Shipping Glossary

t / THROUGH BILL OF LADING

A Through Bill of Lading is a type of bill of lading that covers the entire transportation journey of goods from the origin to the final destination using multiple modes of transportation. This means that the through bill of lading covers the cargo receipts at the point of origin and delivery to the ultimate consignee using two or more modes of transportation.

Bill of lading Vs. Through bill of lading
A bill of lading is a document that covers the shipment of goods from one point to another, while a through bill of lading covers the entire transportation journey of goods from the origin to the final destination using multiple modes of transportation.

A through bill of lading is typically used in international trade where goods need to be transported across different modes of transportation such as sea, rail, and road. It is a comprehensive document that combines all the necessary transportation documents into a single document, making it easier to manage and track the shipment.

The through bill of lading includes information about 

1. The shipper, 
2. The consignee, 
3. The type of goods being transported, 
4. The weight, 
5. The value,
6. And the mode of transportation. 
7. It also includes the names of all the carriers involved in the shipment and the mode of transportation used for each leg of the journey. This ensures that there is a clear understanding of the shipment from start to finish.

Advantages of using a Through Bill of Lading:

• Simplifies the documentation process by combining all necessary transportation documents into a single document.
• Reduces the risk of errors in documentation, as shippers only need to create and manage one document instead of multiple documents for each mode of transportation.
• Saves time by avoiding the hassle of creating and managing multiple documents.
• Ensures accurate and efficient tracking of the shipment from start to finish.
• All carriers involved in the shipment can access the same document and update it as the shipment progresses, ensuring clear communication between all parties.
• Helps to quickly resolve any issues that may arise during the transportation of goods.