{"id":99770,"date":"2026-10-22T19:58:04","date_gmt":"2026-10-22T19:58:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/what-is-a-bill-of-lading"},"modified":"2026-10-22T19:58:08","modified_gmt":"2026-10-22T19:58:08","slug":"what-is-a-bill-of-lading","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/de\/what-is-a-bill-of-lading","title":{"rendered":"Was ist ein Frachtbrief? Arten, Beispiele und Funktionsweise in der Schifffahrt"},"content":{"rendered":"<head><script type=\"application\/ld+json\">{\n    \"@context\": \"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\n    \"@graph\": [\n        {\n            \"@type\": \"BlogPosting\",\n            \"headline\": \"What Is a Bill of Lading? Types, Examples and How It Works in Shipping\",\n            \"description\": \"What is a bill of lading? How it works, what's on it, original vs telex release vs sea waybill, house vs master B\\\/L, and why it matters when you ship by sea.\",\n            \"mainEntityOfPage\": \"https:\\\/\\\/cargoholidays.com\\\/what-is-a-bill-of-lading\",\n            \"image\": \"https:\\\/\\\/cargoholidays.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/10\\\/what-is-a-bill-of-lading-cargoholidays-1024x576.jpg\",\n            \"datePublished\": \"2026-10-22\",\n            \"dateModified\": \"2026-10-22\",\n            \"inLanguage\": \"en-GB\",\n            \"author\": {\n                \"@type\": \"Organization\",\n                \"name\": \"CargoHolidays\"\n            },\n            \"publisher\": {\n                \"@type\": \"Organization\",\n                \"name\": \"CargoHolidays\",\n                \"url\": \"https:\\\/\\\/cargoholidays.com\"\n            }\n        },\n        {\n            \"@type\": \"FAQPage\",\n            \"mainEntity\": [\n                {\n                    \"@type\": \"Question\",\n                    \"name\": \"What is a bill of lading in simple terms?\",\n                    \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n                        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n                        \"text\": \"A shipping document that acts as a receipt for cargo, evidence of the transport contract and, for negotiable bills, the title to the goods.\"\n                    }\n                },\n                {\n                    \"@type\": \"Question\",\n                    \"name\": \"What is the difference between a bill of lading and a sea waybill?\",\n                    \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n                        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n                        \"text\": \"A sea waybill is not a document of title. The goods are released to the named consignee without presenting an original.\"\n                    }\n                },\n                {\n                    \"@type\": \"Question\",\n                    \"name\": \"What is a telex release?\",\n                    \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n                        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n                        \"text\": \"The original bills are surrendered at origin and the carrier tells its destination office to release the cargo without paper originals.\"\n                    }\n                },\n                {\n                    \"@type\": \"Question\",\n                    \"name\": \"Who issues the bill of lading?\",\n                    \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n                        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n                        \"text\": \"The shipping line (master B\\\/L) or a freight forwarder acting as carrier (house B\\\/L).\"\n                    }\n                },\n                {\n                    \"@type\": \"Question\",\n                    \"name\": \"What is a house bill of lading?\",\n                    \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n                        \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n                        \"text\": \"A bill issued by a freight forwarder to its customer, usually for consolidated shipments.\"\n                    }\n                }\n            ]\n        }\n    ]\n}<\/script>\n<\/head><div class=\"ch-post\"><p class=\"ch-updated\">Last updated: 22 October 2026<\/p><p><strong>The bill of lading (B\/L) is the most important document in ocean shipping.<\/strong> 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.<\/p><h2>What is a bill of lading?