The Basics
A Bill of Lading is a legal document between the shipper and carrier; it's a contract, detailing the type, quantity, and destination of goods being carried. The Bill of Lading serves as a receipt of shipment when the goods are delivered at the predetermined destination, and there are different kinds of bills of lading, each type with unique stipulations and conditions.
Ocean Bill of Lading - OBL
A non-negotiable ocean Bill of Lading allows the buyer to receive the goods upon showing identification. If the bill is deemed negotiable, the buyer will be required to pay the shipper for the products and meet any of the seller's other conditions.
An Ocean Bill of Lading allows the shipper to move goods across international waters. If the goods are to be initially shipped overland, an additional document, known as the Inland Bill of Lading, will be required. The inland bill only allows the materials to reach the shore, while the ocean bill allows them to be transported overseas.
Read more: Ocean Bill Of Lading
House Bill Of Lading
A House Bill Of Lading often referred to as “HBL”, is a Bill Of Lading that functions between the actual buyer and actual seller of the goods. Another way to put it is that the shipper indicated on the HBL is the actual shipper/exporter of the goods, whereas the consignee will be the receiver of the goods. In an HBL, the freight forwarder, NVOCC, or other third-party logistics companies are not listed.