In international shipping, document management is a key element to ensure that goods can be released at destination without unnecessary incidents or delays. The choice of the type of transport document and associated release mechanisms has a direct impact on operational deadlines, coordination between parties and control of the logistics flow.
Telex Release is one of the most widely used procedures for the release of goods when the physical presentation of an original Bill of Lading is not required. Although its use is widespread, it still generates operational doubts: what exactly it consists of, how it is activated, in which cases it is advisable and what documentary implications it has compared to other options such as the original Bill of Lading or the Sea Waybill.
This article addresses the Telex Release from a technical and operational approach, analyzing its actual functioning within a maritime operation, the scenarios in which it is appropriate and the risks associated with an incorrect application. The objective is to provide practical clarity on a common procedure in maritime logistics, avoiding misinterpretations that may affect the release of goods at destination.
What is Telex Release
Telex Release is a documentary procedure used in maritime transport by means of which the shipping company authorizes the release of the goods at destination without the need to present the original Bill of Lading on paper.
From an operational point of view, the Telex Release implies that:
📄 The Bill of Lading has been issued, but
🧾 All originals have been delivered and cancelled at source, and.
📣 The shipping line electronically communicates to its agent at destination that the cargo can be released to the authorized Consignee.
The Telex Release is not a type of Bill of Lading, but a way to release the goods when it is no longer necessary to control the physical possession of the original document.
Origin and purpose of Telex Release in maritime transport
Telex Release is a response to an operational limitation of the original Bill of Lading: the dependence on the physical document to pick up the goods at destination.
Its main purpose is:
⏱️ Reduce time by avoiding physical mailing of documents
📦 Avoiding blockages at destination when originals do not arrive on time
🌍 Facilitating international operations with tight deadlines
🔁 Simplify document management in recurring or trusted operations.
Although the term “telex” refers to old communication systems, in current practice the Telex Release is managed by electronic systems of the shipping companies, maintaining the name for historical use.
What is NOT a Telex Release (usual clarifications)
To avoid misinterpretation, it is important to clarify what a Telex Release is not:
❌ Not a separate transport document.
❌ Does not replace the Bill of Lading as a contract of carriage.
❌ Does not eliminate the existence of the original B/L.
❌ Does not automatically imply a Sea Waybill.
The Telex Release only affects the release mechanism at destination, not the contractual structure or the content of the Bill of Lading issued at origin.
This distinction is key to understanding its real implications and avoiding documentary errors in later phases of the operation.
How Telex Release works in a maritime operation
Telex Release is activated once certain documentary conditions have been met at origin. It is not an automatic or unilateral procedure, but depends on the express validation by the shipping company.
Sequentially, the process is as follows:
📄 Issuance of the original Bill of Lading by the shipping company.
💰 Confirmation of payment of freight and associated costs, according to contractual conditions.
📦 Delivery of all the originals of the B/L by the Shipper to the shipping line or its agent at origin.
🧾 Cancellation of originals in the shipping company’s systems.
📣 E lectronic communication (telex / internal system) to the agent at destination authorizing the release.
Only when these steps are completed, the goods can be released at destination without physical presentation of the original B/L.
Role of the Shipper, Consignee and shipping line
Each party involved has a clearly defined role in the Telex Release process:
🚢 Shipper: Requests the Telex Release and delivers the originals of the B/L. Without this delivery, the procedure cannot be activated.
📦 Consignee: The party authorized to pick up the goods at destination upon receipt of the release notice from the shipping line.
🧾 Shipping company: Verifies compliance with the conditions, cancels the originals and communicates the release authorization to its agent at destination.
The shipping company maintains control of the process at all times, as it is the one who validates that the release without the original B/L does not pose a contractual risk.
Communication between origin and destination
Communication is a critical element in Telex Release. Once authorized, the shipping line transmits the instruction to its agent at destination via:
📣 The shipping company’s own internal systems.
📄 Standardized electronic messages
🧾 Internal references linked to B/L.
It is important to note that the Consignee does not automatically receive additional fees for the Telex Release. The release of the goods is still subject to:
📄 Correct identification of the Consignee.
⚖️ Compliance with customs requirements
💰 Payment of local charges at destination, when applicable
Telex Release expedites document release, but does not replace operational and regulatory controls at destination.
Differences between Telex Release, Original Bill of Lading and Sea Waybill
Telex Release vs. original Bill of Lading
The difference between a Telex Release and an original Bill of Lading is not in the document itself, but in the mechanism for releasing the goods.
📄 Original Bill of Lading: It is a negotiable document that may represent the ownership of the goods. To release the cargo at destination, physical presentation of at least one of the originals is mandatory.
