
Through Bill of Lading
A through bill of lading is a legal document that allows for the transportation of goods both within domestic borders and through international shipment. A bill of lading legally details the type, quantity, and destination of the goods being transported, how it's billed, and how the goods must be handled; it must accompany the shipped goods and be signed by a representative of the shipper. The through bill of lading is often required for the exporting of goods, as it serves as a cargo receipt, a carriage contract, as well as the title (sometimes) for the products. The through bill of lading is often required for the exporting of goods, as it serves as a cargo receipt, a carriage contract, as well as the title (sometimes) for the products. A through bill of lading is just one kind of bill of lading.

What Is Through Bill of Lading?
A through bill of lading is a legal document that allows for the transportation of goods both within domestic borders and through international shipment. The through bill of lading is often required for the exporting of goods, as it serves as a cargo receipt, a carriage contract, as well as the title (sometimes) for the products.


Understanding Through Bill of Lading
A through bill of lading is just one kind of bill of lading. A bill of lading is a between a shipper of a good and a transporter or carrier used in international trade. It is required to ship goods and acts as a receipt and contract. It shows that the carrier has received the freight as described — that's the cargo receipt. It also documents the terms of delivery, stipulating that the shipper must deliver that cargo to the consignee in good condition — the carriage contract. The word lading is derived from the word loading, referring to the loading of goods onto a ship.
A bill of lading is perhaps the most important document in shipping.
A bill of lading legally details the type, quantity, and destination of the goods being transported, how it's billed, and how the goods must be handled; it must accompany the shipped goods and be signed by a representative of the shipper.
Special Considerations
A through bill of lading has specific stipulations and conditions. A bill of lading will sometimes only cover one part or one aspect of the shipping process. A through bill of lading is more involved.
As noted above, a through bill of lading allows the transportation of goods both within domestic borders and through international shipment. The bill is often required in order to export goods and serve as a legal certificate authorizing a party to be in possession of and transporting a particular good. This is because a through bill of lading allows for the shipping carrier to pass the cargo through several different modes of transportation, and several different distribution centers.
While there is evidence for receipts for goods loaded aboard merchant vessels stretching back as far as Roman times, the practice of recording cargo in a ship's log is almost as long-lived as shipping itself. The modern bill of lading only came into use with the growth of international trade in the medieval world.
A transporter can move products both within a country and export them, often by air, with a through bill of lading. The through bill must contain an "inland bill of lading," which is the documentation required for domestic transportation. If the shipper wants to move the goods across the ocean, the "inland bill of lading" will not suffice; the through bill of lading will require an "ocean bill of lading" will be required for any goods moving across the ocean.
Related terms:
Bill of Lading
A bill of lading is a legal document between a shipper and carrier detailing the type, quantity, and destination of goods being shipped. read more
Cost, Insurance, and Freight (CIF)
Cost, insurance, and freight (CIF) is a method of exporting goods where the seller pays expenses until the product is completely loaded on a ship. read more
Consumer Goods
Consumer goods are the products purchased by the average consumer. read more
Inland Bill of Lading
An inland bill of lading is a contract signed between a shipper and a transportation company for the overland transportation of goods. read more
Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A)
Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) refers to the consolidation of companies or assets through various types of financial transactions. read more
Negotiable Bill of Lading
A negotiable bill of lading is a contract of carriage that can be transferred to a third party. read more
Ocean Bill of Lading
Learn more about the ocean bill of lading, a legal document required for the transportation of goods overseas between a shipper, carrier, and receiver. read more
Transportation Sector
The transportation sector consists of companies that provide services moving people, goods, or the infrastructure to do so. read more
Uniform Bill of Lading
A uniform bill of lading is an agreement between an exporter and a carrier regarding property to be transported. read more