What are the documents involved in the transportation of goods?

 

Airway bill or air consignment note: This document is a receipt issued by an airline or its agent for the carriage of goods.  Foods are delivered to the consignee after he or she is able to identify himself or herself as the party named in the airway bill.  It is therefore desirable to consign the goods in favor of the foreign correspondent bank as it will enable the exporter to retain control over the goods until the payment is made and documents are accepted for payment.

 

Bill of lading (B/L).  The B/L itself is not the actual contract between the owner of the goods and the carrier, although it does provide evidence of the contract.  It is a receipt for goods shipped on board a vessel (for marine B/Ls) and is a document of the title to the goods which are the subject of the contract between the buyer and the seller.  There are two types: a straight bill of lading which is non-negotiable and the negotiable / shipper’s order bill of lading which can be bough or sold or traded while goods are in transit and is used for letter-or-credit transactions.  The customer usually needs a copy as proof of ownership to take possession of the goods.

 

Bill of exchange:  This requires the buyer to pay the value of the exported goods to the seller.  The document does not provide any security of payment but it is often used together with a letter of credit.  This document is prepared and signed by the exporter.

 

Mate Receipt:  This document is issued by the chief of the vessel after the cargo is loaded.  This document contains the name of the shipper, place of receipt, and other related details.  Sea freight is calculated as per weight or volume, whichever is higher.

 

Combined Transport Document: This document allows goods to be moved from dry ports to the destination.
reference: 

TRADE
  SECRETS  

The Export Answer Book
for Small and Medium-Sized Exporters
 in the Sultanate of Oman