3G - (abbreviation for Third Generation) a term applied to the next generation of mobile telephony which will offer much higher bandwidth and allow video, gaming and other multimedia applications. Also known as UMTS. The first two generations of mobile telephony were Analogue and GSM. 341 meeting – in a bankruptcy proceeding, a meeting of creditors at which the debtor is questioned under oath by creditors, a trustee, an examiner, or the U.S. Trustee about his or her financial affairs.

Abandonment – a relinquishing of ownership of lost or damaged property by the insured to the insurer so that a total loss may be claimed. Abandonment is prohibited in most other types of property insurance. Freight Abandonment - a term in a hull policy whereby the underwriter waives his right to freight earned or to be earned by a ship that is the subject of a total loss claim. ABC - (abbreviation for American Business Center) the program provides U.S. companies which are exploring or establishing commercial opportunities in the Newly Independent States of the former Soviet Union with business services such as telephone and fax, temporary office space, market information, and assistance in making business contacts. An ABC operates in Bratislava, Slovakia under the direction of the Commerce Department's International Trade Administration in cooperation with the Agency for International Development. Additional centers are being opened in Russia, the Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan. ABI - (abbreviation for Automated Broker Interface) a computer system that allows a Customs Broker to interface directly with U.S. Customs' computer system. Absorption - investment and consumption purchases by households, businesses, and governments, both domestic and imported. When absorption exceeds production, the excess is the country's current account deficit. Acceptance - this term has several related meanings: (1) a time draft (or bill of exchange) that the drawee has accepted and is unconditionally obligated to pay at maturity. The draft must be presented first for acceptance: the drawee becomes the "acceptor": then for payment. The word "accepted" and the date and place of payment must be written on the face of the draft; (2) the drawee's act in receiving a draft and thus entering into the obligation to pay its value at maturity; (3) broadly speaking, any agreement to purchase goods under specified terms. An agreement to purchase goods at a stated price and under stated terms. Banker's acceptance - importer's bank accepts responsibility to pay against a draft (substituting for the importer's responsibility). Remote access - in essence it refers to workers being able to access their organisation's network using ICT, from any or from a designated location. Accession - the process by which a country becomes a member of an international agreement, such as the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) or the European Community. Accession to the GATT involves negotiations to determine the specific obligations a nonmember country must undertake before it will be entitled to full GATT membership benefits. Accord - see under: Agreements, International. Account - access given to a user on a particular computer or server. It usually involves the user having their own login and password. Deferred Account - a system allowing the ship-owner to pay his annual premium by installments. Escrow Account - special bank account into which earnings from sales (e.g., convertible currency proceeds from exports) are accumulated. These revenues are set aside for subsequent acquisition of goods and services from a foreign supplier. The escrowed money, usually interest-bearing, is disbursed by the bank to the foreign supplier under payment terms and against documents specified in the supplier's sale contract. Evidence Account - umbrella agreement contracted between a Western supplier and a government agency in a developing country (e.g., an industrial ministry, or a provincial or state authority), which is designed to facilitate reciprocal trade flows. The agreement stipulates trade conditions between the Western firm, other independent firms designated by it, and commercial organizations under the jurisdiction of the developing country signatory. It also requires that the cumulative payment turnovers for the traded goods, not payments of individual transactions, be balanced in an agreed-upon proportion within a specified period of time (typically 1 to 3 years). Trade flows are monitored and financial settlements occur through banks designated by the agreement's signatories. Open Account - a trade arrangement in which goods are shipped to a foreign buyer without guarantee of payment. The obvious risk this method poses to the supplier makes it essential that the buyer's integrity be unquestionable. Nostro account - a banking term to describe an account one bank holds with a bank in a foreign country, usually in the currency of that foreign country. Acknowledgement - a form used by a vendor to advise a purchaser that his/her order has been received, and usually to imply that it has been