Create a bespoke document in minutes,聽or upload and review your own.
Get your first 2 documents free
Your data doesn't train Genie's AI
You keep IP ownership聽of your information
Bill of Lading
I need a Bill of Lading for a shipment of electronics being exported from New Zealand to Australia, including details of the consignor, consignee, and a comprehensive list of the items with their respective weights and dimensions. The document should also specify the terms of carriage, insurance details, and any special handling instructions.
What is a Bill of Lading?
A Bill of Lading acts as your legal proof when shipping goods by sea or land in New Zealand. It's both a receipt from the carrier confirming they've taken your cargo and a binding contract outlining the delivery terms. Think of it as your cargo's passport - it proves ownership and lets you transfer or sell the goods while they're in transit.
Under NZ maritime law, this crucial document needs to show key details like the cargo type, quantity, condition, and delivery location. Carriers, exporters, and banks rely on Bills of Lading for international trade finance and customs clearance. Having a clean, properly filled Bill of Lading helps protect your rights if goods arrive damaged or go missing.
When should you use a Bill of Lading?
Use a Bill of Lading every time you ship commercial goods by sea or land in New Zealand. This applies when exporting products overseas, moving cargo between ports, or transporting valuable items between cities. The document becomes essential for customs clearance, insurance claims, and proving your ownership rights during transit.
Many banks require Bills of Lading before releasing payment in international trade deals. You need one to transfer ownership of goods while they're still at sea, secure trade finance, or prove delivery terms in legal disputes. Maritime law makes these documents mandatory for commercial shipments, helping protect both senders and carriers from liability issues.
What are the different types of Bill of Lading?
- Airway Bill And Bill Of Lading: Used for combined air and sea shipments, offering flexibility for multi-modal transport.
- Bill Of Lading And Seaway Bill: Combines traditional ownership transfer with simplified documentation for direct deliveries.
- Bill Of Lading For Trucking: Specifically designed for road transport within New Zealand, with relevant inland shipping terms.
- Import Bill Of Lading: Contains additional customs and duty declarations required for incoming international shipments.
- Bill Of Lading Logistics: Enhanced version with detailed logistics tracking and warehouse handling instructions.
Who should typically use a Bill of Lading?
- Shipping Companies: Issue and manage Bills of Lading as carriers, taking responsibility for cargo transport and delivery conditions.
- Exporters: Request and receive these documents when sending goods, using them to prove ownership and facilitate payment.
- Import Agents: Handle documentation for incoming shipments, ensuring compliance with NZ customs requirements.
- Banks: Review Bills of Lading for trade finance, using them as security for letters of credit.
- Insurance Providers: Rely on these documents to assess claims and verify shipping conditions.
- Customs Officials: Check Bills of Lading to verify cargo details and clear shipments through borders.
How do you write a Bill of Lading?
- Cargo Details: Gather precise descriptions, quantities, weights, and packaging types of all goods being shipped.
- Party Information: Collect full legal names and addresses of shipper, consignee, and notify party.
- Vessel Data: Note ship name, voyage number, port of loading, and destination port.
- Dates: Record shipping date, expected arrival, and document issue date.
- Special Instructions: List any specific handling requirements or temperature controls.
- Template Selection: Use our platform to generate a legally-compliant NZ Bill of Lading that includes all mandatory elements.
- Verification: Double-check all details match supporting documents and customs declarations.
What should be included in a Bill of Lading?
- Document Title: Clear identification as a Bill of Lading, with unique reference number.
- Party Details: Full legal names and addresses of shipper, carrier, and consignee.
- Cargo Description: Detailed specification of goods, quantity, and packaging condition.
- Voyage Information: Vessel name, ports of loading/discharge, and delivery terms.
- Liability Terms: Clear statements on carrier responsibilities under NZ maritime law.
- Jurisdiction Clause: Specifying New Zealand law as governing authority.
- Signatures: Designated spaces for authorized representatives to sign and date.
- Terms & Conditions: Standard trading conditions as per NZ Carriage of Goods Act.
What's the difference between a Bill of Lading and a Bill of Sale?
A Bill of Lading differs significantly from a Bill of Sale in both purpose and legal effect. While both documents deal with property transfer, they serve distinct functions in New Zealand commerce.
- Transfer Timing: A Bill of Lading transfers possession and ownership while goods are in transit, whereas a Bill of Sale completes an immediate transfer of property between parties.
- Document Function: Bills of Lading act as both receipt and contract for shipping, while Bills of Sale purely document ownership transfer.
- Legal Authority: Bills of Lading fall under maritime law and international trade regulations, while Bills of Sale are governed by general property law.
- Negotiability: Bills of Lading can be traded or transferred during transit; Bills of Sale typically represent one-time, final transactions.
- Required Information: Bills of Lading must include shipping details, carrier information, and cargo specifics; Bills of Sale focus on asset description and payment terms.
Download our whitepaper on the future of AI in Legal
骋别苍颈别鈥檚 Security Promise
Genie is the safest place to draft. Here鈥檚 how we prioritise your privacy and security.
Your documents are private:
We do not train on your data; 骋别苍颈别鈥檚 AI improves independently
All data stored on Genie is private to your organisation
Your documents are protected:
Your documents are protected by ultra-secure 256-bit encryption
Our bank-grade security infrastructure undergoes regular external audits
We are ISO27001 certified, so your data is secure
Organizational security
You retain IP ownership of your documents
You have full control over your data and who gets to see it
Innovation in privacy:
Genie partnered with the Computational Privacy Department at Imperial College London
Together, we ran a 拢1 million research project on privacy and anonymity in legal contracts
Want to know more?
Visit our for more details and real-time security updates.
Read our Privacy Policy.