K

Kanban
A method which during storage uses standard units or lot sizes with a single card attached to each. A pull system used at a stock point in which a supply batch is ordered only when a previous batch is withdrawn.
Note: Kanban in Japanese means loosely translated 'card or sign'.

Keel
The lowest longitudinal girder at the lowest point of a vessel from which the framework is built.

Kilogram
Abbreviation : Kg
1,000 grams or 2.2046 pounds.

Kimbal Tag
A label containing bar coded information about product size, colour etc.

Kind of Packing
Description of the packaging material used for goods to be transported.

King Pin
The coupling pin, welded or bolted in the centre of the front underside of a semi-trailer chassis, which couples to the fifth wheel of the towing tractor or dolly convertor.

Knocked Down
Abbreviation : KD
Articles which are taken apart to reduce the cubic footage displaced or to make a better shipping unit and are to be re-assembled.

Knot
One nautical mile (6,076 feet or 1852 meters) per hour. In the days of sail, speed was measured by tossing overboard a log which was secured by a line. Knots were tied into the line at intervals of approximately six feet. The number of knots measured was then compared against time required to travel the distance of 1000 knots in the line.

KT
Kilo or metric ton. 1,000 Kilos or 2,204.6 pounds.

Known Loss
A loss discovered before or at the time of delivery of a shipment.

Kyoto Convention
The convention for the International Customs Co-operation Council held in Kyoto in 1974 for the simplification and harmonisation of national customs procedures. On 25th of June 1999 the updated and restructured International Convention on the simplification and harmonisation of Customs Procedures (Kyoto Convention) was unanimously adopted by 114 customs administrations. This convention was restructured to deal with computerised controls and to ensure better co-operation between customs authorities mutually and with trade in general.