Bills of Lading and Airwaybills

The bill of lading or airwaybill is supplied to the shipper as proof of exporting the goods booked and received for shipping.

If the shipper is awaiting payment for the goods, then an original set of bills of lading will normally be issued to the shipper. The shipper would then courier these originals to the buyers, with any other requested original documents, once the shippers have been paid.

Alternatively, if a letter of credit is issued, then the original bills of lading and any other required documents, will be lodged with the negotiating bank for the letter of credit.

If the shipper has already been paid for the goods, or the buyers have credit arrangements with the shipper, then many shippers may ask for express release bills of lading to be issued, to avoid any need for courier costs.