Q.S.

Quota share

Q88

Questionnaire 88; Q88.com is a web based questionnaire generator that allows you to create questionnaires for vessels.

QAR

Quality assurance representative (ISM)

QI

Qualified Individual (OPA 90)

QLTY

Quality

QRs

Quantitative Restrictions

QTE

Quote

QTTY

Quantity

QUALIFIED MEMBER OF THE ENGINE DEPARTMENT(OME

Unlicensed members of the engine department who attend to a fully automated engine room.

QUARTERS

Accommodations.

QWT

Quay weight; Quay weight and Tonnage Dues

Qlty

Quality

Quadrilateral Meetings

These are meetings involving trade ministers from the U.S., the European Community, Canada, and Japan to discuss trade policy matters.

Quantitative Restrictions

Explicit limits, usually by volume, on the amount of a specified commodity that may be imported into a country, sometimes also indicating the amounts that may be imported from each supplying country. Compared to tariffs, the protection afforded by QR's tends to be more predictable, being less affected by changes in competitive factors. Quotas have been used at times to favor preferred sources of supply. The GATT generally prohibits the use of quantitative restrictions, except in special cases, such as those cited in Articles XX (which permits exceptions to protect public health, national gold stocks, goods of archeological or historic interest, and a few other special categories of goods), or Article XXI (which permits exceptions in the interest of national security), or for safeguard purposes, when the appropriate procedures in Article XIX have been followed

Quarantine

A restraint placed on an operation to protect the public against a health hazard. A ship may be quarantined so that it cannot leave a protected point. During the quarantine period, the Q flag is hoisted.

Quoin

A wedge-shaped piece of timber used to secure barrels against movement.

Quota

The quantity of goods that may be imported without restriction during a set period of time.

Quotas and Quota System

Absolute quotas permit a limited number of units of specified merchandise to be entered or withdrawn for consumption during specified periods. Tariff-rate quotas permit a specified quantity of merchandise to be entered or withdrawn at a reduced rate during a specified period. Quotas are established by Presidential Proclamations, Executive Orders, or other legislation. The Quota System, a part of Customs' Automated Commercial System, controls quota levels (quantities authorized) and quantities entered against those levels. Visas control exports from the country of origin. Visa authorizations are received from other countries and quantities entered against those visas are transmitted back to them. Control of visas and quotas simplify reconciliation of other countries' exports and U.S. imports.

Quotation

An offer to sell goods at a stated price and under stated terms.