Telex Release B/L

Telex Release B/L refers to a method of cargo release whereby the shipper (exporter) returns the full set of original bills of lading to the shipping company or freight forwarder and authorizes them to notify the destination port agent electronically that the consignee may take delivery of the goods without presenting the original bills of lading. Use scenarios: It is adopted when the goods arrive at the destination port earlier than the bills of lading, or when the buyer and seller have a high level of mutual trust and need to speed up cargo pickup. Precautions: After telex release, the shipper loses control over the title to the goods. If the consignee refuses to pay, the risk is extremely high. Therefore, it is usually required to collect full payment before shipment, or to adopt safeguards such as advance T/T or letters of credit. Difference from original B/L: An original B/L requires the paper original for cargo pickup and is negotiable and transferable; a telex release B/L is non-negotiable and only the designated consignee may take delivery. Difference from Sea Waybill: A sea waybill is a non-negotiable transport document, whereas a telex release B/L is still essentially a bill of lading; only the method of cargo release differs. In practice, telex release requires the shipper to issue a telex release letter of guarantee and to confirm that the shipping company has received all original bills of lading.