consignee
3 synonyms and 2 antonyms for consignee, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — The person or company to whom goods are sent, and who is named on the shipping documents as the receiver.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use consignee
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
named consignee
the consignee of record
notify the consignee
consignee address
Shipping, freight and legal paperwork.
Etymology
From consign, from Latin consignare "to mark with a seal", with the suffix -ee marking the person on the receiving end of the action.
Full origin of consignee →Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a consignee and a consignor?
The consignor sends the goods; the consignee receives them. On a bill of lading the consignor is normally the seller or exporter, and the consignee is the buyer, their agent or the destination warehouse. The -or ending marks the doer, the -ee ending the receiver.
Does the consignee own the goods?
Not automatically. Being named consignee gives the right to take delivery, but ownership depends on the sale contract and the shipping documents. Under a consignment arrangement in retail, the goods remain the sender's property until they are sold.
Can the consignee be different from the buyer?
Yes, and often is. The consignee may be a freight forwarder, a customs broker or a distribution centre acting for the buyer. The buyer is the party paying; the consignee is simply the party the carrier must deliver to.
