HBL
DocumentationHouse Bill of Lading
The bill of lading a freight forwarder issues to its customer for a shipment carried under the forwarder's master B/L.
In practice
Shows the real shipper and consignee. The forwarder takes carrier liability on the HBL terms. Used for LCL (each shipper gets an HBL for their share of the box) and for FCL when the forwarder controls the destination release.
Seen in the wild
Consignee on the HBL is the buyer; consignee on the MBL is our Rotterdam agent.
Watch out
A bank under an LC may reject an HBL unless the LC allows forwarder's B/Ls. Check the LC terms before shipping.