What Is Blind Shipping?
Blind shipping is when either the shipper’s or receiver’s identity is hidden on shipping documents. It’s commonly used when a seller asks a supplier or manufacturer to ship goods directly to the buyer—without revealing the supplier’s details to the customer.
This protects the seller’s business relationships. Without blind shipping, the buyer might see the supplier’s name and contact them directly, cutting out the seller. Likewise, the supplier might see the end buyer’s details and try to bypass the seller in future deals.
Blind shipping doesn’t change how the goods are transported—it simply controls the information each party can see.
What Is a Double-Blind Shipment?
A double-blind shipment takes it further. It hides both sides of the transaction. The supplier does not know who the buyer is. The buyer does not see where the shipment came from.
This works best when a third party handles the booking. That party creates the shipping documents and removes all links between the ends. The pickup location sees a label with neutral delivery details. The final receiver sees the seller’s name, not the factory.
This setup is used in freight forwarding, dropshipping, and distribution. It avoids leaks, cold calls, and pricing exposure. It gives full control to the one who manages the shipment.
Blind Shipping vs Dropshipping vs White Label
These terms often get mixed up. They each deal with third-party shipping. But the details are not the same.
Blind shipping is about hiding supplier or buyer information. It changes what appears on the shipping label or Bill of Lading. The goal is to protect the seller’s role in the deal.
Dropshipping is a sales method. The seller forwards the order to a supplier. That supplier ships it straight to the customer. The seller never handles the goods.
White label means the product has no visible brand from the supplier. It lets the seller use their own logo. Some sellers use blind shipping to support white label orders.
How They Compare
| Blind Shipping | Dropshipping | White Label | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hides supplier info? | Yes | Sometimes | Often |
| Who holds inventory? | Supplier or 3PL | Supplier | Supplier |
| Customer sees brand? | Seller’s brand | Varies | Seller’s brand |
| Used for control or scale? | Control | Scale | Brand ownership |
| Changes documents? | Yes (BOL, label) | Not required | Not required |
Blind shipping can support both dropshipping and white label models. But it is not the same thing. It focuses on visibility, not fulfilment or branding.
Why Businesses Use Blind Shipping
Blind shipping is a tool to control visibility. It helps sellers protect their place in the deal. Below are the key reasons why it’s used in global trade.
Protect Supplier Relationships
Buyers often try to bypass sellers by going direct to the supplier. Blind shipping prevents this by hiding the supplier’s details—labels and documents show only the distributor’s name. It’s a common tactic in freight forwarding to protect business relationships.
Maintain Margin and Exclusivity
Blind shipping doesn’t just protect your supplier—it also protects your pricing. If a buyer sees who the supplier is, they might compare costs or question your markup.
By keeping the supplier hidden, you protect your profit margin and maintain the appearance of a unique or exclusive supply arrangement.
Prevent Competitors from Sourcing the Same Supplier
If your packaging reveals the source, your competitors can find it too. They can place a sample order. They can reach out with their own pitch.
This is a common problem in B2B ecommerce. One exposed label can lead to new competition. Blind shipping removes that risk. It stops others from tracing your supply chain back to its origin.
Preserve Perceived Branding or White-Label Identity
Some products are sold under a different name. This is common in health, beauty, and home goods. The brand on the website is not the one on the factory floor.
Blind shipping helps sellers control how the product is seen. It replaces supplier names with brand names. The buyer thinks it came from the brand itself.
This is often used alongside white label packaging. Both are needed to keep the experience clean.
How Blind Shipping Works (Step-by-Step)
Blind shipping adds an extra layer to the freight process. It changes the paperwork, not the path of the goods. Here’s how it works in practice.
Step 1: Manufacturing is completed
The product is made and packed at the factory. The supplier does not prepare the final labels. They hand off the shipment to the next party in line.
This setup is common in ecommerce and wholesale. The supplier does the heavy lifting. The seller focuses on branding and customer reach.
