Consignee

What is a consignee?

A consignee is the party to whom ownership of the goods will transfer when the cargo is released at destination.

The ultimate consignee is the party who will be the final recipient of the shipment. In many cases the consignee is the same party as the ultimate consignee.

A U.S. business will need to act as the ultimate consignee for a foreign importer.

Why does the consignee matter on a shipment?

The carrier releases cargo to the consignee named on the bill of lading or air waybill, or to that party's agent. A wrong name or address can stall delivery and trigger storage or amendment fees. Confirm the details with your supplier before the documents are issued.

How is the consignee different from the shipper?

The shipper sends the goods, and the consignee receives them. The consignee is often the importer of record, but it doesn't have to be. A buyer can name a distributor or warehouse as consignee, and the importer of record usually still handles customs filings and duties.

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