Consignee (noun): The person or entity to whom goods or cargo are shipped and who is the intended recipient of the shipment.
Consignee (noun): In the context of transportation and logistics, the consignee is the party responsible for receiving goods, usually indicated in a bill of lading or shipping contract.
History and Origin
The word “consignee” comes from the French word consigner, which means “to consign” or “to entrust.” It has its origins in the Latin consignare, meaning “to sign together” or “to mark.” The term became common in the field of shipping and trade to refer to the recipient of goods in transit.
Detailed Explanation
Role of a consignee: The consignee is the recipient of the goods being transported. They are often the buyer in a commercial transaction or the party designated to receive and take possession of the goods upon delivery.
Legal responsibility: In shipping, the consignee is usually identified on a bill of lading or other shipping document, which serves as a receipt for the goods. In many cases, the consignee is also responsible for paying for the goods once they arrive, particularly in international trade.
Distinction from consignor: The consignee is different from the consignor, who is the person or entity sending the goods. The consignor may also be referred to as the shipper in some contexts.
Commercial importance: The role of the consignee is crucial in ensuring that shipments are received properly and in good condition, as they usually handle the final steps in the shipment process, including inspecting and accepting the delivery.
Example Sentences
The consignee accepted the delivery of the furniture once it arrived at the warehouse.
The shipping company confirmed the consignee’s address before dispatching the goods.
As the consignee, she was responsible for ensuring that the cargo was unloaded and inspected.
The consignee signed the bill of lading, confirming receipt of the shipment.
The goods were sent to the wrong consignee, causing a delay in the delivery.
The consignee received a notification that the package was out for delivery.
Once the consignee confirmed the shipment, the vendor was paid for the goods.
The consignee at the port of entry was notified of the incoming shipment.
The courier handed over the package to the consignee after verifying the signature.
Synonyms with Short Explanation
Recipient: A general term for the person who receives something, similar to a consignee in the context of shipping or logistics.
Addressee: The person or entity named as the recipient of a shipment, often used interchangeably with consignee in some cases.
Receiver: A person or organization that receives goods or packages, closely related to the role of the consignee.
Purchaser: The person who buys goods, often the consignee when the purchase includes shipping.
Beneficiary: Someone who benefits from a transaction, potentially the consignee in cases where the goods are intended for their use.
Related Words with Short Explanation
Consignment: The act of sending goods or the shipment itself, related to the consignee who receives the goods.
Bill of lading: A document used in shipping that identifies the consignee and details the terms of the shipment.
Shipper: The person or company that sends the goods, opposite of the consignee.
Cargo: Goods or merchandise being transported, which the consignee will receive upon delivery.
Freight: The cost or service of transporting goods, often involving a consignee at the destination.
More Matches with Short Explanation
Import: The act of bringing goods into a country, typically involving a consignee as the recipient of imported goods.
Export: The act of sending goods to another country, with the consignee being the foreign buyer or recipient.
Logistics: The management and coordination of the transportation and delivery of goods, including the role of the consignee.
Customs clearance: The process of passing goods through customs, which involves the consignee for clearance at the destination.
Warehouse: A place where goods are stored before being delivered to the consignee or further distributed.
Antonyms
Consignor: The person or entity sending the goods, the opposite of the consignee.
Sender: The person or entity initiating the shipment, opposed to the consignee who receives it.
Shipper: The individual or company that arranges and sends the goods, in contrast to the consignee.
Exporter: A person or company that sends goods abroad, as opposed to the consignee who receives them.
Deliverer: The one who delivers the goods to the consignee, distinct from the consignee who is the recipient.