Which information must be included in a Bill of Lading?

• A. The type, quantity, and conditions of goods; plus shipper, receiver and destination
• B. The ship’s speed and crew list
• C. Insurance terms for the voyage
• D. Port charges and charter party terms

Answer: (A)

The main thing a Bill of Lading must do is clearly identify what is being shipped and who is involved in the shipment. That means a description of the cargo: its type, how much there is, and the condition or packaging in which it is received. It also must name the parties responsible for the shipment and where it is headed: the shipper, the recipient (consignee), and the destination. Together, this information anchors the contract of carriage, provides a record of receipt, and establishes title and points of transfer for the goods.

Details like the ship’s speed or crew list aren’t part of the Bill of Lading because they are operational details of the voyage, not information about the cargo or the contracting parties. Insurance terms aren’t the core requirement for the B/L itself, and while insurance may be handled separately or noted by reference, it’s not a mandatory element of the basic document. Port charges and charter party terms relate to other agreements and financial arrangements, not the fundamental cargo description and party identification the B/L must convey.

So the essential elements are the cargo description (type, quantity, and conditions) and the identified parties and destination, which is why that information is the best fit for what a Bill of Lading must include.