A document issued by a carrier that does three jobs at once: it receipts the cargo, sets out the contract of carriage, and - if negotiable - represents title to the goods. Whoever holds an original negotiable bill controls the cargo.

Example An original set of three is issued; the consignee surrenders one to collect the goods.

See also Sea Waybill, Telex Release, Switch Bill

A charge for using the carrier's container inside the terminal beyond the free period. It is a container charge, not a storage charge, and it accrues per day.

Example Five days free, then a daily rate per box until pickup.

See also Detention, Free Time, Storage

A charge for keeping the carrier's container outside the terminal beyond the free period - typically while it is being unpacked at the consignee's premises.

Example Box collected Monday, returned empty the following week; detention runs from the end of free time.

See also Demurrage, Free Time

The bill of lading a forwarder or NVOCC issues to its own customer for their part of a consolidated shipment.

Example Each LCL shipper receives a house bill for their pallets.

See also Master Bill, Consolidation

The bill of lading issued by the actual carrier to the NVOCC or forwarder who booked the space.

Example One master bill covers a consolidated container holding twenty house bills.

See also House Bill, NVOCC

A Non-Vessel Operating Common Carrier: a party that issues its own bills of lading and acts as carrier to the shipper, while buying space from the vessel operator.

Example A consolidator issuing house bills against a carrier master bill.

See also House Bill, Master Bill, Consolidation

A non-negotiable transport document. The named consignee takes delivery on identification, without surrendering an original, which speeds up release but removes the document of title.

Example Used where seller and buyer are related companies or payment is already secured.

See also Bill of Lading, Telex Release

An instruction from the origin office confirming that original bills have been surrendered, allowing the destination office to release cargo without paper.

Example Shipper surrenders originals in Mumbai; the Rotterdam office releases against the telex message.

See also Bill of Lading, Express Release

Moving cargo from one vessel to another during the voyage, usually at a hub port. It adds transit time and a handling risk, and some letters of credit prohibit it.

Example Nhava Sheva to Rotterdam via Colombo.

See also Direct Service, Hub Port