I.A. (Independent Action): The right of a conference member to publish a rate of tariff rule that departs from the Agreement's common rate or rule.

IATA (International Air Transport Association): The trade and service organization representing international airlines from more than 100 countries.

ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization): A United Nations agency organized to ensure orderly worldwide technical development of civil aviation.

ICC: Abbreviation for Interstate Commerce Commission/ International Chamber of Commerce.

IE (Immediate Exit): The US Customs IE Customs form is used when goods are brought into the US and are to be immediately re-exported without being transported within the US.

I.F.M. (Inward Freight Manifest): A complete listing of all cargo entering the country of discharge. Required at all world ports. Failure to provide, errors in preparation, or late submittal causes the vessel operator to be fined. IFM is the primary source of cargo control, against which duty is assessed by the receiving country. Since it is a revenue-producing document, it must be accurate.

I.M.C.O. (International Maritime Consultative Organization): A United Nations-affiliated organization representing all maritime countries in matters affecting maritime transportation, including the movement of dangerous goods, bulk commodities and maritime regulations. The organization also is involved in deliberations on marine environmental pollution.

I.M.D.G. Code (International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code): The regulations published by the IMO for transporting hazardous materials internationally.

Immediate Exportation: An entry that allows foreign merchandise arriving at one port to be exported from the same port without payment of duty.

Immediate Transport (I.T.): Allows foreign merchandise arriving at one port to be transported in bond to another port, where a superseding entry is filed.

Import: To receive goods from a foreign country.

Import license: A document issued by a carrier required and issued by some national governments authorizing the importation of goods into their individual countries.

In Bond: A term applied to the status of merchandise admitted provisionally to a country without payment of duties, either for storage in a bonded warehouse or for transshipment to another point, where duties eventually will be paid.

In Gate: The transaction or interchange that occurs at the time a container is received by a rail terminal or water port from another carrier.

Incentive Rate: A lower-than usual tariff rate assessed because a shipper offers a greater volume than specified in the tariff. The incentive rate is assessed for that portion exceeding normal volume.

INCOTERMS: The recognized abbreviation for the International Chamber of Commerce Terms of Sale. These terms were last amended, effective July 1, 1990.

Indemnity Bond: An agreement to hold a carrier harmless with regard to a liability.

Independent Action: Setting a rate within a conference tariff that is the different from the rate (s) for the same items established by other Conference members.

Independent Tariff: Any body of rate tariffs that are not part of an agreement or conference system.

Inducement: Placing a port on a vessel's itinerary because the volume of cargo offered by that port justifies the cost of routing the vessel.

Inland Carrier: A transportation line that hauls export or import traffic between ports and inland points

Inspection Certificate: A certificate issued by an independent agent or firm attesting to the quality and/or quantity of the merchandise being shipped. Such a certificate is usually required in a letter of credit for commodity shipments.

Installment Shipments: Successive shipments are permitted under letters of credit. Usually they must take place within a given period of time.

Insulated Container: A container insulated on the walls, roof, floor and doors, to reduce the effect of external temperatures on the cargo.

Insulated Tank: The frame of a container constructed to hold one or more thermally insulated tanks for liquids.

Interchange Points: A terminal at which freight in the course of transportation is delivered by one transportation line to another.

Intercoastal: Water service between two coasts. In the US, this usually refers to water service between the Atlantic and Pacific Coasts.

Interline Freight: Freight moving from origin to destination over the lines of two or more transportation carriers.

Intermediate Points: A point located en route between two other points.

Intermodal: Term used to denote movements of cargo and containers interchangeably between transport modes (motor, water and air carriers) where the equipment is compatible within the multiple systems.

Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC): The US federal body charged with enforcing acts of the US Congress that affect common carriers in interstate control.

Invoice: An itemized list of goods shipped to a buyer, stating quantities, prices, shipping charges, etc.

Inward Foreign Manifest: (IFM): A complete listing of all cargo entering the country of discharge. Required at all world ports and is the primary source of cargo control, against which duty is assessed by the receiving country.

Inland Point Intermodal (IPI): Refers to inland points (non-ports) that can be served by carriers on a through bill of lading.

I.S.O.: International Standards Organization which deals in standards of all sorts, ranging from documentation to equipment packaging and labeling.

Issuing Carrier: The carrier issuing transportation documents or publishing a tariff.

I.T. (Immediate Transport): U.S. Customs document prepared by carrier to allow a shipment to proceed from port of entry in United States to Customs clearing at destination. The shipment clears Customs at its final destination.