Legally Required Document

Applicable to: Business Entities who export timber to other countries

Holder of Document: Timber exporters 

Signature required by:
Customs Officer

Key considerations when checking the doc:
Is the name the same as on the business registration certificate?

Does it contain all required information?

Purpose and content of document:
A Bill of Lading (B/L) is a legal document that serves to ensure that the shipper receives payment for the goods exported, and the consignee or importer receives goods ordered. In Nigeria, the bill of lading is a transport document that must be presented to the Nigerian Customs Services for customs clearance for export. As a receipt, the bill of lading serves to certify to the shipper by the carrier (transporter) of goods or consignment that such goods are received and confirmed and as document of title (proof of ownership of goods). In other words, it means that the transporter has received and confirmed the goods and has agreed to deliver the said goods to destination of interest. Hence the bill of lading is usually issued by the carrier to the shipper and made available to the importer for clearance purposes. The importer in turn must make the bill of lading available to the transporter company at destination locality before cargo carriage. The contents include the following; Bill of lading number, Place and Date of issuance, Booking number, Export reference, Consignor’s name and address, Importer or consignee’s name and address, Carrier or transporter’s detail, Ocean vessel name/voyage number, Port of loading, Delivery port, Container number and seal, Container size, Total number of containers, Description of packages and goods, Quantity, Gross weight, Measurement, Signature of carrier, Dates of departure and arrival, Signature of consignee.

Evidence limitations and weaknesses:
This document is not sufficient to prove that export procedures have been implemented