Shipping Glossary

B / BILL OF LADING

This is a document that is issued by the carrier to the shipper of goods. Essentially, this is a written contract formalizing a carriage agreement. It serves as a receipt, a contract, and a document of ownership at the same time.

• It is a contract by which the carrier and the shipper agree upon the conditions of carriage.
• The contract serves as proof of shipment.
• As such, it serves as a record of ownership.

Law binds the sending and receiving parties, protecting them against false claims and losses. A lawful statement can be derived from an agreement whose terms all involved parties have agreed to.

• Number of bill of lading
• Complete name and address of the shipper and the receiver
• Details of shipping route
• Freight forwarder details, if any
• Pick up date
• Vessel used for transport
• Information of goods transported
• Nature of goods
• Packing material used
• Specific instructions of the carrier, if any.