Shipping documents Shipping documents are the documents used for the shipping transaction purposes like Export-

Import, Ship Husbandry, Custom Clearance, Immigration, Loading- Unloading of cargoes, etc. Some of the types include: 1.Shippingbill 2.Billoflading 3.Mate'sreceipt 4.Cargomanifest 5. Letter of Credit, etc Shipping bill A 'Shipping Bill' is a detailed and complete list of all the items that are being sent by a Consignee through a ship, from one port to another,whether within one country or Internationally. Types of shipping bill include: Duty free shipping bill This type of shipping bill is printed on white paper and used for the goods for which neither duty nor cess is applicable. Dutiable Shipping bill - This type of shipping bill is used for the goods subject to export duty/cess. Drawback Shipping Bill This type of shipping bill is to be used for the export of goods on which Duty Drawback is available or to be made available for fixation. Shipping Bill for Shipment of Excise Bond- This type of shipping bill is used when goods are imported for re-export and kept in bond. Coastal Shipping Bill This is used for shipment of goods from one port to another by sea within India. Bill of lading: A bill of lading* ( BL, BOL or B/L) is a document issued by a carrier to a shipper, acknowledging that specified goods have been received on board as cargo for conveyance to a named place for delivery to the consignee who is usually identified. * to lade which means to load a cargo onto a ship A legal document between the shipper of a particular good and the carrier detailing the type, quantity and destination of the good being carried. The bill of lading also serves as a receipt of shipment when the good is delivered to the predetermined destination. This document must accompany the shipped goods, no matter the form of transportation, and must be signed by an authorized representative from the carrier, shipper and receiver.

For example, suppose that a logistics company must transport gasoline from a plant in Texas to a gas station in Arizona via heavy truck. A plant representative and the driver would sign the bill of lading after the gas is loaded onto the truck. Once the gasoline is delivered to the gas station in Arizona, the truck driver must have the clerk at the station sign the document as well. A bill of lading is a type of document that is used to acknowledge the receipt of a shipment of goods. A transportation company or carrier typically issues this document to a shipper. In addition to acknowledging the receipt of goods, the document indicates the particular vessel on which the goods have been placed, their intended destination and the terms for transporting the shipment to its final destination. It also includes a description of the goods that are being shipped, their weight and the other shipping details. The BL must contain the following information: Name of the shipping company; Flag of nationality; Shipper's name; Order and notify party; Description of goods; Gross/net weight; and Freight rate/measurements and weighment of goods/total freight

Mates receipt This is a document originally issued by the first mate of the ship. He was the officer responsible for cargo. The document would be issued by him after the cargo was tallied into the ship by tally clerks. The shipper or his representative would then take the mate's receipt to the master or the agent to exchange it for a bill of lading, which would incorporate any conditions inserted into the mate's receipt. This is a document originally issued by the first mate of the ship. He was the officer responsible for cargo. The document would be issued by him after the cargo was tallied into the ship by tally clerks. The shipper or his representative would then take the mate's receipt to the master or the agent to exchange it for a bill of lading, which would incorporate any conditions inserted into the mate's receipt. In modern days, the document known as the Mate's receipt" is not often signed by the mate of the ship but by some person in the shore office of the shipping company or its agents, although the name of the document remains the same.

In a charterparty a clause will require the master to sign bills of lading as presented but in accordance with mates receipts: If it is impracticable for -the master to sign the bills of lading he can authorise the port agent to do so on his behalf, but also in accordance with the mate's receipts. This document used in the shipment of a cargo. When the goods are received by or for the sea carrier, a mates receipt is issued either directly by the ship or by the ships agents. This is the first evidence that the goods are received and statements on the document describe the quantity of goods, any identifying marks and the apparent condition.This information is inserted from visual evidence when the goods are received. The quantity can be verified by a tally or count being made of the number of packages and the tally clerks receipt may be attached to the mates receipt. This information on the mates receipt is very important because this information should also be transferred on to the bill of lading. Letter of credit A standard, commercial letter of credit (LC) is a document issued mostly by a financial institution, used primarily in trade finance, which usually provides an irrevocable payment undertaking. The letter of credit can also be payment for a transaction, meaning that redeeming the letter of credit pays an exporter. Letters of credit are used primarily in international trade transactions of significant value, for deals between a supplier in one country and a customer in another. In such cases, the International Chamber of Commerce Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary Credits applies (UCP 600 being the latest version). They are also used in the land development process to ensure that approved public facilities (streets, sidewalks, storm water ponds, etc.) will be built. The parties to a letter of credit are usually a beneficiary who is to receive the money, the issuing bank of whom the applicant is a client, and the advising bank of whom the beneficiary is a client. Almost all letters of credit are irrevocable, i.e., cannot be amended or canceled without prior agreement of the beneficiary, the issuing bank and the confirming bank, if any. In executing a transaction, letters of credit incorporate functions common to giros and Traveler's cheques. Typically, the documents a beneficiary has to present in order to receive payment include a commercial invoice, bill of lading, and documents proving the shipment was insured against loss or damage in transit. Types and related terms Letters of credit (LC) deal in documents, not goods. An LC can be irrevocable or revocable. An irrevocable LC cannot be changed unless both buyer and seller agree. With a revocable LC, changes can be made without the consent of the beneficiary. A sight LC means that payment is made immediately to the beneficiary/seller/exporter upon presentation of the correct documents in the required time frame. A time or date LC will specify when payment will be made at a future date and upon presentation of the required documents.

Negotiation means the giving of value for draft(s) and/or document(s) by the bank authorized to negotiate, viz the nominated bank. Mere examination of the documents and forwarding the same to the letter of credit issuing bank for reimbursement, without giving of value / agreed to give, does not constitute a negotiation The Buyer is the Applicant and the Seller is the Beneficiary. The Bank that issues the LC is referred to as the Issuing Bank which is generally in the country of the Buyer. The Bank that Advises the LC to the Seller is called the Advising Bank which is generally in the country of the Seller. Commercial invoice Transport document such as a Bill of lading or Airway bill, Insurance document; Inspection Certificate Certificate of Origin

Cargo manifest Cargo manifests- list of all the particulars of the goods loaded on a vessel, for official and administrative purposes. Cargo manifests listed all the particulars of the goods loaded on a vessel, for official and administrative purposes. The protocol droid stationed in the cargo bay of the starship Coronet maintained the vessel's cargo manifest, one which had been fraudulently altered by rogue Senator Tal Merrick. A shipping document used by customs personnel reviewing a particular transport vehicle's intended trip that summarizes all bills of lading that have been issued by the carrier or its representative for that particular shipment. For example, a cargo manifest might be used for shipments made by sea, air or land, and will generally show the shipment's cosigner and consignee, as well as listing product details such as number, value, origin and destination.

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