Delivery order
D/O
A delivery order is the carrier's or agent's instruction to release cargo or containers to the consignee. It is addressed to the terminal, depot or CFS and names the consignee or its agent.
What it is
A delivery order, or D/O, is a document issued by the carrier or its agent at destination that authorizes the port, terminal, container freight station or depot to hand over cargo to the party named on it. It is issued once the consignee has surrendered the original bill of lading, or release has been authorized another way, and has paid the charges due.
How it works in practice
The delivery order identifies the bill of lading, vessel and voyage, containers, consignee and customs agent, and normally carries a validity date. Delivery must take place within that date. If the consignee needs longer, the order is extended, and detention or demurrage for the extra days is usually collected at that point. A carrier can also place a hold on delivery, for example on instruction from the shipper or the origin office.
Why it matters
The delivery order is the agent's last control over the cargo. Releasing it before freight, local charges or outstanding detention are settled leaves the line with little means of recovery, so principals expect agents to enforce payment and document checks first. The validity date also protects the equipment owner, because it ties the consignee's permitted use of the container to a known period.
In Sailix
How Sailix handles it
Sailix issues an import delivery order against a bill of lading once its invoice is paid and no detention charge is outstanding, or after a DO approval. Validity is set from the discharge date plus free days. A Delivery Order Extension recalculates detention and records the invoice, a validity history is kept, and destination DO hold instructions are recorded per bill.
- Delivery orderIssue import delivery orders behind discharge, payment and detention checks, then extend validity with detention billed.
- Import invoicingRaise import invoices from the B/L with charges and tax prefilled, and keep detention and M&R invoices alongside.
- Approval workflowsApproval queues for new customers, B/L issue before receipt, delivery order release or extension, and extra free days.
Related terms
- Arrival noticeAn arrival notice is a document telling the consignee and notify party that a shipment is due. The carrier or its agent sends it, with the charges payable for release.
- Telex releaseA telex release is a carrier's instruction to deliver cargo without an original bill of lading. It goes to the destination office after the originals are surrendered at origin.
- DetentionDetention is a charge for keeping a carrier's container outside the port or terminal beyond the free time. It runs until the empty is returned or the full is gated in.
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