Port of Loading

Port of Loading (POL) refers to the port where goods are actually loaded onto a vessel, a core term in international trade and maritime shipping. It typically appears in sales contracts, letters of credit, bills of lading, shipping notices, and other documents to specify the place where the seller fulfills delivery obligations, the starting point for freight calculation, and the boundary for risk transfer. Usage scenarios include: agreeing on a port of loading under trade terms such as FOB, CFR, and CIF; letters of credit requiring a bill of lading showing the port of loading; determining liability when disputes over cargo damage arise between buyer and seller. Notes: The port of loading must match the trade term (e.g., under FOB the buyer arranges shipping, but the port of loading is designated by the seller); the port of loading specified in the letter of credit must be consistent with the bill of lading, otherwise payment may be refused; if goods are transported from an inland point to the port of loading via transshipment, a distinction should be made between 'port of loading' and 'place of receipt'. In contrast to the 'Port of Discharge', the port of loading is the starting point of transport and the port of discharge is the endpoint; it is often used interchangeably with 'port of shipment', but strictly speaking 'port of shipment' emphasizes the act of loading, while 'port of loading' emphasizes the geographical port.