In what situation is a shipper required to obtain a bill of lading?

A bill of lading is a key document in the transportation of goods, serving as a contract between the shipper and carrier and also functioning as a receipt for the goods shipped. The requirement to obtain a bill of lading becomes especially important when utilizing a freight forwarder. This is because freight forwarders act as intermediaries between shippers and carriers, and they typically require a bill of lading to manage the logistics and facilitate international shipments effectively.

When a shipper uses a freight forwarder, the forwarder organizes the transport of goods, and the bill of lading is crucial for tracking the shipment and ensuring that all parties involved have a clear understanding of the terms of transport, including details such as the nature of the cargo, destination, and responsibilities for delivery and payments.

In contrast, while shipping hazardous materials does have specific documentation requirements, it does not exclusively mandate a bill of lading without the involvement of a freight forwarder. Similarly, shipping to a foreign country does necessitate certain types of documentation, yet it is not limited to a strictly required bill of lading, as other documents may suffice depending on the circumstances. Authorization from the consignee does not dictate the requirement for a bill of lading unless the consignee is directly involved