In the process of shipping,people often refer to two commercial terms of sea waybill and marine B/L.However, these two terms are often mistaken for the same voucher.In fact,they are two completely different concepts,which have clear distinction as well as certain connection.Therefore, this article would like to discuss the issue of the “differences and similarities between a sea waybill and a marine B/L" in detail to help you better understand these two business terms.

First,there is a functional difference.The sea waybill is a document certifying that the contract of carriage of goods by sea and the carrier have received or loaded the goods on board the ship, and it only has the goods receipt and the transportation contract these two natures.In addition,the sea waybill is a non-negotiable document which indicates a definite consignee.While the marine B/L refers to the receipt of the goods issued by the carrier after receiving the goods,which is also the proof document of the transport contract signed by the carrier.Beyond that,the marine B/L is also the document of the property right of the consignee to take delivery of the goods after the goods arrive at the destination,which is also the attribute that the sea waybill does not have. As a document of title, the marine B/L is a negotiable transport document.

Second,both the sea waybill and the marine B/L can be made in the form of Shipped on board or Received for shipment.The format and making method of each column of the sea waybill are basically the same as those of the marine B/L,except that the consignee bar of the sea waybill should be a definite specific consignee.The legal holder of marine B/L and the carrier pick up and deliver the goods on the marine B/L,while the consignee on the marine B/L does not show the marine B/L,but only on the basis of the notice of delivery or his identity certificate,and the carrier delivers the goods on the basis of the appropriate identity of the consignee.

Third,in terms of form and content,the marine B/L can be divided into full form and simple form.The marine B/L contain both positive and negative contents,with various clauses printed on the back,which are restricted by various international conventions.Whereas a marine B/L is a document in which the shipper is a party to the contract of carriage and has the right to make any claim against the carrier.And a sea waybill is only a simple document in which the reverse side does not contain the detailed freight terms but a clause invoking the reverse side of the bill of lading,and the shipper in the bill of lading has no right to make any claim against the carrier.

Through the above explanation,you should have a deeper understanding of these two business terms.I hope you can correctly use these two documents in the future.

 

1. 海运单_百度百科  https://baike.baidu.com/item/%E6%B5%B7%E8%BF%90%E5%8D%95/1912160?fr=aladdin

2.提单_百度百科  https://baike.baidu.com/item/%E6%8F%90%E5%8D%95

3.海运提单和海运单的区别是什么？-法律知识大全|律师365  http://www.64365.com/zs/887119.aspx

4.海运单（Sea Waybill）的主要概念与区别-运去哪  http://www.yunquna.com/news/54121.html