Export & Import Management

Bill of Lading
Group 4

Có phiên dịch ngôn ngữ ký hiệu.

 MEMBERS OF GROUP 4
Ngọc Vân Thục Anh

Hạnh Hoa
Hoàng Huệ Mỹ Hoa
 CONTENTS
01 Definition of Marine bill of
lading (B/L)

02 Functions of B/L

03 Types of B/L

04 B/L Issuance and Use Process

05 Risks and Disputes

Things to note when preparing

06
and checking B/L
GROUP 4

THE NATURE OF A BILL OF LADING

(B/L)

Marine bill of lading (B/L) is a document required for the transportation of

goods oversea, issued by the carrier for the shipper to determine the legal
relationship between the carrier and the owner
GROUP 4

THE NATURE OF A BILL OF LADING (B/L)

Front page:
Vessel’s and carrier’s name
Consignor/ Shipper
Port of loading
Port of discharge
Consignee’s name (for Straight B/L) or write “to order” (for Order B/L), or
bearer (for Bearer B/L)
Goods’ name, marks, number of containers, gross weight, measurement
Freight and charges payable for the carrier; prepaid or collect, freight
prepaid at
Place and date of issue, number of original B/L, signature of a carrier, a
master, or as agent for the carrier.
GROUP 4

THE NATURE OF A BILL OF LADING (B/L)

Back page:
Legal basis of a B/L
Terms and conditions on responsibilities and
exemption from responsibilities of the carrier.
GROUP 4

THE NATURE OF A BILL OF LADING (B/L)

When transporting goods, there is both a

contract and a bill of lading ⇒ the
relationship between the carrier and the
consignee is regulated by the bill of lading,
the relationship between the shipper and
the carrier is regulated by the charter party
GROUP 4

FUNCTION OF B/L
A receipt of cargo that has been shipped or received for
shipment.
An evidence of a contract of carriage and treated by the
law as the actual contract.
A document of title to the cargo

Original documents hold such legal authority.

Copies have no legal authority.
 TYPES OF B/L
Basing on the notation on a B/L:

Clean B/L: Unclean B/L

Bill of lading that does not contain any additional A type of bill of lading on which the carrier
clauses or notes regarding the defective condition makes negative notes about the condition of the
of the goods and/or packaging. goods/or packaging.
Not contain any notation stating that the goods or Contain notation stating that the goods or their
their packaging are defective. packaging are defective.
Clean transport document, no need for the word A transport document indicating issues with the
“clean” on the bill of lading goods or packaging, considered unclean.
Accepted by banks for payment under a letter of Not accepted by banks under a letter of credit
credit. Can cause challenges in transactions,
Does not hinder the payment process or the particularly in securing payments from banks or
handling of goods. resolving disputes.
 TYPES OF B/L
Basing on the time of loading and unloading
Shipped on board B/L: The bill of lading is
issued when the goods are on board the ship.
Received for shipment B/L: is a bill of lading
issued before the goods are loaded onto the
ship. After the goods are loaded onto the ship,
the shipper can exchange it for a loaded bill of
lading (the B/L does not specify the date and
month of loading onto the ship).
 TYPES OF B/L
Basing on the way of transfer of the overship of the goods on
a B/L:
B/L to order: The carrier will deliver the goods to the order of
the shipper, bank or consignee.
B/L to a named person or straight B/L: is a B/L that clearly
states the name and address of the consignee, so it can only
be delivered to the person named in the B/L.
Bearer B/L: Also known as an anonymous bill of lading, it does
not specify the consignee's name or any order. The carrier
delivers the goods to the person presenting the bill of lading.
This type of bill is typically transferred through hand delivery.
 TYPES OF B/L
Basing on way of transportation:

Direct B/L: Issued for goods carried by a vessel from

the port of loading to the port of destination (port-to-port
direct carriage)

Through B/L: Used for the transportation of goods

between ports involving two or more vessels
operated by different carriers. The issuer of the
through bill of lading assumes responsibility for the
cargo throughout the journey, from the port of loading
to the final port of discharge.
Local B/L: is a B/L issued by participating ships (only
functions as a receipt for goods)
 Other types of B/L:
Charter party B/L: is a type of B/L issued by the ship
captain. This type is printed on only one side, the back
page is blank (blank back B/L). Unless there is a separate

TYPES regulation in the L/C, banks will refuse these types of bills
of lading.
Combined B/L: is a type of bill of lading for transporting
goods by many different means of transport, including sea

OF B/L transport. This type of bill of lading is recognized by the

International Chamber of Commerce within the framework
of the FIATA Association of Transporters, called FIATA
combined B/L
Short B/L: summarizes the main terms and other contents
that need to be referenced from relevant sources or
documents...
TYPES OF B/L
 TYPES OF B/L
B/L are not valid for payment:
Charter party B/L: This type of bill of lading will be
considered invalid unless the L/C allows it. In case the L/C
allows it, even if the L/C requires the presentation of a
charter party, the banks will not examine the charter party
but will forward it to the consignee without any
responsibility.
Received for shipment B/L: If there is no note on the
surface of the bill of lading, this type of bill of lading does not
prove that the goods have been loaded on board, and the
L/C always requires the bill of lading to be “Clean on board”,
so this type of bill of lading is considered invalid. Unless the
L/C allows, this contract is not valid for payment.
B/L Issuance and Use Process
B/L Issuance: Issued by the carrier or forwarder after receiving the goods from the

shipper.

=> It can be an original B/L or an electronic B/L depending on the

consignee's request.

B/L Check: The shipper needs to carefully check the information before signing to

accept the B/L.

Delivery of goods: The consignee needs to present the B/L (original or telex

release) to receive the goods at the port of destination.

Risks and Disputes
Incorrect information on the B/L.

Disputes over ownership of goods.

Damaged, lost or delayed goods.

Things to note when preparing and checking B/L
Are there the Ocean Vessel and Voyage No. carrying the goods ?

Are there any information about the name of Port of Loading, Port of Discharge ?
Things to note when preparing and checking B/L
Does the B/L state the Date of issue ?

Must ensure that the issuer of the B/L is:

Carrier

Agent of the carrier

Captain

A representative designated by
the captain
Things to note when preparing and checking B/L
Is the B/L signed by the issuer ?

Does the B/L clearly state “Shipped on board” / “On board”? In case, B/L with
“On deck” will not be accepted by the bank unless L/C has allowed.
Things to note when preparing and checking B/L
Does the B/L clearly state the number of original B/L issued ?

Is the Clean B/L or not ?

Does the B/L state the number of L/C ?

Does the B/L state the name and address of the shipper ?
Things to note when preparing and checking B/L
Does the B/L state the name and address of the consignee ?
Things to note when preparing and checking B/L

Does the B/L state the name and address of the party that needs to notify ?
Things to note when preparing and checking B/L

Check the name, quantity, weight of the goods,... to see if they match the invoice ? Is the
shipping marks consistent with the L/C requirements ? Is the serial number and container
number (if any) the same as shown on the Packing list ?
Things to note when preparing and checking B/L

Are the Freight prepaid/Freight collect in accordance with the L/C regulations ?