Establishing secure connection…Loading editor…Preparing document…

Consignment Sale Contract

This template is fully customizable. Edit the text, fill out the fields, and send it for signature. Give it a try!

CONSIGNMENT SALE CONTRACT

This Consignment Sale Contract (the Agreement) is made between:

Consignor Name:

Consignee Name:

Recitals

WHEREAS, Consignor owns certain goods and desires to sell such goods through a commercial sale on consignment by Consignee on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement; and

WHEREAS, Consignee operates a retail sales business and is willing to accept the goods on consignment, to exercise reasonable efforts to sell the goods, and to remit net proceeds to Consignor in accordance with this Agreement; and

WHEREAS, the parties desire to set forth their respective rights and obligations with respect to the consigned goods.

Scope of Goods and Services

Consignor hereby delivers to Consignee, on consignment, the goods described in the Inventory and Description section below. Consignee will act as agent for the sale of such goods and will use commercially reasonable efforts to offer the goods for sale in Consignee's premises and through approved sales channels.

Inventory and Description

Each consigned item must be identified, described, and assigned an initial asking price and a consignment commission percentage. Consignor warrants the accuracy of each description and that Consignor has full right and authority to consign the item.

Quantity:   Initial Asking Price: $   Consignment Commission (%): %

Quantity:   Initial Asking Price: $   Consignment Commission (%): %

Quantity:   Initial Asking Price: $   Consignment Commission (%): %

Payment Terms

Sale Proceeds and Commission: Upon sale of a consigned item, Consignee will remit to Consignor the net proceeds equal to the sale price less the agreed consignment commission percentage for that item. Payment will be accompanied by a written settlement statement identifying the item, sale price, commission withheld, and net amount.

Term and Termination

Effective Date:   Termination Date:

Upon termination, unsold goods shall be returned to Consignor within at Consignor's expense unless otherwise agreed in writing. If Consignor fails to collect unsold goods within thirty (30) days after notice, Consignee may dispose of or sell the goods and apply proceeds to outstanding balances.

Title, Risk and Warranties

Title to consigned goods remains with Consignor until sale. Risk of loss or damage while goods are in Consignee's possession shall be borne by Consignee, except for loss or damage resulting from causes beyond Consignee's reasonable control. Consignor represents and warrants that it has full and marketable title to each consigned item, free of liens and encumbrances, and that sale will not infringe the rights of third parties.

Confidentiality

Each party agrees to maintain in confidence all non-public business information disclosed by the other party in connection with this Agreement, including cost, pricing, sales data, customer lists, reserves, and proposed sale strategies. Confidential information shall not include information that is or becomes public through no breach of this Agreement, or that is required to be disclosed by law with prior notice to the disclosing party when legally permissible.

Indemnification and Insurance

Each party shall indemnify and hold harmless the other party from claims arising from its own negligence, willful misconduct, or breach of this Agreement. Consignee agrees to maintain commercial general liability insurance and, where applicable, property insurance covering consigned goods while in Consignee's possession.

Governing Law

This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of without regard to its conflict of laws principles. Venue for any dispute arising under this Agreement shall be the state or federal courts located in the county of the governing state unless the parties agree otherwise in writing.

Entire Agreement

This Agreement, including all inventory schedules and written amendments signed by both parties, constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous agreements, representations, and understandings, whether written or oral.

Notices

All notices required or permitted under this Agreement shall be in writing and delivered to the addresses set forth above or to such other address as a party may designate by notice in accordance with this section, and shall be deemed given when delivered in person, by overnight courier, or three (3) days after deposit in the U.S. mail, postage prepaid, certified mail, return receipt requested.

