In international shipping, the consignee is the party listed on the bill of lading to whom the carrier delivers the goods. Once the shipment arrives and clears customs, this party takes legal ownership of the cargo.
The ultimate consignee is the final recipient of the shipment. In many cases, the consignee and ultimate consignee are the same entity. However, if goods pass through intermediaries (such as freight forwarders or distribution centers), the ultimate recipient refers to the end-user or final destination party.
For U.S. imports, a local business must act as the final recipient when a foreign importer lacks a domestic presence in the United States. This is required to comply with U.S. Customs regulations and ensure proper delivery and accountability.
