Bill of lading instructions template

The ocean bill of lading (B/L) is issued by the carrier or by your freight forwarder, not by the exporter. It is the contract of carriage, and a negotiable B/L can be used to buy, sell or trade the goods while in transit. What the exporter provides are bill of lading instructions: the exact data the forwarder needs to prepare the B/L correctly.

This template is for those instructions. It is not a bill of lading and cannot be used as one.

What to include

• Shipper: as it should appear on the B/L.
• Consignee: a named party for a straight (non-negotiable) B/L, or "To order" / "To order of [bank]" for a negotiable B/L, as your payment terms require.
• Notify party.
• B/L type requested: straight or negotiable, number of originals, or sea waybill / express release if agreed.
• Ports: place of receipt, port of loading, port of discharge, place of delivery.
• Freight terms: prepaid or collect.
• Cargo: marks and numbers, number and kind of packages, description, gross weight and volume.
• Container details, if known.
• Wording required by the letter of credit, if you are paid by L/C.

Common mistakes

• Consignee wording that does not match the letter of credit, which can lead to rejected documents.
• Package count, weight or volume different from the packing list.
• Description too vague, or wording that differs from the commercial invoice.
• Wrong B/L type, such as asking for a straight B/L when the buyer's bank needs a negotiable one.

From the same order

For sea shipments, Packlistly creates B/L instructions from the same order as your invoice and packing list, so package count, weights and volume come from the same data. Check them before sending. Your forwarder or carrier still issues the bill of lading. The Free plan includes 5 shipments a month.

FAQ

What about air shipments?

Air shipments use an air waybill, which is non-negotiable. Packlistly's B/L instructions are for sea shipments only.

Who is responsible for the B/L being correct?

The carrier or forwarder issues it from the data it receives. Check the draft B/L your forwarder sends you before it is finalized.

Official sources

• International Trade Administration, Common Export Documents: https://www.trade.gov/common-export-documents