Telex Release

A Telex Release is an electronic message sent by the shipping line at the port of loading to their agent at the port of discharge, authorizing the release of cargo without requiring the original Bill of Lading to be physically presented. It effectively converts a negotiable B/L into a non-negotiable one, allowing faster cargo collection at the destination.

In Freight Forwarding

Telex releases are widely used when the original B/L cannot arrive at the destination before the vessel does, which is common on shorter trade routes. The shipper surrenders the original B/L at the origin, and the carrier sends the telex authorization. This eliminates the risk and cost of couriering original documents internationally, though it also removes the B/L's function as a negotiable title document.

How CargoGen Handles It

CargoGen tracks telex release as a status on the bill of lading, from issued to telex released, and records the date on the shipment. The request to the carrier is still made by your team; the record makes sure everyone at origin and destination sees the same answer.