Detailed explanation of documents used in the preparation of overseas loading ports and unloading ports

1. Documents compiled and used at the loading port

1. Booking Note, B/N

The consignment note, also known as the booking order, is a written application provided by the shipper when booking space for shipping to the shipping company or other carrier. The document contains information such as the name of the shipper, the name of the consignee, the name of the notifier, the name of the goods, the number of pieces, packaging style, logo, weight, size, loading port, unloading port, destination and shipment deadline.

2. Shipping Order, S/O

The loading bill is the first of the “five-part bill” commonly known as the “Five-Part Bill” and is used for customs declaration. After the customs stamps and releases it, it is called the “customs release note”. The five-part bill also includes the station receipt (D/R), customs inventory copy, shipping agent’s deposit, and shipper’s deposit.

3. Delivery receipt (D/R)

The goods receipt, also known as the depot receipt, records the information that the goods have been received by the depot.

4. Bill of Lading (B/L)

Bill of lading, the abbreviation of ocean bill of lading.

5. Loading List (L/L)

The loading list is a general detailed list of goods prepared by the carrier or its agent based on the loading list and classified according to the port of destination and the nature of the goods. This list not only contains the loading order number, cargo name, number of pieces, packaging form, gross weight and other information, but is also the main basis for the ship’s chief mate to prepare the stowage plan.

6. Manifest, M/F

The cargo manifest is a summary list listing the actual cargo shipped by the entire ship in the order of the unloading port. It is prepared by the shipping company agent based on the first mate’s receipt or bill of lading after the cargo is loaded. This list is crucial for international shipping as it is an important document proving the legality of the goods carried by the ship.

7. Dangerous Cargo List and Container Dangerous Goods Packing Certificate

When transporting dangerous goods, the carrier will fill in the dangerous goods list based on the relevant dangerous goods declaration information provided by the shipper. These documents usually include the container packing certificate for dangerous goods, the declaration form for the safety and fitness for transport of packaged dangerous goods, and the declaration form for the carriage of dangerous goods on ships.

8. Cargo stowage plan

The cargo stowage diagram is a graphical representation of the location of the cargo in the ship’s hold. It is prepared based on the loading list and is used to guide the loading and unloading company and the tally company to arrange the loading operations.

2. Documents compiled and used at the port of discharge

1. Outturn Report

The unloading report is a detailed import cargo manifest compiled by resummarizing all the cargo unloaded at the unloading port. Compared with the cargo manifest, it has more information such as unloading method, actual delivery quantity, overflow quantity, damaged quantity and remarks column.

2. Delivery Order, D/O

The bill of lading is a document given by the shipping company to the consignee to pick up the goods from the ship or warehouse.