Key takeaways
- A bill of lading (B/L) is issued by the carrier for sea shipments.
- It is a receipt, evidence of the contract of carriage and, in many cases, a document of title.
- Without the right B/L release, cargo cannot be collected.
Three jobs in one document
- Receipt — confirms the carrier received the goods
- Contract evidence — records the terms of carriage
- Document of title — an original negotiable B/L controls who can collect the cargo
Common types
An original B/L must be surrendered to release cargo. A telex release or sea waybill allows release without the original paper, which is faster when payment terms allow.
At arrival
Your clearing agent needs the B/L (or release confirmation) alongside the commercial invoice and packing list to clear and collect the container.
Frequently asked questions
What is the airfreight equivalent?
The air waybill (AWB). Unlike most bills of lading, it is not a document of title.