<\/h2><p>A bill of lading is a document issued by a carrier (the shipping line) or its agent. It has <strong>three functions<\/strong>:<\/p><ol><li><strong>Receipt for the goods:<\/strong> it confirms that the carrier has received the cargo, usually noting the quantity and apparent condition<\/li><li><strong>Evidence of the contract of carriage:<\/strong> it sets out the terms on which the goods are carried<\/li><li><strong>Document of title:<\/strong> for negotiable bills, whoever holds the original can claim the goods at destination<\/li><\/ol><figure style=\"margin:1.6em 0\"><img src=\"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/AdobeStock_251096093-1024x575.jpeg\" alt=\"Ship-to-shore cranes at a container terminal\" width=\"1024\" height=\"575\" loading=\"lazy\" style=\"width:100%;height:auto;border-radius:12px;display:block\" title=\"Ship-to-shore cranes at a container terminal\"><figcaption style=\"font-size:.85em;color:#6b7280;margin-top:.45em;text-align:center\">A bill of lading is issued once the carrier receives or loads the cargo.<\/figcaption><\/figure><h2>What&rsquo;s on a bill of lading?<\/h2><ul><li><strong>Shipper, consignee and notify party<\/strong><\/li><li><strong>Vessel name and voyage number<\/strong><\/li><li><strong>Port of loading and port of discharge<\/strong><\/li><li><strong>Container and seal numbers<\/strong><\/li><li><strong>Description of goods, number of packages, weight and volume<\/strong><\/li><li><strong>Freight terms:<\/strong> prepaid or collect<\/li><li><strong>Number of originals issued<\/strong>, usually three<\/li><li><strong>Date of shipment and place of issue<\/strong><\/li><\/ul><h2>Main types of bill of lading<\/h2><div class=\"ch-table\"><table><thead><tr><th>Type<\/th><th>What it means<\/th><th>When it is used<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Original (negotiable) B\/L<\/td><td>Paper originals; the holder can claim the goods<\/td><td>Letters of credit, goods sold in transit<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Straight B\/L<\/td><td>Named consignee only; not transferable<\/td><td>Simple sales between known parties<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Telex release<\/td><td>Originals surrendered at origin; cargo released electronically<\/td><td>Speeds up release when paper would arrive late<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Sea waybill<\/td><td>Not a document of title; goods released to the named consignee<\/td><td>Trusted partners, intra-company moves, removals<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>House B\/L (HBL)<\/td><td>Issued by a freight forwarder to the shipper<\/td><td>Consolidated and forwarder shipments<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Master B\/L (MBL)<\/td><td>Issued by the shipping line to the forwarder<\/td><td>Behind every house B\/L<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Clean vs claused<\/td><td>Clean: no damage noted. Claused: defects noted<\/td><td>A claused B\/L can be rejected by banks<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Electronic B\/L (eBL)<\/td><td>A digital document of title<\/td><td>Growing in use across the industry<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/div><figure style=\"margin:1.6em 0\"><img src=\"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Cargo-Ship-Travel-Cargoholidays1-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"Container cargo ship at sea\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" loading=\"lazy\" style=\"width:100%;height:auto;border-radius:12px;display:block\" title=\"Container cargo ship at sea\"><figcaption style=\"font-size:.85em;color:#6b7280;margin-top:.45em;text-align:center\">An original bill of lading can transfer ownership of goods while they are at sea.<\/figcaption><\/figure><h2>How a bill of lading works, step by step<\/h2><ol><li>The exporter books freight and delivers the cargo to the port or depot.<\/li><li>The carrier loads the container and issues the B\/L to the shipper or forwarder.<\/li><li>If the buyer is paying by letter of credit, the originals go through the banks.<\/li><li>The buyer receives the originals (or a telex release is issued).<\/li><li>At destination, the consignee presents the B\/L (or the release is confirmed), pays local charges and collects the goods.<\/li><\/ol><h2>Common problems<\/h2><ul><li><strong>Late originals:<\/strong> the ship arrives before the paperwork, causing storage charges. A telex release or sea waybill avoids this.