kinds and quantities of goods to be sent, their value, and important specifications (weight, size, etc.).
PROOF OF DELIVERY: Information supplied to payer container the name of the person who signed for the package with the time and date of delivery.
PROTEST: A protest is the legal means by which an importer, consignee or other designated party may challenge decisions made by a district director of Customs.
PURCHASE ORDER: A form sent to a supplier that contains all information relevant to the purchase transaction. It describes the products including prices, shipping terms, and delivery expectations.
PURCHASE PRICE: A statutory term used to refer to the United States sales price of merchandise which is sold or likely to be sold prior to the date of importation by the producer or reseller of the merchandise for exportation to the United States.
PURCHASING AGENT: An agent who purchases goods in his/her own country on behalf of large foreign buyers such as government agencies and private corporations.
P.W.: Packed weight.