Courier Receipt

A courier receipt is a receipt for goods issued by a courier company in foreign trade, proving that the courier company has received the consigned goods and undertakes to deliver them to the destination. It usually includes information such as the sender, recipient, goods description, weight, freight, and tracking number. Use cases include: sending samples, small-volume cargo transport, urgent document delivery, etc. Notes: A courier receipt is not a document of title and cannot be used to take delivery of goods or transfer ownership; if delivery against document is required, an air waybill (AWB) or ocean bill of lading (B/L) should be used. Difference from a bill of lading: A courier receipt serves only as a transport receipt and tracking basis, is not negotiable, and does not represent ownership of the goods; a bill of lading, by contrast, is a document of title and can be transferred by endorsement. In addition, a courier receipt is generally not used for letter of credit settlement unless the L/C expressly accepts it. Foreign trade practitioners should keep courier receipts properly as proof of shipment and for subsequent inquiries.