Glossary of Shipping Terms: (Bill of Lading): Short Term B/L - Voided B/L

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Glossary of Shipping Terms: (Bill of Lading): Short Term B/L - Voided B/L

Bill of Lading (B/L)
A document that establishes the terms of a contract between a shipper and a transportation company. It serves as a document of title, a contract of carriage and a receipt for goods.

* Short Term B/L: Opposite of Long Form B/L, a B/L without the Terms & Conditions written on it. Also known as a Short Form B/L. The terms are incorporated by reference to the long form B/L.
* Split B/L: One of two or more B/L's which have been split from a single B/L.
* Stale B/L: A late B/L; in banking, a B/L which has passed the time deadline of the L/C and is void.
* Straight (Consignment) B/L: Indicates the shipper will deliver the goods to the consignee. It does not convey title (non-negotiable). Most often used when the goods have been pre-paid.
* "To Order" B/L: See Negotiable B/L.
* Unique B/L Identifier: U.S. Customs' standardization: four-alpha code unique to each carrier placed in front of nine digit B/L number; APL's unique B/L Identifier is "APLU". Sea-land uses "SEAU". These prefixes are also used as the container identification.
* Voided B/L: Related to Consolidated B/L; those B/L's absorbed in the combining process. Different from Canceled B/L.

The terms in this glossary have been carefully selected from the myriad of terms one can encounter in the shipping business through the Department of Transportation in the interest of information exchange. Neither the U.S. Government or Shipping-web.com assume liability for its contents or use thereof nor do they endorse products. We hope you will find it useful.