Rag Top:
A slang term for an open-top trailer or container with a tarpaulin cover.

Rail Division:
The amount of money an ocean carrier pays to the railroad for overland carriage.

Rail Grounding:
The time that the container was discharged (grounded) from the train.

Ramp:
Railroad terminal where containers are received or delivered and trains loaded or discharged. Originally, trailers moved onto the rearmost flatcar via a ramp and driven into position in a technique known as "circus loading." Most modern rail facilities use lifting equipment to position containers onto the flatcars.

Ramp-to-Door:
A movement where the load initiates at an origin rail ramp and terminates at a consignee's door.

Ramp-to-Ramp:
A movement of equipment from an origin rail ramp to a destination rail ramp only.

Rate Basis:
A formula of the specific factors or elements that control the making of a rate. A rate can be based on any number of factors (i.e., weight, measure, equipment type, package, box, etc.).

Reasonableness:
Under ICC and common law, the requirement that a rate not be higher than is necessary to reimburse the carrier for the actual cost of transporting the traffic and allow a fair profit.

Rebate:
An illegal form of discounting or refunding that has the net effect of lowering the tariff price. See also Malpractice.

Reconsignment:
Changing the consignee or destination on a bill of lading while shipment is still in transit. Diversion has substantially the same meaning.

Recourse:
A right claim against the guarantors of a loan or draft or bill of exchange.

Red Label:
A label required on shipments of flammable articles.

Reefer:
Refrigerated container.

Related Points:
A group of points to which rates are made the same as or in relation to rates to other points in group.

RFQ:
Request for quotation.

Relay:
To transfer containers from one ship to another when both vessels are controlled by the same network (carrier) manager.

Remittance:
Funds sent by one person to another as payment.

Restricted Articles:
Articles handled only under certain conditions.

Revenue Ton (RT):
A ton on which the shipment is freighted. If cargo is rated as weight or measure (W/M), whichever produces the highest revenue will be considered the revenue ton. Weights are based on metric tons and measures are based on cubic meters. RT=1 MT or 1 CBM.

Reverse IPI:
An inland point provided by an all water carrier's through bill of lading in the U.S. by first discharging the container in an East Coast port.

"Ro/Ro":
A shortening of the term, "Roll On/Roll Off." A method of ocean cargo service using a vessel with ramps which allows wheeled vehicles to be loaded and discharged without cranes.

Roll:
To re-book cargo to a later vessel.

Rolling:
The side-to-side (athwartship) motion of a vessel.

Route:
The manner in which a shipment moves; i.e., the carriers handling it and the points at which the carriers interchange.

Running Gear:
Complementary equipment for terminal and over the road handling containers.

RVNX:
Abbreviation for "Released Value Not Exceeding." Usually used to limit the value of goods transported.The limitation refers to carrier liability when paying a claim for lost or damaged goods.