Bill of Lading: What is it? | Remar International

International ocean shipments require essential documents to identify the cargo, establish transportation terms, and ensure that goods reach their destination correctly. One of the most important is the Bill of Lading (B/L).

If your company imports or exports goods by sea, understanding the purpose of this document is essential to prevent errors and delays throughout the shipping process.

What is a Bill of Lading?

A Bill of Lading, also known as a B/L, is a document issued by the ocean carrier or its agent acknowledging receipt of the goods for transportation.

A Bill of Lading typically contains relevant information about the shipment, such as:

Type of goods being transported
Port of loading and port of discharge
Description of the goods
Cargo weight and volume
Vessel carrying the goods
Shipping line
Bill of Lading number
Freight forwarder
Shipper
Consignee
Notify party

What is a Bill of Lading used for?

A Bill of Lading primarily serves three functions in international ocean transportation:

Evidence of receipt of the goods: It confirms that the carrier has received the cargo for transportation.
Evidence of the contract of carriage: It contains or refers to the terms and conditions under which the goods will be transported.
It may serve as a document of title: Depending on the type of B/L issued, it may grant its lawful holder rights over the goods and may be required to take possession of them at destination.

Why is it important to review the Bill of Lading before shipping?

An error in the consignee’s name, description of the goods, ports, or any other relevant information may require document amendments and cause delays in the operation.

For this reason, it is advisable to review all information before the final document is issued and maintain proper coordination among the supplier, buyer, freight forwarder, carrier, and other parties involved in the shipment.

Coordinate your international shipments with Remar

The Bill of Lading is a fundamental document in ocean transportation, but it is only one part of an operation that also requires the coordination of routes, cargo space, documentation, and timelines.

At Remar International, we coordinate your international shipments and support you throughout every stage of your logistics operation through our freight forwarding services.