In plain English
It is the document that tells whoever is holding the goods that they may hand over a named shipment to a named person. The carrier or the carrier's agent issues it, and it covers the specified goods only.
In context
Here, D/O denotes the carrier-issued or agent-issued document that authorizes release of the specified cargo to the consignee or another named recipient.
- Situation
- Coordinating freight quotes, booking, consolidation, handoff, and transport documents
- What it communicates
- labels the cargo-release document in the arrival handoff process.
Meaning limits
This term names the release authorization document itself; it does not by itself show that the goods have already been handed over.
Examples
“Although the crates were still in the yard, the carrier's D/O named Elena Park and covered only ten drums.”
“The depot clerk checked the D/O and set aside the four pallets listed for Karim Ali.”