Legal Definitions - reconsignment

Reconsignment refers to a change made to the original shipping instructions for goods *after* they have already left their point of origin but *before* they reach their initially planned destination. Essentially, it's redirecting or altering the terms of a shipment while the items are still in transit.

To understand this, it's helpful to know that a "consignment" in this context refers to a shipment of goods from a sender (consignor) to a receiver (consignee) via a carrier.

Here are some examples to illustrate reconsignment:

• Example 1: Redirecting to a New Destination

  A clothing manufacturer ships a large order of winter coats from its factory in Vietnam to a major retail chain's distribution center in Los Angeles. While the cargo ship is still at sea, the retail chain realizes that a particular region in the Midwest is experiencing an unexpected cold snap and has an urgent need for the coats. The manufacturer contacts the shipping company and arranges for the container of coats to be immediately transferred to a train upon arrival in Los Angeles, then rerouted directly to the Midwest distribution center instead of the original Los Angeles facility.

  This is reconsignment because the ultimate destination of the goods was changed while they were still in transit (on the ship and then on the train), diverting them from the original plan.

• Example 2: Changing the Recipient or Delivery Address

  A technology company ships a pallet of new servers to a client's data center in Dallas. Halfway through the truck's journey, the client informs the technology company that their primary IT manager, who was supposed to receive the shipment, has unexpectedly left the company. They request that the delivery be made to a different building within the same business park and addressed to the new IT director. The technology company contacts the trucking firm and provides the updated delivery address and recipient details.

  This demonstrates reconsignment because the specific recipient and the precise delivery location were altered while the servers were still being transported by the carrier.

• Example 3: Altering Delivery Terms Due to Unforeseen Circumstances

  A specialized medical supplier sends a shipment of non-perishable medical equipment via standard ground freight to a hospital in Florida. During the transit period, a severe hurricane warning is issued for the Florida coast, and the hospital's receiving dock is temporarily shut down. To avoid delays and potential damage, the medical supplier works with the hospital to identify a sister hospital in a safer inland location that can receive the equipment. The supplier then instructs the freight company to divert the truck to the alternative hospital location.

  This is an instance of reconsignment because the original delivery point was changed to a new, safer location while the medical equipment was still in transit, adapting to unforeseen circumstances.