Consignor — Printed Name:

By:

Date:

Consignee — Printed Name:

By:

Date:

Enter text✕

What a Consignment Sale Contract Is and when it applies

A Consignment Sale Contract is a written agreement that sets the terms under which one party (the consignor) delivers goods to another (the consignee) for sale, while ownership remains with the consignor until a sale occurs. The contract defines responsibilities for pricing, commission or fees, risk of loss, insurance, delivery and return procedures, inventory accounting, payment timing, and dispute resolution. It can govern single items (art, antiques, collectibles) or bulk inventory (clothing, electronics) and is commonly used when a consignor wants market access without transferring title up front.

Why a clear Consignment Sale Contract matters

A well-drafted contract reduces ambiguity about ownership, payment timing, and liability, lowering dispute risk and clarifying tax and reporting responsibilities. It creates a documental trail for inventory control and protects both parties when goods are damaged, stolen, or unsold.

Why a clear Consignment Sale Contract matters

Who typically completes or signs a Consignment Sale Contract

Common participants include small business owners, galleries and retailers, independent consignors, and their legal or accounting representatives.

  • Independent consignors who need marketplace exposure and want to retain ownership until sale.
  • Retailers or galleries who accept goods, manage sales, and remit proceeds less agreed commission.
  • Professional advisors (attorneys, accountants) who draft, review, or approve contract terms for compliance.

Identifying the right signers and advisors up front speeds execution and reduces post‑sale disputes.

Essential clauses to include in a professional Consignment Sale Contract

A concise contract should cover the parties and goods, pricing and commission, delivery and return procedures, insurance and risk allocation, term and termination rules, and accounting and payment timing.

Parties

Identify consignor and consignee with full legal names, business types, and mailing addresses to ensure correct legal attribution and tax reporting.

Goods

Describe items clearly by quantity, serial numbers, condition, and attached photos or exhibits to avoid later disputes about defective or substituted inventory.

Pricing & Commission

Specify retail price, agreed net price thresholds, commission percentage or flat fee, and whether taxes or fees are deducted before or after commission.

Insurance & Risk

State which party insures goods, required coverage limits, and who bears loss between delivery and sale; include responsibility for shipping or storage costs.

Accounting

Detail inventory tracking, reporting intervals, sales reconciliation method, and timing for remittance of proceeds to the consignor.

Termination

Define contract term, notice periods, return procedures for unsold goods, who pays return shipping, and disposition of remaining inventory.

Step-by-step: completing and executing the contract

Follow this sequence to prepare, approve, sign, and store the Consignment Sale Contract securely.

  • 01
    Draft: Populate parties, goods, pricing, and key dates.
  • 02
    Review: Have legal or tax advisor check unusual terms or reporting impacts.
  • 03
    Sign: Obtain signatures from authorized signers; use eSign for efficiency.
  • 04
    Distribute: Send copies to both parties and retain an executed file for records.

Configure an online workflow for Consignment Sale Contracts

Set up fields and authentication to match your process and regulatory needs before sending.

Field Configuration
Signers order Choose sequential or parallel signing as appropriate
Authentication Email link, SMS code, or KBA per risk profile
Signature fields Add signature, date, initials, and conditional fields
Notifications Set reminders and delivery receipts for signers

Technical requirements for eSigning and eSubmission

Choose a platform that supports the file formats, authentication, and audit trails your workflow requires.

  • File formats: PDF, DOCX supported
  • Integrations: Salesforce, NetSuite, Google Workspace
  • Security: TLS in transit, AES at rest

Confirm platform HIPAA/ESIGN compliance and export options for long‑term storage before finalizing routine use.

Where to send executed copies and how distribution typically works

After signing, route copies to stakeholders and update inventory systems to reflect consignment status.

  • Consignor copy: Retain original contract for records
  • Consignee copy: Provide proof of terms and reporting obligations
  • Accounting: Send reconciliation to finance or bookkeeping
  • Archive: Store executed file in secure records system

Typical deadlines and timing to track in the contract

Specify and monitor key dates to prevent missed returns, late payments, or reporting errors.

