In commercial transactions such as import and export, products need to be transported from one country to another. This transportation can sometimes be by sea, sometimes by road, or even by air.

This can be done in three different ways. Each transport operation and the preferred mode of transport requires a bill of lading. This bill of lading aims to protect the rights of the carrier, the consignee, and the sender.

If this promissory note;

- For air transportation: Air Waybill.

- For road transport: Road Waybill/CMR Consignment Note.

- For rail transport: Rail Waybill.

- For sea transport, a bill of lading.

It is called.

What is a bill of lading used for?

In maritime transport, the general name for the document representing the goods is the bill of lading. In English, it is known as the Ocean Bill of Lading. A bill of lading differs from other types of transport documents because it must state that the goods have been received in good condition by the carrier, define the contract of carriage, and represent the specified goods. In short, it is responsible for fully representing ownership of the goods.

Another feature that distinguishes a bill of lading from other transport documents is that it is a valuable document that can be endorsed. Of course, a non-negotiable version also exists. This distinction is related to the fact that the bill of lading must be made out to a specific person. Because for the goods to change hands, the bill of lading must be endorseable. That is, the ownership of the goods passes to the carrier and the ship's captain from the moment they are loaded onto the ship until delivery is completed. After that, it is endorsed to the agent or the carrier who will receive the goods. The change of hands of the goods is only possible in this way.

What should be written on a bill of lading?

There are certain elements that must be included in a bill of lading. These are:

- Name and signature of the person who prepared it,

- Carrier's name, surname and trade name,

- Brief information about the type, size, brand, and characteristics of the goods being transported.

- Date and place of publication,

- Number of copies issued

On the other hand, the elements that are important to include in the bill of lading are:

- The captain's name,

- Name of the uploader,

- The name of the post,

- The ship's nationality and name,

- Loading and unloading ports,

- Freight

It is in this form.