Electronic bill of lading – eBL:
ship goods, not documents
Every day, around four billion paper documents circulate just to get goods from A to B.
But it’s 2025, and trade deserves better.
Enigio’s trace:original electronic bill of lading (eBL) replaces fragile paper with a digital original built for trust. It can’t be lost, forged, or delayed — and it moves at the speed of trade.
Why paper and PDF bills of lading slow global trade
The bill of lading underpins global shipping — it’s the proof of contract, the receipt of goods, and the document of title. Yet most are still printed, stamped, and couriered around the world.
That means:
- Days of delay as documents travel by hand
- Goods stuck at port waiting for paperwork
- Risk of loss, forgery, or duplication
- High admin costs — and even higher emissions
PDFs might look digital, but they’re not originals. They can be altered without trace and are often not legally recognised.
In short, paper and PDFs hold trade back.
Meet trace:original – your open, original, electronic bill of lading solution
trace:original gives every document a unique, verifiable digital identity — with the same legal force as paper, but none of its weaknesses.
It’s a drop-in replacement that fits into existing processes: no platform lock-ins, no complex tech integrations, no steep learning curve.
With Enigio’s eBL you can issue, transfer, and manage original documents instantly, securely and globally.
Key benefits of using
electronic bills of lading
-
Faster trade and better cash flow
Transfers take seconds, not days.Documents travel ahead of the cargo, keeping logistics and payments in sync.
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Lower costs and fewer manual errors
No couriers. No rekeying. No lost paperwork.
Digitising with trace:original cuts document handling costs by up to 90%. -
Secure, tamper-proof, and fraud-safe
Each eBL is cryptographically sealed and recorded on a public distributed ledger.
No business data leaves the document — privacy and integrity stay intact. -
Interoperable across all platforms and systems
trace:original eBLs are standard PDFs with embedded JSON data, readable by both humans and machines.
They move freely between banks, corporates, and platforms — instantly.
Only the issuer needs an Enigio account; after issuance, the document is open forever. -
Sustainable and accessible for all traders
Less paper. Less transport. Less waste.
And because anyone with a computer and internet access can use it, trace:original makes digital trade possible for SMEs and multinationals alike.
How trace:original eBLs ensure safety, transparency, and control
Traceability
every action recorded in a full audit trail
Integrity
only the current holder can amend, transfer, or void the document
Authenticity
any version verifiable via blockchain evidence
Transparency
full visibility throughout the transaction cycle
Storage
documents held by their owners, with optional digital backups
No central database. No intermediaries. Just verifiable trust.
Legal recognition of electronic bills of lading (MLETR compliant)
The UNCITRAL Model Law on Electronic Transferable Records (MLETR) gives digital documents the same legal standing as paper — if they replicate the properties of an original.
Enigio’s trace:original meets every MLETR requirement:
Enigio’s system is verified as a MLETR-reliable solution and approved by the International Group of P&I Clubs — so you can trade digitally with complete confidence.
A single, unique digital original
Secure and transferable possession
Proven authenticity and enforceability
Enigio’s system is verified as a MLETR-reliable solution and approved by the International Group of P&I Clubs — so you can trade digitally with complete confidence.
Digitise your full shipping process — from bill of lading to invoice
trace:original goes beyond the bill of lading.
Digitise invoices, certificates of origin, export declarations, and more — all transferable, verifiable, and connected.
No system overhaul. No process redesign.
Just end-to-end digital trade, ready today.
Because in the end, you should be shipping goods — not documents.
Ditch the paper,
keep the trust.
Ready to make your trade faster, safer, and paper-free?
Schedule a one-on-one session to see how trace:original can digitise your documentation from day one — without disrupting how you work.
By selecting submit you consent to the Enigio Privacy Policy
Quick facts
FEATURE
Drop-in replacement for paper
BENEFIT
No process change
FEATURE
Human- and machine-readable
BENEFIT
Works across all systems
FEATURE
Cryptographic security
BENEFIT
Tamper-proof and verifiable
FEATURE
Open network
BENEFIT
Only issuer needs an account
FEATURE
Cost-effective
BENEFIT
Up to 90% lower handling costs
FEATURE
Legally recognised
BENEFIT
Fully MLETR-compliant
Frequently asked questions
An eBL is a fully digital version of the traditional bill of lading that carries the same legal and commercial functions — proof of contract, receipt of goods, and document of title — without the need for paper or couriers.
