When can I access my Bill of Lading?
Initially, the shipper must provide all necessary shipment details to the carrier. Following this, the carrier creates a draft bill of lading (B/L) by verifying the provided instructions for accuracy. The draft B/L is then sent to the shipper for review to confirm that all cargo descriptions and details are correct. Once the shipper approves the draft, the carrier issues the final bill of lading*, typically after goods have been loaded and transport is underway to its destination. Upon arrival, the bill of lading should be presented to the shipping agent or carrier's representative to obtain a Delivery Order. Finally, the Delivery Order is presented to the port terminal, facilitating the release of the actual goods.
*For Negotiable Bill of Lading the final bill of lading can only be issued if the customer either had approved credit or all charges have been settled.
Contact your local Customer Service representative for further information.
Related answers
The Wallenius Wilhelmsen Ocean Bill of Lading serves 3 purposes:
* it is a transport contract (contract of carriage)
* a receipt of cargo
* a document of title (right to take delivery)
This feature is recognised by the Bill of Lading being consigned "to order of" which means that it is a negotiable document that transfers the title to the goods. This feature is commonly used when transactions are financed through letters of credit and/or goods are traded during the transit.
The title to the goods can be transferred by a simple endorsement on the document by the holder of the Bill of Lading and by handing over the Bill of Lading to the new owner, in much the same way as a personal check is endorsed.
Once a Negotiable Bill of Lading has issued, the cargo can only be released upon physical presentation of the Negotiable Bill of Lading.
A Sea Waybill is evidence of a contract of carriage. A Sea Waybill is not needed for cargo delivery and is only issued as a cargo receipt. It can either be issued in hard copy format or soft copy format. A Sea Waybill is not negotiable and cannot be assigned to a third party. Wallenius Wilhelmsen Ocean will deliver the cargo at destination to the person or company described as Consignee in the Sea Waybill.