Which type of bill of lading provides the highest level of control for cargo delivery?

A negotiable bill of lading offers the highest level of control for cargo delivery because it allows the holder to transfer ownership of the goods while they are in transit. This type of bill can be endorsed to another party, meaning that it can be sold or transferred. The possession of a negotiable bill of lading is equivalent to holding a document of title, which grants significant authority over the cargo. This flexibility is particularly advantageous in international trade, where ownership and control of goods can change hands multiple times during shipping.

In contrast, a straight bill of lading is non-negotiable, meaning that it specifies a named consignee and cannot be transferred to another party. A master bill of lading is typically used in shipping when there is a freight forwarder; it relates to the overall shipping of a container or group of cargo rather than individual ownership. A house bill of lading is a document issued by a freight forwarder or non-vessel operating common carrier (NVOCC) to its customer and is also non-negotiable. Though useful for logistics purposes, neither the master bill of lading nor the house bill of lading provides the same level of ownership flexibility that the negotiable bill of lading does.