Mate's Receipt

Mate's Receipt is a temporary document issued by the ship's chief officer (mate) to the shipper after the goods are loaded on board, certifying that the goods have been loaded in the condition as recorded in the bill of lading. Its core functions are: 1) to serve as preliminary evidence that the carrier has received the goods; 2) to serve as the shipper's voucher for exchanging it with the shipping company for an on-board bill of lading; 3) if the goods are in poor apparent condition, the mate will note this on the receipt (e.g., 'packaging damaged'), and such remarks will be transferred to the bill of lading, forming an unclean bill of lading and affecting negotiation of payment. Usage scenarios: mainly applicable to breakbulk and general cargo transportation, especially when the shipper needs to exchange the receipt for a bill of lading. Precautions: a Mate's Receipt is not a document of title and is non-negotiable; if the receipt bears remarks, the shipper should address them as soon as possible (e.g., replace goods, repair packaging) to obtain a clean bill of lading; difference from a bill of lading: a bill of lading is a document of title and evidence of the contract of carriage, while a Mate's Receipt only proves that the goods have been loaded on board and has only temporary effect. Difference from a dock receipt: a dock receipt is evidence of receipt by the terminal in container transport, while a Mate's Receipt is issued by the ship's chief officer.