Glossary

Bill of Lading

The carrier's document that receipts cargo and controls who claims it.

A bill of lading is issued by the carrier to the shipper and does three jobs at once: it receipts the goods as loaded, evidences the contract of carriage, and acts as a document of title — whoever holds the original can claim the cargo at destination. Meranta issues both negotiable and straight bills, depending on how you want ownership to move down the chain.