Draft Bill of Lading: Meaning and What to Check Before You Approve It
A draft bill of lading is the carrier's preview of your B/L, sent for you to check before the originals are issued. What it means, the 14 fields to check against your invoice, packing list and LC, and what a correction costs once originals are out.
A draft bill of lading (draft B/L or BL draft) is the carrier's preview of your bill of lading, sent to the shipper to check before the original is issued. The carrier or forwarder builds it from your shipping instructions. It isn't signed, it isn't a document of title, and you can't use it to claim cargo or present it to a bank. Its only job is to let you catch errors while fixing them is still free.
Once you approve the draft, the carrier issues the originals (or a sea waybill, or a telex release). Every mistake you miss at draft stage is printed on a document the bank, the buyer and destination customs will all rely on.
Where the draft fits in the shipment
- Booking — you book space; the carrier confirms the vessel and the cut-offs.
- Shipping instructions (SI) — you or your forwarder send shipper, consignee, notify party, goods, packages and weights before the SI cut-off.
- Loading — the container is loaded and the vessel sails.
- Draft B/L — the carrier sends the draft, usually by email or on its portal, with a deadline to approve.
- Approval and corrections — you check it and approve it or send corrections.
- Freight and release — once freight (if prepaid) and local charges are paid, the carrier issues the originals or releases them electronically.
Many carriers treat a draft as approved if you don't reply by their deadline, so a missed email can mean an original printed with your typo. Ask your forwarder what the deadline is for each booking.
Draft, original and copy: what's the difference
| Version | Signed? | Legal effect | Who uses it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Draft B/L | No | None. It's a proof for checking. | Shipper and forwarder |
| Original B/L | Yes, by the carrier or its agent | Receipt, contract of carriage and, if made out to order, document of title. Usually issued as a set of 3. | Bank, buyer, carrier at destination |
| Non-negotiable copy | Copy only | Information only. Can't be used to collect cargo. | Buyer, insurer, your own records |
For when a B/L needs to be negotiable at all, see negotiable vs non-negotiable bill of lading.
The draft B/L checklist: 14 fields to check
Check each field against the document it has to agree with. If you ship under a letter of credit, the LC wins every disagreement.
| # | Field on the draft | Check it against |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shipper | Your name and address as the LC beneficiary (field 59) and on the invoice |
| 2 | Consignee | The exact wording in LC field 46A, e.g. "to order of [issuing bank]". For non-LC shipments, the buyer's instructions |
| 3 | Notify party | LC 46A, usually the applicant with full address |
| 4 | Place of receipt | LC field 44A, if the carrier takes the goods inland (e.g. at an ICD) |
| 5 | Port of loading | LC field 44E and your booking |
| 6 | Port of discharge | LC field 44F |
| 7 | Place of delivery | LC field 44B, if the carrier delivers beyond the port |
| 8 | Description of goods | Can be general, but must not conflict with LC field 45A or the invoice |
| 9 | Marks and numbers | Packing list and the actual carton markings |
| 10 | Number and kind of packages | Packing list total (e.g. 420 CARTONS ON 20 PALLETS) |
| 11 | Gross weight and measurement | Packing list totals, to the decimal |
| 12 | Container and seal numbers | The gate-in receipt or your stuffing report |
| 13 | Freight terms | Your Incoterm and the LC: "freight prepaid" for CFR/CIF, "freight collect" for FOB |
| 14 | Number of originals and on-board notation | LC 46A ("full set", usually 3/3), and a dated "shipped on board" notation on or before LC field 44C |
Then read the whole draft once more for anything that makes it claused rather than clean, such as "cartons wet" or "packaging torn". Banks reject claused bills under an LC. Standard wording like "said to contain" or "shipper's load, stow and count" is fine. For what each LC field means, see LC fields explained.
The errors drafts catch most often
- Consignee wording that doesn't follow the LC. "To order" when the LC says "to order of issuing bank" is a discrepancy.
- Weight or package count copied from an old packing list. The packing list was revised; the SI wasn't.
- Wrong freight terms. A CIF shipment shown as "freight collect".
- Missing LC number when LC field 47A says all documents must show it.
- A typo in the buyer's name or address. Small, but the bank checks names letter by letter.
- Port of loading shown as an ICD when the LC names a seaport, or the reverse.
Most of these start in the shipping instructions, not at the carrier. See 12 common LC discrepancies for how banks treat each one.
What a correction costs after the originals are issued
Before the originals are printed, a correction usually costs nothing. After that, carriers charge a B/L amendment or correction fee, and they generally want the full set of originals returned before they reissue. If the originals are already with a courier or the bank, that can mean days of delay and a late presentation under the LC. That's why the draft check matters.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does draft bill of lading mean?
It's an unsigned preview of the bill of lading that the carrier or forwarder sends to the shipper to check and approve. It has no legal effect. Once approved, the carrier issues the signed original.
Can I present a draft B/L to the bank under an LC?
No. A bank examines the signed original transport document the LC calls for. A draft isn't signed and isn't a transport document, so it can't be presented.
Who prepares the draft bill of lading?
The carrier, or the forwarder or NVOCC for a house B/L. They build it from the shipping instructions the exporter or forwarder submits.
How long do I have to approve a draft B/L?
It depends on the carrier. Deadlines are often a day or two after sailing, and many carriers treat silence as approval. Ask your forwarder for the deadline on each booking.
Is a draft B/L the same as a non-negotiable copy?
No. A draft comes before the original and exists only for checking. A non-negotiable copy is issued with or after the original and shows what the original says, for information.
A draft B/L is only as good as the shipping instructions behind it, and those come from your invoice and packing list. Bilexor keeps all three on one shipment record, so the packages, weights and consignee you send the carrier match the documents you send the bank. For the full document, see the bill of lading guide.
Informational only — not legal, banking, tax, or customs advice. Always verify document and LC requirements with your bank, CHA / customs broker, and buyer before presentation.