Reading a bill of lading, field by field.
Most B/L problems are one wrong field. Here is what each one means and which to check first.
In short. Shipper, consignee, notify party, vessel and voyage, port of loading and discharge, container and seal numbers, description, weights, freight terms, number of originals, on-board date — what each field means and which ones cause problems.
| Field | Means | Check |
|---|---|---|
| Shipper | Who is shipping (usually the supplier or its forwarder) | Matches the seller on the invoice |
| Consignee | Who is entitled to the goods; “to order” makes the B/L negotiable | Your legal name exactly; under L/C, what the credit says |
| Notify party | Who the carrier tells on arrival | Your broker or you, with a working email |
| Vessel / voyage | Ship and voyage number | Matches the booking; used for tracking |
| Port of loading / discharge | Where loaded and where unloaded | Discharge port is the one your broker clears at |
| Place of delivery | Final place under the B/L (may differ from discharge port) | For door terms only |
| Container and seal numbers | Which boxes, sealed with which seals | Match the packing list; seals intact at receipt |
| Description of goods, marks | What is inside, HS code often shown | Matches invoice and packing list wording |
| Gross weight, measurement, packages | Totals per container | Match packing list; VGM consistency |
| Freight prepaid / collect | Who pays the ocean freight | Prepaid under CFR/CIF; collect under FOB (buyer's forwarder) |
| Shipped on board date | When loaded — the B/L date | Drives payment terms and L/C latest shipment date |
| Number of originals | How many original B/Ls issued (often three) | All must be surrendered, or a telex release given |
| Clean / claused | No remarks = clean | Any clause about damaged packaging affects L/C and claims |
The three that cause the most trouble
Consignee spelled differently from the L/C or the import licence; shipped on board date later than the L/C's latest shipment date; and description that doesn't match the invoice, which customs and banks both notice. Check those three before the vessel sails, while the carrier can still amend.
Draft B/L
Carriers issue a draft before the original. That is the moment to correct errors — amendments after issuance cost fees and days. Whoever books (see incoterms) receives the draft; make sure the other side sees it too.
Pacifica files the draft and final B/L under Shipping Documents, links the B/L number to carrier tracking, uses the on-board date as the trigger for payment terms, and shows the document to both buyer and supplier.
Questions
What does “to order” mean on a bill of lading?
The B/L is negotiable: whoever holds a properly endorsed original can claim the goods. Common under L/C, where the bank holds the original until payment.
What is the B/L date?
The shipped-on-board date. It is the trigger for many payment terms and the date checked against an L/C's latest shipment date.
How many original B/Ls are issued?
Usually three. All must be surrendered for release unless a telex release or a sea waybill is used.
Related
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