A bill of lading for tiles is the carrier's receipt and contract, and it controls who can collect the cargo. For tile shipments you will meet three forms: an original bill of lading, a telex or express release, and a sea waybill. Which one you use decides how the container is released at the port of discharge.
The form should be agreed before shipment, together with the payment terms, because it ties directly to when the supplier lets go of control.
What are the three forms?
Each form works differently:
- An original bill of lading is a set of paper documents. The consignee presents one to the carrier to collect the cargo, so the originals must reach you in time.
- A telex or express release means the originals are surrendered at the port of loading, and the carrier releases the cargo to the named consignee without paper.
- A sea waybill is a non-negotiable receipt. The cargo is released to the named consignee without an original document.
The right choice depends on trust and payment. With an original bill, the supplier holds the key until you pay or the bank pays. With a telex release or sea waybill, the supplier gives up that key early, so it is safer to use them after the balance has been paid. See safest payment terms for tile imports.
What should you check on the draft?
Ask for a draft before the vessel sails and check every field. Errors are easy to fix at this stage and expensive afterwards.
- Shipper and consignee names and addresses, written as on the invoice and any letter of credit.
- The notify party, so the carrier tells the right person when the cargo arrives.
- The port of loading and the port of discharge.
- Container number, seal number, number of packages and gross weight, matching the packing list.
- The cargo description and, where shown, the HS code, matching the invoice.
- Whether freight is marked prepaid or collect, matching your price term.
How do bill of lading problems delay release?
A late courier of originals, a name that differs from the invoice, or a bill drawn to the wrong consignee can leave a loaded container waiting at the port while charges build up. If the originals are lost, getting replacements takes time.
If you use a bank, the bill must match the credit exactly. If it does not, the bank can refuse to pay. FOB, CIF or DAP explains how the price term decides who books the vessel and who is named on the bill.
What about weight?
Tiles are heavy, so the gross weight on the bill matters for port handling and road limits. It should match the packing list. A mismatch can trigger weighing or a re-declaration. See documents needed for tile exports from India for the wider pack.
Next step
We check the draft bill against the order and the documents before the vessel sails. To plan your shipment, book a free sourcing review.