A bill of lading is an international shipping document that serves as a receipt and evidence of the contract for carrying ocean cargo.
The carrier or its agent issues the document after receiving the goods. It records important details such as the shipper, consignee, cargo description, quantity, and destination. A clean bill of lading indicates that the goods were received in apparently good external condition, subject to the document’s terms.
In traditional transactions, a bill of lading can also function as a document of title. Possession of the required original may enable the holder to claim the goods, although electronic systems and sea waybills have changed how many shipments are handled. A bill of lading may be negotiable or non-negotiable depending on its wording and use.
It is not the same as a commercial invoice, which states the sale price and supports customs valuation, or a packing list, which describes how cargo is packaged. These documents often travel together but perform different legal and commercial roles.