A consignee is the person or business named on shipping documents as the party authorised to receive the goods at destination. The consignee may be the buyer, importer, distributor, warehouse, or final recipient depending on the transaction. In international shipping, the consignee often coordinates customs clearance, delivery, inspection, and receipt of the cargo. Being listed as consignee can also affect release rights, import responsibility, document requirements, and communication with carriers or freight forwarders. The consignee is named in the bill of lading or air waybill, and in most import transactions is the buyer or importer of record who takes delivery of the cargo at destination.
- The consignee’s information appears on the bill of lading, arrival notice, and customs entry
- The consignee is responsible for customs clearance and duty payment at destination
- In a letter of credit transaction, the consignee may be the issuing bank until payment is released
Errors in the consignee name can cause delays in cargo release and customs processing.
Related terms: Consignor, Notify Party.
