Delivery Order (D/O)
A Delivery Order (D/O) is the document that authorises the release of cargo from a carrier, terminal or depot to the consignee or their agent. It is issued once the consignee has surrendered the original bill of lading (or received a telex release), paid the applicable freight and charges, and completed customs clearance — the final key that lets the goods physically leave.
The delivery order confirms who may collect the cargo and from where, and instructs the terminal or container depot to hand it over. It sits at the end of the import documentation chain — after the arrival notice, customs clearance and payment — and any missing prerequisite (unpaid charges, outstanding B/L, incomplete clearance) will hold up the D/O and the collection with it, so managing it cleanly keeps final delivery on schedule.
The delivery order is the last gate before cargo moves — no D/O, no collection, and the box keeps accruing charges. Because it depends on the B/L, payment and clearance all being in order, it is where import bottlenecks surface. Issuing and tracking D/Os smoothly is what turns a cleared shipment into delivered goods.
What is needed to get a delivery order?
Surrender of the original B/L (or telex release), payment of freight and charges, and completed customs clearance.
What does a delivery order authorise?
It instructs the terminal, carrier or depot to release the cargo to the named consignee or agent.