What Does BCO Mean in Shipping?

BCO stands for Beneficial Cargo Owner. In the shipping industry, a BCO refers to the actual owner of the cargo being shipped, as opposed to third-party logistics providers or freight forwarders. They are typically companies that import and export goods for their own use and have a direct relationship with the carriers.

A company like Apple, which imports electronic components for its products, can be considered a BCO. They own the cargo and are responsible for the logistics of moving their goods from the manufacturer to their destination.