WHAT IS SEAWAY BILL IN SHIPPING? UNDERSTANDING SEAWAY BILL

A Seaway Bill is a crucial and widely used document in the field of maritime transport, especially for container shipping. So, what exactly is a seaway bill, and what role does it play in import and export activities? Let’s explore some key information about the Seaway Bill with SmartLink in the article below!

1. What is a Seaway Bill?

This is a document used for the transport of goods by sea. This document is issued by the carrier or their agent to confirm the quantity, type, and quality of the goods being shipped.

2. Types of Seaway Bills

Seaway Bill in Shipping – Smart Link Logistics

Based on the annotations regarding the goods on the bill, sea waybills can be divided into two types:

Clean B/L (Bill of Lading): A bill without any notes about defects in the goods or packaging.
Unclean B/L (Bill of Lading): A bill that notes defects in the goods or packaging, such as torn packaging or damp goods.

Based on the status of receipt, sea waybills can be divided into:

Shipped on Board B/L: Issued after the goods have been loaded onto the vessel.
Received for Shipment B/L: Issued before the goods are loaded onto the vessel, and does not include the vessel name and loading date.

3. Functions of a Seaway Bill

A sea waybill has three main functions:

It serves as proof that the carrier has received the shipment.
It serves as evidence of the contract of carriage.
It is a document that confirms ownership of the goods.

4. Key Contents of a Seaway Bill

The front side of a Seaway Bill includes key details such as:

Bill of Lading title
Bill of Lading number
Name of the carrier
Name and address of the shipper
Name and address of the consignee
Notify Party
Place of Receipt
Place of Delivery
Port of Loading
Port of Discharge
Vessel and Voyage No.
Goods information: Marks, quantity, etc.
Total freight payable
Place and date of issue

The back side of the bill outlines the terms and conditions prepared and pre-printed by the carrier. Some content on the back side includes:

General terms
Carrier’s responsibilities and obligations
Freight charges and surcharges
Carrier’s liability exemptions, etc.

5. When to use a Seaway Bill?

Some scenarios where a sea waybill should be used include:

When the sea transport time is shorter than the time required to send the original bill.
When transactions are between companies with established, reputable relationships.
The sea waybill must be a nominative bill, where only the party named in the consignee box is entitled to receive the goods.

6. Seaway Bill issuance process

Here is the process for issuing a Seaway Bill that SmartLink wants to share:

Sign a contract and book space with the shipping line.
After receiving the booking note, send booking confirmation to the shipping line.
Shipper sends the Shipping Instruction for the shipping line to prepare the draft bill.
The shipping line sends the draft bill to the shipper for confirmation before issuing the official bill.
Once the goods arrive at the destination port, the shipping line sends an Arrival Notice (A/N) to the consignee.
The consignee completes procedures with the shipping line to receive the Delivery Order (D/O).
The company named in the consignee box brings a letter of introduction (or documents proving they are the consignee) to receive the goods.

These are the essential details you need to know about the Seaway Bill. We hope this information is helpful for individuals and businesses involved in import and export. Here at SmartLink, we provide you with services and solutions to help your goods reach the world with dedication and customer support. We are proud to have over 13 years of experience in the transportation industry.

Hotline: + 84 903 354 157 to know more about our services

If you require assistance with international import and export of goods, please contact our team at Smartlink Logistics. We are available to provide you with professional guidance on our services and the necessary customs procedures.

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