Bill of Lading Tracking

All About Bills of Lading (B/L)

Streamline Your Workflow with B/L Insights.

• What is a Bill of Lading (B/L)?
  A Bill of Lading (B/L) is a vital document used in international shipping. It serves as both a receipt for goods being transported and a document of title, enabling the exchange of goods between sellers and buyers.
  In export and import transactions, the B/L acts as proof of ownership. It is exchanged for goods during the sale and purchase process.
  
  Types of B/L

  • Original B/L: Typically issued in triplicate by the shipping or logistics company, with additional copies for banks and records.
  • Waybill or Surrendered B/L: Issued based on the transaction’s needs.

  
  The B/L can vary by the issuer

  • Master B/L (issued by carriers): Also referred to as “Carrier B/L” or “Master Direct B/L.”
  • House B/L (issued by freight forwarders): A customized version for specific clients.
• Differences Between Master B/L and House B/L
  Master B/L (Carrier B/L) and House B/L (Forwarder B/L) differ in terms of the issuing party and their characteristics:
  
  1. Master B/L
  

  • Issued by the shipping line (carrier).
  • Benefits: Faster clearance upon cargo arrival.
  • Limitation: Limited flexibility in resolving shipment-specific issues.

  
  2. House B/L

  • Issued by the freight forwarder.
  • Benefits: Personalized support and issue resolution.
  • Limitation: May involve additional time and fees.

  
  
  Shippers can choose the B/L type that aligns with their needs and operational priorities.To identify the issuing party, check the bottom or top-right corner of the document.
• Master B/L Number Format
  Master B/L numbers are typically located at the top-right corner of the Bill of Lading document and follow the format XXXX12345689.

  • The first 3–4 letters represent the carrier’s prefix code (e.g., COSU for COSCO, MSCU for MSC).
  • This is followed by 8–12 alphanumeric characters.
  • Some carriers may use 3-letter prefixes instead of 4.

  
  

  Shipping Company	Master B/L Prefix
  Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC)	MSCU, MEDU
  Maersk Line	MAEU
  CMA CGM	CMDU
  COSCO Shipping	COSU, COAU
  Hapag-Lloyd	HLCU
  Evergreen Marine	EGLV
  Ocean Network Express (ONE)	ONEY
  Hyundai Merchant Marine (HMM)	HDMU
  Yang Ming Marine Transport	YMLU, YMJA, YMPR
  ZIM Integrated Shipping Services	ZIMU