Which statement about a Master Bill of Lading is correct?

• A. It is issued by the carrier to the freight forwarder and covers the voyage.
• B. It is issued by the shipper to the carrier.
• C. It transfers title to the cargo.
• D. It is used only for domestic shipments.

Answer: (A)

The main idea here is who issues a Master Bill of Lading and what it represents. A Master B/L is the carrier’s document issued to the freight forwarder (or NVOCC) that shows the contract of carriage for a specific voyage and serves as the carrier’s receipt for the cargo on board. It outlines the voyage details, such as vessel, route, ports, and freight terms. This is why the statement describing it as issued by the carrier to the freight forwarder and covering the voyage is correct. It’s not issued by the shipper to the carrier, it isn’t limited to domestic shipments (it’s used in international trade as part of the forwarding chain), and while a B/L can be a document of title, the defining feature highlighted here is the contract of carriage for the voyage.