Shipping Documents
Bill of Lading (B/L) — what it is, types & sample
The transport document and document of title for ocean cargo. Here's what a bill of lading contains, the main types, and how it is used in international shipping.
A bill of lading (B/L) is the transport document issued by a carrier for ocean cargo. It serves three roles: a receipt for the goods, evidence of the contract of carriage, and a document of title that can be used to claim the cargo.
Overview
What is a bill of lading?
The bill of lading is one of the most important documents in sea freight. As a document of title, the original B/L can be used to transfer ownership of the goods in transit, which is why it is central to letter-of-credit transactions. The B/L must agree with the commercial invoice and packing list on the cargo description, weights, and marks.
Contents
What a bill of lading contains
Shipper (exporter) and consignee (importer) details
Notify party
Carrier and vessel name / voyage number
Port of loading and port of discharge
Description of goods, marks and numbers
Number of packages, gross weight and measurement
Freight terms (prepaid / collect)
B/L number and date of issue
How to prepare
Preparing a bill of lading, step by step
Confirm parties and routing
Verify shipper, consignee, notify party, and the load/discharge ports with the carrier.
Match the cargo description
Ensure the goods description, marks, package count, and weights match the commercial invoice and packing list.
Set freight and B/L type
Confirm freight terms (prepaid/collect) and the B/L type (original, seaway, or telex release).
Review the draft
Check the draft B/L from the carrier carefully — corrections after issue are costly.
Approve and issue
Approve the draft so the carrier issues the final bill of lading.
Generate it automatically
Create a bill of lading in CargoFide
CargoFide's Document Builder generates your bill of ladingfrom shipment data, keeps it consistent with your other documents, and cross-checks for discrepancies before it's issued.
FAQ
Bill of Lading — common questions
What is a bill of lading?
A bill of lading is the transport document a carrier issues for ocean cargo. It acts as a receipt for the goods, evidence of the contract of carriage, and a document of title used to claim the cargo at destination.
What are the main types of bill of lading?
Common types include the original (negotiable) B/L, the seaway bill (non-negotiable), and telex release (which lets the consignee collect cargo without the physical original). The right type depends on the payment and trust arrangement.
What is the difference between a B/L and an air waybill?
A bill of lading is used for ocean cargo and can be a document of title; an air waybill is used for air cargo and is a non-negotiable receipt, not a document of title.
Does CargoFide prepare a bill of lading?
CargoFide prepares a draft bill of lading from your shipment data with a client approval and revision loop, so the details are verified before the carrier issues the final B/L.
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