Difference Between Bill of Lading, Freight Forwarder B/L, and Shipping Line B/L in International Maritime Transport

International ocean bills of lading are indispensable documents in international trade, serving not only as proof of cargo transportation but also as the core basis for safeguarding the rights and interests of both parties in the transaction. In practical operations, we often encounter two types of bills of lading house B/L issued by freight forwarders and master B/L issued by shipping companies. Although these two types of bills of lading both fall under the category of ocean bills of lading, they differ significantly in terms of nature, function, and applicable scenarios. This article will analyze the differences between these two types of bills of lading from multiple perspectives and elaborate on them with relevant news cases in recent years.

Firstly, from a definitional standpoint, a house B/L is a bill of lading issued by a freight forwarding company to the shipper, mainly used for internal circulation during the cargo transportation process. In contrast, a master B/L is issued by a shipping company or its authorized agent, representing the shipping company's responsibility for cargo transportation. This fundamental difference in definition determines the variations in their legal validity and liability attribution. For instance, at the beginning of 2025, a Chinese enterprise encountered difficulties in distinguishing the scope of responsibility between house B/L and master B/L in a cross-border trade dispute case, resulting in financial losses after the loss of goods. This incident highlights the importance of correctly understanding the types of bills of lading.

Secondly, the functional positioning of house B/L and master B/L also differs. House B/L primarily serves the internal coordination between shippers and freight forwarders, playing a more internal role in business processes. On the other hand, master B/L directly faces shipping companies and their customers, making it one of the most authoritative documents in the entire maritime transport chain. It is worth noting that with the rapid development of e-commerce, an increasing number of enterprises are relying on cross-border e-commerce platforms for export businesses. In this context, how to properly handle the relationship between house B/L and master B/L becomes particularly important. For example, a well-known cross-border e-commerce platform introduced an optimization service measure last year, requiring all cooperating merchants to provide copies of both house B/L and master B/L to better monitor logistics status and promptly address potential issues.

Moreover, the responsible entities of the two types of bills of lading are not entirely the same. The responsible entity for house B/L is usually the freight forwarding company, while the responsible entity for master B/L is the shipping company or its designated carrier. This means that when goods are damaged or other unexpected situations occur, the consignor needs to determine who to claim compensation from based on the type of bill of lading. For example, recently, an American electronics manufacturer encountered a serious container overturning accident. Due to the provision of a house B/L, the company faced numerous difficulties in the subsequent claims process. This indicates that enterprises need to fully consider their own risk tolerance and the professional level of their partners when choosing the type of bill of lading.

From the perspective of operational procedures, the issuance of house B/L is relatively simple and quick, suitable for small-scale high-frequency transactions; whereas master B/L requires a more rigorous review process and is applicable to bulk cargo transportation. In recent years, with the intensification of global supply chain tensions, many enterprises have begun to lean towards using house B/L to expedite shipment times. However, this approach is not without risks. For example, in the first half of this year, a European chemical enterprise suffered significant economic losses due to incorrect loading of goods to non-destination ports because it did not carefully verify relevant information when using house B/L. Therefore, regardless of which type of bill of lading is chosen, enterprises should remain highly vigilant and ensure every step is flawless.

In conclusion, although house B/L and master B/L both belong to the ocean bill of lading system, there are essential differences between them. Understanding these differences not only helps enterprises avoid potential risks but also improves work efficiency and reduces operating costs. As globalization continues to deepen, it is believed that more innovative tools and technical means will emerge, helping businesses and individuals manage cross-border logistics affairs more efficiently. It is hoped that this article can provide useful references for readers and promote their understanding and mastery of knowledge related to international ocean bills of lading.