accepted. Acquisition - subject to national and local laws and regulations a company may acquire and hold the shares of stock and other securities of one or more other corporations and businesses. Acquired companies may continue operating as independent organizations with their own names and personnel. Act of God - an inevitable event occurring without the intervention of man, such as flood, tempest, or death. operating in case of certain contracts, such as those of insurers or carriers. Returned Without Action - for export control purposes: the return of a license application without action is used when the application is incomplete, additional information is required, or the product is eligible for a General License. Communication adaptation - a global communication strategy of fully adapting advertising messages to local markets. Product adaptation - adapting a product to meet local conditions or wants in foreign markets. ADB - (abbreviation for Asian Development Bank) the Bank helps finance economic development in developing countries in the Asian and Pacific area through the provision of loans on near-market terms, with its Ordinary Capital Resources (OCR), and on concessional terms, through the Asian Development Fund (ADF). The ADB was established in 1965 (began operating in December 1966); headquarters are in Manila, Philippines. Additionality – a clause in a countertrade contract prescribing that a primary supplier's countertrade obligation can be fulfilled only by incremental exports above achieved trade levels to traditional markets, or by exports to new markets. IP Address - (abbreviation for Internet Protocol Address) this address is basically your computer's "mailing address" on the internet. Every time you connect to the internet, your computer is assigned an IP address by your ISP. Your computer then uses this address when it requests or sends information. It tells other computers on the internet who to send replies to and who sent them information in the first place. Average adjuster - a person appointed by a ship-owner to collect data, guarantees, etc., in relation to general average, and to calculate contributions due from the parties concerned to make good general average losses. The adjuster may also adjust claims on hull insurance policies on behalf of underwriters. Salvage adjustment - a compromised settlement on a cargo policy, usually when the adventure has been terminated short of destination and damaged goods are sold at the intermediate port. The underwriter pays the difference between the sum insured by the policy and the proceeds of the sale. Administrator - a person in charge of computer or network systems. This person has a very high level of knowledge and has an extremely high access level. They are usually the "owner" of a server or computer network. In most cases, they also control the amount of access others, including power users and users, receive. Bankruptcy administrator – an officer of the Judiciary serving in the judicial districts of Alabama and North Carolina who, like the United States trustee, is responsible for supervising the administration of bankruptcy cases, estates, and trustees; monitoring plans and disclosure statements; monitoring creditors' committees; monitoring fee applications; and performing other statutory duties. Admitted/Non-Admitted - "Admitted" means that in certain countries a local policy should be issued. "Non-admitted" is the opposite situation. Most countries are non-admitted (i.e. their insurance laws and regulation do not require a local policy). ADRs -(abbreviation for American Depositary Receipts) negotiable receipts for the securities of a foreign company that are kept in the vaults of an American bank, allowing Americans to trade the foreign securities in the United States while accruing any dividends and capital gains. ADS - (abbreviation for the Agent/Distributor Service) an International Trade Administration (ITA) fee-based service that locates foreign import agents and distributors. ADS provides a custom search overseas for interested and qualified foreign representatives on behalf of a U.S. exporter. Officers abroad conduct the search and prepare a report identifying up to six foreign prospects that have examined the U.S. firm's product literature and have expressed interest in representing the U.S. firm's products. Advance - a container loaded aboard vessel that was booked to a later vessel. Advance Against Documents – a loan made on the security of the documents covering the shipment. Competitive advantage - an advantage over competitors gained by offering consumers greater value, either through lower prices or by providing more benefits that justify higher prices. Adventure - the exposure of property to risk at sea. Advertising - any paid form of nonpersonal presentation and promotion of ideas, goods, or services by an identified sponsor. Online advertising - advertising that appears while consumers are surfing the Web, including banner and ticker ads, interstitials, skyscrapers, and other forms. Affidavit - a written declaration on oath. Affiliate - an affiliate is a business