⚠ This tool generates a DRAFT TEMPLATE for reference and educational purposes only. An actual Bill of Lading must be issued by the shipping line or their authorized agent. This document has NO legal standing as a transport document.
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Bill of Lading Template Generator

Draft B/L templates for reference, learning B/L types, and understanding trade document fields

DRAFT / EDUCATIONAL 6 B/L TYPES FIELD EXPLAINER PDF EXPORT
B/L Type
References
Parties
Use "TO ORDER" or "TO ORDER OF [BANK]" for negotiable B/L
Shipment Details
Critical for LC compliance. Must be on or before LC expiry.
Cargo Details
Container No. Seal No. Marks & Nos. Pkgs Type Description Gross Wt (kg) CBM
Freight
DRAFT — NOT A TRANSPORT DOCUMENT

Bill of Lading Types — Complete Guide

Original B/L Negotiable

The classic, full-title transport document. Three originals are typically issued; surrendering any one original at the destination cancels the others. The consignee must present an original to claim the cargo.

When to UseThe standard for international trade where the seller needs assurance of payment before releasing the goods. Required for Letter of Credit (LC) settlements.
African Trade Context: Dominant in West Africa (Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal) for LC transactions. Ports like Apapa and Tema handle high volumes of original B/L cargo. Delays in original B/L arrival are a leading cause of demurrage in African ports.

Seawaybill Non-negotiable

A receipt for cargo and evidence of contract of carriage. No original document needed for delivery — the consignee is identified by name and can collect using ID only. Faster and simpler, but not negotiable.

When to UseFor trusted trading partners (intra-group shipments, subsidiaries), open account trade, or where speed matters. Banks may require original B/L for LC, but seawaybills are fine for T/T and open account.
African Trade Context: Increasingly used for South Africa–UK, Nigeria–China, and intra-ECOWAS trade. Preferred by large multinational companies shipping to their own African operations. Reduces risk of documents being lost in transit.

Combined Transport B/L Negotiable

Covers multimodal transport including sea and inland legs. The carrier takes responsibility from point of receipt (which may be inland) to point of delivery (also potentially inland). One document for the entire journey.

When to UseWhen cargo originates from or is destined for landlocked countries. The carrier issues one document covering truck/rail + sea legs.
African Trade Context: Essential for Uganda, Rwanda, Zambia, Malawi, and other landlocked countries. The Northern Corridor (Mombasa–Kampala–Kigali) and Beira Corridor (Beira–Lusaka) are major combined transport routes.

Multimodal B/L Negotiable

Similar to Combined Transport but specifically covering door-to-door movement including road, rail, sea, and air legs under one contract. The Multimodal Transport Operator (MTO) issues the document.

When to UseComplex supply chains where cargo passes through multiple transport modes. Buyer wants a single point of responsibility for the entire journey.
African Trade Context: Growing adoption under AfCFTA as African corridors improve. Used by major logistics operators on the Dar es Salaam Corridor and LAPSSET routes.

Straight B/L Non-negotiable

Consigned directly to a named consignee. Cannot be endorsed or transferred to a third party. Simpler than original B/L — carrier may release cargo to the named consignee without surrender of original in some jurisdictions.

When to UseWhen seller has already been paid and trusts the buyer. Also used for personal effects, gift shipments, or where the importer is both buyer and end receiver.
African Trade Context: Used for diaspora shipments to Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana. Also common for intra-African trade between known partners who have a long-term relationship.

Order B/L Negotiable

Made out "To Order" of the shipper or a bank. Can be endorsed (blank or specific endorsement) to transfer title of goods. The holder of the endorsed original can claim the cargo — making it a negotiable instrument.

When to UseCommodity trading (oil, cocoa, coffee, cotton) where the cargo may be bought and sold multiple times while in transit. Also used in documentary credit (LC) transactions as collateral.
African Trade Context: Heavily used in West African commodity exports — cocoa from Ivory Coast and Ghana, coffee from Ethiopia, cotton from Mali. Banks hold Order B/Ls as security for trade finance facilities.

Bill of Lading — Field-by-Field Explainer

Understanding Each Field on a Bill of Lading
Shipper
Also called: Exporter, Consignor The party who ships the goods — typically the seller or exporter. The shipper enters into the contract of carriage with the shipping line and is responsible for the accuracy of the cargo description. The shipper's name and address appear in the top-left box of the B/L. In documentary credit (LC) transactions, the shipper must match the beneficiary named in the LC.
Consignee
Also called: Receiver, Importer Who is to receive the cargo. For a straight B/L, this is a named company or person. For a negotiable B/L, the consignee field reads "TO ORDER" or "TO ORDER OF [ISSUING BANK]" — meaning whoever holds and presents the endorsed original B/L is entitled to the cargo. Never write a specific consignee name when using an Order B/L for LC payment.
Notify Party
Not the cargo owner The party to be notified when the vessel arrives at the port of discharge. Usually the buyer, buyer's customs broker, or freight forwarder at destination. Important: the Notify Party has no automatic right to the cargo — they are just informed of the arrival. The actual right to cargo belongs to the person who surrenders the original B/L (or is the named consignee for straight B/Ls).
Port of Loading vs Place of Receipt
Two different concepts Port of Loading (POL) is where the cargo is physically loaded onto the ocean vessel — e.g., Apapa, Lagos. Place of Receipt (POR) is where the carrier takes custody of the cargo, which may be an inland depot or dry port — e.g., Kano Inland Container Depot. For CY/CY (container yard to container yard) shipments, POR = POL. For combined transport shipments to landlocked destinations, POR may be hundreds of kilometers from the seaport.
On Board Date
Critical for LC compliance The date the cargo was physically loaded onto the vessel. This is the most important date on the B/L for Letter of Credit compliance. The on board date must be on or before the latest shipment date specified in the LC. If the B/L shows an on board date after the LC's shipment deadline, the documents will be rejected by the bank — even if cargo is already on its way.
Marks and Numbers
Package identification The markings on each package or container used to identify the cargo. Typically includes: the buyer's reference number, port of destination, package numbers (e.g., "1/50" = package 1 of 50), and any special handling marks. The marks on the B/L must exactly match the marks physically marked on the packages. Discrepancies can cause customs delays and LC document rejection.
Freight Prepaid vs Collect
Who pays the shipping line Freight Prepaid: the shipper (seller) has already paid the ocean freight charges. Common when the Incoterm is CIF, CFR, or CPT — where the seller bears freight cost. Freight Collect: the consignee (buyer) pays freight at destination. Common with FOB, EXW, or FCA Incoterms. Note: some ports and carriers in Africa will not release cargo if freight is "Collect" and the consignee refuses to pay — leading to cargo being held at the terminal.
Number of Originals
Usually 3, all equal standing The number of original B/L copies issued. Traditionally three originals are issued — one for the shipper, one for the bank, and one for the consignee. All originals have equal legal standing. When one original is surrendered to the carrier at the port of discharge to claim the cargo, the other originals automatically become void. This "first original wins" principle is a key feature of the B/L system.
Negotiable vs Non-Negotiable
Title transfer capability A negotiable B/L can be bought, sold, or endorsed to transfer ownership of the goods while they are in transit. This makes it a "document of title." An Order B/L is negotiable — the holder of the endorsed original controls the cargo. A non-negotiable B/L (straight B/L or seawaybill) cannot be traded. The consignee is fixed and cannot be changed once the document is issued. Banks require negotiable B/Ls as collateral for trade finance because they can be held as security.