The importer will require a full set of bills of lading in order to obtain the goods from overseas port. The bills of lading can only be obtained by payment of the bill of exchange (D/P), or by acceptance (D/A). Therefore, the importer cannot obtain the goods without paying or accepting the bill of exchange, and conversely an exporter retains control of the goods until payment or acceptance of bill of exchange. When goods are sent by air, the airway bill could show the importer’s bank as consignee. Once again the importer must pay or accept a bill of exchange to be able to obtain the goods. Once the importer has paid or accepted the bill of exchange, the importer’s bank will issue a delivery order. The delivery order is an authority, signed on behalf of the bank, authorizing the airport to release the goods to the named importer. An exporter should obtain the prior agreement of the importer’s bank before he consigns goods to that bank. In practice, the importer’s bank will not agree to be named as consignee, unless its own customer is of major importance. When D/P terms are used, it is unnecessary to include a bill of exchange, since the over- seas bank can release documents on payment of the invoice amount. However, sight drafts are usually included.

The importer can obtain the goods only by ______.