| Back Haul | The return trip of a transport vehicle after delivering cargo to its destination. |
| Back Order | An order placed for goods currently unavailable, to be fulfilled when the goods are restocked. |
| Backfreight | A reimbursement paid to shipowners for returning goods due to the fault of consignees or consignors. |
| Balance of Trade | The difference in value between a country’s exports and imports over a specific time period. |
| Bale | A tightly packed bundle of goods, such as hay or cotton, often bound and covered. |
| Barge | A flat-bottomed vessel used to transport cargo, typically on inland waterways, with or without a motor. |
| Barratry | Illegal acts by a ship's master or crew causing harm to the vessel’s owner, including gross negligence. |
| Barter | The exchange of goods or services without the use of money. |
| Base Currency | The primary currency used as a reference point when comparing or quoting exchange rates. |
| Basing-Point Pricing | A pricing method where transportation costs from a specific location are factored into the final price. |
| Batch Picking | Collecting items from a warehouse to fulfill multiple orders simultaneously. |
| Beneficial Cargo Owner (BCO) | An importer who manages their own logistics without relying on third-party services like NVOCCs or forwarders. |
| Benefit-Cost Ratio | Analytical technique used in state planning; ratio of total measurable benefits divided by initial costs. |
| Bill of Lading, Through | Consignment covering goods from departure to destination, including transfer between carriers. |
| Billable Weight | Weight basis for generating the price. |
| Billing | Operator terminal to calculate delivery cost and generate a freight bill. |
| BIF (Bond in Force) | Equivalent to duty/tax for bonded shipments; collateral required until bond is cancelled after withdrawal or duty payment. |
| Binder | Material (e.g., cardboard) inserted between container layers to stabilize stacks. |
| Blanket Rate | Tariff unaffected by delivery distance. |
| Blind Shipping | Shipping where one or more parties are unaware of the shipper, receiver, or both. |
| Bond, In | Goods under customs control until duties or fees are paid or deferred. |
| Bonded Goods | Imported goods stored in customs warehouses without immediate payment of storage or duties. |
| Bonded Trucking | Trucking charge for shipments to Free Trade Zones. |
| Bonded Warehousing | Warehousing where goods are stored without immediate payment of taxes/tariffs; warehouse ensures taxes are paid before release. |
| Booking | Request for space and equipment aboard a vessel. |
| Booking Confirmation | Receipt confirming a booking. |
| Booking Fee | Additional costs added by the agent to the tariff. |
| Booking Number | Unique number assigned by the carrier or agent to a booking. |
| Boxcar | Railcar, typically 40–50 feet long, for bulk goods. |
| Bracing | Securing goods in a vehicle to prevent damage during transit. |
| Break Bulk Cargo | Goods shipped as single units (e.g., pallets, bulky equipment) but not in containers. |
| Break Bulk Vessel | Vessel designed for bulk cargo shipment. |
| Break-bulk | Splitting consolidated cargo into smaller batches for final delivery. |
| Broker | Entity renting equipment, facilitating transactions, or acting as an agent in chartering. |
| Buffer Stock | Reserve inventory to guard against shortages or unexpected demand. |
| Bunker Adjustment Factor | Ocean fuel surcharge. |
| Business Logistics | Planning, implementation, and verification of goods/services flow. |
| Buyer | Organization purchasing goods or services. |
