Telex Release (abbreviated as “Telex Release”) in international air freight refers to an instruction issued by the carrier or its agent to the destination agent via electronic communication (such as email or system instructions), allowing the consignee to collect the goods without presenting the original air waybill (AWB), simply by presenting the telex release notice or proof of identity.
The core principle is to replace the title certificate function of the “original bill of lading” with “electronic authorization.” Traditionally, the consignee must present the original bill of lading sent by the shipper to collect the goods. With the telex release model, the validity of the original bill of lading is overwritten by the “telex release instruction,” eliminating the need for physical documents.
- Why is a “telegraphic release” necessary? First, understand the unique characteristics of an air waybill.
First, it’s important to understand that the core difference between an air waybill (AWB) and an ocean bill of lading (B/L) is that they are not documents of property. An ocean bill of lading is proof of ownership of the goods; whoever holds the original bill of lading can claim the goods. An air waybill, on the other hand, is essentially a “transportation contract + cargo receipt.” Even without the original, theoretically, it’s possible to claim the goods as long as one can prove their identity (such as the consignee’s name on the bill of lading). (However, in practice, carriers will require the original or a telegraphic release to avoid disputes.)
However, in practice, air freight is faster (usually 1-7 days), while the production and delivery of an original bill of lading (such as by international express) can take 3-5 days. This can easily lead to situations where the goods have arrived at the destination port, but the original bill of lading is still en route. In this case, the consignee cannot claim the goods, incurring storage fees and demurrage at the destination port, and even affecting subsequent sales.
Telex Release was created to address this pain point: it synchronizes delivery rights through electronic instructions, ensuring that the delivery timeframe matches the delivery receipt.
II. When is Telex Release necessary or recommended?
The following four scenarios are the core applications of Telex Release, covering almost all air freight needs:
- Urgent delivery, requiring quick delivery (the most common scenario)
If the goods are fresh or time-sensitive (such as exhibition samples or urgent replenishment), air freight is inherently about speed. Delays in delivery due to waiting for the original bill of lading can result in a direct loss of value or incur additional costs (such as storage fees).
For example, exhibition samples shipped from China to Germany by air arrive in three days, but the original bill of lading takes five days to arrive. In this case, using Telex Release allows the consignee to pick up the goods within one to two days of arrival, avoiding missing the exhibition.
- The shipper and consignee have a “trust relationship” (no property rights dispute)
A telex release is premised on the absence of any disputes over payment or goods. This is because after a telex release, the shipper loses the leverage to hold the consignee accountable by withholding the original bill of lading (e.g., in ocean freight, withholding the bill of lading could force the consignee to pay the balance).
Commonly used in:
Internal transfers within a multinational company (e.g., goods shipped from a Chinese subsidiary to the US headquarters);
Long-term customers (both parties have established payment trust, eliminating the need for an original bill of lading guarantee);
Prepaid orders (the shipper has received full payment and does not need to worry about the consignee not picking up the goods or refusing to pay).
- Short-haul air freight: The original bill of lading “cannot be circulated in time”
For extremely short air freight journeys (e.g., China to Hong Kong, China, or China to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, a 1-2 day journey), the time it takes for the original bill of lading to be produced and delivered from the shipper to the consignee may exceed the arrival time of the goods, completely rendering it useless as a proof of delivery. In such cases, telex release is the only efficient option.
- Avoiding the risk of original bill of lading loss
Original bills of lading must be sent via international express delivery. If lost en route (e.g., due to express delays or lost parcels), the replacement process is complex (requiring a letter of guarantee, certification, and even a security deposit), potentially resulting in prolonged cargo detention at the port.
Telex release eliminates the need for physical documents, fundamentally eliminating the risk of bill of lading loss.
- Telex Release Operational Process (3 steps, relatively simple)
The shipper initiates a telex release and must submit a “Telex Release Application” to the carrier or freight forwarder. The specific steps are as follows:
Shipper submits a “Telex Release Guarantee”
The shipper must provide a written “Telex Release Guarantee” (usually a template provided by the carrier) to the carrier (or freight forwarder), clearly stating:
Agreeing to telex release the cargo;
Assuming all responsibilities after the telex release (such as disputes over delivery or ownership of the cargo arising from the telex release);
Insert key information such as the bill of lading number, names of the consignee and consignor, and cargo information.
(Some freight forwarders support electronic letters of guarantee, eliminating the need for a paper stamp and making it more efficient.)
The carrier reviews and sends the “Telex Release Instructions.”
After the carrier or freight forwarder confirms the letter of guarantee is correct and the freight has been paid (if any), they will send the “Telex Release Instructions” to the destination agent through their internal system and simultaneously send the “Telex Release Notice” to the shipper (usually a stamped copy of the telex release bill of lading or an email confirmation).
The consignee collects the goods with the telex release notice.
The shipper forwards the “Telex Release Notice” to the consignee, who must bring:
The telex release notice (printed or electronic);
Company business license/personal ID card (same as the consignee name on the bill of lading);
Bill of lading number (for verification by the destination agent);
After verifying the information at the destination agent, you can proceed with the collection procedures.
IV. Notes on Telex Release (Avoiding Pitfalls)
Telex Release cannot be revoked
Once the carrier issues a telex release order, the “collection with the original bill of lading” cannot be restored. Therefore, the shipper must confirm: ① Full payment has been received (if the bill of lading is released on receipt); ② The consignee’s information is correct (to avoid mis-shipping).
“Telex Release Bill of Lading Copy” ≠ “Telex Release Instruction”
A telex release bill of lading copy (such as the PDF version sent by the carrier to the shipper) is merely a “notification document.” Its core function is the “telex release instruction” issued by the carrier to the port of destination. Even if the consignee has a copy, if the port of destination does not receive the instruction, the goods cannot be collected.
Some Countries/Ports Have Special Requirements
Customs in a few countries (such as Brazil and India) have additional requirements for telex release, such as requiring the consignee’s tax number (such as Brazil’s CNPJ) and notarized telex release guarantees. Before shipping, the freight forwarder should confirm the port of destination regulations.
Distinguishing between “Master Bill of Lading” and “House Bill of Lading”
If shipping through a freight forwarder, both the “Master Bill of Lading (MAWB, issued by the carrier to the freight forwarder)” and the “House Bill of Lading (HAWB, issued by the freight forwarder to the shipper)” will be involved:
If only “House Bill of Lading” is performed, the freight forwarder will telex release the house bill of lading to the shipper, but the freight forwarder will still need to present the original master bill of lading to the carrier for delivery (suitable for situations where the freight forwarder has an agent at the destination port);
If “Master Bill of Lading” is performed, the carrier will telex release the bill of lading directly to the consignee at the destination port (suitable for situations where the consignee has the ability to work directly with the carrier’s agent).
The specific choice depends on the capabilities of the freight forwarder and the consignee.
Summary
“Telex Release” is not an “optional option” but a core solution for addressing document timeliness and expedited delivery in air freight scenarios. As long as there is no trust risk between the shipper and the consignee and the goods need to be delivered efficiently, telex release is the best option. On the other hand, if this is your first collaboration and there’s a payment dispute (e.g., selling on credit), caution is advised (considering a “partial telex release” or requesting an advance deposit). However, since air freight bills of lading are not documents of title, even without a telex release, the constraints are far weaker than those of sea freight.
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