What is a bill of lading?
A bill of lading (B/L) is the key transport document for ocean freight. It serves three functions: a receipt for the goods received by the carrier, evidence of the contract of carriage, and — when issued "to order" — a document of title that controls who can collect the cargo.
Types of B/L
- Straight B/L — non-negotiable, consigned to a named party; goods are released only to the named consignee.
- Order B/L — negotiable and transferable by endorsement; commonly used under letters of credit.
- Sea Waybill — non-negotiable, with faster release; ideal for shipments between trusted parties where no title document is required.
Common pitfalls
Delays at destination usually come from inconsistencies between the B/L and commercial documents. Match the consignee, notify party and commodity description across the invoice, packing list and B/L. Wrong consignee details or missing original B/Ls are the most frequent causes of demurrage.
WGSA documentation support
WGSA's documentation team prepares and checks B/Ls for every ocean shipment, coordinates with carriers on corrections, and ensures release instructions match your terms before the vessel sails.