Logistics
Reading a bill of lading: a quick guide for new shippers
OH
Omar Haddad•Aug 19, 2026•4 min read
Photo: Close-up of official shipping documentation and clipboard
The Bill of Lading (B/L) is arguably the single most critical legal document in international shipping. It functions simultaneously as a receipt of goods, a contract of carriage, and a document of title.
5 Critical Fields to Double-Check
- Shipper & Consignee Details: Ensure the exact registered legal corporate names and addresses match letter-of-credit terms.
- Notify Party: The entity responsible for handling port arrival notifications.
- Port of Loading (POL) & Port of Discharge (POD): Specific container terminal codes must be accurate.
- Container & Seal Numbers: Must match physically applied bolt seals exactly to avoid customs penalties.
- Gross Weight & Measurement (CBM): Mandatory for SOLAS Verified Gross Mass (VGM) compliance.
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