Bill of Lading process is the system or a workflow of creating, issuing, transferring, and surrendering a bill of lading.
This is how this process typically looks like:
- Shipper gets everything ready for shipment and creates a draft bill of lading. This document lists what’s being shipped, where it’s going, and who’s involved.
- The goods are loaded onto the ship, truck, or plane.
- The company transporting the goods (carrier) reviews the draft and, once the goods are loaded, issues the official bill of lading. This confirms they’ve received the goods. It’s like getting a receipt at the store.
- The bill of lading (paper or electronic) travels with the shipment.
- The person receiving the goods (consignee) uses the bill of lading to claim the shipment when it arrives. The bill of lading proves they’re the rightful owner.
- Once the consignee has the bill of lading and the goods are verified, the shipment is delivered. The bill of lading process is now complete.
In short, the bill of lading acts as a receipt, a contract of carriage, and a document of title, ensuring everyone involved knows what’s being shipped, where it’s going, and who’s responsible.
The emerging digital/electronic Bill of Lading (dBL/eBL) process is more convenient and can be used as a drop-in replacement for paper without the need to make a lot of changes. The only difference is that the BL is sent and received as a digital document. Other documents, such as invoices, export declarations and certificates of origin can be also attached digitally and sent along with the eBL.
Learn more about trace:original’s eBL process here.