📣 Telex Release: The original Bill of Lading exists and has been issued, but the originals have been delivered and cancelled at origin. Release at destination is authorized without physical presentation of the B/L.
Key difference:
⚖️ The original B/L maintains physical control of the delivery entitlement.
⏱️ Telex Release eliminates the dependence on the physical document, but only when control is no longer needed.
Telex Release vs. Sea Waybill
Although in practice both allow goods to be released without presenting an original B/L, Telex Release and Sea Waybill are not equivalent.
📄 Sea Waybill: Non-negotiable document upon issuance. No originals are issued and the goods are delivered directly to the identified Consignee.
📣 Telex Release: Procedure applied to an originally negotiable Bill of Lading, which no longer requires originals after its cancellation.
Clear operational differences:
📦 The Sea Waybill never requires originals.
🧾 The Telex Release does start from an original B/L, but eliminates its further use.
🔁 The Sea Waybill is a pre-issuance decision.
⏱️ The Telex Release is a subsequent decision, once the B/L has been issued.
Operational and documentary implications of each option
The choice between original B/L, Telex Release or Sea Waybill has a direct impact on the operation:
⏱️ Deadlines: Telex Release and Sea Waybill reduce time by avoiding the physical mailing of documents.
⚖️ Documentary control: The original B/L offers greater control in operations where payment and ownership must be assured.
🌍 Type of operation: Recurrent, intra-group or trust operations usually opt for Sea Waybill or Telex Release.
📄 Risk management: Incorrect use of an option may generate blockages at destination or loss of control over the goods.
Understanding these differences is essential to choose the right documentary mechanism, avoiding “business as usual” solutions that do not fit the reality of the operation.
When to use Telex Release
Typical operations where applicable
Telex Release is mainly used in maritime operations where the physical control of the original Bill of Lading is no longer necessary and document agility is prioritized.
The most common scenarios are:
🌍 Transactions between companies with a consolidated business relationship, where the risk of non-payment or dispute is low.
🔁 Intra-group transactions, between subsidiaries or companies of the same corporate group.
💰 Prepaid sales, where the exporter has already ensured collection prior to shipment.
🚢 Time-sensitive shipments, where ship transit is faster than physical shipment of documents.
📦 Operations managed by freight forwarders or integrated logistics operators, with a high level of documentary control.
In these contexts, Telex Release helps to avoid blockages at the destination due to the unavailability of the original B/L.
Cases in which it is not recommended
Although it is a widespread procedure, Telex Release is not suitable for all operations. There are situations where maintaining control by original B/L is preferable.
It is not usually recommended when:
⚖️ Payment depends on the presentation of the original B/L (e.g. in documentary credits).
🔒 There is commercial risk between seller and buyer.
📄 The B/L is used as collateral against financial institutions .
🌍 Local legislation or practice requires strict control of the original document.
In these cases, releasing the goods via Telex Release may result in an unwanted loss of documentary control.
Impact on timing and coordination at destination
From an operational point of view, the main value of Telex Release is its positive impact on time management and coordination at the destination.
Usual effects:
⏱️ Reduction of waiting time for release of goods
📦 Early initiation of formalities (customs, inland transport, warehousing)
🚛 Improved subsequent transportation planning
📄 Reduced reliance on urgent shipments of documentation.
However, these benefits only materialize when the Telex Release is requested and validated sufficiently in advance and when all parties involved are aware of the procedure applied.
Risks and common errors in the use of Telex Release
Common documentary errors
The problems associated with Telex Release do not usually derive from the procedure itself, but from errors in its request, validation or documentary coordination. The most frequent are:
📄 Request Telex Release without having submitted all the originals of the B/L.
💰 Failure to pay the freight or charges demanded by the shipping line
🧾 Assume that the Telex Release is automatic, without express confirmation from the shipping company.
🔁 Misalignment between what was commercially agreed and what is reflected in the B/L.
📣 Failure to communicate to the Consignee or the agent at destination about the procedure followed
These errors are usually detected when the goods have already arrived at the port, which limits the margin for reaction.
Operational consequences at destination
When the Telex Release is not properly managed, the consequences materialize mainly at the destination, affecting the fluidity of the operation.
Usual impacts:
⏱️ Impossibility of releasing the goods due to lack of authorization in the shipping company’s systems.
📦 Delays in customs clearance, as it is not possible to initiate prior formalities.
🚢 Increased delays and stockpiles, especially in congested terminals.
📄 Need for urgent documentary corrections, with additional costs.
