When exporting perishable goods like fruits, vegetables , or dairy products from India to international markets, maintaining proper documentation is a must. Beyond meeting international food standards, you need to ensure that your shipments are accompanied by the right bills of lading . These documents are essential for smooth border crossings, enabling them to reach consumers straight from the farm to the table. Among the bills of lading, the Master Bill of Lading is one of the main export documents that handles multiple shipments once at a time from the point of origin to the point of destination.
The different types of bills of lading are listed below:
- Inland bill of lading
- Ocean bill of lading
- Through bill of lading
- Negotiable bill of lading
- Nonnegotiable bill of lading
- Claused bill of lading
- Clean bill of lading
- Uniform bill of lading
- House bill of lading
What is the definition of the Master Bill of Lading?
The Master Bill of Lading serves as a contract of carriage to move your perishable goods from one port to another. This bill of lading is a legally binding document that is issued by the owner of the ship before commencing a shipment. The shipper will only receive the Master Bill of Lading if they are directly involved with a freight forwarder or a shipping line carrier. The Master Bill of Lading is of great importance in marine shipping as it is signed by the carrier, and once the carrier receives the goods, the MBL is issued to the concerned entity.
What is the main purpose of the Master Bill of Lading?
In the realm of global trade, it is tough to figure out whether the goods belong to the importer or other parties. The Master Bill of Lading clearly states the ownership and transfer of the goods throughout the transit.
What details are included in the Master Bill of Lading?
The details mentioned in the Master Bill of Lading are as follows:
- Shipper’s information
- Consignee’s details
- Container numbers
- Payment terms
- Cargo details
- Notify party
- Seals
- Quantity of the goods
- Weight of the goods
- The information on the bill of lading should be correct to ensure that the goods arrive safely at the desired destination.
How can you file a Master Bill of Lading?
When an NVOCC receives a shipment from an exporter, it coordinates the cargo booking with a shipping carrier. After it has been confirmed that the carrier received the payment, the carrier issues a Master Bill of Lading (MBL) to the person or company that conducted the booking. In this case, the NVOCC is responsible for the booking. Sometimes, the booking can also be done by a contracted freight forwarder.
The process of filing a master bill of lading involves various steps that highlight important details.
These includes:
- Shipper Information: This includes the name of the business, address, and contact details of the shipper or Non-Vessel Owning Common Carrier (NVOCC).
- Consignee Details: It includes the business name, address, contact information, and any required tax ID numbers for the consignee.
- Notify Party Information: Specify the business name, address, and contact details for the notified party.
- Forwarder Details (if applicable): If a forwarder is involved, include their business name, address, contact information, and FMC number.
- Booking Number: This includes the booking number provided by the carrier and any internal reference numbers for the shipper, consignee, or cargo.
- Vessel and Voyage: The name of the vessel and the voyage reference number are required.
- Ports: Mention the loading and discharging ports.
- Container and Seal Numbers: Provide container and seal numbers for each container.
- Package Details: Specify the piece count and package type, and describe the commodity next to the relevant container.
- Weight and Volume: This includes the weight and volume of the container to which it applies.
- Total Cargo Information: Provide the total component count, weight, and volume for all containers in the cargo.
- Other Details: Include the AES/ITN number, HS Code, payment terms (such as freight prepaid, collect, DTHC prepaid, etc.), and BL Release Type (e.g., express, OBLs printed at origin or destination).
Can a container be tracked through a master bill of lading?
At Citrus Freight, the tracking of your cargo via Master Bill of Lading can be implemented either through a traditional or digital method. You can directly interact with your carrier for shipment updates, while the digital method involves visiting the company’s website, third-party tracking services, and cold chain supply management. You can enter your bill of lading number and obtain a detailed report regarding your shipment process.
Citrus Freight has transformed the export journey with the launch of reefer containers that ensure your perishable goods don't get spoiled or damaged. Citrus Freight is the only company offering reefer containers equipped with monitor devices to manage the real-time visibility of your shipment during transit. Furthermore, in the event of the goods being damaged or lost, you can get an alert that helps the shipper take precautions to protect your goods.
As stated in the Master Bill of Lading, if the goods are in optimal condition, the transport operator will give a receipt for transport and delivery of the goods, and if not, the cargo will be rejected. After approving the shipment, the operator is responsible for transporting the goods from the port of discharge to the point of arrival. The goods can be collected by handing in one endorsed (month-to Date) MTD. Once one signed copy of the MTD is used, all others become null and void.
What are the few practices that you can follow while preparing a Master Bill of Lading (MBL)?
These are as follows:
- Verify Accurate Information: Make sure that every detail on the MBL is correct, including the shipper and consignee information, port of loading and discharge, and cargo specifics. Any errors can lead to complexities in the transit process.
- Comprehensive Details: It must include all necessary information, such as the bill of lading number, vessel name, voyage number, container numbers, and a complete description of the cargo. If any special handling instructions are required, mention them clearly.
- Consult with the carrier or freight forwarder: Seek guidance from your carrier or freight forwarder when preparing the MBL. They will check that all required information is filled out correctly and adheres to relevant shipping standards.
- Carrier’s Guidelines: You must follow the specific instructions and format requirements provided by the carrier. This ensures compliance with their procedures and mitigates the risk of any issues or potential delays with the shipment.
Conclusion
In summary, the Master Bill of Lading (MBL) is a crucial document in international shipping that ensures the smooth handling of any cargo, focusing mainly on a variety of perishable goods. Without the Master Bill of Lading, it is next to impossible to conduct international trade. It’s just like a blueprint for your shipment, including the minute details needed to ensure a safe international water crossing. This document acts as the main contract between the carrier and shipper and provides a complete overview of your perishable cargo.
Simplifying the export process and effective shipment tracking are the main focus at Citrus Freight . With all the relevant export documents, invoices , and bills of lading, Citrus has facilitated the business of perishable exporters worldwide.