The General Bill of Lading is a fundamental document in maritime transport and international trade, operating under German jurisdiction and governed by the German Commercial Code (HGB) along with international conventions. This document is used when goods are transported by sea, serving three essential functions: acknowledging receipt of cargo by the carrier, evidencing the contract of carriage, and acting as a document of title to the goods. The General Bill of Lading must be issued when cargo is accepted for shipment and includes crucial information such as cargo details, parties involved, vessel information, and terms of carriage. It is particularly important in international trade finance, often being required for letter of credit transactions, and enables the transfer of title to goods while in transit.
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1. Document Title and Number: Clear identification as a Bill of Lading with unique reference number
2. Carrier Details: Full name and address of the carrier/shipping line issuing the Bill of Lading
3. Shipper Details: Complete name and address of the shipper/exporter
4. Consignee Details: Full name and address of the consignee or 'To Order' designation
5. Notify Party: Details of the party to be notified upon arrival of the goods
6. Vessel and Voyage Details: Vessel name, voyage number, and port of loading/discharge
7. Cargo Description: Detailed description of goods, including marks, numbers, quantity, and packaging type
8. Container Details: Container numbers, seal numbers, and type if containerized cargo
9. Freight and Charges: Details of freight payments and other charges, whether prepaid or collect
10. Standard Terms and Conditions: Carrier's standard terms including liability limitations and jurisdiction
11. Signatures and Dates: Space for required signatures, stamps, and dating of the document
1. Special Instructions: Used when specific handling requirements or delivery instructions apply
2. Temperature Requirements: Required for refrigerated cargo specifying required temperature range
3. Dangerous Goods Declaration: Mandatory when shipping hazardous materials, including IMO class and UN number
4. Clean Bill of Lading Statement: Explicit statement when cargo is received in good order and condition
5. Letter of Credit Reference: When shipment is under L/C, reference numbers and specific requirements
6. Transshipment Details: Required when cargo will be transferred between vessels during transit
7. On-Deck Stowage: Declaration when cargo is to be stowed on deck, with associated risks
1. Cargo Manifest: Detailed list of all cargo covered by the Bill of Lading
2. Container Packing List: Detailed list of contents per container if multiple containers
3. Dangerous Goods Documentation: Required certificates and declarations for hazardous cargo
4. Custom Shipping Marks: Illustrations or details of special shipping marks on cargo
5. Rate Schedule: Breakdown of all applicable freight rates and surcharges
Relevant legal definitions
Carrier
Shipper
Consignee
Notify Party
Merchant
Vessel
Goods
Container
Package
Combined Transport
Port-to-Port Shipment
Bill of Lading
Clean Bill of Lading
Freight
Charges
Carriage
Port of Loading
Port of Discharge
Place of Delivery
Place of Receipt
Vessel Owner
Sub-contractor
SDR (Special Drawing Rights)
Force Majeure
General Average
Dangerous Goods
Delivery
Custody
Hague-Visby Rules
Demurrage
Detention
Through Transport
Transhipment
Lien
Master
Agent
Negotiable Bill of Lading
Straight Bill of Lading
On-Board Bill of Lading
Received for Shipment Bill of Lading
Shipper
Consignee
Notify Party
Merchant
Vessel
Goods
Container
Package
Combined Transport
Port-to-Port Shipment
Bill of Lading
Clean Bill of Lading
Freight
Charges
Carriage
Port of Loading
Port of Discharge
Place of Delivery
Place of Receipt
Vessel Owner
Sub-contractor
SDR (Special Drawing Rights)
Force Majeure
General Average
Dangerous Goods
Delivery
Custody
Hague-Visby Rules
Demurrage
Detention
Through Transport
Transhipment
Lien
Master
Agent
Negotiable Bill of Lading
Straight Bill of Lading
On-Board Bill of Lading
Received for Shipment Bill of Lading
Clauses
Description of Goods
Carrier's Liability
Limitation of Liability
Jurisdiction and Law
General Average
Freight and Charges
Lien
Deck Cargo
Dangerous Goods
Delivery Terms
Sub-Contracting
Claims and Time Bar
Force Majeure
Container Regulations
Transhipment
Loading and Discharge
Notice of Loss
Insurance
Carrier's Remedies
Merchant's Responsibilities
Temperature Controlled Cargo
Customs and Security
Electronic Bills of Lading
Severability
Delay and Consequential Loss
Himalaya Clause
Both-to-Blame Collision
War Risks
Sanctions Compliance
Paramount Clause
Carrier's Liability
Limitation of Liability
Jurisdiction and Law
General Average
Freight and Charges
Lien
Deck Cargo
Dangerous Goods
Delivery Terms
Sub-Contracting
Claims and Time Bar
Force Majeure
Container Regulations
Transhipment
Loading and Discharge
Notice of Loss
Insurance
Carrier's Remedies
Merchant's Responsibilities
Temperature Controlled Cargo
Customs and Security
Electronic Bills of Lading
Severability
Delay and Consequential Loss
Himalaya Clause
Both-to-Blame Collision
War Risks
Sanctions Compliance
Paramount Clause
Relevant Industries
Maritime Transport
International Trade
Logistics
Import/Export
Freight Forwarding
Shipping
Manufacturing
Retail
Agriculture
Mining
Chemical Industry
Automotive
Electronics
Relevant Teams
Logistics
Supply Chain
International Trade
Documentation
Legal
Compliance
Operations
Commercial
Finance
Customer Service
Shipping Operations
Export
Import
Relevant Roles
Logistics Manager
Shipping Coordinator
Export Manager
Import Manager
Trade Finance Manager
Supply Chain Director
Customs Compliance Officer
Maritime Operations Manager
Freight Forwarding Supervisor
Documentation Specialist
Commercial Manager
Legal Counsel
Trade Documentation Officer
Port Operations Manager
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