Consignee

A consignee is the party named on an air waybill as the designated recipient of a shipment. The consignee is the person whose name appears on the air waybill or shipment record as the party to whom the goods are to be delivered by the carrier. The consignee receives the cargo at destination from the airline or ground handling agent after cargo handling processes are completed. The consignee does not sign the contract of carriage but has legal rights to receive the cargo and may be responsible for customs clearance and import duties at the destination airport.

A textile manufacturer in Germany ships fabric to FedEx Express AWB 023-45891234, with Express Fashion Inc. located at 1245 Fashion District Street, Los Angeles, CA 90015 listed as the consignee. Upon arrival at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), the ground handler notifies Express Fashion Inc. that their shipment is ready for pickup at the cargo terminal. Emirates SkyCargo transports electronics from Dubai International Airport (DXB) to John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) on AWB 176-78965432, with Tech Solutions LLC as the consignee in New York, who must arrange customs clearance and pay applicable import duties before taking delivery of the goods.

• CNEE
• receiver
• importer
• destination party
• recipient

Can someone other than the named consignee pick up an air cargo shipment?

Yes, but only with proper authorization. The consignee can designate a customs broker or freight forwarder as their agent by providing written authorization. For bank shipments, the consignee is identified as a bank and delivery requires written or fax authorization from that bank before release. Some carriers require the consignee to provide a letter of authorization or power of attorney specifying who can act on their behalf.

What happens if the consignee cannot be located or refuses delivery of an air cargo shipment?

The carrier will typically hold the shipment for a specified period (usually 5-15 days depending on carrier and destination) while attempting to contact the consignee. If delivery cannot be completed, the shipment becomes 'unclaimed cargo' and may be returned to the shipper at the shipper's expense, sold at auction, or disposed of according to local regulations. Storage charges will accrue during this period and are typically the consignee's responsibility.