What happens if I lose my Bill of Lading?  (2024)

FAQs

What happens if I lose my Bill of Lading? ? ›

If a bill of lading is lost, the shipper may have to pay a penalty to the carrier. If a bill of lading is damaged, the shipper may have to pay for the repairs.

Without the Original Bill of Lading, the release of your cargo will be put on hold until a new Bill of Lading is presented, or we get the confirmation from the shipper to release the cargo without a Bill of Lading.

If an original bill of lading is lost, destroyed, or stolen, a new bill generally cannot be obtained unless the original has been found. A lost bill of lading requires several steps by the shipper, importer, or exporter. A letter from the shipper should be prepared detailing that the bill of lading was lost.

If you're shipping overseas and the goods are stuck in the terminal because your bill of lading doesn't provide the correct information, the vessel owner can keep the goods forever.” Because the BoL is a contract, any inaccuracies in the description of the cargo become part of the contract.

(c) A copy of the bill of lading must accompany a shipment at all times while in your (or your agent's) posses- sion. Before the vehicle leaves the resi- dence of origin, the bill of lading must be in the possession of the driver re- sponsible for the shipment.

This document must be surrendered to the carrier. As long as the shipper retains the original bills, they may receive payment prior to the release of the originals to the consignee or buyer.

How can I track a bill of lading online? To monitor your cargo online using a bill of lading, visit the website of the company which is shipping your goods. Enter your bill of lading number and see where your shipment is at any time.

How much does a BoL cost? It's necessary to know that this cost is payable by the carrier of goods at the time of releasing the BoL. The cost varies between US $5 to US $20. This includes all the documentation charges covered under the Bill of Lading.

In most cases, the shipper (seller) supplies and pays for the BOL, as it acts as a receipt and title to the goods. But if specific arrangements exist between the parties, such as a free on board (FOB) contract, the buyer may be responsible for obtaining and paying for the BOL.

After validating your Draft BL, your OBL becomes available once published by the agency, allowing you to access and print it with ease. This feature allows you to view and download your necessary shipping documents in a digital format, most notably in PDF, for easy printing and reference.

Who is responsible for the bill of lading? ›

A bill of lading is a legal document that's issued by a carrier to a shipper detailing the type, quantity, and destination of the goods being carried. This document must accompany the shipped goods and must be signed by an authorized representative from the carrier, shipper, and receiver.

Filling out a BOL is easiest if you can make your own. So, how to make a bill of lading? It's easy, with a quick Google search you can find BOL templates for most applications. You may need to purchase a bill of lading in certain cases.

A bill of lading is a document that lists the items being shipped, the name of the shipper and recipient, and other important information about the shipment. The bill of lading is important because it serves as a receipt for the goods being shipped, and it also serves as a contract between the shipper and the carrier.

When the buyer is entitled to receive goods from the carrier, the bill of lading in this case performs as a document of title for the goods. In simple words, the function of BL as a document of title shows who owns the cargo. Whoever has the duly endorsed BL is the rightful owner of the cargo described in the BL.

The sea waybill is a simple, non-negotiable transport document that can be used as an alternative to the bill of lading. Unlike the bill of lading, the sea waybill is not a document of title. But it does act as the: Evidence of a contract of carriage.

Cargo Release: Customs authorities at the destination port often require an Original Bill of Lading before releasing the cargo to the consignee, ensuring that the rightful owner or authorized party takes possession.

Important Delivery of cargo without presentation of the original bill of lading will take an owner/carrier or other recipient of a Letter of Indemnity outside the scope of their P&I cover.

A bill of lading also serves as a shipment receipt when the carrier delivers the goods at a predetermined destination. This document must accompany the shipped products no matter the form of transportation. It must be signed by an authorized representative from the carrier, shipper, and receiver.

If you complete your ocean bill of lading incorrectly, you could face delays in delivery, delays in getting paid, denial of claims, incidental costs incurred through delays in delivery, and even penalties (which may apply for fraudulently completing the bill of lading form).