Last updated: 22 October 2026
The bill of lading (B/L) is the most important document in ocean shipping. Whether you are exporting goods, importing stock or shipping household belongings, your bill of lading controls who can collect the cargo at the other end. Here is what it is, how it works and the main types you will come across.
A bill of lading is a document issued by a carrier (the shipping line) or its agent. It has three functions:
| Type | What it means | When it is used |
|---|---|---|
| Original (negotiable) B/L | Paper originals; the holder can claim the goods | Letters of credit, goods sold in transit |
| Straight B/L | Named consignee only; not transferable | Simple sales between known parties |
| Telex release | Originals surrendered at origin; cargo released electronically | Speeds up release when paper would arrive late |
| Sea waybill | Not a document of title; goods released to the named consignee | Trusted partners, intra-company moves, removals |
| House B/L (HBL) | Issued by a freight forwarder to the shipper | Consolidated and forwarder shipments |
| Master B/L (MBL) | Issued by the shipping line to the forwarder | Behind every house B/L |
| Clean vs claused | Clean: no damage noted. Claused: defects noted | A claused B/L can be rejected by banks |
| Electronic B/L (eBL) | A digital document of title | Growing in use across the industry |
For household removals, your mover usually uses a sea waybill or telex release, so you do not handle paper originals. Keep the B/L number, because it is how you track the shipment. See how to track a ship and our sea freight from the UK guide.
A shipping document that acts as a receipt for cargo, evidence of the transport contract and, for negotiable bills, the title to the goods.
A sea waybill is not a document of title. The goods are released to the named consignee without presenting an original.
The original bills are surrendered at origin and the carrier tells its destination office to release the cargo without paper originals.
The shipping line (master B/L) or a freight forwarder acting as carrier (house B/L).
A bill issued by a freight forwarder to its customer, usually for consolidated shipments.
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