Types of Ocean Bill of Lading: Straight Order

For the definition of a bill of lading, see What is an Ocean Bill of Lading? Detailed Explanation of Core Functions; for its legal nature, see Nature and Functions of Ocean Bills of Lading; for formats and clauses, see Formats and Main Clauses of Ocean Bills of Lading; for endorsement of order bills of lading, see Definition and Endorsement Methods of Order Bills of Lading; for issuance, circulation, and loss handling, see Use of Ocean Bills of Lading.

1. Classification by whether the goods are loaded on board

• Shipped Bill of Lading (On Board B/L, Shipped B/L)
• Received for Shipment Bill of Lading (Received for Shipment B/L)

2. Classification by the presence or absence of adverse remarks on the external condition of the goods

• Clean Bill of Lading
• Unclean Bill of Lading

3. Classification by Consignee

• Straight B/L
• Bearer B/L
• Order B/L

4. By Transport Mode

• Direct Bill of Lading (Direct B/L)
• Transshipment Bill of Lading (Transshipment B/L)
• Through Bill of Lading (Through B/L)
• International Multimodal Transport Bill of Lading (Multimodal Transport Document, MTD)

5. Classification by Ship Operation Nature

• Liner Bill of Lading (Liner B/L)
• Charter Party Bill of Lading (Charter Party B/L)
• Container Bill of Lading (Container B/L)

6. Classification by Validity of Bill of Lading

• Original B/L
• Copy B/L

7. Classification by the Complexity of Bill of Lading Content

• Long Form B/L
• Short Form B/L

8. Other Bills of Lading

• Stale B/L
• Advanced B/L
• Ante Dated B/L
• On Deck B/L

Practical Advice for Choosing Bills of Lading

In international trade practice, choosing the appropriate type of bill of lading is crucial to ensuring transaction security and smooth settlement of foreign exchange. Here are some practical suggestions:

• Letter of credit settlement — a shipped on board clean bill of lading must be used, and the bill of lading date must not be later than the latest shipment date specified in the letter of credit.
• Near-sea transport — for routes such as China to Japan, South Korea, and Southeast Asia, consider using a sea waybill instead of a bill of lading to simplify the cargo delivery process.
• Middleman trade — a negotiable bill of lading can be used, allowing the middleman to transfer title to the goods by endorsement.
• Telex release operation — when both parties trust each other and the bill of lading is urgently needed, telex release can be chosen, allowing cargo release without the original bill of lading.

It should be noted that a straight bill of lading is non-negotiable, a bearer bill of lading carries higher risks, and the order bill of lading is the most commonly used in practice. Cargo owners should choose the appropriate type of bill of lading based on contract terms and transaction risks.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on Bill of Lading Type Selection

Q: Can a straight bill of lading be transferred?

A: For a straight bill of lading, the consignee box specifies a particular consignee; in principle, it cannot be transferred by endorsement, and only that consignee may take delivery of the goods. An order bill of lading can be transferred by endorsement, while a bearer bill of lading can be transferred by mere delivery.

Q: What type of bill of lading is required for letter of credit settlement?

A: Usually a shipped on board clean bill of lading is required, and the date of issue must not be later than the latest shipment date specified in the L/C. The specific terms of the credit prevail.

Disclaimer: This article was compiled by the Bofeng Logistics team, with content verified in August 2026. Bill of lading formats, terms, and operational practices may vary due to adjustments by shipping companies, regulations, and international conventions. Please refer to the actual documentation information at the time of booking and issuance.