CRO

A Cargo Release Order (CRO) is the shipping line's authorisation to release a specific container at the destination terminal to the named consignee or their nominated party. It is issued by the line (or its agent) after the consignee/forwarder presents the Original Bill of Lading (or arranges Telex Release), pays any outstanding freight charges, and clears customs.

CRO management is a core liner-agency workflow. The agent issues the CRO via the terminal's system or paper document, the consignee uses it to gate-out the container, and the line tracks the release for revenue and container-tracking purposes.