Ocean Bol for the United States

Ocean Bol Template for United States

An Ocean Bill of Lading is a legally binding document issued by a carrier to a shipper, functioning 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 related federal maritime laws. It serves as evidence of the contract for carriage and can be used to transfer ownership of goods while in transit.

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What is a Ocean Bol?

The Ocean Bill of Lading is a fundamental document in international trade and maritime shipping, required whenever goods are transported by sea. It serves three essential functions: acknowledging receipt of goods, evidencing the contract of carriage, and serving as a document of title. Under U.S. jurisdiction, Ocean BOLs must comply with COGSA requirements and other federal maritime laws. This document is crucial for international trade financing, customs clearance, and transfer of ownership rights during transit.

What sections should be included in a Ocean Bol?

1. Shipper Information: Complete details of the party shipping the goods including name, address, and contact information

2. Consignee Information: Complete details of the party receiving the goods including name, address, and contact information

3. Vessel and Voyage Details: Name of vessel, voyage number, port of loading, port of discharge, and estimated dates

4. Cargo Description: Detailed description of goods including quantity, weight, measurements, and marks/numbers

5. Freight and Charges: Details of freight charges, whether prepaid or collect, and any additional charges

6. Terms and Conditions: Standard trading conditions, liability terms, and applicable law references including COGSA provisions

What sections are optional to include in a Ocean Bol?

1. Notify Party: Additional party to be notified upon arrival, used when consignee is not the end receiver or when required by letter of credit

2. Special Instructions: Any specific handling requirements, temperature controls, or delivery instructions

3. Letter of Credit Reference: Reference numbers and specific requirements when payment is being made by letter of credit

4. On-Board Notation: Special notation required when the goods have been loaded on board, particularly important for letter of credit transactions

What schedules should be included in a Ocean Bol?

1. Cargo Manifest: Detailed list of all cargo items with specifications and packing details

2. Container List: List of container numbers, seal numbers, and weight distribution when cargo is containerized

3. Dangerous Goods Declaration: Mandatory declaration when shipping hazardous materials, including IMO class and UN numbers

4. Packing List: Detailed inventory of the contents of each package or container

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
Clauses
Industries

COGSA 1936: Carriage of Goods by Sea Act - Primary US federal law governing rights and responsibilities between shippers and ocean carriers in international trade

Harter Act 1893: US federal law regulating shipping bills of lading, primarily applicable to domestic water carriage and the period before loading and after discharge

Pomerene Act 1916: Federal Bills of Lading Act - Governs the negotiability of bills of lading and establishes rules for their transfer and presentation

Hague Rules: International convention establishing standard liability rules for international carriage of goods by sea under bills of lading

Hague-Visby Rules: Updated version of Hague Rules with modified liability limits and expanded scope of application

Hamburg Rules: UN Convention on the Carriage of Goods by Sea - Alternative to Hague/Hague-Visby rules with different liability regime

Rotterdam Rules: Modern convention designed to replace Hague, Hague-Visby and Hamburg Rules (not yet in force in US)

US Customs Regulations: Federal regulations governing import/export documentation requirements and customs clearance procedures

IMO Regulations: International Maritime Organization regulations covering safety, security, and environmental aspects of shipping

SOLAS Convention: Safety of Life at Sea Convention - International treaty prescribing minimum safety standards in merchant shipping

Teams

Employer, Employee, Start Date, Job Title, Department, Location, Probationary Period, Notice Period, Salary, Overtime, Vacation Pay, Statutory Holidays, Benefits, Bonus, Expenses, Working Hours, Rest Breaks,  Leaves of Absence, Confidentiality, Intellectual Property, Non-Solicitation, Non-Competition, Code of Conduct, Termination,  Severance Pay, Governing Law, Entire Agreemen

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