WordGarden.ioconsignor
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Meanings
Noun
the person or organization that sends goods in a shipment
the owner who leaves goods with another party to sell
Beyond the definition
Imagine you're a painter selling your artwork, but instead of running a gallery yourself, you ask a local shop to display and sell it for you. You, the artist, are the consignor. A consignor is the person or business that sends goods to another party (the consignee) to sell or handle on their behalf. This is common in art, antiques, and secondhand clothing. In a consignment sale, the consignor usually keeps ownership until the item is sold—they’re letting someone else do the selling.
You may also see consignor in shipping. On labels or transport papers, the consignor is the sender (the shipper), and the consignee is the receiver.
The word consignor refers to the person or organization that sends goods to another party—the consignee. The meaning depends on the setting, but it often comes up in two common situations: consignment sales and shipping.
In a consignment sale, the consignor provides goods to a consignee (such as a gallery, boutique, or dealer) to sell. The consignee displays the items, finds buyers, and takes a fee or commission from the sale price. In many consignment arrangements, the consignor keeps legal ownership until the item is sold, and gets paid only after the consignee sells it. This setup is common in art (where galleries act as consignees), antiques, and resale clothing.
The relationship between a consignor and a consignee is usually set out in a consignment agreement. It covers details like pricing, the consignee’s commission, how long the goods will be kept, when the consignor gets paid, and who is responsible for loss or damage.
In shipping and logistics, consignor is often simply the sender or shipper listed on a bill of lading or shipping label, while the consignee is the receiver. In this context, the consignor may be the seller, the manufacturer, or any party that ships the goods.
For example: "The private collectors acted as consignors for the antique dealer, who showcased their rare finds in her shop." Or, "The bill of lading listed the factory as the consignor and the retailer as the consignee."
Examples
- 1
Customs paperwork
The consignor must list the value of the goods on the customs form.
- 2
Shipping contact
If the shipment is delayed, the carrier will notify the consignor first.
- 3
Warehouse logistics
The warehouse stores products for several consignors and ships them out as orders come in.
See also
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- consignornoun