1. Straight Bill of Lading/ Non-Negotiable Bill of Lading:
Straight BoL is a type of bill of lading that is issued to a specific consignee and the ownership cannot be transferred to someone else. So the name Non-Negotible. It is issued by the carrier or shipping company. The main feature of this B\L is they ensure security and the ownership cannot be transferred. It’s a straightforward method. Straight BoL is used in standard shipments where the ownership transfer is not necessary.
2. Order Bill of Lading/ Negotiable Bill of Lading:
Order BoL is a type of bill of lading in which the ownership can be transferred through endorsement. So the name Negotiable. It is issued by the carrier or shipping company. The main feature of this B\L is it facilitates flexibility in ownership transfer during transit. Which in turn helps in smoother and adaptable transactions in complex trade deals. Order BoL is used in international shipments in which several ownership transfers may be required.
3. Bearer Bill of Lading:
Bearer BoL is a type of bill of lading in which the ownership can be transferred by the physical possession of the document. This means anyone with the bearer bill of lading is considered the owner of the goods mentioned in it. It is typically issued by the carrier or shipping company. The main feature of this B\L is it provides a flexible and straightforward method for transferring ownership during shipping. Bearer BoL is used in situations where flexible and easily transferable ownership is required. This can also be used in confidential transactions that do not mention the consignee details.
4. Clean Bill of Lading:
Clean BoL is a type of bill of lading that acknowledges that goods received for shipping are in good condition without any damages. It is typically issued by the carrier or shipping company. The main feature of this B\L is it assures the owner that the goods have no visible defects or issues at the time of loading and helps in a smooth customs clearance process. Clean BoL is usually used when the goods are of high quality or brand new and required to be in perfect condition. They are also issued if the goods are verified to be in perfect condition and if there was an agreement between parties upon the goods that they should be received without damages.
5. Claused (or Foul) Bill of Lading:
Claused BoL also known as Foul Bill of Lading is a type of bill of lading that mentions the damages or issues in the received goods. It is typically issued by the carrier or shipping company. The main feature of this B\L is it alerts the owner about the condition of goods and their visible defects and issues. It may contain information about damaged packing, missing items, or any other visible irregularities. Claused BoL is usually used if any visible damages or defects are found during the inspection of goods. It is crucial for insurance claims during transit.
6. Through Bill of Lading:
Through BoL is a type of bill of lading that covers the entire transportation journey of goods, including multiple transportation modes like air, sea, or land and multiple carriers handling different segments of the shipping process. It is typically issued by the initial carrier and coordinated by the carrier overseeing the entire journey. The initiating carrier may work with different carriers for each mode The main feature of this B\L is it helps simplify the shipping process for the shipper as it offers a single document for the entire journey. It reduces the effort of managing multiple bills of lading for different transportation segments. Through BoL is used in international shipments which require multiple modes of transportation to reach the destination and in complex logistics networks where a single carrier doesn’t handle everything.
7. Combined (or Multimodal) Bill of Lading:
Combined (or Multimodal) Bill of Lading is similar to through bill of lading. It covers multiple transportation modes. It is issued by a single carrier responsible for coordinating multimodal transport. The main difference between the two lies in who coordinates the process. The main feature of this B\L is it provides flexibility for shippers to choose different carriers for different modes based on cost, expertise, or other considerations.
8. Container Bill of Lading:
Container BoL is a type of bill of lading specially designed for containerized goods. It is typically issued by the Carrier or shipping company. The main feature of this B\L is it provides all the details about the container and contents which helps in efficient handling. Container BoL is used in international shipments using containers across oceans and continents.
9. Inland Bill of Lading:
Inland BoL is a type of bill of lading that is used for shipments within a single country. It is typically issued by the carrier or shipping company managing inland transportation. The main feature of this B\L is it Simplifies documentation for domestic shipping within a single country.
Inland BoL is usually used when goods are transported inland before reaching a port for international shipping.
10. Ocean Bill of Lading:
Ocean BoL is a type of bill of lading that is specifically used for shipments through the sea. It is typically issued by the carrier or shipping company. Ocean BoL is crucial for international maritime trade. It contains all the important details about the shipment including goods, routes, etc.
11. Received for Shipment Bill of Lading:
Received for Shipment BoL is a type of bill of lading that is issued before the goods are loaded onto the vessel. It serves as an early receipt or confirmation that the carrier is ready to transport the goods. This is used for planning and coordinating the transportation process beforehand. It is issued by the carrier or shipping company handling the shipment.
12. Air Waybill:
Air Waybill is a type of bill of lading that is specifically used in air cargo shipments. It is issued by the air carrier or airline that is transporting the goods. It is typically issued as nonnegotiable and ownership cannot be transferred. It contains all the necessary information about the cargo, routes, departure times, ports, etc.