Express Bill of Lading

A Bill of Lading (BOL) is a legal document used to detail all the particulars of the cargo – the buyer, description of goods, container number, port of origin, and port of destination. The BOL is usually produced in triplicate so there is one for the shipper, one for the consignee, and one for the broker or third party but there may be more than three copies. The exporter must send the Bill of Lading to the importer/buyer for them to collect the goods.

An Express Release Bill of Lading means an electronic copy is sufficient for the carrier at the final destination to release the cargo to the final consignee stated in the Bill of Lading. If the BOL isn’t Express Release then the original documents must be mailed/couriered to the buyer so they can present at the time of collection. Using Express Release saves time and money. After import custom clearance, the buyer shows the necessary identification and the cargo is provided to them.

A Bill of Lading may be used for any kind of carriage, not just sea. It may be called an Airway Bill when goods are sent by air.