The Bill of Lading (BL) is the document the carrier issues when it receives your cargo. It serves three functions at once: receipt of the goods, evidence of the contract of carriage and, in its negotiable form, title to the goods. An error on the BL can block release at Caucedo or Río Haina even when everything else is perfect.
Fields to verify on the draft
Original, telex release or sea waybill
A negotiable BL ("to order") requires presenting the original at destination to collect the cargo; if the physical document arrives late, the cargo waits and pays storage. A telex release (or express release) frees the cargo without originals, on the shipper’s instruction. A sea waybill is a non-negotiable document delivered directly to the named consignee. For purchases between related companies or without bank financing, telex or sea waybill avoid delay risk.
What happens if there is an error
A BL issued with an error is corrected by a carrier amendment, which costs money and takes days. If the error is in the consignee, customs may also require a correction letter or reject the declaration. That is why the review must happen on the draft, before the carrier issues the final document.
Our practice
On every shipment we check the draft BL against invoice and packing list before approving it to the carrier. VMR, our customs agency, confirms the consignee and description are what customs expects. That two-person control is what prevents most amendments.
Before approving a BL draft, send it to us with the invoice. We review it at no cost.
Talk to the team