Step 2: Shipping docs are altered (Switch BOL)
Before pickup, the shipping documents are updated. A switch bill of lading (BOL) is created. It replaces the factory’s name with the seller’s.
Some carriers ask for two or even three versions. One for the real route. One for the pickup team. One for the customer. The goal is to keep each party blind to the other.
Step 3: Carrier coordination and pickup
The driver is told to collect the goods using the switch BOL. The real BOL may be swapped in during transit. It helps with customs or routing.
The driver should be briefed. If they reveal the origin, the blind setup breaks. That’s why some sellers train their carriers or use third-party logistics (3PL) services.
Step 4: Customer receives shipment with masked origin
At delivery, the final documents still show the seller’s name. The buyer sees no sign of the factory. They assume the goods came from the seller directly.
This step protects relationships. It helps the seller hold their place in the deal. It also supports brand trust, especially in white label or private label setups.
Who Uses Blind Shipping?
Blind shipping is used across many industries. It suits any business that wants to protect relationships or control what buyers see.
Let’s break it down by type.
Distributors and Wholesalers
Distributors ship goods they don’t always stock. They rely on factories or bulk suppliers. If a buyer sees where it came from, they might go around the distributor.
Ecommerce Brands
Most online stores don’t ship from their own warehouse. They use suppliers or 3PLs. But their packaging shows their brand. Their customer expects that level of polish.
Private Label Sellers
These sellers don’t make the product. They put their label on it. The goal is to own the brand without owning the factory. It keeps the supplier anonymous and helps the brand feel complete.
Freight Brokers and 3PLs
Brokers manage freight for clients. They often work between a shipper and a carrier. That’s a fragile link. If the shipper or receiver sees too much, they may skip the broker next time. Blind shipping keeps both ends apart. It lets the broker stay in the middle.
example:
A distributor in Sydney sells branded power banks for a trade expo in Brisbane. The units are made in China. Blind shipping lets the factory ship straight to the event site. The delivery arrives on time. The buyer never sees the source.
Required Documents and BOL Setup
Blind shipping relies on paperwork. It does not change how goods move. It changes what each party sees. The most important part is the bill of lading (BOL). That’s where blind shipping starts.
Switch BOL vs Real BOL
Blind shipments often use two BOLs. Sometimes three.
- One BOL shows real details. It includes the true shipper and consignee.
- One BOL hides those details. This switch BOL is handed to the blind party.
- If both ends are blind, each party gets their own masked version.
The real BOL is used for routing and compliance. The switch BOL is used for pickup or delivery. This swap is what keeps the chain hidden.
When to Swap BOLs
The BOLs must be swapped at the right moment. Most carriers do this during transit. Others require all documents before pickup.
Some setups are simple. The carrier gets all BOLs in advance. They know which version to show at each stop. Others are more manual. The shipper hands one to the driver. The broker sends another to the delivery team.
Packing Slips and Invoices
The paperwork inside the box matters too. In blind shipments:
- Packing slips should not mention the supplier.
- Invoices must match the brand, not the factory.
- No return address from the manufacturer.
- No coupon codes or contact details tied to the supplier.
Even small details can leak the source. Some businesses create plain slips or remove them entirely.
Who Sees What?
| Party | BOL They Get | Info Shown |
|---|---|---|
| Shipper | Full BOL | Pickup and delivery |
| Carrier | Both (internal use) | Full + masked |
| Receiver (customer) | Dummy BOL | Seller only |
| Supplier (if blind) | Dummy BOL | Delivery only |
Carrier Policies and Coordination
Not Every Carrier Supports Blind Shipping
Not all carriers allow blind shipping. Some support it but require early notice and often charge extra.
You might need to send all shipping documents (like the BOL) before pickup. Some carriers also need written instructions on what information to show at each stage.
Even when allowed, blind shipping usually comes with conditions, such as:
- The city or ZIP code must be real
- A fake phone number is allowed
- Labels must follow a specific format
Fees and Requirements
Blind shipping often comes with an accessorial fee. Most charge between$100 and $200 per shipment. This covers the extra handling and admin. Some may also charge for reprinting documents or BOL corrections. A few include blind shipping in custom service plans. It depends on the carrier.
