Types of Bill of Lading: 15 Types Explained for Exporters

There are 15 types of bill of lading exporters come across, but each one answers just one of six questions: who can collect the cargo (straight, order, bearer), when it was issued (received for shipment, shipped on board), what condition the goods were in (clean, claused), who issued it (master, house), how the cargo travels (through, multimodal, charter party), and how the cargo is released (original, sea waybill, telex release, switch). A single B/L is usually several types at once, for example a clean, shipped on board, order house B/L.

Choosing the wrong one can block payment under a letter of credit or delay cargo release. For what a B/L does and how it must match your invoice, start with the bill of lading guide and bill of lading vs commercial invoice.

All types of bill of lading at a glance

By who can collect the cargo

Straight (non-negotiable) bill of lading

A straight B/L is consigned to a named consignee only. It is generally not transferable by endorsement. Cargo is released to that named party under the carrier's rules, often without the same document-of-title mechanics as an order B/L. Use it when the buyer and bank do not need a negotiable title document. Avoid it when the LC expressly requires a negotiable, to-order bill of lading.

Order (negotiable) bill of lading

An order B/L is consigned "to order" (or "to order of" a bank or the shipper) and can be transferred by endorsement. Banks commonly require this form under documentary credits, because holding the originals gives them control of the goods. If your LC asks for a full set of clean on-board ocean bills of lading made out to order, this is the type it means. Confirm the exact consignee and notify-party wording in field 46A. See negotiable vs non-negotiable bill of lading for how endorsement works.

Bearer bill of lading

A bearer B/L names no consignee, or is endorsed in blank, so whoever physically holds an original can collect the cargo. It is transferable simply by handing it over, which makes it risky if originals are lost or stolen. Few exporters use it deliberately.

By when it was issued

Received for shipment bill of lading

Issued when the carrier takes charge of the goods, for example at a container yard, before they are loaded. Under a letter of credit, UCP 600 Article 20 requires the B/L to show the goods were shipped on board, so a received-for-shipment B/L needs a dated "on board" notation before you present it.

Shipped on board bill of lading

Issued once the goods are loaded on the named vessel. It is what most LCs ask for, and its on-board date is the shipment date checked against LC field 44C (latest date of shipment). See how to read LC fields.

By the condition of the goods

Clean bill of lading

A clean B/L carries no clause declaring the goods or packaging defective. Under UCP 600 Article 27, banks only accept clean transport documents. The word "clean" doesn't have to appear on the B/L, even if the LC asks for a "clean on board" bill of lading.

Claused (foul or dirty) bill of lading

A claused B/L carries the carrier's remark that goods or packaging were damaged or short when received, such as "3 cartons torn" or "drums leaking". Banks reject it under an LC, and buyers often refuse it. Fix the packing before loading rather than arguing about the clause afterwards.

By who issued it

Master bill of lading (MBL)

Issued by the shipping line (the actual carrier), usually to the freight forwarder or NVOCC who booked the space, or directly to the shipper on a direct booking.

House bill of lading (HBL)

Issued by a freight forwarder or NVOCC to the exporter, typically when your cargo is consolidated with others in one container (LCL). UCP 600 allows a transport document issued by any party, as long as it is signed as carrier, master or the agent of a named carrier. If the LC says "freight forwarder's bills of lading not acceptable", a house B/L won't do.

By how the cargo travels

Through bill of lading

Covers a shipment that passes through more than one carrier or leg, for example a feeder vessel and then a mainline vessel, under one document issued by the first carrier.

Multimodal (combined transport) bill of lading

Covers at least two different modes, such as rail from an inland container depot to the port and then sea. Under an LC it is checked under UCP 600 Article 19, and the place of taking in charge should match LC field 44A rather than the port of loading.

Charter party bill of lading

Issued subject to a charter party, the contract for hiring a whole vessel, and common for bulk cargo such as grain, ore or rice. Banks examine it under UCP 600 Article 22, and many LCs say charter party B/Ls are not acceptable unless the credit allows them.

By how the cargo is released

Sea waybill

A sea waybill (or seaway bill) is a cargo receipt and contract of carriage without a document-of-title function. Release is to the named consignee against identification, which speeds delivery when originals would arrive too late. Presenting a waybill against a credit that demands original bills of lading is a common discrepancy.

Telex release / surrendered bill of lading

The shipper surrenders the original B/Ls at origin and the carrier tells its destination office to release the cargo without paper. It's useful when originals cannot reach the buyer before the vessel, but it gives up control of the goods. Agree it with the buyer, and with the bank if there is an LC, before sailing.

Switch bill of lading

A switch B/L replaces an already-issued set with a new one, often to change shipper or consignee details in merchant trade. Carriers restrict when switching is allowed, and misuse creates fraud and compliance risk. Only arrange one through the carrier's formal process, with all original holders' agreement.

How to choose the right type

1. Read the letter of credit or buyer contract first. Field 46A usually names the transport document and how it must be consigned.
2. If the bank needs negotiable title, plan for a clean, shipped on board, order B/L and a full set of originals.
3. If you ship LCL through a forwarder, check the LC accepts a house B/L.
4. If speed matters and no negotiable B/L is required, ask whether a sea waybill or telex release is acceptable.
5. Align shipper, consignee, ports and package counts with the commercial invoice and packing list. See how to fill a bill of lading.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main types of bill of lading?

The main types are straight, order and bearer (by who can collect the cargo), received for shipment and shipped on board (by when issued), clean and claused (by the condition of the goods), master and house (by who issued it), through, multimodal and charter party (by how the cargo travels), plus sea waybill, telex release and switch B/L (by how the cargo is released).

Which bill of lading do banks want under an LC?

Most LCs require a full set of clean, shipped on board, ocean bills of lading made out to order (or to order of the issuing bank). Always follow the credit's exact wording rather than assuming a straight B/L or waybill will pass.

What is the difference between a master and a house bill of lading?

A master B/L is issued by the shipping line, usually to the forwarder. A house B/L is issued by the forwarder or NVOCC to the exporter. The exporter normally receives the house B/L when cargo is consolidated.

What is a clean bill of lading?

One with no clause stating the goods or packaging were defective when loaded. Banks only accept clean transport documents under UCP 600 Article 27.

Is a sea waybill a type of bill of lading?

It is a transport document with the same receipt and contract functions, but it is not a document of title and cannot be negotiated. It does not satisfy an LC that asks for bills of lading.

What is a stale bill of lading?

A B/L presented to the bank too late, after the LC's presentation period in field 48 (21 days after shipment if the credit is silent). It is not a separate form, just a B/L presented outside the deadline, and banks treat it as a discrepancy.

Match the B/L type to the credit before you book space. Bilexor keeps shipper, consignee, and goods details on one shipment record so your invoice and packing list stay consistent with the instructions you give the carrier. Run the export checklist before documents go to the bank.