Telex Release
A carrier instruction that lets the consignee collect cargo without presenting an original bill of lading, after the originals are surrendered at origin.
TL;DR: A Telex Release means the shipper has surrendered the original Bill of Lading at the port of loading. The carrier then tells its destination office to release the cargo to the consignee without paper originals.
The name comes from the old telex machines once used to send the instruction. Today the message is sent electronically, but the term remains. The seller, or shipper, returns all original B/Ls to the carrier or forwarder at origin, or asks that none be printed. The B/L is then marked “surrendered” or “telex released,” and the destination office is notified.
The main benefit is speed. Mailing original B/Ls by courier can take several days and sometimes gets lost. On short routes, such as China to Southeast Asia, the ship can arrive before the documents. A Telex Release avoids storage charges and Demurrage and Detention caused by waiting for paper.
The trade-off is control. Once the release is done, the seller can no longer hold the goods as security. For that reason, sellers usually agree to a Telex Release only after receiving the balance payment. Buyers who pay the balance by T/T after seeing a copy of the B/L commonly request a Telex Release in return.
A Telex Release is not the same as a Sea Waybill. The Telex Release starts as a normal B/L and is surrendered. A Sea Waybill is non-negotiable from the start. Telex Release is generally not suitable for L/C transactions that require original documents.