1. The basic contents of the bill of lading. There are various forms and types of bills of lading, but the basic contents are generally the same. The basic contents of the bill of lading generally include: Contents about the parties 1. Shipper (Shipper or Consignor) of the bill of lading. The shipper is generally the beneficiary of the letter of credit, that is, the export company. Unless otherwise specified in the letter of credit, the shipper's name and address should be listed in detail in the shipper column, and must be completely consistent with the provisions of the letter of credit. 2. Carrier The carrier column should clearly and in detail list the name, address and location of the carrier. 3. Consignee (Consignee) The consignee is the person who pays the bill of lading. This column should be filled out correctly in strict accordance with the requirements of the letter of credit, and should be made into a registered header, an indicative header or a blank header. 4. Notify Party If the letter of credit stipulates the notified party of the bill of lading, this column should list the name and address of the notified party in strict accordance with the requirements of the letter of credit. If the L/C does not specify the notee of the bill of lading, this column can be left blank or the name of the L/C applicant (same as the importer) can be filled in.
2. Contents of the goods 1. Marking of the goods (marking) If the shipping mark of the goods is clearly stipulated in the letter of credit, the shipping mark of the bill of lading should be completely consistent with the provisions of the letter of credit. In addition, the shipping marks on the bill of lading should be completely consistent with the shipping marks on other documents. 2. Cargo name: The name of the goods in the bill of lading is the name of the consigned goods. If the name of the goods listed in the letter of credit is relatively complex, sometimes this complex cargo name is not used on the bill of lading, but a general name or abbreviation is acceptable. However, There must be no essential conflict with the name of the goods listed in the letter of credit. In addition, if the letter of credit requires the letter of credit number or other relevant numbers to be listed on the bill of lading, this should also be clearly reflected in this column. 3. Number of pieces and packaging The number of pieces of goods on the bill of lading should be expressed in uppercase and lowercase letters. For bulk goods that cannot be counted in pieces, not only the words "bulk goods" but also the net weight should be marked. The bill of lading should have a description of the packaging of the goods, such as bulk, palletized, containerized, etc., and must be completely consistent with the provisions on the packaging of the goods in the letter of credit. 4. Gross weight Gross weight is the basis for calculating freight by weight tons. If the letter of credit stipulates that the net weight of the goods be stated on the bill of lading, it should also be stated in this column, but the word "net weight" should be noted in front. 5. Size The size of the goods is the basis for the carrier to calculate freight based on volume, generally expressed in cubic meters, and should be completely consistent with the relevant provisions in the letter of credit. Regarding transportation and other contents 1. The number of the bill of lading The bill of lading must have a number added by the carrier, that is, the number of the bill of lading. If the letter of credit stipulates that the number of the bill of lading must be listed in other documents, then this number must be exactly the same as the number of the bill of lading. consistent. 2. Ship name The ship name column must contain the name of the transport ship. If it is direct transportation, there should be the name of the direct ship. If it is transshipment transportation, the name of the first-leg ship should be included. 3. Loading port The loading port column must list the name of the loading port, and it must be completely consistent with the provisions of the loading port in the letter of credit. 4. Unloading port The unloading port column must list the name of the unloading port, and it must be completely consistent with the provisions of the unloading port in the letter of credit. If it is a transhipment transport, the unloading port column should also reflect the location of the transshipment. 5. Freight payment place The freight payment place column must list the freight payment place, especially when there are special provisions in the letter of credit. 6. Freight The freight column must list the method of payment for freight, which is usually stipulated in the letter of credit. Freight payment methods are generally as follows: A. "Freight Prepaid" B. "Freight Collect" C. "Freight Pay by Charter Party" ) "Freight paid" generally pays the freight by the shipper (export company). "Freight collect" generally requires the consignee (importing company) to pay the freight. When the consignee pays the freight, the amount of the freight should generally be stated. 7. Number of copies of the bill of lading. The number of copies of the bill of lading generally refers to the number of copies of the original bill of lading. Generally speaking, if the letter of credit clearly stipulates the number of copies of the bill of lading, the number of copies of the bill of lading should be completely consistent with the requirements of the letter of credit. If the letter of credit does not require the number of copies of the bill of lading, but only requires the "Fullset of Bill of Lading", the number of copies of the bill of lading should be determined according to the specific provisions on the bill of lading. The issuer of a bill of lading usually stipulates the number of copies of the bill of lading it issues. All original bills of lading issued by the bill of lading issuer listed on the bill of lading are the "complete set of bills of lading". The bills of lading submitted by the export company to the bank must be the "complete set of bills of lading" unless otherwise stipulated in the letter of credit. 8. The place of issuance of the bill of lading and the date of issuance of the bill of lading. The bill of lading must have an issuance place, which is usually the business location of the carrier or its agent. However, it does not have to be the shipping port. The bill of lading must have an issue date. The issuance date is the date when the carrier or its agent issues the bill of lading, and the issuance date of the shipped bill of lading is the date of shipment of the goods. This date must be within the latest shipment period of the goods specified in the letter of credit. The issuance date of a ready-for-shipment bill of lading is the date the carrier or its agent receives the goods.
If the receipt of the ready-to-ship bill of lading has been converted into a shipped bill of lading, the date next to the words "Shipped on Board" is the shipment date, and this date must be within the latest shipment period of the goods specified in the letter of credit. 9. The issuer of the bill of lading. The bill of lading can only become effective after it is signed by the carrier or its agent. Usually, the bill of lading has the following four issuers: A. Carrier; B. Named agent on behalf of the carrier; C. Captain; D. Named agent on behalf of the captain.