BILL OF LADING

CONTENTS OF THE BILL OF LADING

It is remarkable that the law doesn't give a clear definition of the bill of lading or
lays down the form in which it has to be drawn up.

A clear definition of the bill of lading is only to be found in Article 1, par. 7 of the
Hamburg Rules, which were adopted on the 30th of March 1978 by the UN.

Steps have been taken by a number of international organisations (UN/ECE,

International Chamber of Shipping - ICS and the International Chamber of
Commerce - ICC) to standardize the international trade documents with regard to
the size or format and the lining. For this purpose, the UN/ECE has drafted a model
document called the "UN Layout Key" that can be used as a basic document or as a
"master" to print other documents by means of self copying paper, photocopier,
printer and the like.

A closer look at the master document, the shipping permit, the mate's receipt, the
quay service document, several bills of lading, shows us that the layout of each
document is in many ways identical (at least for the top 2/3).

The law (Hague-Visby Rules, Article III, par. 3a, b and c) only gives the
enumeration of the entries which have to appear on the bill of lading, so
that it can be considered as a full and negotiable document that entitles
the holder to receive the goods. Hamburg Rules Article 15, give a list of
entries which appear on the B/L.

In general, the bill of lading must state the nature and the quantity of the goods
that must be carried, together with:

 the name and place of business of the shipper;

 the name and place of business of the consignee;
 the name and place of business of the shipowner;
 the name, nationality and tonnage of the ship;
 the place of loading and discharge;
 the stipulations relating to the freight;
 the marks and numbers of the goods;
 the number of copies delivered.

Compiled by : Capt. Naveen C Tewari, ARI Saket, New Delhi. (1/16) 1

 BILL OF LADING

Article 3, par. 3a, b and c of the HVR requires that, among other things, the bill of
lading shows:

 the leading marks necessary for identification of the goods; either the
number of packages or pieces, or
 the quantity, or weight, as the case may be, as furnished in writing by the
shipper;
 the apparent order and condition of the goods.

According to Article 15 of the Hamburg Rules,

The bill of lading must include, inter alia, the following particulars:
(a) the general nature of the goods, the leading marks necessary for identification
of the goods, an express statement, if applicable, as to the dangerous character of
the goods, the number of packages or pieces, and the weight of the goods or their
quantity otherwise expressed, all such particulars as furnished by the shipper;
(b) the apparent condition of the goods;
(c) the name and principal place of business of the carrier;
(d) the name of the shipper;
(e) the consignee if named by the shipper;
(f) the port of loading under the contract of carriage by sea and the date on which
the goods were taken over by the carrier at the port of loading;
(g) the port of discharge under the contract of carriage by sea;
(h) the number of originals of the bill of lading, if more than one;
(i) the place of issuance of the bill of lading;
(j) the signature of the carrier or a person acting on his behalf;
(k) the freight to the extent payable by the consignee or other indication that
freight is payable by him;
(l) the statement, if applicable, that the goods shall or may be carried on deck;
(m) the date or the period of delivery of the goods at the port of discharge if
expressly agreed upon between the parties; and
(n) any increased limit or limits of liability where agreed.

Compiled by : Capt. Naveen C Tewari, ARI Saket, New Delhi. (1/16) 2