LCL SHIPMENT DOCUMENT, Used For Consolidated Goods

LESS THAN CONTAINER LOAD, LCL SHIPMENT DOCUMENT

In continuation of our analysis on shipment documents, as we did introduce in our previous post, we would recall our discussion was centered on full container load (FCL) shipment documents. Meanwhile, our analysis in this post will be detailed around less than container load freight document(s), most importantly, attributes that differentiate the LCL shipments document from full container freight documents.

It is important we understand the processes or logistics by which less than container load (LCL) documents are obtained, figuring its logistics approach is quite different from the previous (full container load documents), and this is as a result of its nature and processes involved. Documents issued with this category of freight consist of that which originates from the shipper to the consignee, shipping line (Liner), and lastly, the shipping company.

Now let’s break this down. Firstly, we begin with documents associated with the consignee.

After goods to be shipped as LCL has been procured, packaged and its cubic meter (CBM) figured out by the freight forwarder or shipper, the following LCL shipment document should be issued to the consignee.

• Cargo packing list: This shipment document shows the quantity or number of packages, packed in cartons, cases, or pallets as the case may be. Equally issued by the factory or firm where the goods were procured.
• Cargo invoice: This is equally obtained from the factory or firm where the goods were procured.
• The bill of lading: In this case, the bill of lading document to be issued to the consignee will be the house bill of lading from the shipper or shipping company. Either as copy non-negotiable or negotiable, in other words, original bill of lading or express release (Telex copy).

All other documents are to be obtained by the consignee from the agencies responsible.

The second stage of this is that of the shipper and shipping line, which is practically logistics.

LCL Shipment document issued by the shipper or a cargo consolidator (LCL) freight forwarder includes,

• Cargo manifest, used for logistics purposes. This is a confidential document that is only forwarded or delivered to the shipping company at the port of unloading, strictly for logistics purposes (documentation purpose).
• The bill of lading, which includes the house bill of lading that was issued to the consignee, also the draft copy transmitted to the shipping company at the port of unloading, and the ‘verify copy’ – bill of lading obtained from the shipping line, which is equally used for documentation purposes.
• Sea waybill is as well issued here by the shipper and forwarded to the shipping company at the port of unloading.

Although, they are other documents, but are not considered important at this point. However, the freight manifest and the bill of lading (draft copy and verify copy including Dangerous Cargo Form) are vital documents, which cut across the principal and correspondent.

Lastly, the shipping line (Liner), however, the LCL shipment document issued by the liner is only the bill of lading (masters), which consists of ‘verify copy’ and the negotiable or express release document. These documents are only sent and usable by the shipping company at the port of unloading, precisely for container retrieval and documentation purposes. However, shipping instructions are not effected on these documents, and that is owing to the fact that the shipping line is strictly under ‘contract of carriage’.

• I hope you found this article on LCL shipment document, helpful?