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Glossary · Shipping
What is B/L (Bill of lading)?
The carrier's transport document for shipped cargo: a receipt for the goods, evidence of the contract of carriage and, as an original, a document of title.
A bill of lading (B/L) is issued by the ocean carrier, or by a forwarder acting as carrier. It records the shipper, consignee, notify party, vessel, ports, container and seal numbers and a description of the goods. A negotiable original B/L works as a document of title: whoever holds it can claim the cargo.
In China trade, the original B/L is often the supplier's security for the balance payment: the supplier releases the originals, or arranges a telex release, only after the buyer pays. For the same cargo you may also see a master B/L from the shipping line and a house B/L from a forwarder.
Check the draft B/L before it is issued. Names, addresses, cargo description, weight and number of packages should match the commercial invoice and packing list. The B/L number also links the shipment to its ISF filing in the US.
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