Bill Of Lading Ocean Freight for the United States

Bill Of Lading Ocean Freight Template for United States

A Bill of Lading for Ocean Freight is a legally binding document that serves as a receipt of goods, a contract of carriage, and a document of title. In the United States, it is governed primarily by the Carriage of Goods by Sea Act (COGSA) and the Federal Bills of Lading Act. This document provides essential details about the shipment, including parties involved, cargo description, and terms of carriage, while also serving as a transferable document that enables the trading of goods in transit.

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What is a Bill Of Lading Ocean Freight?

The Ocean Freight Bill of Lading is a fundamental document in international maritime trade, used whenever goods are transported by sea. This document, regulated under US federal law including COGSA and the Pomerene Act, combines three crucial functions: it acts as a receipt confirming the carrier's possession of cargo, serves as a contract of carriage outlining terms and conditions, and functions as a document of title enabling transfer of ownership. A Bill of Lading for Ocean Freight must be issued for all international sea shipments and includes detailed information about the cargo, parties involved, vessel, and voyage details.

What sections should be included in a Bill Of Lading Ocean Freight?

1. Document Identification: Bill of Lading number, booking reference, and carrier details

2. Shipper Information: Full name and address of the shipper/exporter

3. Consignee Information: Full name and address of the recipient of goods

4. Notify Party: Details of party to be notified upon arrival

5. Vessel and Voyage Details: Vessel name, voyage number, port of loading and discharge

6. Cargo Description: Detailed description of goods, including quantity, weight, and measurements

7. Terms and Conditions: Standard contract terms including liability limitations and COGSA terms

What sections are optional to include in a Bill Of Lading Ocean Freight?

1. Special Instructions: Specific handling requirements or instructions for cargo requiring special handling or temperature control

2. Dangerous Goods Declaration: Details of hazardous materials and handling requirements when shipping dangerous goods

3. Freight Prepaid/Collect: Payment terms for freight charges when specific payment arrangements are required

What schedules should be included in a Bill Of Lading Ocean Freight?

1. Container List: Detailed list of container numbers and seals

2. Packing List: Itemized list of contents per container/package

3. Rate Schedule: Breakdown of freight charges and surcharges

Authors

Alex Denne

Head of Growth (Open Source Law) @ Genie AI | 3 x UCL-Certified in Contract Law & Drafting | 4+ Years Managing 1M+ Legal Documents | Serial Founder & Legal AI Author

Jurisdiction

United States

Publisher

Genie AI

Document Type

Bill of Lading

Cost

Free to use
Relevant legal definitions
Industries

COGSA 1936: Carriage of Goods by Sea Act - Primary US federal law governing ocean bills of lading for international shipments, establishing carrier liability rules and limitations

Pomerene Act 1916: Federal Bills of Lading Act - Regulates bills of lading in interstate and foreign commerce, establishing rules for negotiable instruments

Harter Act 1893: Federal law governing domestic ocean shipments and coastwise trade, establishing baseline carrier duties and liability

Shipping Act 1984: Federal law regulating ocean shipping practices, including requirements for common carriers and documentation

Hague Rules: International Convention for the Unification of Certain Rules of Law relating to Bills of Lading - Sets international standards for ocean carrier liability

Hague-Visby Rules: Modified version of Hague Rules with updated liability limits - Though US is not a signatory, relevant for international trade

Hamburg Rules: UN Convention on the Carriage of Goods by Sea - Alternative liability regime (US not a signatory but relevant for international trade)

FMC Regulations: Federal Maritime Commission regulations governing ocean transportation intermediaries and carrier practices

CBP Requirements: US Customs and Border Protection documentation and reporting requirements for ocean freight

DOT Regulations: Department of Transportation rules governing safety and documentation requirements for ocean freight

UCC Article 7: Uniform Commercial Code Article on Documents of Title, providing state-level regulation of bills of lading

State Maritime Laws: Various state-specific maritime laws that may affect bills of lading in coastwise trade

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