Glossary
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Combined Nomenclature
The Combined Nomenclature is the EU’s eight-digit goods classification system, built on the six-digit Harmonized System and set out in…
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Commercial Invoice
The commercial invoice is the seller’s billing document describing the goods, quantities, unit prices, total value, currency, delivery terms and…
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Composting
Composting converts organic residues such as fruit and vegetable trimmings, pomace and hulls into stable humus-rich material through controlled aerobic…
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Compound Ingredient Labelling
A compound ingredient is an ingredient that is itself made of several ingredients, and its components must be listed in…
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Concentration Factor
The concentration factor expresses how many parts of single-strength juice were reduced to one part of concentrate, for example 6:1…
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Conductivity (Electrical)
Electrical conductivity of honey, measured in milliSiemens per centimetre, reflects its mineral content and is used to distinguish honey types.…
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Consignment Stock
Consignment stock is inventory held at the customer’s or a third-party location while ownership remains with the supplier until the…
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Container
In shipping, a container is a standardised steel transport unit, most commonly 20-foot or 40-foot. Dry containers carry shelf-stable goods;…
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Container Shipping
Container shipping moves standardised containers by sea, with reefer containers used for frozen and chilled food. Booking reefer capacity requires…
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Contaminant
A contaminant is any substance not intentionally added to food that is present as a result of production, processing, storage…
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Contaminants Regulation
Regulation (EU) 2023/915 sets maximum levels for certain contaminants in food, including mycotoxins, heavy metals and process contaminants. Consignments exceeding…
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Core Temperature
Core temperature is the temperature measured inside the product, at its thermal centre, rather than in the surrounding air. Quick-frozen…
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Coring
Coring removes the core and seed cavity from apples, pears and quince using mechanical corers. It is often combined with…
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Corn Kernel Cutting
Corn kernel cutting removes sweet corn kernels from the cob with specialised cutting machines after husking and cleaning. Cutting depth…
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Country of Origin Labelling
Country of origin labelling indicates where a food comes from and is mandatory where omitting it could mislead consumers, as…
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Cover Crops
Cover crops are plants grown primarily to protect and enrich the soil between main crops, reducing erosion, suppressing weeds and…
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Creamed Honey
Creamed honey is honey in which crystallisation has been controlled, usually by seeding with fine crystals and stirring at cool…
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Crinkle Cut
Crinkle cutting uses profiled blades to create a wavy surface on carrot, potato or cucumber slices. The increased surface area…
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Critical Control Point
A critical control point (CCP) is a step in a production process at which control can be applied and is…
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Crop Rotation
Crop rotation grows different crops in sequence on the same field to break pest and disease cycles, improve soil structure…
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Crop Yield
Crop yield is the quantity of harvestable product obtained per unit area, usually expressed in tonnes per hectare. It depends…
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Cross-Contamination
Cross-contamination is the transfer of harmful microorganisms, allergens or foreign substances from one surface, product or person to another. In…
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Cross-Docking
Cross-docking transfers incoming goods directly to outbound vehicles with little or no storage in between. It shortens lead times and…
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Crude Oil
Crude oil is the unrefined oil obtained directly from pressing or solvent extraction, still containing phospholipids, free fatty acids, pigments…
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Crust Freezing
Crust freezing describes a situation in which the outer layer of a product freezes much faster than its core, typically…
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Cryogenic Freezing
Cryogenic freezing uses liquefied gases such as liquid nitrogen or carbon dioxide at extremely low temperatures to freeze product within…
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Cryogenic Grinding
Cryogenic grinding cools spices with liquid nitrogen before and during milling. The low temperature prevents volatile oil losses, avoids clogging…
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Crystallization
Crystallization is the natural process by which glucose in honey forms crystals, turning liquid honey solid or semi-solid. It is…
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Cubed Fruit
Cubed fruit is fruit cut into uniform cubes, commonly 10×10×10 mm or to customer specification, before freezing or drying. Cubes…
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Customs Broker
A customs broker is a licensed intermediary who prepares and lodges customs declarations and completes import and export formalities on…
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Customs Clearance
Customs clearance is the set of procedures by which goods are declared to customs, duties and VAT are assessed, and…
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Customs Controls
Customs controls are checks performed by customs authorities to ensure goods comply with import and export rules, including verification of…
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Customs Declaration
A customs declaration is the formal statement submitted to customs authorities placing goods under a specific customs procedure, such as…
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Customs Value
Customs value is the value of imported goods used as the basis for calculating import duty, normally the transaction value…
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Customs Warehouse
A customs warehouse is an approved facility where non-Union goods may be stored without payment of import duties until they…
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Cycle Counting
Cycle counting is the continuous practice of counting a subset of stock locations on a rolling schedule rather than closing…
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Date Marking
Date marking indicates the durability of a food: a best-before date for the period during which the food retains its…
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DCFTA
Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area — the trade pillar of the EU–Ukraine Association Agreement, providing for gradual
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DDP (Delivered Duty Paid)
DDP is an Incoterms 2020 rule under which the seller bears all costs and risks of delivering the goods to…
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Deaeration
Deaeration removes dissolved oxygen from juice before pasteurisation and filling to limit oxidation, colour loss and vitamin degradation. It is…