Hague Rules
1924 International Convention on Carriage of Goods by Sea. These rules govern liability for loss
or damage to goods carried by sea under a bill of lading.
Hague-Visby Rules
1968 Revision of Hague Rules.
Hamburg Rules
In March 1978 an international conference in Hamburg adopted a new set of rules (The Hamburg
Rules), which radically alter the liability which ship-owners have to bear for loss or damage to
goods in the courts of those nations where the rules apply.
Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System
A multi-purpose international goods-classification for manufacturers. Transporters, exporters,
importers, customs officials, statisticians, and others in classifying goods moving in international
trade under a single commodity code. Developed under the auspices of the Customs
Cooperations Council (CCC), an international customs organization in Brussels, this code is a
hierarchically structured product nomenclature containing approximately 5,000 headings and
subheadings describing the articles moving in international trade. It is organized into 99 chapters
arranged in 22 sections. Sections encompass an industry [ (e.g., Section XI, Textiles and Textile
Articles); chapters encompass the various materials and products of the industry (e.g.: Chapter
50, Silk; Chapter 55, Manmade Staple Fibers; Chapter 57, Carpets).] The basic code contains
four-digit headings and six-digit subheadings. (The U.S. will add digits for tariff and statistical
purposes. In the U.S., duty rates will be the 8-digit level; statistical suffixes will be at the 10-digit
level.
Hatch
The opening in the deck of a vessel which gives access to the cargo hold.
Haulier
The participating carrier responsible for drayage of containers.
Heavy Lift
Articles too heavy to be lifted by a ship's tackle.