Delivery Order (Ordino)
A delivery order is the authorization you need on the import side to physically pull your cargo before customs clearance. While the bill of lading represents title and the contract of carriage, the ordino is the operational green light that says "this cargo may now be released to you."
A delivery order (ordino) is a document issued by the carrier or its agent, against surrender of the original bill of lading and payment of local charges, that authorizes the consignee to take delivery of the cargo from the port, terminal or bonded warehouse.
What it does and where it fits
The delivery order is the bridge between the bill of lading and customs in the import flow. It is the operational authorization that unlocks physical release of the cargo at the port or terminal.
- Documents the consignee's right to collect cargo from the port, container yard or bonded warehouse
- Usually obtained before the customs declaration and actual import; the cargo moves into the customs area under this authority
- The agent confirms freight, demurrage and local charges are settled before issuing it
- Most discussed in sea-freight imports, but road and air freight have equivalent delivery instructions
Who issues it and when it becomes valid
The delivery order is issued by the carrier (a party to the contract of carriage) or its agent/forwarder at the destination port. It is the transport chain that issues it, not the exporter.
- Issuer: the shipowner/carrier's agent or the freight forwarder at the destination
- Condition: surrender of the original bill of lading (or electronic release via telex release / express B/L) and payment of local charges
- Validity: tied to a specific consignee, a specific cargo and usually a short window; it may need renewal if it expires
- In an L/C transaction you do not receive the original bill of lading until the bank releases the documents, so the ordino cannot be obtained before that
Watch-outs and common mistakes
The delivery order is usually where delay and extra cost get triggered, because release only happens once every charge in the chain is settled.
- Confusing it with the bill of lading: the B/L is title and the contract of carriage, the ordino is the release authority; one does not replace the other
- A late delivery order means demurrage and storage: if the original B/L or telex release is delayed, the container sits at the port and demurrage/detention accrues
- Local-charge surprises: even if freight is paid, destination costs like THC, documentation and handling must clear before the ordino is issued
- Consignee mismatch: the consignee on the B/L must match the party requesting the order; a broken endorsement chain stops release
- Expiry: if collection is delayed, the authorization window lapses and the order must be reissued
How it relates to Sighthem
In Sighthem the delivery order is not a standalone module; it is a release document tracked within the document set of the import/shipment operation.
- The document is kept in the shipment's documentary set alongside the other transport papers (bill of lading, packing list, certificate of origin)
- To catch demurrage and storage risk early, the delivery-order stage is reviewed together with the shipment's status tracking
- Which warehouse or bonded warehouse the goods enter is planned in the multi-warehouse model; customs and HS-code data live on the product card
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a delivery order (ordino) and a bill of lading (B/L)?
The bill of lading is a document of title and the contract of carriage; the delivery order is issued against that bill of lading and gives the consignee authority to collect the cargo from the port. You cannot get an ordino without the B/L, but the ordino does not replace the B/L.
Who issues the delivery order (ordino)?
It is issued by the transport chain, not the exporter: the carrier's agent (shipping line agent) or the freight forwarder at the destination port. Issuance requires surrender of the original bill of lading (or a telex release) and payment of local charges.
Do I need the original bill of lading to get a delivery order?
As a rule yes; the agent grants release authority against surrender of the original bill of lading. As an exception, if a telex release or an express (seawaybill) was issued, the ordino can be obtained via electronic release without presenting a physical original.
What happens if the delivery order is delayed?
The cargo keeps waiting at the port or terminal, and once the free time is exceeded, demurrage and storage/detention charges start to accrue. That is why the original B/L, telex release and local-charge payment should be tracked early in the shipment plan.
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