What is Bill of lading (B/L)?
A bill of lading is the document issued by the ocean carrier that acts as a receipt for the cargo, the contract of carriage, and the document of title needed to collect the goods at destination.
You need the bill of lading, or a telex release of it, to take delivery at the destination port. It lists the shipper, consignee, ports, container and cargo.
Together with the commercial invoice and packing list, it is one of the core documents your customs broker asks for.