Consignor
The Consignor is the party who sends a shipment — the sender of the goods named on the bill of lading, air waybill or consignment note. In most trade the consignor is the seller/exporter who hands the cargo to the carrier for delivery to the consignee (the receiver). The consignor is responsible for correctly describing, packing, marking and declaring the goods, and for giving the carrier accurate shipping instructions.
Consignor and consignee are the two principal parties on a transport document, and the terms are used across sea, air and road carriage. In some regulatory contexts — notably aviation security — the consignor's status matters greatly: a vetted "known consignor" can present cargo for carriage with lighter screening than an unknown one. Getting the consignor details and responsibilities right is basic to clean documentation and smooth carriage.
Consignor and consignee are the anchor parties on every transport document — get them wrong and the shipment is mis-consigned, mis-delivered or stuck in clearance. The consignor also carries the duty to declare and pack correctly, and in air cargo its security status changes how the cargo is screened. It is fundamental shipping vocabulary.
Is the consignor the same as the shipper?
Yes — the consignor is the party sending the goods, commonly called the shipper or sender.
What is the difference between consignor and consignee?
The consignor sends the goods; the consignee receives them. Both are named on the transport document.