<\/li><li><strong>Errors in names or descriptions,<\/strong> which can delay customs clearance<\/li><li><strong>Lost originals:<\/strong> expensive and slow to resolve, often needing a bank guarantee<\/li><\/ul><h2>Bills of lading and personal moves<\/h2><p>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 <a href=\"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/de\/how-to-track-a-ship\/\">how to track a ship<\/a> and our <a href=\"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/de\/sea-freight-from-uk\/\">sea freight from the UK guide<\/a>.<\/p><h2>Frequently asked questions<\/h2><div class=\"ch-faq\"><h3>What is a bill of lading in simple terms?<\/h3><p>A shipping document that acts as a receipt for cargo, evidence of the transport contract and, for negotiable bills, the title to the goods.<\/p><h3>What is the difference between a bill of lading and a sea waybill?<\/h3><p>A sea waybill is not a document of title. The goods are released to the named consignee without presenting an original.<\/p><h3>What is a telex release?<\/h3><p>The original bills are surrendered at origin and the carrier tells its destination office to release the cargo without paper originals.<\/p><h3>Who issues the bill of lading?<\/h3><p>The shipping line (master B\/L) or a freight forwarder acting as carrier (house B\/L).<\/p><h3>What is a house bill of lading?<\/h3><p>A bill issued by a freight forwarder to its customer, usually for consolidated shipments.<\/p><\/div><div class=\"ch-cta\"><strong>See the cargo you ship from the deck<\/strong><p>Travel as a passenger on the container ships that carry the world&rsquo;s trade.<\/p><a class=\"ch-btn\" href=\"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/de\/anfrage-fur-eine-frachtschiffreise\/\">Request a voyage quote &rarr;<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<style>\n.ch-post{font-family:inherit;line-height:1.7;color:#1f2937;max-width:820px;margin:0 auto}\n.ch-post h2{font-size:1.6em;margin:1.8em 0 .6em;color:#0b2545;border-bottom:3px solid #f5a623;padding-bottom:.25em}\n.ch-post h3{font-size:1.15em;margin:1.4em 0 .3em;color:#0b2545}\n.ch-post p{margin:0 0 1em}\n.ch-post ul,.ch-post ol{margin:0 0 1.2em 1.3em}\n.ch-post li{margin:.35em 0}\n.ch-post .ch-updated{font-size:.9em;color:#6b7280;margin-bottom:1.2em}\n.ch-post .ch-table{overflow-x:auto;margin:1.2em 0 1.6em}\n.ch-post table{border-collapse:collapse;width:100%;font-size:.95em}\n.ch-post th{background:#0b2545;color:#fff;text-align:left;padding:.65em .8em}\n.ch-post td{padding:.6em .8em;border-bottom:1px solid #e5e7eb;vertical-align:top}\n.ch-post tr:nth-child(even) td{background:#f6f8fb}\n.ch-post .ch-faq{background:#f6f8fb;border-radius:12px;padding:1em 1.4em;margin:1em 0 2em}\n.ch-post .ch-faq h3{margin-top:1em}\n.ch-post .ch-cta{background:linear-gradient(135deg,#0b2545,#13315c);color:#fff;border-radius:14px;padding:1.6em 1.8em;margin:2.2em 0;text-align:center}\n.ch-post .ch-cta strong{display:block;font-size:1.35em;margin-bottom:.4em;color:#fff}\n.ch-post .ch-cta p{color:#dbe4f0;margin:.2em 0 1.1em}\n.ch-post .ch-btn{display:inline-block;background:#f5a623;color:#0b2545 !important;font-weight:700;text-decoration:none;padding:.8em 1.6em;border-radius:999px}\n.ch-post .ch-btn:hover{background:#ffbb45}\n.ch-post em{color:#4b5563}\n<\/style>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>What is a bill of lading? How it works, what&#8217;s on it, original vs telex release vs sea waybill, house vs master B\/L, and why it matters when you ship by sea.<\/p>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":99769,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"single3.php","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1019,357,118],"tags":[1620,1622,1576,1527,1621],"yst_prominent_words":[],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/99770"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=99770"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/99770\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":99771,"href":"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/99770\/revisions\/99771"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/99769"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=99770"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=99770"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=99770"},{"taxonomy":"yst_prominent_words","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cargoholidays.com\/de\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/yst_prominent_words?post=99770"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}