CHAPTER 5
Transport Documents can be made by ocean going vessel, airplane, rail, truck, barge on inland waterways, courier or any combination of modes (multimodal). An individual shipment may also be placed or packed in an ocean container, airfreight container (unit load device or ULD), in less than container load (LCL) shipments, in dry or wet bulk (such as grain, iron ore or crude oil) or in drums, sacks, or crates. The one document that all these modes of transport and means of packing share is the bill of lading, or B/L, in one of its many forms. It is not the only transport document, but it is the most important.
INTERNATIONAL SHIPMENTS OF GOODS
MINI GLOSSARY C O N S I G N O R : The individual, company or entity that ships goods (the shipper, not
the shipping company), or gives goods to another for care. This is the exporter/seller. C O N S I G N E E : The person or firm named in a freight contract to whom goods have been shipped or turned over for care. This is generally the importer/buyer.
International Transport Documents The following table and notes will introduce you to the various transport documents used in international shipments. Rarely are all of these documents used in a single shipment, but you should understand each conceptually as requirements for obscure documents do arise from time to time. Document
Notes
Sample
A
page 40
Packing List
B
page 53
Shipping Instructions
C
-
Forwarder’s Instructions
D
-
Stowage Instructions
E
-
Hazardous Materials Instructions/Declaration
F
-
Bill of Lading (in various forms)
■
38
Dock Receipt
G
-
Mate’s Receipt
H
-
Captain’s (or Master’s) Protest
I
-
A—B I L L O F L A D I N G This is the key transport document that identifies the consignor, the consignee, the carrier, the mode of transport and other facts about the shipment. See the following pages for detailed information about bills of lading.
