WHAT DOES B/L STAND FOR?
A bill of lading (sometimes referred to as a BOL or B/L) is a document issued by a carrier to a shipper. B/L is used for carriage at sea.
It serves a number of purposes:
– It evidences the receipt of goods for shipment and indicates the route of the cargo;
– It is evidence that a valid contract of carriage exists and it may incorporate the full terms of the contract between the consignor and the carrier;
– It is also a type of security which states the right of property for the goods described in bl.
How to Calculate CBM for a Sea Shipment and Air Shipment
CBM (or cubic meter) is the standard size that international sea shippers use to calculate how much to charge for cargo that is less than a container load (LCL). A CBM is defined as 1 meter high, wide and deep. You calculate it by multiplying the three dimensions of a box, crate or pallet in metric units. For example, a box that is 0.6 m high by 0.4 m wide by 1 m deep is 0.24 CBM. A CBM is approximately 35 cubic feet.
As for air cargo, air carrier usually charge the rate for kilo. And in order to avoid the situation, where light cargo can be charged less, volume weight can be applied. The formula for calculation is like this: Width (CM) X Height (CM) X Depth (CM) / 6000 = volume weight. So if the cargo is light, and 1 CBM for example is less than 166 kilo, it will be charged the rate for 166 kilos by air carrier anyway.
GOODS DAMAGED...
Upon receipt of the goods in case of shortage or damage, you should suspend the discharge and call the representative of the Chamber of Commerce, or surveying services for activation of the accident. These measures should be taken on a mandatory basis, as without this document you cannot claim to the carrier and put forward the requirements of the compensation for the damaged goods. Unfortunately, just photos are not enough, because they are not supposed to be an official document.