enterprise located in one country which is directly or indirectly owned or controlled by a person of another country to the extent of 10 percent or more of its voting securities for an incorporated business enterprise or an equivalent interest for an unincorporated business enterprise, including a branch. For outward investment, the affiliate is referred to as a "foreign affiliate"; for inward investment, it is referred to as a "U.S. affiliate". U.S. Affiliate - a U.S. business enterprise in which there is foreign direct investment -- that is, in which a single foreign person owns or controls, directly or indirectly, 10 percent or more of its voting securities if the enterprise is incorporated or an equivalent interest if the enterprise is unincorporated. The affiliate is called a U.S. affiliate to denote that the affiliate is located in the U.S. (although it is owned by a foreign person). Affreightment - a contract to carry goods by ship. Charter-parties and Bills of Lading are contracts of affreightment. Aft - at or near the stern or rear position of the vessel. Advertising agency - a marketing services firm that assists companies in planning, preparing, implementing, and evaluating all or portions of their advertising programs. Underwriting Agency - Lloyd's - an organisation which is approved by the Council of Lloyd's to represent the interests of underwriting members at Lloyd's. The agency embraces the activities of both a members' agent and a managing agent. The members' agent looks after the financial and other relevant matters on behalf of the names in syndicates; but takes no part in the underwriting side of the business. The managing agent deals with all matters connected with the acceptance of business and appoints an active underwriter to whom is delegated the power to act as the syndicate's underwriting agent in concluding insurance contracts, through the medium of a Lloyd's broker, between the syndicate names and the assured. Agent - (1) a person authorized to transact business for and in the name of another; (2) a representative in a foreign market who attempts to sell your good or service through his or her network. Agent may be exclusive or represent many companies. Agent usually do not take responsibility for delivery or servicing of your product and are paid on a commission basis; (3) a wholesaler who represents buyers or sellers on a relatively permanent basis, performs only a few functions, and does not take title to goods. Buying Agent - see under: Agent - purchasing. Commission Agent - see under: Agent - purchasing. Foreign sales agent - an individual or firm that serves as the foreign representative of a domestic supplier and seeks sales abroad for the supplier. Purchasing agent - an agent who purchases goods in his or her own country on behalf of foreign importers such as government agencies and large private concerns. Underwriting Agent - one who acts for an underwriter either in accepting business on his behalf (e.g. a company underwriting agent) or in taking care of his financial affairs in relation to underwriting (e.g. a Lloyd’s underwriting agent). Biological agents - several classes of biological agents have been identified according to their degree of pathogenic hazard, and are controlled by the United States in accord with provisions of the Australia Group. Applications submitted to the Department of Commerce for the export of certain biological agents are generally referred to the Department of State and the intelligence community on a case-by-case basis. Lloyd's Agents - persons appointed by the Corporation of Lloyd's and stationed in all major world ports. Their function is to safeguard Lloyd's interests and report all movements and losses of ships. Agio – a premium received by a broker from an exporter for assuming the exporter's countertrade obligations. The commission paid to the broker represents a disagio for the exporter. AGP - (abbreviation for Accelerated Graphics Port) the video expansion port most commonly found in newer computers. It is specially designed to work only with AGP designated video cards (beware, there are also PCI video cards that are slower and will not fit in the AGP slot). The AGP design allows for more powerful video processing, this is most useful with graphic design and video games. Bilateral Clearing Agreement - government-to-government reciprocal trade arrangement whereby two nations agree to a trade turnover of specified value over one or more years. The value of the products traded under the agreement is denominated in accounting units expressed in major currencies - such as clearing U.S. dollars, clearing Swiss francs, etc. Exporters in each country are paid by designated local banks in domestic currencies. Free Trade Agreement - an agreement between countries to reduce and eventually eliminate tariff and nontariff barriers between them. Gold Clause Agreement - an agreement between parties concerned with the carriage of goods by sea whereby they agree to increase the limits imposed by law for shipowner's liability in respect of cargo. North American Free Trade Agreement - agreement creating