Is Bullet a Standard Term in International Maritime Shipping? Is It a Bill of Lading?

Is International Maritime Transport Bullet a Standard Term? Is It Equivalent to a Bill of Lading?

In the field of international logistics, especially concerning ocean transportation, various professional terms continue to emerge. Among them, whether the term Bullet is a standard term in the international maritime transport sector and whether it can be equated with a bill of lading have become concerns for many practitioners and learners. This article will analyze this issue from three perspectives definition, function, and practical application, and discuss it by combining relevant case studies and news information.

Firstly, Bullet itself is a general English word that may have multiple meanings depending on the context. However, in the field of international maritime transport, it is not a widely recognized standard term. According to the International Chamber of Commerce's Incoterms and related documents from the International Maritime Organization IMO, Bullet has not been officially included as a professional term. If someone mentions Bullet in discussing international logistics, it is likely an informal expression or misuse.

In contrast, the Bill of Lading B/L is one of the core documents indispensable in international maritime transport. The B/L serves not only as proof of the transportation contract between the carrier and the shipper but also as a symbol of ownership of the goods. Upon arrival of the goods at the destination port, only the holder of the original B/L can collect the goods. The importance of the B/L is self-evident.

Then, why does the term International Maritime Transport Bullet appear? This might stem from some practitioners' habit of borrowing words from other languages to describe specific scenarios. For instance, media reports indicate that in certain emerging market countries, due to higher rates of English proficiency, local enterprises attempt to simplify complex process descriptions using English phrases. However, such practices can easily lead to confusion, particularly when involving legal efficacy and operational standards, potentially causing unnecessary trouble.

To better understand the distinction between the two, we can refer to a real case. In 2025, a Chinese exporter encountered communication barriers with its European clients due to the latter mistakenly referring to the bill of lading as Bullet, ultimately delaying delivery time. Post-incident investigations revealed that the European company indeed had a tendency to colloquially refer to the bill of lading as Bullet. Although the incident was eventually resolved, it serves as a reminder that caution must be exercised during cross-cultural exchanges to avoid risks caused by misunderstandings.

With the development of e-commerce, more small-scale cross-border trades are beginning to rely on courier services rather than traditional maritime transport. In this context, Bullet might be used to refer to a certain fast-delivery service model. Nevertheless, such usage still lacks authority and uniformity and is unlikely to become an industry consensus.

In summary, International Maritime Transport Bullet is not a strictly defined standard term and cannot be equated with a bill of lading. For professionals engaged in international logistics, mastering correct professional terminology is crucial, which not only helps improve work efficiency but also effectively avoids potential risks. At the same time, we should also pay attention to industry dynamics and timely understand the impact of new technologies and trends on traditional businesses, thereby making more scientific and reasonable decisions.

Finally, it is recommended that relevant institutions strengthen professional training for practitioners, promote standardized language use, and ensure accurate information transmission. Only in this way can the entire industry achieve healthy and sustainable development.