Conocimiento de embarque o Bill of Lading

Summary

This video script from Ilice Universal Logistics, presented by Marisa Moreno, delves into the crucial role of the Bill of Lading (BoL) in maritime export and import operations. The BoL serves as a contract of carriage between the seller and buyer, documenting the receipt of goods for shipment. It is essential for international trade success. The video explains the different types of BoLs for various transport modes and focuses on the maritime BoL, detailing its functions as a receipt of goods, proof of transport contract, and a document of title. It also discusses the Hamburg Rules of 1978, the required information on a BoL, and the three types of BoLs: straight, order, and bearer. The script emphasizes the importance of the BoL for customs clearance and cargo release, offering a comprehensive guide for businesses engaging in international maritime transport.

Takeaways

• 📜 The Bill of Lading (BoL) is the most important document in maritime export and import operations, acting as a contract of transport between the seller and the buyer.
• 🌐 Correct issuance of the BoL is crucial for the success of international operations, whether for a company starting internationalization or for regular exporters.
• 🔍 The BoL identifies the shipper, consignee, origin, and destination of the goods, and varies according to the mode of transport used.
• 🚢 In maritime transport, the 'Maritime Bill of Lading' or 'Bill of Lading' (BOL) is used, while for air transport, 'Air Waybill' and for road transport, 'Carriage by Road' or 'CMR' are used.
• 📝 The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) rules of Hamburg 1978 regulate international maritime transport, requiring the carrier to issue a BoL once goods are on board.
• 📋 The BoL is issued by the shipping company, the transport arranger, or a freight forwarder, documenting the receipt of goods for transport to a specified destination.
• 🔑 Essential information on the BoL includes the BoL number, number of copies, names and addresses of the carrier and shipper, and if it's a 'nominative' BoL, the consignee's details.
• 📦 The BoL must detail the description of goods, marks of identification, number of packages, quantity or weight, and apparent condition.
• 📝 The BoL serves three basic functions: as a receipt of goods shipped, proof of a transport contract specifying obligations, and as a credit title allowing the holder to claim goods at the destination port.
• 🔑 There are three types of BoL: 'nominative', 'order', and 'bearer', each with different implications for who can claim the goods upon arrival.
• 🚢 Upon arrival, the BoL is necessary to release the goods after customs procedures, with the original document often required for this process.

Q & A

What is the Bill of Lading (BoL) and why is it important in maritime operations?

The Bill of Lading (BoL), known as 'conocimiento de embarque' in Spanish, is the most important document in an export or import maritime operation. It acts as a transport contract between the seller and buyer, and its correct issuance is vital for the success of international operations.

What are the different types of transport documents used in logistics?

Different transport documents are used depending on the mode of transport: the maritime Bill of Lading (BoL) for sea transport, the airway bill for air transport, the carriage contract note or CMR for road transport, and the multimodal BoL for multimodal transport using different types of vehicles under a single transport document.

What is regulated by the Hamburg Rules of 1978?

The Hamburg Rules of 1978, approved by a UN conference, regulate international transport of goods by sea. They stipulate that once goods are on board a ship, the carrier or their agent must issue a Bill of Lading to the shipper as evidence of the right to reclaim the goods at the destination port.

What information must be included in a maritime Bill of Lading?

A maritime Bill of Lading must include the Bill of Lading number and copies, names and addresses of the carrier and shipper, the name of the person to be notified of the goods' arrival, the name of the ship and voyage number, the ports of loading and discharge, a description of the goods, and the apparent condition of the goods if they are hazardous.

What are the three basic functions of a maritime Bill of Lading?

The three basic functions of a maritime Bill of Lading are: as a receipt of goods shipped on a specific vessel and the conditions under which they were received, as proof of the existence of a transport contract specifying the obligations of the parties, and as a credit title allowing the holder to withdraw the transported goods at the destination port.

What are the three types of Bills of Lading based on the consignee?

The three types of Bills of Lading based on the consignee are: Straight (nominative), which specifies the name of a person who will collect the goods; Order, which specifies the consignee but allows transfer by endorsement; and Bearer, which does not identify the consignee and is held by whoever possesses it.

What is the difference between a Master Bill of Lading (MBoL) and a House Bill of Lading (HBoL)?

A Master Bill of Lading (MBoL) is issued by the carrier and lists the carrier as the shipper and the agent at the destination as the consignee. A House Bill of Lading (HBoL) is issued by a freight forwarder or operator and lists the actual exporter as the shipper and the recipient or importer as the consignee.

Why is the Bearer Bill of Lading considered risky and less commonly used?

The Bearer Bill of Lading is considered risky and less commonly used because it does not identify the consignee, making it susceptible to fraud or theft as it can be held by anyone who obtains it, without proper identification.

What is required to release the goods once they have arrived at the destination port?

To release the goods at the destination port, the Bill of Lading is necessary, along with the completion of customs procedures. The consignee can release and withdraw the goods by presenting one of the original, properly endorsed copies of the Bill of Lading.

What is a Telex Release and how does it differ from a traditional Bill of Lading release?

A Telex Release allows the release of goods at the destination without the need to present the original Bill of Lading, provided the country permits it, through confirmation from the agent at the origin to the agent at the destination. This differs from a traditional release, which requires the presentation of the original document.

What is a Sea Waybill and how is it similar to a Telex Release?

A Sea Waybill, also known as a Release or Sewi Bill, is similar to a Telex Release in that it allows for the release of goods without the need for an original physical document. Everything is digital, and it operates under the same principle of not requiring the original Bill of Lading for the release of goods.