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name: bill-of-lading language: en description: >- Drafts a U.S. ocean Bill of Lading (B/L) functioning as receipt, contract of carriage, and document of title under COGSA or Hague-Visby. Covers negotiable and straight B/Ls, cargo description, freight allocation, and core carriage clauses. Use when drafting or reviewing a bill of lading, master/house B/L, ocean shipment documentation, or title transfer. Trigger keywords: bill of lading, B/L, ocean carriage, COGSA, Hague-Visby, negotiable, straight, master bill, house bill. tags:

• agreement
• drafting
• regulatory

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Bill of Lading

Produces a complete B/L that memorializes shipment, allocates risk, and complies with the governing carriage regime. Populate every field from source documents only — never invent data.

Prerequisites

1. Parties — shipper, consignee, notify party legal names, addresses, contacts
2. Booking & voyage — booking confirmation, vessel/voyage, ports, delivery terms
3. Cargo details — packing list, commercial invoice, marks/numbers, weights, measurements
4. Commercial terms — Incoterms, freight payment (prepaid/collect), currency, charges
5. Special requirements — insurance/declared value instructions, special handling, hazmat data (UN number, IMDG class) if applicable

Output Structure

1) Document Header

Field	Req	Notes
B/L Number	Yes	Unique identifier
B/L Type	Yes	Negotiable or Straight (Non-negotiable)
Issue Place/Date	Yes	City, country, date
Carrier / Shipper / Consignee	Yes	Legal name and address each
Notify Party	Opt	If applicable
Vessel/Voyage / Booking No.	Opt	If known
Container/Seal Nos.	Opt	If applicable

2) Shipment Routing

Field	Req	Notes
Place of Receipt	Yes	Terminal or facility
Port of Loading / Discharge	Yes	Port code if available
Place of Delivery	Yes	Final destination
Transshipment	Opt	Intermediate ports

3) Cargo Description

Field	Req	Notes
Description of Goods	Yes	Trade description; do not speculate
Packages/Units	Yes	Count and unit type
Gross Weight	Yes	With unit
Marks/Numbers / HS Code	Opt	As on packages; shipper-provided
Measurement / Packaging	Opt	CBM; type and condition
Declared Value	Opt	If higher liability requested
Special Handling	Opt	Fragile, reefer, etc.
HazMat	Cond	IMDG class, UN number

4) Freight and Charges

Field	Req	Notes
Freight Term	Yes	Prepaid or Collect
Rate Basis	Yes	Per container/weight/measure
Currency	Yes	ISO code
Additional Charges	Opt	THC, docs, fuel, security
Payment Due	Opt	Date or upon release

5) Core Clauses Checklist

• Receipt in apparent good order unless claused
• Carrier duty of due diligence — vessel seaworthiness
• Liability limitation: COGSA $500/package or customary freight unit unless higher value declared and paid [VERIFY]
• Notice of loss/damage timing (apparent vs. concealed) [VERIFY]
• Time bar: COGSA one year from delivery or due date [VERIFY]
• Exceptions: perils of the sea, act of God, inherent vice, shipper fault
• General average clause and GA contribution security
• Carrier lien for unpaid freight/charges
• Governing law, forum selection, or arbitration clause
• Himalaya clause extending defenses to agents/subcontractors
• Both-to-blame collision clause (if used by carrier)

6) Negotiability and Originals

• State number of originals issued; surrender of one renders others void
• Straight B/L: state non-negotiable, identify consignee
• Electronic B/L: specify system and rules governing eBL transfer

7) Signature Blocks

• Carrier or agent: signature, name, title, date
• Shipper signature if required by carrier practice
• Clausing space for exceptions to condition/quantity

Guidelines

• Mirror packing list, booking, and shipper instructions exactly — never fabricate data
• If Hague-Visby or another regime governs, state it expressly and remove conflicting COGSA language [VERIFY]
• For L/C shipments, issue clean B/L only if no visible damage; otherwise clause accurately
• Align freight term with Incoterms and buyer/seller responsibilities
• Multimodal or door-to-door: clarify scope and liability regime for each leg
• Treat HS codes, weights, and counts as shipper-provided; avoid guarantees
• Flag jurisdiction-specific mandates or carrier standard terms that must attach