Effective date:

When the contract and obligations begin

Delivery deadline:

Date consignor must deliver goods to consignee

Payment due date:

When consignee remits proceeds after sale

Inventory reporting:

Frequency for sales reconciliation (e.g., monthly)

Termination notice:

Advance notice period to return unsold goods

Security, compliance, and evidence you should collect

Encryption: TLS 1.2/1.3 in transit
At rest: AES-256 encryption
Audit trail: Timestamps and IP logging
Access controls: Role-based user permissions
Regulatory: ESIGN and UETA compliant
HIPAA BAA: Available where required

Common penalties and legal risks related to consignment contracts

1099 reporting: $60–$330 per form for late filings (IRC §6721)
Backup withholding: 24% withholding for missing or incorrect TIN
Contract damages: Monetary damages for breach of explicit terms
Sales tax exposure: Local audits and assessments for misapplied tax
I-9 violations: $281–$2,789 per violation where applicable
Intentional disregard: $660+ per form, no maximum (IRC §6721)

Frequent mistakes to avoid when preparing the contract

  • Vague item descriptions that leave condition or quantity ambiguous and create disputes over substitutions or damaged goods.
  • Unclear payment timing or commission calculation methods that lead to reconciliation differences and delayed remittances.
  • Failing to document insurance responsibility and filing procedures for loss, resulting in coverage denials or contested claims.
  • Not confirming signer authority or entity name mismatches that hinder enforcement and tax reporting with third parties.

Practical tips for accurate and efficient completion

Adopt consistent templates, verify signer authority, and retain execution evidence to make agreements enforceable and auditable.

Use a standard template
Standardize a template with required fields, exhibits, and checklists to reduce drafting time and errors, and keep versions under document control for auditability and consistent enforcement.
Verify identities
Confirm that signers are authorized representatives by checking corporate records or ID, and use multi-factor authentication for remote signing to strengthen attribution and reduce impersonation risk.
Document items thoroughly
Attach item lists, photos, and serial numbers for high-value goods; include clear return logistics and condition acceptance criteria to prevent disputes upon repossession.
Keep execution evidence
Retain the signed contract, audit trail, and delivery receipts in secure storage to support enforcement, tax audits, or insurance claims if questions arise later.

Comparison of eSignature vendors for Consignment Sale Contracts (signNow listed first)

Vendor pricing and capabilities vary by plan; use the table to compare starting prices and key features relevant to contract execution. Do not rely on this table as the sole source for purchasing decisions.

signNow DocuSign Adobe Sign PandaDoc HelloSign
Starting Price $8/user/mo $15/user/mo $14/user/mo $19/user/mo $15/user/mo
Free Trial 7-day free trial, no credit card required Varies by plan Varies by plan Varies by plan Varies by plan
Bulk Send Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Audit Trail Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
HIPAA Compliant Yes Yes Yes No No

Real-world perspectives on digital contract execution

Customers report faster execution and simpler recordkeeping when using compliant eSignature workflows for sales and consignment-style agreements.

Brian Fitzgibbons, COO

Small business use case in online sales

  • "The interface is simple and easy-to-use."
  • The ease of use reduces turnaround time and supports consistent documentation practices for consignors and retailers managing inventory and payouts.

Tim Martin, Founder

Real estate and property manager workflow

  • "I can process and execute all of these documents online with 100% compliance."
  • Centralized execution and secure storage help teams manage returns, insurance claims, and reconciliation for consigned items.

Who typically has authority to sign

Consignor (Owner)

The consignor or their authorized agent holds title until sale; an authorized officer or owner should sign on behalf of the consignor to ensure enforceability and correct tax attribution.

Consignee (Retailer)

A manager or authorized representative of the consignee binds the accepting business to handling, reporting, and remittance obligations under the contract.

Frequently asked questions about Consignment Sale Contracts

Answers to common questions on enforceability, eSigning, notarization, tax reporting, cancellation, and records retention.


Need help? Contact support

be ready to get more
Join over 28 million airSlate SignNow users