What is an original bill of lading?
An original bill of lading also known as OBL is an ocean shipping document. This document confirms the carrier’s receipt of the cargo and details the cargo being shipped, the weight of the cargo, the container number the cargo is loaded in, and the origin and destination for the cargo’s journey. If you request an original bill of lading to be issued for your ocean shipment, the document will be generated and sent to the shipper’s office. In order for the consignee or the receiver to gain the release of the shipment upon reaching the destination, at least one of the original bills that were given to the shipper must be signed and stamped by the importer or their agent on the back of the document and the document must be surrendered at either the origin office or destination office of Exfreight or its agent. As long as the original bills of lading remain outstanding, the shipment will not be released at the destination port or terminal. It is convenient for shippers to ship cargo using original bills of lading if they have not been paid for the cargo as they can retain control and title of the cargo while the bills of lading are in their hands. They can then release the bills of lading to the consignee or buyer once they are paid. If the original bills of lading are not surrendered and they are lost the only way to release the shipment is to request the shipper to sign a shippers letter of indemnity confirming their loss and allowing the ocean carrier or Exfreight to release the cargo to the consignee at the destination without the original bills of lading being surrendered. A Shipper’s letter of indemnity must be notarized and contain all details of the shipment.
Exfreight will automatically generate express seawaybills. If you require an original bill of lading for your shipment please request it before the shipment is picked up.
