A delivery order (DO) is the document that authorizes the release of cargo to a specific party — usually the trucking company hired to pick it up. Issued by the freight forwarder, NVOCC, or customs broker after the shipment is cleared and freight charges are paid, the delivery order is what turns a paper release into a physical container or pallet leaving the terminal. No DO, no pickup: it is one of the most common missing links when a released shipment mysteriously does not move.
What a delivery order contains
A typical DO identifies the shipment (bill of lading number, container or lot number, piece count, weight), the parties (consignee, notify party), the location holding the cargo (marine terminal, CFS, bonded warehouse, or airline cargo facility), and — critically — the authorized motor carrier. It often includes the last free day so everyone can see the demurrage clock. The DO works alongside the bill of lading, not instead of it: the BOL proves the contract of carriage and title; the DO instructs the custodian to hand cargo to a named trucker.
Who issues it and when
Ocean shipments
For FCL imports, the ocean carrier or NVOCC issues a release once the original bill is surrendered (or a telex/express release applies) and freight is paid. The forwarder or broker then cuts the delivery order naming the drayage carrier. For LCL, the deconsolidator at the CFS needs the DO before it will load out your portion — a step covered in our guide to clearing LCL through Port Miami.
Air shipments
At Miami International Airport, the airline or its ground handler requires a DO from the forwarder before releasing cargo, along with customs release. Airlines also charge storage quickly — usually after 48-72 hours — so a slow DO is expensive.
Why delivery orders cause delays
The classic failure: customs releases the shipment, everyone assumes it is moving, but the DO was never sent to the trucker — or names the wrong trucker. Terminals verify that the carrier picking up matches the carrier authorized; a mismatch means a turned-away truck, a wasted appointment slot, and possibly a demurrage day. Freight payment disputes also hold DOs hostage: the forwarder will not issue one until its invoice is paid. The fix is procedural, not heroic: confirm early who issues the DO, make sure it names your drayage carrier exactly, and copy dispatch on it the moment it exists. A licensed customs broker typically coordinates this handoff for importers.
Frequently asked questions
Is a delivery order the same as a bill of lading?
No. The bill of lading is the contract and receipt for the ocean or air carriage, while the delivery order is a separate instruction that tells the terminal or warehouse which local carrier is authorized to pick the cargo up after release.
Who sends the delivery order to the trucking company?
Usually the freight forwarder, NVOCC, or customs broker managing the import sends the DO to the consignee’s chosen trucker. Importers should confirm the trucker’s exact legal name and SCAC so the DO matches the carrier arriving at the gate.
What happens if the truck arrives without a delivery order on file?
The terminal or warehouse will refuse to release the cargo, the trip and any appointment slot are wasted, and the importer risks storage or demurrage charges while a corrected DO is issued.
Go Freight works with freight forwarders and brokers across South Florida to keep DOs, releases, and pickups in sync. Get a quote or call (786) 445-0150.