A receipt for the cargo and a contract for transportation between a shipper and the ocean carrier. It may also be used as an instrument of ownership which can be bought, sold or traded while the goods are in transit. To be used in this manner, it must be a negotiable 'To Order' Bill of Lading.
a) A clean Bill of Lading is issued when the shipment is received in apparent good order. If damage or a shortage is noted a clean Bill of Lading will not be issued. An On board Bill of Lading certifies that the cargo has been placed aboard the named vessel and is signed by the master of the vessel or his representative. On Letter of Credit transactions, an On Board Bill of Lading is usually necessary for the shipper to obtain payment form the bank. In most instances a Clean On Board Bill of Lading is required by Letter of Credit banks which certifies that the cargo has been stowed under deck the oceangoing vessel. When all Bills of Lading are processed a ship's manifest is prepared by the steamship line. This summarizes all cargoes aboard the vessel by port of loading and discharge.
b) Inland Bill of Lading - Also known as a waybill on rail or the 'pro-forma' bill of lading in trucking. It is used to document the transportation of the goods between the port and the point of origin or destination. It should contain information such as marks, numbers, steamship line, etc. to match with a dock receipt. Abbreviate 'pro' or 'pro ticket' waybill.
A receipt for the cargo and a contract for transportation between a shipper and the freight forwarding agent. It may also be used as an instrument of ownership which can be bought, sold or traded while the goods are in transit. To be used in this manner, it must be a negotiable 'To Order' Bill of Lading.
a) A clean Bill of Lading is issued when the shipment is received in apparent good order. If damage or a shortage is noted a clean Bill of Lading will not be issued. An On board Bill of Lading certifies that the cargo has been placed aboard the named vessel and is signed by the master of the vessel or his representative. On Letter of Credit transactions, an On Board Bill of Lading is usually necessary for the shipper to obtain payment form the bank. In most instances a Clean On Board Bill of Lading is required by Letter of Credit banks which certifies that the cargo has been stowed under deck the oceangoing vessel. When all Bills of Lading are processed a ship's manifest is prepared by the steamship line. This summarizes all cargoes aboard the vessel by port of loading and discharge.
b) Inland Bill of Lading - Also known as a waybill on rail or the 'pro-forma' bill of lading in trucking. It is used to document the transportation of the goods between the port and the point of origin or destination. It should contain information such as marks, numbers, steamship line, etc. to match with a dock receipt. Abbreviate 'pro' or 'pro ticket' waybill.
Used to transfer accountability for the cargo between domestic and international carriers at the ocean terminal. This is the document, prepared by the shipper or forwarder, which the ocean carrier or his designated agent signs and returns to the delivering inland carrier, acknowledging receipt of the cargo.
Provides specific information to the inland carrier concerning the arrangement made by the forwarder to deliver the merchandise to a particular pier or steamship line. Not to be confused with Delivery Order which is used for import cargo.
Required by Trade department and /or Census and Statistics department to control export and act as a source document for export statistics. It includes complete particulars of the shipment.
A financial document issued by a bank at the request of the consignee guaranteeing payment to the shipper for cargo if certain terms and conditions are fulfilled. Normally it contains a brief description of the goods, documents required, a shipping date, and an expiration date after which payment will no longer be made. A confirmed irrevocable Letter of Credit indicates that without the approval of the Letter of Credit beneficiary no changes or amendments to the Letter of Credit can be made.
Actually not an export but an import document required by some countries. This document is used to control, restrict and identify goods imported. It usually must be prepared on special form and may require legalization by the consular representative of the country of importation.
Similar to above, yet does not require consular legalization.
A record or evidence of transaction between the seller and the buyer. It is often used by governments to determine the true value of goods for the assessment of customs duties and taxes. It is also used in the preparation of consular documentation. Governments using the commerial invoice to control imports often specify its form, content, number of copies, language to be used, etc.
A document which is used to assure the buying country precisely in which country the goods were produced. The certification of the origin of the merchandise is usually performed by a recognized Chamber of Commerce.
Assures the consignee that insurance is provided to cover loss or damage to the cargo while in transit from a point A to point B.
A document issued by a freight forwarding agent confirming that the cargo as described has been received in apparent good order and condition. This document is accepted by banks and often used for banking collection purposes.
Required for certain restricted commodities and articles. To be applied for with Trade department or Department of Commerce.
Sent by the carrier, it informs the notify party of the estimated arrival date of the vessel, identifies the shipment with some details, such as number of package, weight, etc., and indicates when free time expires. Often is also a freight bill.
a) Consumption Entry - A form required by U.S. Customs for entering goods into the United States. The form contains information as to the origin of the cargo, a description of the merchandise and estimated duties applicable to the particular commodity. Estimated duties must be paid when the entry is filed.
b) Immediate Delivery Entry - used to expedite the clearance of cargo. (It allows up to ten days for the payment of estimated duty and processing of the consumption entry. In addition, it permits delivery of the cargo prior to payment of the estimated duty and duty.) Also known as I.D. entry.
c) Immediate Transportation Entry - allows the cargo to be moved form the pier to an inland destination via a bonded carrier without the payment of duties or finalization of the entry at the port of arrival. Known as an I.T. entry.
d) Transportation and Exportation Entry-allows goods coming from or going to a third country, such as Canada or Mexico, to enter the U.S. for the purpose of trans-shipment. Known as T & E entry.
Used to advise customs of the details of the shipment, its ownership, port of lading, etc. by means of this document, the carrier certifies that the firm or individual named in the certificate is the owner or consignee of the cargo. Commonly known as the Carrier Certificate.
Issued by the consignee or his customs broker to the ocean carrier as authority to release the cargo to the inland carrier. Includes all data necessary for the pier delivery clerk to determine that the cargo can be released to the domestic carrier. May also be known as a Pier Release.
Evidence that the freight charges for the cargo have been paid. If in writing, it may be presented at the pier to obtain release of the cargo. (Normally, once the freight is paid, releases are usually arranged without additional documentation.) Also known as Freight Bill Receipt.
An official form usually required by U.S. Customs if the rate of duty is based upon the value and the value of the shipment exceeds the amount set by the U.S. customs. This document is usually prepared by the foreign exporter or his forwarder and is used by customs in determining the value of the shipment. The exporter or his agent must attest to the authenticity of the data furnished.
Note: Above guides provides a quick reference only.
For definite description, please check with Trade department, Foreign Trade Council or General Chamber of Commerce in the country of import.
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