Parties and roles
Shipper (consignor)
The party that sends the goods and is named as shipper on the transport document, usually the seller or its export agent.
In four languages
The shipper is the party that hands the goods to the carrier and appears in the shipper box of the bill of lading, CMR note or rail waybill. On most China imports this is the Chinese factory or trading company that sold you the goods, though an export agent that files the export declaration can also be named. The shipper's name should match the commercial invoice and the Chinese export declaration, or customs will ask questions. Under an original bill of lading, the shipper also controls the document until it releases it to the buyer. Example: a Dubai retailer buys lamps from a factory in Zhongshan on FOB Shenzhen terms. The factory is the shipper, clears export customs through its broker, and surrenders the bill of lading only after the buyer pays the balance.
Questions
Is the shipper always the seller?
Usually, but not always. An export agent or trading company can be named as shipper, as long as the invoice, export declaration and bill of lading tell a consistent story.
Can the shipper name be changed after the bill of lading is issued?
Corrections are sometimes possible through the carrier or forwarder before release, usually with a fee. Changing a party may require the original bill of lading back and must still match the export declaration.