Imagine your perishable goods embarking on an export voyage across international oceans. The ocean bill of lading acts as a passport to move perishable cargo out of an Indian country. It's not merely paper; this piece of documentation includes the details that track your shipment from the point of departure to the point of arrival. Without presenting the Ocean Bill of Lading, you are not allowed to conduct trade between foreign nations.
What is the meaning of the Ocean Bill of Lading?
An Ocean Bill of Lading is a prime export document that is required by an exporter to transport goods overseas. This bill serves as an invoice for both the carrier and the shipper and is considered a legally binding document. The Ocean Bill of Lading contains information on the type of goods, weight, quantity, and location of the goods being shipped.
When can an Ocean Bill of Lading be issued?
The Ocean Bill of Lading is provided to you once the cargo is loaded onto the shipping vessel and the customs clearance formalities are completed.
How does an ocean bill of lading process?
In terms of an agreement between the shipper and the carrier along with varied international regulations, the Ocean Bill of Lading has some key features. They are as follows:
- Cargo Description: It provides information about the goods that are being transported, focusing on their nature, weight, quantity, and any specific marking numbers.
- Details of the Shipment: The lading has the name and address of the shipper (the person or company shipping the goods) and the consignee (the person who is available to receive the goods at the port).
- Port of Loading and Unloading: The bill of lading mentions the port of loading (the place where the perishable goods are loaded into the vessel) and the port of unloading (the place where the goods will be received).
- Vessel Details: The lading includes information about the vessel’s name, its voyage number, and the exact date of departure.
- Freight Cost: The bill of lading includes the freight service cost that can be done in advance or paid at the port of destination. It also clearly states the currency for the cost to be paid.
- Liabilities and Responsibilities: The Ocean Bill of Lading mentions the clauses that are responsible for the shipper and the carrier to bear the cost of any loss or damage to the cargo during transit.
- Nature: An authorized document issued by the carrier (shipping line) to acknowledge receipt of goods and highlight the terms and conditions for their carriage.
- Negotiability: It can be negotiable or non-negotiable. A negotiable B/L can claim ownership of the goods through endorsement.
- Goods Title: In the case of a negotiable B/L, the shipper can claim the title of the goods from the carrier upon their arrival at the destination.
- Usage: The Ocean Bill of Lading is commonly used in international trade, especially involving perishable shipments with multiple carriers, providing security for both the shipper and the consignee.
- Special Notations: This bill also mentions if there is any special notation for the related shipment.
- Date and Signature: The bill of lading is usually signed by the shipper, carrier, or agents, specifying the date of issuance.
What are the different types of ocean bills of lading?
In the stages of international shipping, the ocean bill of lading is categorized into various types of bills of lading that track your perishable shipment throughout the transit.
Among them, the main types are as follows:
- Straight Bill of Lading: This bill of lading can't be negotiated. This bill is used by a consignee to claim the shipped goods by presenting a copy of the signed Bill of Lading to the cashier.
- Shipper’s Order: This bill of lading is negotiable and can be transferred to another party, which is often used in trade when the buyer might change during transit.
- Clean Bill of Lading: This bill of lading specifies that the goods are received in optimal condition without any damage or miscalculation.
- Through the Bill of Lading: The bill of lading combines modes of transportation by sea or land.
- On Board: The bill of lading is issued after it is signed by the vessel owner, and then only the cargo can be loaded onto the ship.
How do you monitor your shipment through the Ocean Bill of Lading?
The Ocean Bill of Lading enables you to track your perishable shipment throughout transit. At Citrus Freight, you can access this facility. Through the Ocean app , you can monitor the real-time status of your vessel. You need to enter the booking number, the bill of lading number, or the container number of the goods that are being shipped.
Citrus Freight specializes in two containers. One is the standard container, which tracks the movement of your shipping container as it crosses various ports. The other is reefer container tracking, where a tracking device can be installed inside the container to monitor the perishable contents, ensuring that they are not contaminated or damaged.
The Ocean Bill of Lading contains exporter details in the template listed below:
- Booking number
- Number of the document
- Export references
- Final consignee
- Freight forwarding agent
- Notify party
- Pre-carriage details
- Location of receipt
- Local routing
- Exporting company
- Port of loading
- Loading pier/terminal
- Port of discharge
- Place of receipt on the carrier
- Type of move
- Number of goods
- Cargo description
- Weight and measurements of the articles
- Vessel reference number
- Freight rates
- Information about the carrier
- Bill of Lading (B/L) number
- It states that the carrier has received the shipment in the best condition and will be the legal custodian until they reach the destination and that all necessary procedures are completed.
Conclusion
The Ocean Bill of Lading acts as the unsung hero of global trade, streamlining the journey of perishable goods across international waters with security. It not only sets the rules for the export journey but also facilitates the transfer of ownership, ensuring that every step of the shipping process goes smoothly.
Citrus Freight is always at the trade-go process anytime, anywhere around the globe. Benefit yourself with competitive shipping solutions and get customer assistance at Citrus online and offline to ship perishables worry-free.