Bill of Lading Sample? The purpose of this article is not to load my ardent readers with a handful of fluffs on the definition of Bill of Lading. This article will let exporters know the policy content of bill of lading in Nigeria. We will also discuss what bill of lading is acceptable by the Nigerian Customs Services (NCS). So, importers will be equipped to edit what transporters give to them. Finally, the article will present bill of lading sample.
Read also; AIR WAYBILL TRACKING TO NIGERIA; IT’S ESSENTIAL.
BILL OF LADING SAMPLE; WHAT IS A BILL OF LADING
As a legal document, the Bill of Lading (BL) serves to ensure that the shipper receives payment for the goods exported, and the consignee or importer receives goods ordered.
As a receipt, the bill of lading confirms to the shipper that the carrier (transporter) of goods or consignment has received such goods. In other words, it means that the transporter has received and confirmed the goods, and has agreed to deliver the said goods to destination of interest. Hence, the bill of lading is usually by the carrier to the shipper. Thus, the Shipper makes it available to the Importer for clearance purposes. The importer in turn present the bill of to the transporter company at destination locality before cargo carriage.
In addition, it is as document of title or proof of ownership of goods. Thus, the importer listed in the bill of lading marked ‘negotiable’ is the owner of the goods. Therefore, as the owner, he has right to receive goods at the destination or transfer to another party.
In Nigeria, the bill of lading is a transport and Customs document. The bill of lading in Nigeria for Customs clearance, without which clearance would be impossible.
The cargo clearance vendor or agent needs two original copies of the Bill of Lading for cargo clearing. One of the original bills is for the Nigerian Customs (copy may be used with the Customs). The other original bill of lading is to enable the agent take delivery with Transport Company at the destination. A Nigerian Customs acceptable bill of lading is usually signed by the carrier (Transport Company), the shipper (may not sign), and the receiver or importer.
Read also; WHAT IS A COMMERCIAL INVOICE IN NIGERIA CONTEXT?
BILL OF LADING SAMPLE AND CONTENT FOR CARGO CLEARANCE IN NIGERIA
The following are the contents of a typical House Bill of Lading sample.
- Bill of lading number: state e.g. TLLLGS7613147
- Place and Date of issuance: SHEN ZHEN/ 24 Jan 2018 for instance
- Booking number: state if available
- Export reference: state as applicable otherwise ignore
- Consignor’s name and address: Foshan ELT Lighting Electronics Co., Ltd. 410-411, B Block Bldg. 5 Tian Cyber park, China for example
- Importer or consignee’s name and address: Vagmon Integrated Services NPA Port Harcourt Nigeria for example.
- Carrier or transporter’s detail: CMA CGM S.A 1 Qual Colbet …for example.
- Pre carried by: state if applicable
- Ocean vessel name/voyage number: state
- Place of receipt: SHEN ZHEN/CHINA for example
- Port of loading: HONG KONG for example
- Place of delivery: Nigeria for instance
- Delivery port: ONNE Sea port for example
MORE CONTENTS OF THE BILL OF LADING:
- Container number and seal: container number is usually an 11-digit number.
- Container size: is it 20’ container or 40’ container? State which applies
- Total number of containers: How many of such containers, if one, then container size should state 1×20’ container or 1×40’ container. Otherwise, if more than one container, state as 2, 3, etc.
- Description of packages and goods: is best to copy and paste the general description stated in the form m and repeated in the commercial invoice, to avoid occupying much space and ensure no discrepancy in different documents, which would delay cargo clearance with the Nigerian Customs.
- Quantity: state 10 PKGS for example
- Gross weight: in KGS. You must ensure that this tallies with the commercial invoice(s)
- Measurement: in CBM or M SQR or any other
- Signature of carrier
- Dates of departure and arrival: state date of departure and expected arrival date (ETA)
- Form M detail: MF/BA numbers
- Tare: state or leave
- Signature of consignee: once received from the exporter, the consignee must counter sign before submitting to customs by the clearing vendor.
- Ocean freight charge: state or say ‘as agreed’ depending on the arrangement
- Exchange rate: not compulsory.
BILL OF LADING SAMPLE
Read also; NIGERIA IMPORT REQUIREMENT
In Conclusion:
Importers, exporters, freight forwarders as well as shipping companies have to understand what bill of lading is acceptable in Nigerian. Ultimately, the goal is to enhance import cargo clearance in Nigeria immediately on arrival. This article has presented bill of lading sample.
Watch also;