Supply Chain Performance

Bill of lading: What it is and its importance in transportation

In the world of international logistics, documentation is key to ensuring safe, traceable, and incident-free operations. One of the most important documents is the Bill of…

On September 10, 2025

In the world of international logistics, documentation is key to ensuring safe, traceable, and incident-free operations. One of the most important documents is the Bill of Lading (B/L), also known as a shipping document. This document is essential in maritime and multimodal transport, as it functions as a contract, a receipt, and, in certain cases, a title of ownership of the goods.

At FM Logistic Ibérica, as an international logistics operator, we understand the importance of managing these types of documents correctly and accurately, as they enable smooth operations and instill confidence in all agents involved in the supply chain.

¿Qué significa Conocimiento de embarque (B/L)?

The Bill of Lading (B/L) is a document issued by the shipping company or carrier confirming receipt of the goods for transport. Translated into Spanish, it is known as a conocimiento de embarque.

When we talk about what the B/L is or what BL means, we are referring to a document that fulfills three essential functions:

Transport contract between the shipper and the carrier.

Receipt of goods, confirming that the cargo was delivered in good condition.

Title of ownership (depending on the type of B/L), allowing the transfer of ownership of the goods.

What is it for and who issues it?

The Bill of Lading mainly serves to provide security and traceability to the logistics operation. Among its most notable functions are:

Prove the existence of a transport agreement between the shipper and the shipping company or carrier.

Certify that the goods were loaded onto the means of transport under certain conditions.

Facilitate the transfer of ownership of cargo in international trade.

The document is issued by the shipping company, the maritime transport company, or its authorized agent. In the case of multimodal transport, it may also be issued by a logistics operator with the capacity to coordinate different modes of transport.

What does a B/L look like? Examples

To understand what a BL is in practical terms, it is useful to look at its structure. An example of a B/L includes information such as:

Sender or exporter details.

Consignee or importer details.

Details of the vessel or transport.

Description of the goods (type, quantity, weight, packaging).

Loading and unloading ports.

Terms of transport and responsibilities.

A typical bill of lading example may vary in design depending on the shipping company or carrier, but it always retains the essential elements that make it legally valid and operational internationally.

Importance of the Bill of Lading for logistics

The Bill of Lading is not just an administrative document: it is the basis for ensuring legal certainty and efficiency in the global supply chain. In practice, this document allows:

Avoid disputes between exporters, importers, and carriers.

Ensure the correct delivery of goods to the agreed destination.

Simplify the customs process by acting as official proof of cargo.

Provide support in the event of claims for loss or damage.

In an environment where competitiveness and punctuality are key, having a correctly issued B/L reduces risks and builds trust between all parties. That is why, at FM Logistic Ibérica, we offer transport services and logistics services that integrate document management as part of the complete solution.