Questions to Ask Before Booking
Use this quick checklist before you confirm a blind shipment:
- Does your carrier allow blind or double-blind shipping?
- Do they need advance approval?
- How many BOLs do they require?
- When should each BOL be used?
- What must be true on the dummy label? ZIP? City?
- Will they charge extra?
Asking early avoids delays. It also reduces the risk of documents going to the wrong party.
Risks and Common Mistakes
Blind shipping works when everything lines up. One small mistake can expose your supplier or delay your freight.
Here’s what to watch for.
Wrong BOL Used
This is the most common issue. The driver uses the wrong bill of lading. The customer sees the factory name. This usually happens when there are too many BOLs floating around or when no one tells the driver what to hand over.
Mismatched Documents Cause Delays
If the packing slip says one thing and the label says another, the carrier may hold the freight. It may trigger a manual check. This slows the shipment down.
Sometimes, customs can flag it too. Especially for international loads. The documents must all match on paper, even if they don’t show the same parties.
Driver Not Informed
If no one tells the carrier it’s a blind shipment, the plan fails. The driver may reveal the pickup point by accident. Or mention the supplier during delivery. Some brokers use checklists for this reason. Others add notes into the TMS. Either way, the driver needs a heads-up.
Customs Complications
Blind shipping doesn’t remove your need for compliance. The real shipper must still be listed on customs paperwork. But the customer doesn’t need to see it. The mistake here is trying to hide too much. Blind shipping changes the commercial face, not the legal one. Always work with a freight forwarder when shipping internationally.
FAQ
How does the carrier get paid in a blind shipment?
The carrier still gets paid through the usual freight terms. In a typical blind shipment, the person who books the load handles payment. This could be the distributor, broker, or retailer. The carrier is not blind to who pays. They need accurate information upfront. Payment terms are agreed before pickup. The shipping label may hide the supplier’s identity, but billing happens behind the scenes. This is one of the best practices to avoid confusion during the blind shipping process.
Is blind shipping handled differently in trucking vs international freight?
Yes, the setup can vary between modes. Domestic trucking is more flexible. Carriers may allow blind shipping without revealing much. In freight shipping across borders, customs rules apply. The real manufacturer’s details must be declared to authorities. Blind shipping is a shipping arrangement, not a workaround. Preparing blind shipments for export needs extra care. Use a forwarder if you’re shipping from a manufacturer directly to the customer overseas.
Can blind shipping be used with customs declarations?
Yes, but not without limits. Customs still needs to see where goods came from. The shipping method must include the actual shipper’s contact information. This does not appear to the end customer. It is used only for compliance. Invoices and documents are split between public and internal versions. Blind shipping is a type of concealment for commercial visibility, not legal filings. Always keep the supplier information in customs records, even if it’s removed from documents and labels.
How can blind shipping be abused in international trade?
Blind shipping can hide too much if misused. Some parties try to bypass tariffs or avoid supplier accountability. This creates risk. If something goes wrong, and the buyer does not know who the supplier is, they can’t get support. Blind shipping protects your business when done right. But it should not hide legal responsibilities.
What paperwork should never be altered in a blind shipment?
Customs declarations and commercial invoices must stay true. You can use a switch BOL, but core data like value, origin, and HS codes must remain accurate. The shipping label can show the retailer’s name. But shipping costs, quantities, and item details must reflect reality. This protects the online retailer and helps with quality control. Never alter the supplier’s information in legal fields. Just make sure the end customer does not see it in their copy.
Can blind shipping work with Incoterms like EXW or DDP?
Yes, blind shipping can apply under most Incoterms. Under EXW, the buyer arranges pickup. So they may already know the supplier. Blind shipping works better under terms like FOB or DDP. In those cases, the seller controls the delivery and can conceal the supplier’s identity. Just be clear on who handles duties, paperwork, and logistics. The blind shipping process can be built around the chosen Incoterm if planned early.
