Learn more about shipping documents
Types of BILL OF LADING
📦 1. Straight Bill of Lading (Non-Negotiable)
Content:
Consignee name is fixed (specific person/company)
Cannot be transferred to another party
Used when payment is already made or between trusted parties
Example fields:
Shipper: ABCA Exporters
Consignee: Econet zimbabwe Msasa
Description: Machinery Parts
Port of Loading: Mumbai
Port of Discharge: Dubai
📦 2. Order Bill of Lading (Negotiable)
Content:
Consignee mentioned as “To Order”
Ownership can be transferred via endorsement
Common in trade with banks (LC transactions)
Example fields:
Consignee: To Order of Bank
Notify Party: Buyer
Endorsement: Signed on back of B/L
📦 3. Bearer Bill of Lading
Content:
No specific consignee
Whoever holds the document can claim goods
Risky, rarely used
📦 4. Clean Bill of Lading
Content:
No damage or defects mentioned
Goods received in good condition
Required by banks in most cases
📦 5. Claused / Dirty Bill of Lading
Content:
Notes damage or shortage in goods
Example: “Packaging torn” or “Goods wet”
Not accepted in LC transactions usually
📦 6. Shipped (On Board) Bill of Lading
Content:
Confirms goods are loaded on vessel
Shows vessel name and sailing date
Important for shipment proof
📦 7. Received for Shipment B/L
Content:
Goods received by carrier but not yet loaded
Later can be converted into “On Board”
📦 8. Sea Waybill
Content:
Non-negotiable
No need to present original document
Faster release of cargo
📦 9. Multimodal / Combined Transport B/L
Content:
Covers multiple transport modes (ship + truck + rail)
Single document for entire journey
📝 Standard Contents of Any Bill of Lading
Regardless of type, every B/L includes:
Shipper & Consignee details
Notify Party
Vessel & Voyage number
Port of Loading & Discharge
Description of goods
Quantity, weight, packaging
Freight terms (Prepaid / Collect)
B/L Number
Date of issue & signature
💡 Quick Tip (Useful for Your Operations Role)
LC shipments → Use Order B/L + Clean + On Board
Direct shipments → Straight B/L or Sea Waybill
Always check:
Consignee wording
Freight status
Number of originals issued
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