TDC

1) (1) Top dead centre. A measure of when the piston in motor vehicle engine reaches the top of its stroke. (2) Total distribution costs. The sum of order processing, local delivery, depot fixed costs, inventory and trucking costs.

TCM Convention

1) Convention on combined transport operations held in 1969 which agreed ground rules for such and, particularly, relative liabilities of the parties and use of combined transport documents.

TC

1) (1) Traffic Commissioner. Authority for issuing goods vehicle and PCV 'O' licences and monitoring LGV/PCV driver conduct. Formerly known as the Licensing Authority (LA) when dealing with goods vehicle matters. Also responsible for the performance of operators of local services (timekeeping, etc) and may require miscreants to repay some or all of FDR. (2) Time charter. The hire of a ship for a period of time as opposed to a sailing from one port to another (ie voyage basis).

TBN

1) Total base number. A measure of the viscosity (ie internal friction) of oil.

TBCF

1) To be called for. Term used mainly in parcels traffic where the customer calls at the local depot to collect goods rather than waiting for (or having missed) the delivery.

Tax relief

1) Approved expenses/charges that may be set against earnings/ profits to reduce liability for income/corporation tax, etc.