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Bill Of Lading Form for the United States

Bill Of Lading Form Template for United States

A Bill of Lading is a legally binding document issued by a carrier to a shipper, functioning as a receipt of goods, a contract of carriage, and a document of title. Under U.S. law, it is governed primarily by the Carriage of Goods by Sea Act (COGSA) and the Federal Bills of Lading Act. This document serves as evidence of the contract between the shipper and carrier, while also acting as a transferable document that controls the right to possession of the goods.

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What is a Bill Of Lading Form?

The Bill of Lading Form is a critical document in shipping and international trade, used when goods are transported by sea. It serves three essential functions: receipt for cargo, evidence of the contract of carriage, and document of title to the goods. Under U.S. jurisdiction, it must comply with COGSA and related federal regulations. This document includes detailed information about the parties involved, the goods being shipped, the vessel, ports of loading and discharge, and terms of carriage. It's particularly important for international trade as it allows for the transfer of title to goods while in transit.

What sections should be included in a Bill Of Lading Form?

1. Bill of Lading Number: Unique identifier for the shipment and document tracking

2. Shipper/Exporter Details: Complete name, address, and contact information of the party shipping the goods

3. Consignee Details: Name, address, and contact information of the party receiving the goods

4. Notify Party: Details of the party to be notified upon arrival of goods

5. Vessel/Voyage Information: Name of vessel, voyage number, and carrier details

6. Port Information: Port of loading, port of discharge, and place of delivery details

7. Cargo Details: Description of goods, including quantity, weight, measurements, and packaging type

8. Marks and Numbers: Identifying marks on the packages and container numbers if applicable

9. Freight Terms and Charges: Payment terms for shipping charges and any additional fees

10. Standard Terms and Conditions: General terms governing the shipment including liability limitations and claims procedures

What sections are optional to include in a Bill Of Lading Form?

1. Forwarding Agent References: Details and references for freight forwarder when shipment is handled by intermediaries

2. Export References: Additional reference numbers and documentation for international shipments

3. On-Carriage Information: Details about further transportation after discharge for multimodal transport

4. Special Instructions: Specific handling instructions or requirements for the cargo

5. Dangerous Goods Declaration: Required declarations and handling instructions for hazardous materials

What schedules should be included in a Bill Of Lading Form?

1. Cargo Manifest: Detailed list of all cargo being transported including weights and measurements

2. Packing List: Itemized list of packages and their contents with specific details

3. Container List: List of container numbers and their contents for containerized shipments

4. Certificate of Origin: Document certifying the country where goods originated for international shipments

Authors

Alex Denne

Head of Growth (Open Source Law) @ ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓÆµ | 3 x UCL-Certified in Contract Law & Drafting | 4+ Years Managing 1M+ Legal Documents | Serial Founder & Legal AI Author

Jurisdiction

United States

Document Type

Bill of Lading

Cost

Free to use
Relevant legal definitions








































Clauses

































Industries

COGSA: Carriage of Goods by Sea Act - Primary US federal law governing rights and responsibilities between shippers and ocean carriers in international ocean transport

Pomerene Act: Federal Bills of Lading Act that governs the rights and liabilities of parties dealing with negotiable bills of lading in foreign and interstate commerce

Harter Act: US federal law that regulates maritime contracts and carrier liability, particularly applicable to domestic shipping and periods before loading and after discharge

Interstate Commerce Act: Federal law governing interstate transportation and commerce, including provisions affecting bills of lading for domestic shipments

Shipping Act 1984: Federal law governing ocean shipping practices, including requirements for documentation and fair practices in international ocean commerce

Hague Rules: International convention establishing uniform rules for bills of lading in international trade, setting minimum standards for carrier liability

Hague-Visby Rules: Updated version of Hague Rules with modified liability limits - while not ratified by US, relevant for international shipments

Hamburg Rules: Alternative international convention on carriage of goods by sea - not ratified by US but relevant for international trade relationships

UCC Article 7: Uniform Commercial Code Article governing documents of title, including bills of lading, as adopted by individual states

FMC Regulations: Federal Maritime Commission regulations governing ocean transportation intermediaries and carrier practices

CBP Requirements: U.S. Customs and Border Protection requirements for documentation and reporting in international shipping

DOT Regulations: Department of Transportation regulations affecting transportation documentation and safety requirements

Teams

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