B/L Number

The Bill of Lading Number (B/L Number) is a unique identification number on the ocean bill of lading issued by the carrier or its agent, used to identify a specific shipment of goods. It is a core document in international trade, letters of credit, customs declaration, cargo pickup, and tracking shipment status. Usage scenarios include: the letter of credit requires the B/L number to be stated when submitting the bill of lading; the importer uses the B/L number to track the cargo on the shipping company's website; the B/L number must be provided during customs declaration to link with the manifest; in case of cargo damage, claims are made using the B/L number. Precautions: The B/L number must be strictly consistent with the manifest, customs declaration, letter of credit, and other documents; otherwise, it may lead to bank refusal or customs inspection delays. Different shipping companies have different B/L number formats, usually composed of letters and numbers, such as COSU1234567890. The B/L number is different from the Booking Number; the booking number is generated when the shipper books space with the shipping company, while the B/L number is the official bill of lading number issued after the cargo is loaded on board. In addition, the Sea Waybill also has a number, but it is non-negotiable and should be distinguished.