Quick Answer
A bill of lading (B/L) is a document the carrier or master issues at the shipper’s request after the goods are loaded (Article 53 of Taiwan’s Maritime Act). It has three functions: receipt for the goods, evidence of the contract of carriage, and the document for taking delivery at the destination port. A telex release means the shipper surrenders the original bills at the port of loading and the carrier instructs its destination agent to release the cargo without the original bills. It is common when buyer and seller trust each other or payment is complete, and saves the time of couriering originals.
What Must a Bill of Lading Show?
Under Article 54 of Taiwan’s Maritime Act, a bill of lading must state the following and be signed by the carrier or master:
- Name of the vessel
- Name of the shipper
- Description, number of packages or weight of the goods as notified in writing by the shipper, or the type, number and marks of packaging
- Port of loading and port of discharge
- Freight payment
- Number of originals issued
- Date of issue
Article 55 also provides that the shipper guarantees to the carrier the accuracy of the description, quantity and packing it notifies, and is liable for loss, damage and expenses caused by inaccurate information.
How Does the Bill of Lading Relate to Delivery?
Article 58 provides that where several originals have been issued, the carrier may not refuse delivery at the port of destination to a person presenting even one original; elsewhere, the carrier may not deliver unless all originals are surrendered. That is why original bills usually come in a set of three and must be carefully controlled.
Original B/L vs Telex Release vs Sea Waybill
| Comparison | Original bill of lading | Telex release | Sea waybill |
|---|---|---|---|
| How cargo is collected | By presenting an original B/L | Originals surrendered at origin; the carrier tells the destination to release | The consignee proves identity |
| Transferable? | An order B/L can be endorsed and transferred | Surrendered, no longer in circulation | Usually not transferable |
| Best for | L/C transactions and controlling title through documents | Long-term customers who have paid or are trusted | Stable relationships and intra-group shipments |
| Risk | Courier loss or delay | The seller gives up control of the goods, so confirm payment first | Title can’t be controlled by documents |
Bills of Lading in Triangular Trade
In triangular trade, the shipper and consignee details on the bill affect whether supplier and buyer can see each other. If they need adjusting, a switch bill of lading can be used, but the full set of originals must be surrendered and cancelled first, and the shipment date, packages and weight cannot change. Also, L/C transactions usually require original bills, so check the payment terms before choosing a telex release.
How Tang Sugar Can Help
In our triangular and multilateral trade service, Tang Sugar coordinates commercial invoices, packing lists and bills of lading so that logistics, payments and documents match fully and clearance runs smoothly. Contact us.
FAQ
What is a bill of lading?
A document the carrier issues after receiving the goods, serving as a receipt for the goods, evidence of the contract of carriage and the document for taking delivery.
What does telex release mean?
The shipper surrenders the original bills at origin and the carrier instructs its destination agent to let the consignee collect the cargo without them.
What is the difference between a telex release and a sea waybill?
With a telex release, a bill of lading is issued, then the originals are surrendered and release is instructed; a sea waybill is a non-negotiable transport document from the start, and the consignee only needs to prove identity.
What is a surrendered B/L?
A bill of lading that has been telex released, usually marked “SURRENDERED” or “TELEX RELEASED”, meaning the originals were returned at origin and the consignee can collect the cargo without them.
How do you read a bill of lading?
Check the shipper, consignee, notify party, ports of loading and discharge, vessel and voyage, B/L number, cargo description, packages and weight, whether freight is prepaid or collect, and the number of originals issued.
Further Reading
- What Is a Switch Bill of Lading?
- International Trade Documents Explained
- FCL vs LCL: What’s the Difference?
- What Is Hong Kong Re-Export Trade?
Sources
- Laws & Regulations Database of Taiwan: Maritime Act (Arts. 53–55, 58, 60)
- TT Club: TT Talk: Switch bills
