Notify Party
The Notify Party is the party named on a bill of lading or air waybill to be notified when the cargo arrives at the destination port or airport. It is often the consignee, the consignee's customs broker or forwarder — whoever needs to act to arrange customs clearance and take delivery.
Naming a notify party ensures the arrival notice reaches the right people so clearance and collection are not delayed. On “to order” bills of lading, where the consignee box is blank or reads "to order", the notify party is especially important because it tells the carrier who to contact even though the goods are consigned to order. Accurate notify-party details are a small but important documentation point that keeps deliveries moving on time.
If the wrong party — or no party — is set to be notified, the arrival notice goes astray and clearance stalls while the box racks up demurrage. The notify party is a small field on the bill of lading with an outsized effect on whether cargo clears and delivers on schedule, especially on "to order" shipments.
Is the notify party the same as the consignee?
Often, but not always — the notify party may be the consignee, their broker or forwarder; on "to order" bills it identifies who to contact.
Why does the notify party matter?
They receive the arrival notice, so naming them correctly ensures customs clearance and collection are arranged without delay.