In some cases, the operation is blocked until the documentary situation is regularized at origin, which may take several days.
Impact on merchandise release
It is important to emphasize that the Telex Release does not in itself guarantee immediate release of the goods. Its function is to eliminate the requirement of the original B/L, but release is still conditional on other factors:
⚖️ Compliance with customs requirements at destination
💰 Payment of local charges and port taxes
📦 Correct identification of the authorized Consignee.
📄 Consistency between all transaction documents.
An error in any of these points can neutralize the benefits of Telex Release, turning it into an operational bottleneck rather than a solution.
Best practices for the correct use of Telex Release
Prerequisites for issuing a Telex Release
Before requesting a Telex Release, clear documentary and contractual conditions must be met. This is not a discretionary option, but a procedure subject to validation by the shipping line.
Usual requirements:
📄 Pre-issuance of original Bill of Lading
🧾 Delivery of all B/L originals to the shipping line or its agent at origin.
💰 Confirmed payment of freight and associated charges, according to agreed terms.
⚖️ Absence of contractual restrictions requiring the use of the original B/L
📣 Express request from the Shipper or authorized party.
Until these requirements are met, the shipping company will not authorize release without originals.
Coordination between exporter, importer and logistics operator
The correct use of Telex Release depends to a large extent on early coordination between the parties involved, especially prior to the arrival of the goods at destination.
Good coordination practices:
🔁 Agree on the use of Telex Release prior to shipment, not after the fact.
📄 Correctly reflect the procedure in the Shipping Instructions
📣 Inform the Consignee and the agent at destination once authorized.
⏱️ Request Telex Release sufficiently in advance for validation.
The logistics operator o freight forwarder acts here as a control element, verifying that the chosen procedure is consistent with the structure of the operation.
Key recommendations to avoid incidents
To maximize the benefits of Telex Release and reduce risks, a number of basic operational criteria should be applied:
📦 Use Telex Release only when it is not necessary to control the possession of the B/L
📄 Always confirm the formal acceptance of the shipping company.
⏱️ Do not assume that authorization is immediate or automatic.
🧾 Integrate the Telex Release into a pre-arrival document checklist.
Treating Telex Release as a strategic document management decision, and not as an emergency solution, is key to avoiding blockages and cost overruns at destination.
Telex Release and its relationship with customs and documentary control
Actual scope of the Telex Release vis-à-vis the authorities
The Telex Release has no direct legal effect vis-à-vis the customs authorities. Its scope is limited to the scope of maritime transport and the relationship with the shipping company, allowing the release of the goods without presentation of the original Bill of Lading.
From the regulatory point of view:
⚖️ Customs does not recognize the Telex Release as a qualifying title by itself.
📄 The customs authority relies on customs documentation (SAD, representation, invoices, etc.), not on the B/L release mechanism.
🚢 The Telex Release does not replace administrative requirements or official controls.
Therefore, its effect is operational and private, not administrative.
What liabilities are not covered by Telex Release
It is critical to understand what a Telex Release does not cover to avoid incorrect expectations at destination. Specifically, the Telex Release does not:
⚖️ Provides representation before customs
🧾 Authorizes customs clearance.
📦 Guarantees the physical removal of the goods.
💰 Exempts from payment of local taxes, fees or charges.
📄 Corrects inconsistencies in other transaction documents.
Any action before customs or terminals requires specific clearance, independent of the B/L release procedure.
Difference between documentary clearance and customs clearance
A common confusion is to equate the release of documents by Telex Release with the possibility of dispatching or withdrawing the goods. These are different and sequential processes.
Key differentiation:
📣 Documentary release (Telex Release): The shipping company authorizes the delivery of the goods without original B/L.
⚖️ Customs clearance: The authority validates the entry of the goods into the country in accordance with the applicable regulations.
🚛 Physical withdrawal: Only possible when both processes have been completed and the economic and operational requirements have been satisfied.
Telex Release streamlines one of these steps, but does not eliminate or replace the others.
Across Logistics’ role in international maritime document management
In maritime transport, document release (such as a Telex Release) only works well if there is control, coordination and consistency between shipping line, origin and destination. When documentation is aligned, incidents are reduced, blockages are avoided and the operation gains predictability.
Across Logistics accompanies companies in this international coordination with a comprehensive vision (maritime, air and land), customs and operational management, backed by recognized credentials:
🛃 AEO (Authorized Economic Operator)
📈 ISO 9001 (Quality Management System)
✈️ IATA (accredited agent)
💊 GDP (Good Distribution Practices, pharma sector)
Contact us and tell us about your needs.
