Does a B/L need an "ISSUE DATE"?

MarkColeman · Post by **MarkColeman** » Tue Dec 17, 2002 12:00 am

We have presented a shipping line B/L to the bank and they have rejected the B/L on the grounds that it did not have a "DATE OF ISSUE". It cleared showed a "SHIPPED ON BOARD DATE" and was signed, but no issue date. The L/C asked for "Full set of shipped on board bills of lading, consigned to order, maked freight prepaid."

What does everyone else think?

Mark
Melbourne Australia

larryBacon · Post by **larryBacon** » Tue Dec 17, 2002 12:00 am

Mark,

before this question can be answered, we must know which type of B/L was issued. There are two acceptable types :

1. Usually preprinted "Shipped on Board" or words to that effect.
2. "Received for shipment" type B/L, but including an on board notation.

Laurence

MarkColeman · Post by **MarkColeman** » Tue Dec 17, 2002 12:00 am

It was a shipping line issued and signed, ocean Bill of Lading, printed with "SHIPPED ON BOARD ##/##/##". It was not a received for shipment B/L. The bank had no issue regarding the "Shiped on board date" they just wanted it *ALSO* to have a date of issue. They advised it must have a shiped on board date (which it did) *AND* an issue date.

larryBacon · Post by **larryBacon** » Sat Dec 21, 2002 12:00 am

Article 23 a ii states that in the case of a B/L preprinted shipped on board, "the date of issuance of the bill of lading will be deemed to be the date of loading on board and the date of shipment". Although it does not categorically state that vice versa also applies, it is reasonable to draw such a conclusion in the absence of any other evidence. Similarly, it is unreasonable to require a date of issue where the UCP does not specifically call for it to be independent of the date of shipment.

Laurence