
“What’s the distinction between a packing record and a invoice of lading?” We hear this query—and variations of it—on a regular basis from exporters utilizing Transport Options to create their export paperwork. (Which of the 2 is extra essential? Can I exploit one as a substitute of the opposite?) Whereas most export processes use each varieties, they aren’t interchangeable.
On this article, we’ll look at the invoice of lading and packing record varieties and the function every performs in an export cargo.
Invoice of Lading vs. Packing Record: What’s the Distinction?
Invoice of Lading: A Definition
A invoice of lading serves a number of functions:
- It’s proof of a contract for the carriage of products between the shipper and the transportation firm.
- It serves as a receipt issued by the service upon taking possession of the products.
- It could function a doc of title that allows its holder to acquire title to, and possession of, the products.
This transport doc expedites an export cargo from the time of departure out of your facility to supply. When freight modifications palms from the shipper to the service, it’s the signature on the invoice of lading that signifies that the products have been obtained in “good order.” That’s, the products are in the identical situation as after they left the shipper’s facility, or a “clear” invoice of lading has been issued.
A invoice of lading with none feedback concerning injury, overage or underage can play a vital function in allowing the vendor to obtain fee for the merchandise.
There are a number of various kinds of payments of lading, relying on an exporter’s use case:
Key Information Components
An inland invoice of lading ought to embody:
- The title and call data for the exporter, the consignee and the invoice to social gathering.
- The inland service’s data (for inland).
- Vessel, reserving and loading directions for the worldwide carriage of the products (for ocean).
- Freight charges and expenses (for ocean and air waybill).
- Service data (for air waybill).
- The airport of departure and routing (for air waybill).
- The related anti-diversion clause (for air waybill).
- An outline of the products, together with their weight and dimensions and the way they’re packed.
- Any particular directions for the cargo.
Packing Record: A Definition
An export packing record is a doc that gives the exporter, the worldwide freight forwarder and the last word consignee with details about your cargo, the packing particulars and the marks and numbers famous on the surface of the packing containers.
A freight forwarder makes use of the packing record to organize the invoice of lading for the worldwide service and to organize export clearance documentation, such because the Digital Export Data (EEI) required for submitting by means of AESDirect on the Automated Industrial Atmosphere (ACE) platform. It itemizes the quantity and form of merchandise contained in every particular person bundle that’s to be loaded aboard a truck, railcar, vessel or plane.
A packing record can also be used as a supporting doc within the occasion of a dispute between the service and the exporter concerning the measurement and weight of the cargo. It could be utilized by banks as a supporting doc introduced for fee underneath a letter of credit score or different fee phrases. It could be utilized by U.S. Customs and Border Safety in addition to by customs within the nation of import for compliance and obligation legal responsibility.
Whereas a packing record is just not required by customs in most nations, it is a vital doc within the export course of.
Key Information Components
Along with together with the fundamental particulars in regards to the worldwide transaction, the packing record will embody:
- The title and call data of the exporter and supreme consignee.
- Particulars of which gadgets seem in every of the packing containers.
- Weight and measurements of every packing container.
- Any marks and numbers, together with a container quantity and seal quantity if applicable.
- The overall variety of items and weight and measurement of all the cargo.
- Any particular directions or extra data that’s essential for the cargo.
Simply Create and Handle Payments of Lading and Packing Lists
Accurately finishing payments of lading and packing lists is a straightforward but essential process—one you possibly can’t afford to make errors on. In the event you should not have these paperwork, or if they’re riddled with errors, you possibly can find yourself with delayed shipments and delays in getting paid. Add to that the various instances by which you’ll want to full paperwork, and also you’re coping with a major quantity of paperwork, plenty of redundancy and plenty of room for error.
That’s why we’ve created a greater method. Transport Options export documentation software program means that you can full your export paperwork as much as five-times sooner than the standard guide course of. As an alternative of copying the identical data over and over, you enter data in just one place, which makes you much less prone to make costly errors.
Allow us to present you ways Transport Options works. Register for a free on-line demo immediately.
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