Guides

How to read a bill of lading, line by line

The bill of lading is a receipt, a contract and a title document in one. Here is what each box means and what to check.

SVRU 260909
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Guides
Published
September 9, 2026
Read time
5 min read
Portrait of a smiling man in a white T-shirt.
Leo Tan

Freight desk lead

Man checking shipping documents at a desk

The bill of lading (B/L) is the most important paper in ocean freight. It is a receipt for your goods, the contract with the carrier and, in many cases, the document that proves who owns the cargo.

The parts that matter most

Original or telex release?

An original B/L is a paper document that must reach the destination before the cargo is released. A telex release, or express release, skips the paper. It is faster, but only use it when the goods are already paid for.

Check the draft B/L before the ship sails. Changes after departure cost time and money.

Our documentation team checks every draft B/L against your invoice before it is issued.

Filed under
Guides
Portrait of a smiling man in a white T-shirt.
Written by

Leo Tan

Freight desk lead

Leo runs the Shipvora freight desk in Chicago and writes about rates, ports and paperwork.

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Daniel Ortiz

Freight coordinator

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