What is a Bill of Lading and when is it considered clean?
A bill of lading (B/L) is a certificate of ownership of goods. It must be produced at the port of final destination by the importer in order to claim goods. As a document of title, the B/L is also a negotiable document and you may sell the goods by endorsing or handing it over to another authorized party even while the goods are still at sea. Although negotiable bills of lading are in common use, some countries do not allow them or make it difficult for them to be used. You have to be sure that a negotiable B/L is accepted in your country. Otherwise, a non-negotiable B/L is issued.
