English Maritime Terminology on Port and Maritime Logistics

Shipping Documents

The bill of lading (B/L) is the document covering the carriage of goods by sea. The B/L is the authentic receipt delivered by a carrier, confirming that the goods therein specified (markings, types of goods, number of packages, etc.) have been loaded or taken in charge for loading on a designated vessel for carriage to a specified port. It therefore acts as evidence that there is a contract between the supplier or importer and a shipping company to transport the goods by sea. Apart from the Master copy, the B/L is established in two or three “originals”, signed and stamped by the carriers or their agent, anyone of which gives title to the goods.

The waybill is a document issued by a carrier, containing information and instructions relating to the shipment of a consignment of cargo. It includes the consignor and consignee's names along with the consignment's origin, destination, and route. The waybill acts as a receipt for the goods, as well as an obligation to deliver the goods to the named place and to hand them over to the named consignee. Moreover, it functions as a transporting contract outlining the conditions under which the products have been taken for transportation.

The commercial invoice is a claim for payment for the goods under the terms of the commercial contract. The invoice should include a detailed description of the goods together with unit prices, totals, weight and terms of payment, as well as packing details and shipping marks. A correctly completed commercial invoice should conform to the sales contract. The information on a commercial invoice is usually used as the basis for other necessary documents.