Release Notice

Release Notice is a key term in international ocean freight export business. It refers to the formal notice issued by the shipping company or its agent to the freight forwarder or shipper after the booking is confirmed, indicating that a specific space has been allocated (including vessel name, voyage number, bill of lading number, sailing date, cut-off date, etc.) and allowing them to arrange subsequent shipping operations. It usually occurs after booking confirmation and before cargo enters the port. Note: A Release Notice is not equivalent to bill of lading confirmation, nor does it mean the cargo has actually been loaded. If the manifest information is not submitted on time or customs declaration is not completed before the cut-off, the space may be cancelled. The difference from 'Booking Confirmation' is that booking confirmation only means the booking request has been accepted, while a Release Notice clearly allocates a specific space and permits operations. The difference from 'Shipping Advice' is that the latter is a notification sent after loading. After receiving a Release Notice, foreign trade practitioners should verify the information and promptly arrange trucking, customs declaration, and insurance to avoid rollover or extra costs due to delays.