What is the difference between the consignee and the notify party?

The consignee is the party legally designated to take delivery of the cargo. The notify party is a third party — typically a freight forwarder, customs broker, or bank — that is informed when the cargo arrives at the destination port or terminal but does not take physical delivery. In sea freight and air freight documentation, both a consignee and a notify party are commonly named on the same Bill of Lading. In CMR road freight documentation, the CMR names only the consignor and consignee — the notify party role is less formalised in European road freight.