Bill of lading
The document a shipping line issues for goods carried by sea: a receipt, a contract of carriage and, in its original form, a title to the goods.
What it means in business
A bill of lading (B/L) states what was loaded, from which port to which, the shipper and the consignee. The carrier signs it when the goods are on board. The original can be used to claim the goods at the destination, and banks often ask for it under a letter of credit.
Example
An exporter ships a container to Dubai. The shipping line issues the bill of lading, and the exporter sends the originals to the buyer's bank, which releases them against payment. This is an illustration of normal business use rather than a quoted case study.
How to use it correctly
Check every detail against the invoice and the order before the shipping line finalises it: names, quantities, ports and marks. Corrections after issue cost money and time, and a mismatch can cause a bank to refuse the documents.
Common confusion
A bill of lading is for sea shipments. Air shipments use an air waybill. And it is not the same as a shipping bill, which is the declaration made to customs.
Related glossary terms
Sources and further reading
Written on 24 October 2026 for lamp. Confirm the current rules with the official source or an adviser before relying on it.