Consignee
Pronunciation: kon-sy-NEE
The person or entity to whom a shipment of goods is formally addressed and legally delivered.
Full Definition
The consignee is the party designated on shipping documents—such as the bill of lading or airway bill—to receive a consignment of goods. In international trade, the consignee is often the importer of record and bears responsibility for customs clearance upon arrival. Editors must distinguish carefully between the consignee (the receiver) and the consignor (the sender), as the two terms are a classic confusable pair in shipping documentation. The consignee's details must match those on all accompanying customs and freight documents.
Usage
Usage note: A classic confusable with 'consignor'. The suffix '-ee' denotes the receiver; '-or' denotes the sender. Verify both spellings meticulously in freight documents.
In Context
- "The bill of lading listed the overseas distributor as both consignee and notify party." — International freight documentation
- "Confusing 'consignee' with 'consignor' is a critical error in shipping documents and can cause customs delays." — Proofreading training material