Home / Logistics Knowledge / LCL Telex Release
Telex release gives up the paper original and releases cargo by instruction instead. On LCL you have two levels to clear, not one: the forwarder releases your house bill, and separately releases the master bill to the carrier. Both have to be done before the destination agent will let cargo go.
A telex release on an LCL shipment has to be completed at the level between you and your forwarder, and at the level between your forwarder and the carrier. You can only instruct the first. The second is your forwarder's job, but nothing moves at destination until it is done.
| Level | Document | Who applies | Done when |
|---|---|---|---|
| House level | House B/L | You, to the consolidating forwarder | Originals returned and marked as released |
| Master level | Master B/L | The forwarder, to the carrier | Carrier flags the release in its system |
You apply on the forwarder's form and back it with a letter of indemnity: you confirm the release is voluntary, accept responsibility for it, and give up any claim based on the originals. On LCL the letter goes to the forwarder rather than the carrier, because the forwarder issued your bill.
Any originals already issued must come back and be cancelled before the release is processed. If they have been couriered to your buyer, they have to be returned first.
| LCL telex release | FCL telex release | |
|---|---|---|
| Apply to | The consolidating forwarder (house bill) | The carrier or its booking agent |
| Levels to complete | Two: house and master | One: the carrier bill |
| Letter of indemnity goes to | The forwarder | The carrier |
| Who releases | Forwarder's agent, at the CFS | Carrier's agent, at the terminal |
| Step before collection | Deconsolidation and sorting | None; the box is collected as it stands |
| Time saved | Avoids waiting for courier documents | Avoids waiting for courier documents |
Telex release on LCL does not mean same-day collection. Stripping and sorting are physical steps that no document arrangement can skip. What the release saves you is the three to seven days an original bill spends in a courier envelope.
| Request | Before the master release | After the master release |
|---|---|---|
| Withdraw and reinstate originals | Forwarder can withdraw and reissue the house bill | Needs carrier agreement; usually refused |
| Change consignee | Reissue and release again | Depends on whether cargo has been sorted and released |
| Change notify party | Yes | Yes |
| Switch to collection at destination | Yes | Depends on deconsolidation progress |
After release, the consignee still has to satisfy the destination agent before collecting.
| Risk | Cause | Prevention |
|---|---|---|
| Only one level completed | Forwarder never released the master bill | Require written confirmation of the master-level release |
| Cargo released before payment | Release filed before the balance cleared | File the release only once funds are received |
| Cargo handed to the wrong consignee | Marks or house reference unclear at stripping | Put the house reference on the packing list and keep photos of the marks |
| Destination charge dispute | Charges never confirmed up front | Request a destination charge breakdown at booking |
| Letter of credit discrepancy | The credit does not allow telex release | Check the credit terms before choosing a release method |
Yes. You apply to the consolidating forwarder for release of the house bill, and the forwarder applies to the carrier for release of the master bill. Cargo is released at destination only when both are complete.
Because there are two bills of lading. Your contract runs to the forwarder under the house bill, and the forwarder's runs to the carrier under the master bill. Releasing only the house bill leaves the carrier still expecting originals.
Yes. You sign a letter of indemnity to the forwarder confirming the release is voluntary and accepting responsibility. Many forwarders require their own form, stamped and signed by an authorised person.
Usually one to three days after arrival. The container still has to be stripped and the lots sorted at a CFS. The release saves you the courier wait, not the physical handling time.
Before the forwarder completes the master-level release, yes: it can be withdrawn and the house bill reissued. Once the carrier instruction has gone out, withdrawal normally needs case-by-case agreement.
There is an extra level to complete, so a partial release is easy to mistake for a completed one. Release also happens at a CFS after deconsolidation rather than at the terminal, which adds a sorting step where cargo can be misrouted.
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