Bill of Lading standard
Eliminating paper and manual intervention
The Bill of Lading (B/L) is the most important trade document in container shipping. Currently, stakeholders along complex supply chains using original B/Ls (OBLs) must physically courier the original documents to the importer so they can present them at the time of goods collection, which is inefficient, expensive and creates opportunities for fraud. Even with an electronic Telex release for OBLs or paperless Seaway Bills (SWBs), the lack of standard data formats and processes creates confusion that contributes to shipping discrepancies, operational delays, financial losses, and higher costs.
The DCSA Digital Trade initiative was designed to facilitate universal acceptance and adoption of a standards-based electronic Bill of Lading, applicable to both original Bill of Ladings and Seaway Bills. Using open source Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), DCSA B/L standard enables straight-through processing of B/L data, eliminating paper and manual intervention from B/L processes. Standardised digitalisation of B/L data and processes will help create a more secure, agile and sustainable supply chain ecosystem. DCSA is also working closely with eBL solution providers on technical and legal interoperability to enable seamless digital transfer of original B/Ls across different platforms and stakeholders, which will facilitate the global uptake of B/L standards.
Our standards are built in collaboration with industry leaders to ensure they are practical, scalable, and aligned with the real needs of the global supply chain. Through our DCSA+ shipping programme, your organization can partner up with DCSA and actively contribute to the development of standards like the electronic Bill of Lading and others that are transforming container shipping.
By joining DCSA+, you’ll have the opportunity to:
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Optimise your supply chain with DCSA's Bill of Lading standard, enable frictionless sharing of digitised shipping data and improve efficiency of your shipment documentation and operations.
With this guide we aim to support your organisation in adopting the DCSA Bill of lading standard to improve efficiency and communication in your shipping documentation process, using universally adoptable and interoperable IT solutions.
In a recent study, McKinsey estimates that if the electronic bill of lading gains 100% adoption across the industry, it could unlock around $18bn in gains for the trade ecosystem through faster document handling and reduced human error (among other improvements) plus $30-40 billion in global trade growth, as digitalisation reduces trade friction.
In a recent study, McKinsey estimates that if the electronic bill of lading gains 100% adoption across the industry, it could unlock around $18bn in gains for the trade ecosystem through faster document handling and reduced human error (among other improvements) plus $30-40 billion in global trade growth, as digitalisation reduces trade friction.