a free trade area among the United States, Canada, and Mexico, with a total population of more than 380 million and a combined GDP of U.S. $7.5 trillion. NAFTA went into effect on January 1, 1994. Orderly Marketing Agreement - a bilateral agreement between governments by which one government limits exports to the other. Similar to a voluntary export restriction agreement or a voluntary restraint agreement. Used to address injury to a domestic industry. Contracts negotiated between two or more governments, in which the exporting nation undertakes to ensure that international trade in specified "sensitive" products will not disrupt, threaten, or impair competitive industries or workers in importing countries. VRA Voluntary Restraint Agreement - an arrangement whereby an exporting country agrees to reduce or restrict exports without the importing country having to enact import controls. These agreements are generally undertaken to avoid action by the importing country against imports that might injure or in some way threaten the positions of domestic frims in the exporting industry in question. Also referred to as a "voluntary export restraint" or an "orderly marketing agreement". Waterborne Agreement - an understanding in the marine insurance market whereby underwriters will cover goods against war risks only while they are on board an overseas vessel. Limited cover is allowed while goods are in craft en route between the ship and shore and also during transshipment. Umbrella agreements - bilateral trade agreement between public agencies of two countries or a public agency and a foreign private enterprise. Umbrella agreements stipulate conditions for substantial trade turnovers, are reviewed on an annual basis, and provide for the inclusion of multiple trading parties. AGRIS - (abbreviation for Agriculture Information System) coordinated under the auspices of the Food and Agricultural Organization, is an international cooperative bibliographic database on agricultural research, production, science, and technology. Participating countries contribute information for inclusion in AGRIS. ACH - (abbreviation for the Automated Clearinghouse) a feature of the Automated Broker Interface that is a part of Customs' Automated Commercial System. The ACH combines elements of bank lock box arrangements with electronic funds transfer services to replace cash or check for payment of estimated duties, taxes, and fees on imported merchandise. AID - (abbreviation for Agency for International Development) was created in 1961 to administer foreign economic assistance programs of the U.S. Government. AID has field missions and representatives in approximately 70 developing countries in Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean, and the Near East. AIG - (abbreviation for Airbus Industries Group) a supernational management organization responsible for design, development, manufacture, marketing, sales and support of selected commercial aircraft. Member countries are France, Germany, Spain, and the United Kingdom. Airbus Industrie, G.I.E. is a consortium of four West European producers: Aerospatiale (France), Deutsche Aerospace Airbus GmbH (Germany), British Aerospace Airbus Ltd. (United Kingdom), and Construcciones Aeron uticas S.A. (Spain), established as a G.I.E. under French law. a.k.a. (aka) - (abbreviation for Also Known As) an acronym used primarily in texting, online chat, instant messaging, e-mail, blogs, and newsgroup postings, it is also considered a form of online jargon or text message shorthand. Aktiengesellschaft - [German] (abbreviation: AG), meaning: "stock company" - a corporation with a separate legal personality which must have at least five partners. The firm name usually reflects the activities of the company and must include "AG". Switch arrangements - a form of countertrade in which unused purchase rights under government-to-government trade (clearing agreements) on unwanted goods received by a firm in a countertrade transaction are sold at a discount to buyers for cash. Ale - fruity accent, from relatively quick, warm fermentation, with a variety of yeast that rises during the process. This procedure, known as top fermentation, classically defines an Ale. Color and strength vary, and there are many types. Cream ale - usually a blend of layered beer and ale. All-in - a freight quotation including all charges, often in one lump sum rather than broken down. Allocation - assignment of available spaces to a specific sales office for marketing requirements and/or to a shipper. Alongside – is the side of a ship. Goods to be delivered "alongside" are to be placed on the dock or barge within reach of the transport ship's tackle so that they can be loaded aboard the ship. Allowance - promotional money paid by manufacturers to retailers in return for an agreement to feature the manufacturer's products in some way. Alongside - the side of a ship. Goods to be delivered "alongside" are to be placed on the dock or barge within reach of the transport ship's tackle so that they can be loaded aboard the ship. Amendment - a proposed change to a letter of credit.