Glossary—shipping unit Glossary—shipping unit
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The physical units of a cargo consignment, as tendered by the shipper to the carrier. Shipping units can consist of just about any type of packages: cartons, wood cases, crates, barrels and the like, which fully or partially enclose/protect the cargo; bundles, bales, coils, banded "lifts" and the like, where the cargo is especially configured or unitized for shipment but not enclosed; ULDs containing cargo placed thereon/therein; and shipper-packed containers or other carrier provided containers, trailers, etc.; and end-items of cargo shipped without packaging. The number of "shipping units" constitutes the "number of packages" placed on the B/L (block #19 on the aligned form) or other contract of carriage. Where cargo is a unitized load, the unit load, not the individual packages thereon, is the shipping unit. See also customary shipping unit.